Better Late Than Never
Better Late Than Never – My 30th “Bucket List”
Bucket lists, made popular by film, TV and literature. Generally a first world phenomenon where we fantasize about our dream purchases and activities before we die. I am no exception, I have been very fortunate to have lived an action packed life up until now and I am still only 27 years of age! I appreciate how lucky I am to have done many things that others twice my age haven’t been able to do. Travel has always been forefront on my to do list and after our two years on the road I am satisfied with my travel achievements thus far. Travel has opened my eyes to many things and it has made me appreciate home and family even more, but there are still things I wish to do. Here is my bucket list before I reach the big 30, life’s too short is our website’s motto so instead of a bucket list being about doing things before you die I am confining mine to two and a half more years when I reach a birthday milestone.
Better Late Than Never – My 30th “Bucket List”
Northern Lights (Aurora borealis)
This has always been on my wish list as I think it is one of the most fascinating spectacles on the planet. The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south. To be honest I am lucky to be living in Ireland as we are one of the nations that the northern lights can be seen from, on occasion, but it is Iceland where the real show is strikingly on display. For years I have watched videos and read books illustrating its natural beauty but there is nothing better than seeing the real thing up close. Aside from the northern lights Iceland is one of the few places in Europe I have yet to visit, however I finally got to go in 2018! another great reason to go is this stunning country.
Skydive
Yes, yes this is so predictable and cliché and many people wish to do this at some stage of their life, but for me this is something I never considered doing until my husband told me about it. He always wanted to do a skydive when he was younger and he literally jumped at the chance to do it when he was travelling in New Zealand back in 2007. I have set it as a mission to do it too, especially that he says it is one of the most exhilarating experiences he has taken part in. I could do a skydive here in Ireland but I want it to be truly memorable in a country and landscape which is simply breathtaking. Dubai or Rio being high on my list as destinations to take the plunge in. If I do jump in Ireland it will be as part of a charity jump which is an excellent way of raising funds.
Bungee Jump
I will start with the fact that I am absolutely terrified of heights and speed so why would I even think about doing a bungee jump? They always say do something that scares you, to show you are alive, and if I am ever able to do this I would be so proud words cannot describe. To throw yourself off the edge of a cliff, bridge or crane would show me that I have faced my fears and conquered them. I still don’t fully believe that I will ever go through with a bungee jump but if the chance arises and I can do it without thinking it will be crossed off my bucket list.
Own land or Property
An item on the list where my husband and I might disagree. My husband really doesn’t see owning property as a huge step forward in life. Don’t get me wrong if he had the spare cash lying around he would buy, as we all need shelter, but a lifetime of a crippling mortgage hanging around your neck and over inflated prices for poor quality homes in Ireland are just some of the reasons he feels that property is a waste of time, money and effort. He would rather use the money to explore the world and live for now. I do agree with him, in theory, but that said I would love to own some sort of land or property by the age of 30, preferably in Poland or Spain. After travelling the world, and seeing the places I wanted to, I would relish the opportunity to go on holidays to an apartment or house I own and purely relax knowing it is all mine. Don’t get me wrong the travel bug will never leave me, especially with a nomadic minded husband, so exploring a new place once a year and adding it to our list of countries will forever continue until we are physically or mentally unable.
Climb Croagh Patrick
Some people dream of Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro or Mount Blanc but my plan is to reach the summit of Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland! During my time living in Ireland I have frequently heard about this mountain and it has piqued my curiosity. The mountain, which rises to a height of 762m above sea level, isn’t very tall, but its place among Irish tradition and folklore cannot be denied. Croagh Patrick’s history as a place of worship reaches back in time as far as 3,000 BC. The mountain’s popularity among religious pilgrims dates to the time of St. Patrick, who is said to have completed a forty-day Lenten ritual of fasting and penance here. Legend also has it that Croagh Patrick is the mount from which he banished snakes from Ireland forever!
Each year, The Reek, as it is colloquially known, attracts about 1 million pilgrims. On ‘Reek Sunday’, the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. At the top, there is a modern chapel where mass is celebrated and confessions are heard. Individuals and groups come from all over the world and include pilgrims, hill climbers, historians, archaeologists and nature lovers. The tradition from years ago is to climb it three times, bare foot and apparently women should climb wearing a skirt! As it is only a few hours from my home in Dublin there really is no excuse for me not to visit and take in magnificent views of Clew Bay, but I think I’ll wear boots!
Luxury Holiday
I don’t want to sound like a spoiled little princess but believe it or not I have never had a pure luxury, spoiled rotten, beach honeymoon holiday. Being Continent Chasers what we do is in the title. We chase, rarely hanging around too long in one place. We both like to be active when visiting a new country so days lolling on the beach or hanging around a hotel doesn’t appeal to us, we love to move and explore as much as we can in a short time. Yes, I have stayed in beautiful hotels, near stunning beaches, swam in turquoise waters and enjoyed the cocktails but I have yet to experience that 5 star luxury hotel on the beach, with a spa at your doorstep without the need of ever leaving the hotel. Yes it is so cliché and I could never replace it with what I have done so far, for example staying in a favela with locals in Rio de Janeiro taking in the awe-inspiring view out to the Atlantic, but I think I would enjoy a once in a lifetime honeymoon experience of top quality luxury, never having to lift a finger and being pampered without hauling a backpack!
Volunteer
After all the personal indulgences I wish to give something back and volunteer. I don’t say this as a throw away comment and a way of making myself sound perfect. Many say they wish to volunteer, without ever really following through, but I am hoping to finally kick myself up the back side and give some of the excessive energy I possess, whether it be regularly donating blood, helping out at a homeless shelter or by volunteering in a hospital or hospice. Travelling has opened my eyes to many social injustices around the planet but closer to home the worsening housing crisis and regularly being in hospitals with my husband for his check ups has exposed me to many problems. Instead of just moaning about them it is time to do something about it. It is hard juggling work and a social life finding time to volunteer but something as simple as giving blood can make the world of difference and takes no longer than a trip to the hairdressers. A few minutes or a day out of a life can really make a huge difference to somebody.
That is Better Late Than Never, my “bucket list” for now, I am sure as the days and months pass I will no doubt be adding to the list. Hopefully I remain fit and healthy to be able to achieve some, if not all my goals, and in two and a half years time I will hopefully be back writing a blog about my experiences. As we always say, live for now, no matter what age or ability, it truly is better late than never!
Better Late Than Never – My 30th “Bucket List”
