… with sand, with lists, with destinations – preferably all three. It’s the new year. ‘Tis the season of hopes, dreams, and plans for the next twelve months. Some people have a word of the year; others have a to-do list; Pantone has a color. I’m a woman of lists, and while we’re dreaming here at the new year, I’ve compiled a bucket list of destinations I would love to visit. I’ve been to amazing places, and while I can’t think of one that I’d decline to visit again if given the opportunity, I’m all for visiting new places, experiencing new cultures. There’s so much to learn from a new destination, and that is a strong pull in favor of visiting a new place.
Greece
When we arrived in Rome, mid-way through our delightful Italian holiday, and walked in the footsteps of gladiators and senators, I was in awe. And it made me so want to visit Greece, a similar but more ancient culture that the Romans sought to incorporate into their own. I was fascinated. I wanted to go so badly I was afraid my husband was starting to think that I wasn’t enjoying Italy! Which, for the record, was not the case at all.
I love the study of ancient Greece. While I’m not the most in-the-know of all the stories relating to the Greek gods, I thoroughly enjoy a good review. And then Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Archimedes – it’s mind boggling to me how these ancient philosophers studied the sciences. How I would love to roam museums and walk their streets. Yes, I know, Google knows all (or so it appears many times), but nothing beats immersion for a true study of a subject.
Someday, we’ll get there. I could spend all our time combing through Athens and the ancient ruins, with no more than a day trip to visit the picturesque coastline. But with my husband along, I’ve no doubt that we will be beachside on Santorini and/or one of the other charming Greek islands for more than an afternoon. Gotta get in those skyscrapers and sandy toes, right?
Fiji
Fiji, along with Thailand, was on our short list of honeymoon destinations. Alas, we had 9 days including travel for our honeymoon, and both locations were just too far away for us to feel it was worth it. Too much time traveling and recovering from jet lag to really be able to enjoy the time we had there. We’ve since been to Thailand (and it’s amazing!), but have not yet made it to Fiji. It’s more than hop, skip, and jump away unfortunately. I know I’ve said I’m more of a city girl for vacations, but there’s something alluring about a secluded bungalow anchored into the brightest blue waters, miles upon miles away from almost anything else.
New Zealand
We really tried to visit Australia and New Zealand while we were expats living in China. It would have been great. But I was sad to learn that even living on the other side of the world, it was still almost as far away as it was from the States! Of course, we were in northern China close to Russia, quite far from the southern hemisphere, so it really shouldn’t have been that surprising. We went instead to Thailand, and while I don’t regret that trip, I’d still like to make it to NZ someday.
Aurora Borealis – Northern Lights
I’d take anywhere these are visible; I’m not feeling particularly picky. I’ve not been anywhere so far north, so any of those cold regions would work. But if I were picking one, Russia sounds good. Or I guess I could “settle” for Alaska. What a fantastic natural phenomenon to experience.
There’s more, of course!
Of course there’s more. I want to travel to the western coast of Spain, to anywhere in Africa, to the Galapagos Islands, the jungles of South America, and the panda sanctuaries in China. I want to stroll the Parisian streets with baguette in hand, visit the plateaus of Tibet and the nomadic plains of Mongolia. There’s a hundred places in the U.S. that I’d love to pop in for a visit! Like I’ve said before, too many pins on a map to visit. These are just a few.
And yours?
Tell me, do you have a bucket list? Please, say it’s full of places. Please. Tell me you have big dreams to venture out there in the big wide world. I know there are hundreds of reasons why you can’t or haven’t yet applied for that passport or visited that place out of state, but I hope that you at least have dreams. Care to share? I’d love to hear what amazing destinations are on your bucket list.
