Nov 26, 2014

Ten travel destinations I’ve always wanted to experience and probably never will

Over the years I’ve kept a mental list of places I “had” to visit some time...one day...you know, when I got around to it. Well, I have to be honest, most of the destinations on that list have become places that I will probably never visit. I have another list of landmarks within Australia and if I can tick them off I will be more than satisfied. I’ve lived in England and France and I’ve travelled through Europe and North Africa, toured New Zealand and visited North America, so I’m happy that I’ve had some great travel experiences and I am hereby striking the following from my bucket list:


1. Driving Route 66
There was a time when this seemed like the ultimate road trip.

2. Trekking to Machu Picchu
I would have felt like Indiana Jones doing the four-day trek across the mountains to the Incan ruins.



3. Hanging with orang-utans in Borneo
There’s no doubt that this would have been a fabulous thing to do. Such lovely creatures.

4. Staying in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora
A stunning location, perfect for the ultimate romantic getaway.

5. Riding the Trans-Siberian railway
From Moscow to Vladivostok across the wide-open Siberian steppes carpeted with summer flowers.

6. Admiring the Aurora Borealis
My plan was to watch this display from Scandinavia and then sail up the coast of Norway through the magnificent fjords.

7. Touring the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
On safari, up close and personal with the wildlife in the wilderness used to sound like fun.

8. Gazing at the great pyramids at Giza
As well as marvelling at Cheops and the others, I planned to visit the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings.



9. Hiking in the Himalayas
To travel on foot in Nepal sounded like such a good idea once upon a time.

10. Staying in an Amazon jungle lodge
Always fancied hearing the sounds of the jungle as I fell asleep, but not from a tent. It had to be something sturdier than that.


What about you? Do you still have a list of places you plan to visit or are you, like me, ready to give up on some of them?

Or have you already had any of the travel experiences on my (former) bucket list? If so, were they fantastic?

14 comments:

  1. Claire, what a great list! Sad, though, that you've reached the stage of giving up on some of them. Sigh. I'm a little the same. There are places I've always wanted to go that I just won't get too, and I suspect doing the walking trek to Macchu Picchu is one of them. Maybe I could take the train? On the other hand I'm still eager to visit some of the places I've wanted to see for years. Just a few months ago I finally made it to the Dolomites of N Italy and it was fantastic. Hoping I fit in a few more of those must-sees...

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    1. I don't feel sad, Annie. I still plan to see the sun set over Uluru, visit Kakadu, travel on the Ghan and so on. Plenty to do yet.

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  2. Oh Claire never say never. You dont know what's going to crop up down the track :-)

    Hubby and I are doing #1 next year with my best friend and her hubby so yay for that! And I still want to do numbers 4,5,6 & 8.
    I also want to go back and spend more time in Italy. A couple of weeks in Venice and I want to do the Cinque Terre too.
    Sigh - so many places, so little time (and money!)

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    1. You're driving Route 66? Wow, I hope we see a full report here.

      Good luck with 4, 5, 6 & 8!

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  3. Oh Claire, your list looks like my list, with the exception of New York- which is at the top of my list! And, fingers and toes crossed I'll be ticking that one off next year. So many places, so little...money ;-)

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    1. New York very nearly made it to my list. I hope you do get there next year and have a great time.

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  4. Love your list, Claire! I'd love to do the Machu Picchu trek and the Trans-Siberian and hanging with the orang-utans especially. And the Orient Express - love Agatha Christie! LOL And a cruise to Antarctica.

    We saw the Aurora Australis when we were in New Zealand. It was staggering. And I've been trekking in Nepal - just a short trek but it was fabulous. Gorgeous scenery. Amazing people. A very special experience.

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  5. You've been trekking in Nepal?!!!! I'm so impressed, Sharon. Glad to hear that it was as good as I thought it would be.

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  6. What a wonderful list, Claire. I've been on safari in Zimbabwe but not Kenya and have been to Rio, so close to the Amazon but not actually in it. Did see an anaconda in the Rio zoo which I have to say put me off going up the Amazon.

    Would love to Admire the Aurora Borealis and trek up to Machu Picchu. Ah....one day.

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  7. Ha! I think the anaconda might well have put me off the jungle too, Jenn!

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  8. Claire, I love your list...and 20 years ago I'd have been up for any of those things. I have to say, though, that these days trekking and the chance of coming face to face with spiders and snakes and things that might eat me is a much less attractive option. There's still oodles of the world that I want to see...and there's a lot that I'm happy to watch from my armchair. ;-)

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    1. We can be armchair adventurers, can't we? Of course we can. :)

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  9. Great list, Claire - though I can definitely understand why they might change.

    I do have a long list of places I'd love to go and I have a list of places that fascinate me, but that I would probably never actually visit (e.g. the amazon - way too many creepy crawlies). There's so much to see, but Italy is right at the top of my list of places I'd love to go next :)

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    1. I'm seeing a theme here. Snakes, spiders and other creepy crawlies are enough to put us off visiting. It's a good reason for dropping a few places off the list, I think.

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