New Year, New Buckelist

When you’re struggling for post ideas what do you do? Leap on a popular bandwagon of course! And one particular trend that keeps popping up in the midst of my eternal mind blank is the old blogger’s favourite; bucket lists.

So to hell with it, why not give that a try?

But before I get stuck in to the actual bucket list I have to admit that I’m something of a newbie traveller, so the real thing is less a list, more a giant, hardback volume. Or 10. Picture one of those enormous bookshelves that take up entire walls – that’s what I’m aiming for in my lifetime!

But I highly doubt you want to read my lifetime supply of aspiring adventures, and I’m not going to inflict it on you anyway. So please don’t run away!

Instead I’m just going to focus on the near future. Let’s say the next ten years. I’m only 22 and have my whole life ahead of me (if I manage to avoid any stupid accidents), so for now these destinations will happily do!

 

Image: Pixabay

America

Ask any European whether they want to visit America and their answer will probably be yes. Basically every non-American wants to visit the United States at some point. I’m far from alone in that. But I’ve got my own (admittedly more peculiar) reasons to make my way to the ol’ US of A!

1. The Wild West. OK, I’ve worked in a stately home. I know how annoying it is encountering overenthusiastic tourists with a fanatical fixation on one frustratingly limited era of your nation’s history. But out of the confines of my own country, I am also one of those annoying tourists! Sorry.
2. Haunted Attractions. We’re certainly not deprived of haunted houses and hotels here in the UK, but the USA boasts some pretty legendary examples! The Lizzie Borden House, the Warren’s Museum and the Winchester Mystery House are but a few locations I’d love to slap on my fantasy American road trip. And a brief stop at Roswell is obviously also obligatory.
3. American diners. I’m weirdly obsessed with the idea of eating at a proper American diner! They pop up all the time in 80’s movies, American TV, road trip documentaries and are basically a key American symbol to Western eyes. And I’m obsessed with those giant sundaes customers always seem to be shown eating! They look AMAZING.

 

Image: Pixabay

South Korea

I did consider adding Korea to my travel intinary during my Japan trip last year, but ultimately decided against it due to the additional cost. Which was probably a sensible decision in hindsight, but has left me with a real hankering to visit the country as part of a future trip!

Much like Japan it’s the exciting combination of culture, scenery and food that attracts me to South Korea. I’m a bit of a Korean horror movie fan, and I’d love to nail down a little of the language while I’m out there!

I’m also curious to get a little closer to it’s secretive neighbour North Korea, which is today almost entirely obscured from outside eyes. Which naturally makes my curiosity all the greater. Though whether I’d actually be able to is another story…

 

Image: Pixabay

Thailand

Many, many factors make me want to pack my bags and head to Thailand, but it’s mostly down to one magnificent national animal; the Asian elephant!

Elephants have been my favourite animal ever since I was little, and I’ve dreamed of visiting an Elephant sanctuary for just as long. To spend a week in the company of these wonderful, intelligent creatures would be an absolute dream come true!

Not all Thailand’s elephant sanctuaries are the havens you’d expect them to be – I’m very aware of that. But there are so many moving accounts by fellow bloggers of the wonderful centres out there, which have left me positively itching to grab a slice of the action for myself!

 

Image: Pixabay

Scottish Highlands

As my regular readers may have noticed, I’m a liiiiiitle bit obsessed with Edinburgh and its ghoulish heritage! But as fascinating as this awe-inspiring gothic city and its grisly history may be, I’d also love to venture further afield and experience Scotland as a whole.

Rolling coastlines, rocky cliffs, tiny, charming villages and hairy highland cattle are just some of the delights I’d hope to see when travelling Scotland. And tucking in to some good old-fashioned haggis and black-pudding sounds delightful too!

 

Image: Pixabay

Iran

It’s fair to say that Iran is one tremendously misunderstood country. The horror stories and widely entrenched prejudice it’s subjected to is especially relevant today given the current state of American politics (i.e the gormless, toupeed goon who’s recently become president).

Iran is a cess-pool of terrorism, oppression and fierce anti-West sentiment, right?

Wrong.

While anything positive about the country may be largely drowned out by fear-mongering media and certain islamophobic politicians, every account I’ve seen from actual travellers who’ve stayed in the country have been overwhelmingly positive. These stories instead tell of country inhabited by friendly, welcoming people, with a complex culture and beautiful architecture! Few things feel as good as busting a stereotype, and I’d love to join the growing band of bloggers busting myths about this misguidedly feared corner of the planet.

 

Image: Pixabay

Lapland

If you say you’re not excited by the prospect of reindeer, husky sledding and the aurora borealis you’re lying! Or you have no soul. One or the other.

Okay, accusing you of lacking a soul may a tad harsh but still; who doesn’t want to visit Lapland? Dream-come-true animal experiences, stunning surroundings and even the world’s most spectacular natural light show (if you’re lucky)!

And if you add in to the equation the fanciful image of cosy wooden huts and steaming mugs of cocoa, this is one trip-of-a-lifetime that’s hard to turn your nose up at.

I’m not great with the cold, but this strikes me as one destination that’s well worth braving the icy temperatures! I say as I huddle next to the radiator dressed in my warmest jumper…

 

Image: Pixabay

Sri Lanka

Both my parents having spent time travelling here, visiting Sri Lanka feels something of a rite of passage for me. I still own the pair of hand carved wooden elephants my parents brought back from their travels all those decades ago. And the sight of them nestled side by side on my shelf has always spurred me on to make it there myself one day!

Combine this personal connection with an abundance of amazing wildlife, a rich-cultural history and some mouth-watering national cuisine, and here you have one destination I’m determined to get to! And one I’ll undoubtedly feel very proud to finally cross off my bucket list.

 

What’s on your travel bucket-list? Do let me know in the comments!

 

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