My Travel Bucket List

Traveling is a never-ending hobby. With God being a majestic artist, earth has many wonderful places to explore. As a traveler, it is always been my dream to wander to as many destinations as I can. Taking into consideration my time, my money and other aspects of my life, I know I would be reaching the following places soon:

1. PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the World. It is one of the few such rivers which the public can easily experience and appreciate. It is the officially one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The watershed area of the river within the park is covered by primary forest which is home to many endemic species of animals and plants. It encompasses an unusual variety of ecosystems, making it high scientific and conservation interest. (Confirmed travel date is December 2012)

(Cited from http://www.gopalawan.travel/Underground_River_Tour)

2. EL NIDO, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

El Nido really is a magical place. From its ageless towering marble cliffs to its white sandy beaches with crystal clear water, many refer to it as paradise. There are over 50 beaches to discover, so many in fact that sometimes you feel as if you are on your own secluded private beach. You will also find enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise-green water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of wildlife. (Confirmed travel date is December 2012)

(Cited from: http://www.elnidopalawan.com/about.html)

3. BATANES, PHILIPPINES

The Batanes island group is the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area. An area that for generations is almost isolated from the rest of the Philippines. Batanes consist of 10 tiny islands and islets namely: Batan, Sabtang, Itbayat, Mavudis, Siayan, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami. Only the first three islands are inhabited. The wind swept islands of Batanes are beautiful and enchanting and they are like no other in the Philippines. Since Batanes is separated from the country by miles of rough waters, the Ivatans (the name of the people of Batanes) have developed a different culture. Ivatans are honest, gentle and polite but brave and robust. They are proud of their their heritage and their land.

(Cited from: http://www.philsite.net/batanes.htm)

4. GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA

The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

(Cited from: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/)

5. PLAIN OF JARS, LAOS

More than 90 sites are known within the province of Xieng Khouang. Each site ranges from 1 up to 400 stone jars. The jars vary in height and diameter between 1 and 3 metres and are all without exception hewn out of rock. The stone jars are undecorated with the exception of a single jar at Site 1. This jar has a human bas-relief carved on the exterior. Parallels between this ‘frogman’ at Site 1 and the rock painting at Huashan in Guangxi, China have been drawn. The paintings, which depict large full-frontal humans with arms raised and knees bent, are dated to 500 BC - 200 AD .

(Cited from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_of_Jars)

6. BUNGEE JUMP AT MACAU TOWER, MACAU

The World's Highest Bungy Jump at Macau Tower will take its guests on a free fall at a speed of up to 200km/h for the ultimate extreme journey! Plunging from a platform 233m high, challengers will experience a 4-5 second freefall before stretching the 50 meter bungy cord nearly four times its unloaded length and rebounding at approximately 30 meters above the ground. Using a guide cable system, bungy jumpers will be able to safely experience a few rebounds before slowly landing onto a specially designed airbag. (Confirmed travel date is November 2012, although no budget yet for the jump)

(Cited from: http://www.macautower.com.mo/en/dining_shopping_entertainment/adventure/bungy_jump/index.html)

7. LANTERN FESTIVAL, THAILAND

It’s Loy Krathong, Thailand’s traditional moon festival, which takes place on the eve of the full moon in the 12th month of the traditional Thai calendar. This year, that day is Nov. 20, the day before the actual full moon.

(Cited from: http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2010/11/13/loy-krathong-and-other-lights/)

8. JERUSALEM

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the Church of the Resurrection(Anastasis) to Eastern Orthodox Christians, is a church in the Old City ofJerusalem that is the holiest Christian site in the world. It stands on a site that is believed to encompass both Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb (sepulchre) where he was buried. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century.

(Cited from: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre)

9. KINGDOM OF BHUTAN

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a Southeast Asian nation nestled at the east of the Himalayas and bordered by India, Tibet, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is not for the faint-hearted.

Daily life in Bhutan and local culture are what Westerners might call “out of the ordinary.” Cigarettes are banned. Any meal is not complete without red rice. Families serve chili as a main dish. Many houses are painted with giant phalluses as protection. And monks transcribe age-old Buddhist handwritten texts into digital format in front of a computer. The quaint charm of Bhutan comes with a hefty price though: $200 a day per tourist. At this rate, Bhutan is undoubtedly one of the most expensive places to get around in.

(Cited from: http://famouswonders.com/asia/bhutan/)

10. BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI

Not only is Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building tall. Burj Khalifa wins by far in all three categories.  

(Cited from: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/the-tower/fact-figures.aspx)

11. TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

One knows that ‘The Taj’ is one amongst the World’s Wonders. One knows that it is one amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One knows The Taj as a legend of eternal love of an Emperor for his favourite Queen. 

(Cited from: http://www.tajmahal.gov.in/home.html)

12. DISNEYLAND

Here are a lot more magical memories awaiting families in Hong Kong Disneyland, where you will embark on a magical journey through four themed lands: Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Must-see attractions include Flights of Fantasy Parade, which will take you up, up and away on a sky-high celebration with your favourite Disney characters singing and dancing along Main Street USA; Mickey’s PhilharMagic in which Donald Duck relives the most memorable moments of Disney’s animated films in 3D; The Golden Mickeys, a Broadway-style musical show featuring Mickey and his friends; and also Fantasy Gardens where Mickey, Minnie and Goofy make surprise appearances to meet and greet with guests – so don’t forget your camera and autograph book.  (Confirmed travel date is November 2012) 
(Cited from:

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/themed-attractions/hong-kong-disneyland.jsp#ixzz24fCl3ha5)

13. PETRA, JORDAN

Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it", actually, for sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it. The rock-carved rose-red city of Petra is full of mysterious charm, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it". 

(Cited from: http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/petra.html)

14. ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA

Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II, honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its five inter-nested rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean. The short dimensions of the vast compound are precisely aligned along a north-south axis, while the east-west axis has been deliberately diverted 0.75 degrees south of east and north of west, seemingly in order to give observers a three day anticipation of the spring equinox.

(Cited from: http://sacredsites.com/asia/cambodia/angkor_wat.html)

15. BALI, INDONESIA

Bali is an Indonesian island, one of the 33 provinces of the country. Its neighboring islands are Java and Lombok, east and west from Bali respectively. Tourism is the main source of financial income, so you can just imagine what this place has to offer. Bali is pointed out as one of the best tourist destinations by multiple travel magazines. It is not easy to describe the ambience of Bali. People are so amiable that they simply radiate their charm. At the same time you feel serenity and relaxation, mystery and excitement. Magical forces posses you while you are there, making you good-spirited and vigorous. 

(Cited from: http://www.tourist-destinations.com/2011/06/bali-indonesia.html)

FIVE PLACES I WISH TO VISIT BEFORE I DIE:

1. PYRAMIDS, EGYPT

Located just outside of the outskirts of Cairo on the esplanade known as the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramids of Giza is the must-see Ancient Egyptian landmark. Known as Khufu's Pyramid, it is the greatest pyramid of the complex: a truly overwhelming sight. Being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it is the only one still standing to this day! When gazing at this colossal structure, there’s no way to escape the feeling of being dwarfed
(Cited from: http://en.egypt.travel/attraction/index/giza-plateau)

2. MALDIVES

Maldives has deep blue seas, turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and palm trees. It is also a place full of character, where its people have long spent their days languishing in the very essence of idyll living. While it is the perfect place to sit on a beach and watch a sunset with a cocktail balanced on your hand, it is also a geographical marvel, knowing that there are thousands of fish swimming around the vivid corals just a few feet away from where you sit.
(Cited from: http://www.visitmaldives.com/en/the-maldives/country-at-a-glance)

3. ATHENS, GREECE

Experience endless miles of aquamarine coastline, sun-bleached ancient ruins, strong feta and stronger ouzo. The Greek landscape thrills, and Greek people are passionate about politics, coffee, art and gossiping.
(Cited from: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece#ixzz24iFZ5xJw)

4. CARNIVAL IN BRAZIL

This party has its origins in ancient Greece and Rome celebrations. Later, it was incorporated into the Catholic liturgical calendar and allowed until the Ash Wednesday. By the Catholic Calendar, Carnival is always celebrated seven Sundays before the Sunday of Easter. As this varies from March 22nd to April 25th, the Carnival dates also move.
(Cited from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Carnival)

5. AURORA BOREALIS IN ALASKA

Every traveler's life list should include viewing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. From late November to March within the Northern Lights zone--latitudes 65 to 72 degrees--solar particles collide with atmospheric gases to create colorful curtains (near the South Pole, Aurora Australis are the Southern Lights). Ideal viewing conditions are crisp, cold, clear, and cloudless skies with little light. You can see this most impressive light show--lasting from a few minutes to several days--in the following regions close to the Arctic. 

(Cited from: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/27/10-best-places-to-see-the_n_814506.html#s230442&title=Alaska_View_Northern)

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