My Travel 'Bucket List'

Are you familiar with the term, 'bucket list'? It's much older than the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman movie by the that name, but the premise is the same. Basically, it's a list of things you want to get accomplished before you die. While it's not exactly pleasant to think about the fact that we will all die someday, I think we all have things we would like to do before we 'exit, stage left'. Some items I've heard people say are pretty outlandish, like skydiving or meeting the Dalai Lama. Others, however, are a bit more low-key. For me, a lot of them have to do with traveling the world. I've always been fascinated with different languages and cultures, so having a long list of places I would like to visit before I die makes perfect sense. Since this is an 'outdoor' blog with a 'travel' section, I'll tell you what some of my 'bucket destinations' are. Then, you can tell me yours!

I think I'd like to visit every inhabited continent at least once before I die. I stress 'inhabited', because I have no desire to visit Antarctica. I don't even like cold weather here in Georgia, much less the South Pole! That leaves me six more to visit, as well as a whole host of islands. This is the list I came up with:

• Asia-I've heard Turkey is a really nice place to visit. I'd also like to see the Great Wall of China, as well as explore Japan and India. While I'm not sure how safe it would be, I also really want to visit Israel. For some reason, I feel 'drawn' to that area of the world. Maybe it's because I'm a Christian and that's where Jesus is from, or maybe it is because there are so many historical places there. Either way, I'd love to visit.
• Africa-The pictures of South Africa I have seen are absolutely stunning. Also, Egypt has the Pyramids and other historical sites. Can you tell I'm a history buff?
• North America-I don't know if you count the Bahamas as part of this continent but, if you do, I've already been there. There are so many places here in the US that I have yet to see, such as California and the Grand Canyon. I'd also love to go to a hockey game in Toronto and have 'real' Mexican food.
• South America-I hear Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are really nice. I'd also like to visit Machu Picchu.
• Europe-I've already been to the UK, and I would love to go back. Edinburgh, Scotland has this awesome month-long street festival in the summer called the Fringe Festival that features dozens (if not hundreds) of street performers from all over the world. I'd love to have 'real' Italian and Greek food, and see if Barcelona and Paris are all they're cracked up to be. Basically, I'd love to travel the entire continent.
• Australia-My brother lived in Melbourne, and every picture I've ever seen is gorgeous. Plus I love the accent! Do they let you pet koala bears or kangaroos? I'd love to take a hop to New Zealand while I'm down there.

Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to go to Guam. My father was stationed there in the Navy, and I was born there. We left when I was just a baby, but every picture I have seen is just incredible. My family talks it up a lot, so I'd like to see the places they mention.

As you can see, I have quite the travel 'bucket list'! I'm approaching middle age, so I'm thinking that I should probably get started. :) What are some places you want to visit? Feel free to share them below!