Let’s fill up the bucket!

As I’ve posted before, I don’t have a written set-in-stone bucket list as such. I’m more of a, “Oooh, look! Shiny new place. I’d love to to go THERE!” kind of gal. I read about fascinating places, see stunning photos, or hear engrossing stories…and before you know it, I’m adding that to my mental list of where I want to go.

Today is my birthday. And I find birthdays are a time to pause and reflect on the changes and personal growth the previous year has brought. One of the things I’ve reflected on today is how many new places I have added to ‘my list’ over the year.

Since I started this blog in March, I have found so many new and totally fabulous blogs to read. Some are specific travel blogs, some are blogs on other topics which include travel ideas. And as a result, ‘my list’ is filled to the brim and over-flowing.

Some of the new additions to fill up the bucket are:

Cruising the high seas

I want to drink cocktails with umbrellas by the pool, while sailing the (hopefully calm) seas in a huge ocean liner. I want to watch the glitzy dance numbers in the ship’s theatre, partake of the extensive buffet and shout Bingo! when my numbers line up. I’m not all that fussed where I go to and from, but a cruise that doesn’t spend too many days out at sea and offers lots of shore trips would be ideal. I quite like the look of the Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Hawaii cruise.

Staying in a riad in Morocco

There’s something irresistibly exotic about the idea of travelling in Morocco. And I’ve noticed that all of a sudden, it’s popping up in magazine articles and blogs everywhere. I suspect it’s on the brink of becoming an extremely fashionable destination. I’ll need to get there before it gets too crowded.

Hot springs in Japan

I think I may be striking this one off the list sooner rather than later (fingers crossed). Japan has been somewhere I’ve vaguely had in the back of my mind for years, but always seemed so expensive. With current exchange rates, it doesn’t appear to be quite so bad (Maria at nerdnomads.com says costs in Japan are on par with most of Western Europe, and less than New York and London.) My trusty DK guide to Japan* arrived in the mail today…so I’m looking forward to planning the itinerary in detail over the next few weeks. But make no mistake, there shall be multiple onsen and ryokan!

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

I don’t have to travel far for this one. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is a Melbourne institution which has been operating as long as I’ve lived in Melbourne, but I’ve never actually been on it. However, the radio ads I hear each day while I’m driving are starting to take effect. I think I’d really like to try it out. You hop on board a specially kitted-out historical Melbourne tram for a trip around the streets of Melbourne city and suburbs while you eat dinner (or lunch). Dinner is a 5-course affair, although there is an earlier 3-course dinner for those who like to keep nursery hours.

So now it’s your turn…

I know, from checking out my website statistics, that there’s a lot of you reading my blog posts who don’t comment – which is totally fine, I just love that you’re here and reading along, and I hope you’re finding the posts entertaining and/or informative.

But perhaps today, as a special treat for my birthday, you can add a quick comment below telling me one item that is on ‘your list’.

Inspire me. Inspire us all!