Bucket List--travel

[beachreader]

Since Maya was talking about his bucket list, I thought that might be a good separate thread for everyone. What's your travel bucket list?

Mine will continue to grow, but right now:

Australia--long-time dream, but as I'd need like a month to do it, it seems farther and farther away. I have this sneaking feeling that once I go there, I might have to stay.
Back to Greece--primarily Santorini, as discussed in Luv's thread, but the countryside of the mainland as well.
Back to Italy--haven't been in over 10 years, would like to do the southern regions this time, Sicily, Naples, etc.
Scotland/Ireland--maybe a golf trip (my golf trip bucket list is kind of a separate thing and includes Pebble Beach/Spyglass).
US/Hawaii/Alaska--I was hoping to get all 50 states in by the time I'm 50, but it's not looking good right now. I've never driven across the US and would like to.
Brazil--my mother spent many childhood years in Rio, need to go while we still have family friends left there.
River Rafting Gourmet camping trip--you know, one of those white-water trips that end each evening at campsites already set up by advance teams and you eat fresh trout with good wines.
Caribbean sailing trip--like the one Mayaflya's going on soon.

I lived in Japan many years ago and visited Hong Kong before the change, so I don't feel like I need Asia on the list anymore, but maybe Thailand or Vietnam, and my brother bought some property in Bali, so that's possible.

I've been to South Africa/Namibia, and I'd like to go back there, but it's such a big continent I feel like I should check out the equitorial regions.

I've been to France a few times, but would always love to go back, and I visited Spain once and would love to explore more of Spain and Portugal.

This list could go on forever, I might need to start re-setting my goals rather than returning to Tulum every chance I get. That, and hope the market recovers so I can spend some time traveling in my retirement rather than sitting in my room eating cat food.

Anyone else?

[mayaflya]

Other places on our list:

Japan (the wife spent a summer there in her college days...and we want to go back together)

Latvia (we had a short visit with my parents three years ago to the village where they grew up...I'd like to go again for longer and with my siblings, who haven't been, yet)

New Zealand

Greece (we were "that close" to making this summer's trip to Greece...sailing ..but the travel time and required connections crunched the week too hard)

Vermont/Maine/New Hampshire

Italy...for the food and architecture.

[Lynnette]

Here's my list in no particular order:

Italy (The Amalfi coast)...a girl's trip with my daughter(Mom pays of course) ;)

Belize...Cay Caulker

Antigua....I love the mountain backdrop against the white sand and turquoise water

Greek Isles cruise.....now Santorini

Australia....Sydney & the beautiful Australian beaches

Tahiti/Bora Bora....stay in one of the over water bungalows

I'm sure I'll add the Maldives after Kayt's report and photos!! I seem to have a beach/water theme going!!!

http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/images/islands/borabora/canoebeach.jpg

[beachreader]

What's that picture of, Lynette? Looks pretty perfect.

[Lynnette]

What's that picture of, Lynette? Looks pretty perfect.

Tahiti and it really does looks perfect!!! sigh I love to dream big when I armchair travel!! :)

[Gale in KY]

Fran..if you want to do a gourmet camping/river rafting trip, I have just the place for you. Ran into a guy I went to HS with here at work the other day..he came in to buy a couple of bean grinders. Here's a link to his website

www.truenorthoutfitters.com

The Red River Gorge area of KY is amazing, is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East...I usually go down there once or twice a year..here are some shots..you can camp almost anywhere as long as you are 100 ft. off the road and not around any of the natural rock arches.

http://th268.photobucket.com/albums/jj15/Moggymoll/Backpacking/th_IMG_0571.jpg

http://th217.photobucket.com/albums/cc300/ericgriz/Red%20River%20Gorge/th_creationfalls.jpg

http://thmg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Sonymd-band/Red%20River/th_100_2311.jpg

I was really impressed when he said he "refuses" to serve anything fried in the restaurant..lol!

[think]

There are countless places I would like to go. But as far as a somewhat realistic bucket list...

I'd like to see all 50 states (a little more than half way there.)
I'd also really like to visit each continent at least once.

Reading this thread has me thinking.. maybe I really do need to sit down and make a list of places I want to see...

Hey Gale, looks like we were posting at about the same time. I actually just went to RRG a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I have to agree, it is awesome. We hiked for three days on the Sheltowee Trace to get our feet wet. We are already planning on going back for a much longer hike.

[beachreader]

Thanks, Gale, that looks beautiful, but unless I'm missing something on their site, I don't think that's what I'm looking for.

I'm imagining one of the ones I've heard of out West (like on the Snake River, maybe the Colorado), where you put in at one location, paddle all day, admire canyons and do some white water, arrive at a camp that's been set up for you (not a hotel), eat fabulous food and sleep, then get back in the boats as someone else breaks camp for you and continue down river to another location. You come out somewhere a few hundred miles down from where you started.

I've been dreaming of this for years, but it's really expensive.

[Gale in KY]

Think..I practically grew up in the Gorge, many of my family members still live there. I have fond memories of staying at my grandmother's house way back in the hills..with no electric and no runnin' water. Maybe that's why I am so drawn to Tulum!

Jeff told me his not too far from the Beattyville Exit off the parkway..On Skybridge Rd. I am definitely going down there as soon as it warms up a bit (can you believe this crazy weather we are having?)

I think my favorite area is the area around Chimney Rock and Princess Arch. We usually just find a spot and set up the tent. LOL.

[Lynnette]

Thanks, Gale, that looks beautiful, but unless I'm missing something on their site, I don't think that's what I'm looking for.

I'm imagining one of the ones I've heard of out West (like on the Snake River, maybe the Colorado), where you put in at one location, paddle all day, admire canyons and do some white water, arrive at a camp that's been set up for you (not a hotel), eat fabulous food and sleep, then get back in the boats as someone else breaks camp for you and continue down river to another location. You come out somewhere a few hundred miles down from where you started.

I've been dreaming of this for years, but it's really expensive.


My inlaws did this on the Colorado, floating through the Grand Canyon. They ate gourmet food, slept on comfy beds and had the adventure of a lifetime. They are world travelers, and that rafting trip is high on their favorites list.

[bellydancer]

Lynette...Tahiti/Bora Bora is also my dream vacation one of these days. My daughter and future SIL are going there for their honeymoon this summer and staying in the over water bungalows and invited Mom & stepdad to tag along but alas right now it's out of our price range. Now if SIL wanted to get on his new MIL's good side and pay for ours...oh well...wishful thinking!!


Here's my list in no particular order:


Tahiti/Bora Bora....stay in one of the over water bungalows

http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/images/islands/borabora/canoebeach.jpg

[think]

Gale, I didn't see those arches, but read about them in my little Red River Gorge book. I will definitely check them out one day. I really like how you can camp pretty much anywhere you want, except 300 feet from the trail, next to cliffs, etc. :) You also can't beat the price (free, or a couple bucks if you leave your car overnight.) The first night we heard something howling. It was pretty cool (and a bit scary) because you could tell it was somewhat close by. Luckily, it didn't have an appetite for marshmellows, veggie dogs, or city slickers.

[susan]

We did a white water rafting trip at Glacier NP last summer, it was camping in tents and very much the wilderness but the guides prepared all the meals which were very good, no skimping. It was a great time and my kids loved it as well. Plus Glacier is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, IMO.

[beachreader]

Susan, that sounds great. Do you remember the company?

[Gale in KY]

My Bucket List
I would love to sail the Greek Isles on a barefoot cruise. Only cruise I have an interest in.

Alaska
The Galapagos Islands
Borneo
Newfoundland

and I would like to become fluent in Spanish! (Don't laugh Beachreader..I think I can overcome this mid-west accent!:o)

[Gale in KY]

My Bucket List
I would love to sail the Greek Isles on a barefoot cruise. Only cruise I have an interest in.

Alaska
The Galapagos Islands
Borneo
Newfoundland

and I would like to become fluent in Spanish! (Don't laugh Beachreader..I think I can overcome this mid-west accent!:o)

Think--Clifty Wilderness area of the Gorge is really amazing..it's very remote, and it's a no impact area, gotta pack out what you pack in..no services..but it's well worth the experience. Be sure to register with the park office before you go in, so they can find you if you don't come out..lol.

You probably heard coyotes, but we do have our share of bobcat and they are very populus in Eastern KY.

You guys should all come visit me..I can take you to Big Bone Lick..heehee..no kidding, it's a real place..If anyone remembers the book/movie, "Follow the River", this area was described as the place where the Indians who kidnapped Mary Ingles camped and hunted..known for the "big bones" of the Mastadon and other prehistoric animals found there. You haven't lived 'till you visit Big Bone!:rolleyes:

[beachreader]

I used to drive past the sign for Big Bone Lick all the time on my way down to Lexington--one of my favorite signs of all time! I've heard it's a nice place, but I just can't get past that name! :D

And Gale, I can't wait to hear your new mastery of Spanish. :p Maybe it'll inspire me to actually learn some tenses and stuff so I don't sound like a baby. I bought a set of CDs and they've been sitting on the kitchen counter for months. One of these days...

[Gale in KY]

I have some friends that run a little c-store here..they have offered to assist me with my lack of Spanish-speaking skills if I will cover the register for them a couple evenings a week..great trade off!

I figure I am ahead of the game, it has to be easier to overcome a midwestern accent than a hillbilly one!:D:p

If you passed the http://www.danphillips.com/personal/cross-country_04/display/big_bone_lick.jpg
you passed the exit to my house...go west to Big Bone, east to my humble abode! Just a few miles south of http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1007/1484809805_343ece4745.jpg

[beachreader]

Cool! I know exactly where you are now! Is it true that the "Florence Y'all" water tower originally said "Florence Mall", but then there was some problem with that being advertising on county property so they just changed the "M" to "Y'"? I hope it's true, I love that story.

[susan]

It was Glacier guides http://www.glacierguides.com/rafting_trips_with_montana_raft_company.html (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.glacierguides. com%2Frafting_trips_with_montana_raft_company.html )

It was fantastic, but this is a true wilderness camping experience without you having to bring in the food, do the cooking, or clean up. The stars are unbelievable at night, brighter than Tulum.

This was on my bucket list but it may go back on as a repeat requirement. Next summer(2009) my goal is to go back to Glacier but to do one of the backpacking trips, need to start getting in shape for that one now.

I am a big National Parks fan and my goal is to get to all of them one day.

A couple of years ago we did a trip where we flew into Vegas, rented a car (got out of Vegas- I don't like the place) and did a loop through southern Utah and Northern Az that included Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyon Lands, The Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam, dropped the car off in Vegas and flew home. This was one fantastic trip.

Once my kids are older and probably out of college ( due to the money thing) I would llike to do one tropical and one national park vacation a year.

[Gale in KY]

Fran..that is a true story. I remember when they built Florence Mall, it was the largest mall in the state at the time. Prior to building it, they constructed the water tower, and painted it with "Florence Mall." The city said, "There is no mall." The developer said, No Problem, and repainted it to "Florence Y'All", with the intention of repainting it when the mall was completed. It was so catchy and became such a landmark, they left it as it. Labor, the city of Florence hosts a "Florence Y'all Festival".


Susan..thanks for the link, I think this would be a once in a lifetime experience..amazing, the sheer power of Mother Nature..one of the main reasons I would love to take a month and explore Alaska..in the summer of course..I don't do cold weather..at least not willingly..lol.

[joyinthesand]

Beachreader, I need to suggest that you check out trips on the Rogue River in Oregon. I did it with my brother as my guide, but there were a few guided troops, just what your looking for. The river was the best I have done, super fun rapids and warm water! How nice it was to float for awhile when hot, or play and swim in the late afternoon after setting up camp. Of course someone else would come ahead and set up camp for you! Also Martha Stewart showcased her trip there a few years back, before jail I think.

[beachreader]

That is exactly what I want, thanks Susan and Joy. I love the wilderness camping thing, did plenty of it when younger, just would like to see how it feels to have other people do the grunt work for once. :) Add some fresh trout and chilled chardonnay and I'm a happy (if middle-aged) camper!

I do admire the stars in Tulum, but there's so much light pollution down there anymore (even in the Sian Ka'an), they're just not as good as you get in the clear mountain air with no cities anywhere nearby. You just can't really say that to anyone in Tulum, though!

I'm just picky about my stars since I spent so much time in the Catskills and Adirondacks growing up. Those crystal clear, cold nights that my dad dragged us out of bed to go look at the stars really impressed me. :star:

[luvthesun]

Here's mine-

GreeK Islands
Italy...Amalfi coast & Sardinia
Thailand
Tahitian Islands & Cook Islands
Spain
Brazil
New Zealand
Australia
Indonesia/Malaysia/Phillipines
Big Island hawaii & back to Kauai

Hmmm... I better get busy!!

[Lynnette]

I drove by the Florence Mall many times on the way to visit my daughter in Lexington during her college days. NOW, I know the rest of the story behind the Y'all greeting!!! The things you learn on this board!! :)

[think]

LOL. I always laugh at that water tower, but never knew the story. I'm already far away from the original intent of this thread, so I might as well go all out... Do you have any recommendations for a hotel to stay at close to the stadium where the Reds play? :)

[Gale in KY]

Think..I would recommend staying on the KY side of the river. There are several good hotels on the river, and you really can't beat the view of the Cincinnati Skyline. You can walk across the river on The John Roebling suspension bridge, rather than have to fight the traffic and find parking, which can be a nightmare. I always park over here and walk.

Any of these are great hotels, all are right off of I-75's last exit before you cross the river into Ohio

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cvgdr-cincinnati-marriott-at-rivercenter/

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cvgcy-courtyard-cincinnati-covington/

This one has a revolving restaurant on the top floor, kind of kewl. You can almost watch the game from your room..lol.

http://www.radisson.com/covingtonky


That being said, I am partial to the B&B's we have here.
Here's one that is just lovely. There is also alot of info about our area on their website.

http://www.amosshinklebnb.com/page3.html

[graceland]

Hi Lynette, I love your pic of Bora Bora; I honeymooned there 28 years ago and I felt about it then as people remember Tulum years back. Unfortunately in the past five years, it has become something of a freak show. Row after row of "over water " bungalows to bring in the tourist dollar (and a lot of Euros) at the expense of the eco system and the reefs.
When we went , there were maybe three places to stay, the Hotel Bora Bora was an institution - generations worked there -passing their jobs down and very proud of it.
Now large commercial establishements building their vision of Bora Bora - cruises ships hovering over the tranquil waters and $20 mojihotos being sold ; celeb honeymooners - Nicole Kidman, The Desperate Housewife and her basketball hubby - don't blame them, its gorgeous and paparazzi not so abundant. But , its definitely changing. So if it is on your bucket list, save, save, save, and go now.
Maybe Maldives might be the place...or Seychelles...but Tahitia and Bora Bora three years ago had changed so much I cringed. We love Hotel Bora Bora, but it is also changing and as the Tulum lovers know; it will never be the same. I think that is why I feel your pain when you talk of the "old Tulum" which I did not know; but I do know what has happened to the paradise I once knew in the South Pacific.
When will people ever learn.
I think it was Nat. Geo. had a report on islands that were losing their identities and their sense of responsibility in sustaining their reefs and eco - systems.. Bora Bora and the surrounding islands was near the top. It is very sad.
Hate to pass on bad news, but it is happening and most folks do not know.
Gracie

[Jana]

This is a fun thread! My list (similar to luvethesun's I think):

- Thailand/Siem Reap
- Malaysia/Phillipines
- Australia
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Barcelona
- Scandinavia
- Maldives
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Turkey
- Brazil
- Argentina

[think]

Wow Gale, THANKS :eat-drink: I was thinking the KY side might be the best place. I think you convinced me :)

[Lynnette]

Gracie....Bora Bora is now overdeveloped, too...is nothing sacred or protected??!! :(

I have to add another destination. A friend of mine is in Spain right now, and after her first email, I know I want to go to Barcelona and other areas she is visiting!!

[beachreader]

Spain is great, I did a cooking school holiday there a few years ago, stayed in a hacienda south of Sevilla, took day trips to the coast and to a big market and stuff like that. It was awesome, but now I really need to see more of the region.

Just as beautiful and food-centric as Italy or France, but still less expensive, less "discovered". At least, 10 years ago. And by "less expensive", I'm not taking into account the terrible Euro/dollar exchange.

[graceland]

I know Lynette, I am sad and astonished; as much as the Tulumanaries feel about their very special place. There is so much money pouring in there for development that I guess the local gov. did not know what to do or how to save such a glorious, special environment.
We are so glad we saw it when we did, but when we returned our eyes were wide and sad at the same time.
Since then, I have heard the "over water' bungalows are multiplying at a rapid rate...that sort of "romanticism" brings lots of tourists in..I guess the water at Tulum is too uncertain to build over it...at least that it a good thing. (And to tell the truth, the overwaters are way too close to one another; we chose a wonderful beachfront cabanna and had the entire beachfront to ourselves)
Spain sounds great however, and I will definitely look into it for future travel. Some islands off of Portugal were recommended to us - the Azores. Apparently they are very strict in their zoning and have no desire to grow. Might be on my list next!
Gracie

[DougSR]

I finally thought of something to add to this thread. The one thing I have always wanted to go see is the Tour de France. That is one of my favorite spectator events and it begins this Saturday. YAY!!!

The thought of chilling on the side if the road in the Pyranees or the French Alps with a nice bottle of wine ...THAT would be my ideal vacation.

[kimba]

I was going to add Le Tour too, but then I remembered I was in Paris for the finish of 1986 and saw Greg Lemond win on Les Champs. It's a really exciting thing to watch the race live, even if it is only the last day. When Lance was riding I was glued to the television for those last four years.

My List In No Particular Order:
Mexico DF/Oaxaca/Palenque/El Mirador/Tikal/Copan
Machu Picchu
Pyramids in Egypt
Angor Wat
Thailand/Chiang Mai
The Great Wall
The Siberian Railroad
Antarctica (not on a tour)
Buenos Aries
Kimberley South Africa (my nameplace)
Capetown and Soweto S.A.
Kyoto and Tokyo Japan
Ayers Rock
India (and Dharamsala)
Tibet
Bhutan
Dublin
Edinburgh
Marfa, Texas
Dakar, Senegal
Morocco
Spain (especially Barcelona but also southern)

Places I want to go back to:
Yucatan Peninsula
Florence and Rome, Italy in general
Paris and South of France, France in general
London
Prague
Desert Southwest

[Gale in KY]

I can't believe I left this out, so I will add it now..I WILL someday make my pilgrimage on the Santiago de Compostela Camino in Northern Spain.

I hope it's soon, before I am too old to walk the distance!

[graceland]

Kimba; in the past year I have been to Machu and South Africa, and I would definitely say they are both worth the top 5 in your bucket list!

If you want to see any pics (esp. Africa, my personal fav) pm me!!

Gracie!:wave:

[kimba]

Oh for sure! Actually, South Africa via Buenos Aires is my next trip after the Mexico D.F. to Copan trip. I have to get to Soweto to kick my ex's a**.