My (short-term) travel wishlist

All dreams are attainable, if you believe and then work towards them : )…

It’s rare that a day goes by that I don’t think of travel. I think of travel literally all the time. Well, except for when I am engaging in something else that takes up my thinking space, such as when I am at work or when I’m in school or reading a really engaging academic article, or thinking about how I will execute on my plans to contribute to solving the world’s most pressing socioeconomic ills – but other than those times, I am thinking of travel around the clock. Especially when I may have had a tough day, I get into my quiet zen space and think about all the places I want to go and how I am going to go there someday and it just makes it all better…

In light of that, I decided to compose a short term travel wishlist to share some of the big trips that have been on my mind of late. I have several other trips planned, but these are the “heavy hitters“. This is just a snippet.. I think about a lot of places… but I know I can’t do it all at once – so here goes 6 of them (in no particular order).

And oh – I have the plans in the works to visit 2 (or possibly 3) of these locations before the end of this year.. you’ll have to stay tuned to find out which ones! 😀

 

1. Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok, Thailand. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok, Thailand. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Bangkok smiles. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Bangkok smiles. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Phuket, Thailand. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Fantasea Show in Phuket, Thailand. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Phuket beach. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Phuket beach. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.

Why I want to go: Honestly, Bangkok sounds like one of the most hectic, yet exciting cities in the world! My kinda town! And if you’ve gone to lunch or dinner with me lately, you know how much I love Thai food as there is a high probability I suggested Thai food as my first choice food option. I am almost scared of overeating and gaining 20lbs on this trip. Thinking of how far my USD$$ would stretch and how much of a massage fanatic I am – I am scared I’d be tempted to just eat and get massages all day! J/k.. I won’t do just that 😀 Just a lot of it! I will do a lot of exploring too, because underneath the chaos, Bangkok is beautiful and has A LOT to offer me in terms of sights to fall in love with. And then in between trying to avoid being propositioned by a male prostitute, I am also looking forward to relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Phuket!

 

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Burj al Arab. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Rolls Royce Phantoms fleet at the Burj al Arab
Rolls Royce Phantoms fleet at the Burj al Arab
Stunning view of the Dubai Marina. Photo by Dubai photographer,  Daniel Cheong
Stunning view of the Dubai Marina. Photo by Dubai photographer, Daniel Cheong
Dubai Mall Aquarium. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Dubai Mall Aquarium. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.

Why I want to go: The pictures I will take on this trip will be amazing. I can just see them now… beautiful architecture, beautiful cityscapes, beautiful people and beautiful sites.. my camera would be so happy! Ah, I can’t wait. Dubai is so over the top and I can’t wait to bask in the overindulgence – a Ferrari and a Lamborghini as a police car? Why not! (I’m kidding). A mall with a ski slope in it? But of course! I should have thought of it first! 😀 (kidding again). On a more serious note – I do appreciate the fantastic architecture, the culture and pride of the people and I am intrigued as to how a city went from being relatively unknown to now being one of the most sought out and appealing tourist destinations in the world, in just a few short years. I look forward to visiting, learning a lot, and going surfing on sand dunes :)

 

3. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Overwater bungalow in Tahiti. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Overwater bungalow in Tahiti. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Islands of Tahiti by Ty Sawyer
Islands of Tahiti by Ty Sawyer
Heiva Festival, Tahiti. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Heiva Festival, Tahiti. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.

Why I want to go: Having visited all 4 of the main Hawaiian islands, each on a different occasion, I have learned a lot about Tahiti and Tahitian culture, though I am yet to visit. Tahiti gives anyone reason to want to visit. I mean, who could resist the beauty of the culture, the people, the charm, the hypnotic turquoise waters, lush environment and kicking back while enjoying a refreshing and cool drink on your overwater bungalow? I know I can’t ;-)…

 

4. Agra, and other cities in India

Taj Mahal, Agra, India. Copyright encovare
Taj Mahal, Agra, India. Copyright encovare
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Aishwarya Rai, who I am so many other people think is one of the most beautiful women in the world, resides in Mumbai
Aishwarya Rai, who I, and so many other people, think is one of the most beautiful women in the world, resides in Mumbai

Why I want to go: As cliche as it may be for foreigners visiting India, I just must visit the Taj Mahal! I have dreamed about visiting this majestic place for years now and it’s time to make that dream a reality soon. But I have been advised Agra is a day trip, so I expect most of my time will be spent in exploring the rest of the country – Delhi, Jaipur and then Mumbai come to mind! :) I want to go for many reasons, but most importantly, because I have always loved and appreciated Indian culture. I have always been awed by the richness and wealth of the tradition and culture. Plus the traditional garb is beautiful and fairy tale like. And I love the people. The spirit of India is something that I just can’t wait to experience and a trip I know I would never forget!

 

5. Lima and Machu Picchu, Peru

Lima, Peru. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Lima, Peru. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Machu Picchu. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Machu Picchu. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Adriana Lima, Not from Lima. - Just in case you were wondering, Adriana Lima, who is also one of the most beautiful women in the world, is not from Lima
Adriana Lima, Not from Lima. – Just in case you were wondering, Adriana Lima, who is also one of the most beautiful women in the world, is not from Lima

Why I want to go: Two words – Machu Picchu! Wow, what a beauty!

 

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Cape Town, South Africa. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Cape of Good Hope. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
Cape of Good Hope. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
South Africa Culture. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
South Africa Culture. Photo credit not found. TravelSeeLove.com does not claim any rights whatsoever to this image.
South Africa by Hans Silvester
South Africa by Hans Silvester
There's bravery and then there is being suicidal.. I'm not sure where this falls
There’s bravery and then there is being suicidal.. I’m not sure where this falls

Why I want to go: South Africa is undoubtedly the most visited country in Africa, and for due cause. The history of South Africa needs no explanation. I cannot wait to actually experience it all and be immersed in it in person. Cape Town is one of the world’s most stunning locations, with an iconic mountain right in the middle of it all. I have long looked forward to visiting Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain. I also want to be cliche and do the safari. It’d be cool to chill with some giraffes and some wildebeest, lol. The pictures I will take from this trip will be bananas! I am salivating just thinking about it : ))

 

Disclaimer: As I have not yet been to these places, none of the images on this post were taken by me. I found them all through google images search and do not claim rights to them whatsoever.

Thanks for viewing my list! :)

 

Have you been to these places? How was your experience? Got any tips to share?

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