Recent years, I have been lucky enough to visit the most amazing places in the world and have had the best travel experiences. But I keep on dreaming about new destinations. And therefore hereby, my bucket list of destinations or experiences that I would love to do:
1. Going on a road trip through Madagascar
After the lyrical stories of my friend N. I just have to go to Madagascar. Madagascar is a huge island on the east side of the continent Africa. It’s one of the poorest places in the world. Furthermore, the island is so large and vast that you can experience all climates, high mountains, the steppes and beautiful sandy beaches in just one day. Within a few hours, you drive from the rainforest to the desert
It is possible to travel around in an organized group, but I think its much better to rent a car and drive through the whole country myself. All the freedom in the world and just making my own plan. The food seems to be great, both Madagasy (the native cuisine) and dishes influenced by the French Colonial period. And finally, I’m very curious about local rum, which seems to be very delicious…
The lack of tourism creates that special travel feeling. You are not one of the thousands of other tourists on ‘vacation’ but really are an adventurous traveller.
Update Nov 2019: we made that cool trip through Madagascar!
2. Learning how to dive, and then back to Rangiroa!
I hardly dare to say it, but I never got my diving license. In the Philippines, I followed a diving course, but unfortunately, I was too scared to go through with it and get my official papers. And I still regret it to this day … because after the Philippines we have been to so many beautiful places where I would have loved to dive.
Especially in French Polynesia, on the island of Rangiroa, I was feeling way too many regrets… There is a dive here where you swim from the sea up into the lagoon. During this dive, you will see the most amazing diversity of fish, sharks and with a bit of luck, you will have the chance to hug with a dolphin. Ries was completely crazy about this dive and therefore I promised myself: One day I will get my diving license, fly back to French Polynesia and make this spectacular dive myself!
Update Nov. 2019: That diving license is in the pocket, just like the first beautiful dives in Belize!
3. Riding a Husky sledge and sleep in an Igloo in Lapland.
I have a big aversion to cold, nothing I hate more than goosebumps, shivers and numb hands. But there is one place where I would love to make an exception for this: Lapland. This place has gotten mythical proportions in my head about how awesome it is.
Lapland should be an amazing place: the northern lights can be seen almost daily, the landscape is beautiful, and you can sleep in a real Igloo. As icing on the cake, you can also drive a husky sledge here, something that seems both very cool and extremely scary. There is just one downside: I haven’t won the lottery yet and I will need to do this before I visit this place. It is soo expensive!
Update Nov. 2019: it’s actually not that expensive, read in our Budget Lapland blog what we spend in Finnish Lapland!
Update Nov. 2019: Finnish Lapland has been visited, it was great! Including a beautiful marriage proposal … Read all about Finnish Lapland here!
4. Relaxing on the Turks and Caicos Islands
Turquoise sea, white beaches, and pink pigs. That is exactly how I imagine the Turks and Caicos Islands. This group of over three hundred islands are part of the Antilles. These Caribbean islands are the perfect destination to relax, snorkel and play with those pigs. How cool that these intelligent animals are soaking in the sea and really enjoy playing with you? Just one tip: When you enter the water, be careful… The pigs feel so at home in the sea that they even do their needs there.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are governed by Great Britain. There is little tourism, only some tourists who visit the islands through a cruise. Another fun fact, it seems to be a true tax haven. Nice place to go if you have a lot of money!
5. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Beirut.
After we have recently been to Tel Aviv, I have fallen for the kitchen in the Middle East. The Baba Ganoush, hummus, falafel, but also the delicious pastries and simple pitta’s.
Besides the amazing Middle East kitchen, Beirut seems to be a very vibrant city located right on the coast. Just like Tel Aviv, but with fewer tourists. In addition, I see myself road-tripping through Lebanon to see all different parts of the country!
As you read, we have more than enough beautiful places to visit in the future. What is on your bucket list?
