MY TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Going to Paris has left my travel bucket list with a huge void. There isn't another city that I've longed and fantasized for - prior to meeting - as much as the City of Lights. Paris was something I've wanted all my life. It was the primary item on my bucket list and after having that CDG stamp in my passport, I was like, so, what's next? I mean, I know I'm far from having enough of it, I still intend on going back and exploring it more, but I doubt I'll be able to recreate the extreme levels of anticipation and awe upon arriving in my dream city for the first time ever.  So instead of just the city or the place - I've passed my desire to collect x number of countries and focus instead on where I want to go and what I want to see, regardless if I've been there or not - I decided to create a bucket list of travel-related "firsts" I want to do. I've set a deadline for before my 28th birthday so I have the rest of 2016 to hopefully accomplish all these. Wish me luck!

1. Experience SNOW (!)

Ideally it would be Christmas in New York (damn you, Serendipity!) but I have to be realistic. 26 years in and I have still yet to see snow, so I don't really need to be picky as to where coz this is something I really, really want to experience. And yes, a lot of people have warned me that it's not really nice.

2. Attend a major music festival

I looove going to concerts. I think I've explained why before here. But if you're lazy to click, it's basically because of how the energy of the artist and the enthusiasm of the crowd converges into one big ball of good vibes. Now that's just for one artist. Imagine if it's all, okay fine, time to be realistic again, a bunch of your favorites. Aghhhh! Think Glastonbury in the UK or Coachella in the US. ;)

3. Sky dive

A real test of courage seeing that even if I love flying, I am deathly scared of plummeting to my demise. Plunging into a beautiful landscape (perhaps, Hawaii?) will definitely soften the blow. Good thing you have someone to guide you along and that this adrenaline pumping activity is considered relatively safe nowadays.

4. Ride a hot air balloon 

Whether its in Bagan, Myanmar or Cappadocia, Turkey, I'm certain this will be an experience of a lifetime. There's something really magical about soaring through the skies in the not-most-high-tech contraption, feeling the wind on your face, and taking in the marvelous sights around you.

5. Solo travel

To go somewhere completely foreign and know absolutely no one would be the ultimate test of character, or at least the qualities I pride myself in (resourcefulness, friendliness, confidence) or wish to develop further (assertiveness, organization, confidence again). Sure, this isn't for most people, but I can truly relate with the desire to expand myself more (figuratively speaking only, please!!!) by going to a new place and allowing experiences - that I've actively sought out for - mold me into a better version of myself.

In the unlikely event that I get to do all 5 in one go, then all the more epic! Either way, I'd be really glad to tick these off one by one. I only hope that my time frame isn't too optimistic. But kaya yan, I can do it. I will do it.

What about you? What are the items, travel related or otherwise, on your bucket list? I'd love to hear from you!