Monday 26 October 2015

Bish Denham's List Bloghop. 8 years of blogging! Travel bucket listl...

First, my thoughts go out to those in Mexico who survived Patricia's fury--the strongest hurricane on record in the western hemisphere. Thankfully the damage has been less than expected from a hurricane of this magnitude, but the storm is ongoing..

Thanks to blogger Guilie Castillo for these links: 


Easy ways to help:





Now... the WEP Halloween challenge is over bar the wrap up and judging, just in time for me to enter Bish's bloghop. The wrap up is today and the winners announced Wednesday. Heads up on next challenge--a sci-fi look at the holiday season...holidays out of this world.

This has got to be one of the most straightforward bloghops ever!

Here' what Bish has to say:

The rules are simple. All you have to do is sign up in the linky thingy below, grab the banner, and make a list. I suggest you keep your list to between 5 and 25 items long. We'll visit each other on October 26th.

You can list whatever you feel like (except for adult type content). That's it! Think about it, the ideas are endless.

You could list:

favorite trees/animals/flowers/insects/pets
favorite books/movies/actors/heroes/villains/music/concerts you've been to
places you'd like to go/places you've been to
make a bucket list
favorite food/desserts/drinks
favorite names
favorite scientists/mathematicians/artists
favorite activists/saints/prophets
favorite myths/mythological places/gods/goddesses
your morning/evening routine
important things to pack when going on vacation
what to take on a picnic
biggest fears
greatest loves
the birthdays of your family members
holidays
things you like/dislike doing
foods you don't like to eat
pictures of your cat/dog
cars you've owned
places you've lived/schools you've attended
musical instruments you play
important moments in history you've lived through
historical eras you'd like to have lived in
famous people (dead or alive) that you'd like to meet

My entry: TRAVEL BUCKET LIST



Okay. I live to travel, so I'm listing some of the places I'm yet to visit...

Gate to the Great Wall, Beijing, China:
1. China 


PLAN: Have booked 10 days in China in 2016. Scary, but true. It's on my bucket list. Grabbed a great deal, so we have 10 days in China seeing the main sights--Great Wall, Tienanmen Square, the 'bund' district of Shanghai and more. 


2. India

PLAN: I was about to book the Golden Triangle of India--Delhi (Old and New), Agra and Jaipur for this year, but family intervened, so is still on the bucket list. When we go, we will: 
Rajasthan Colors:

  • Discover the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri 
  • Stroll the pink-hued streets of Jaipur
  • Experience the chaotic charm of Old Delhi
  • Explore the Red Fort of Agra
  • Sit and stare at the Taj Mahal!

3. The Greek Islands

Patio in Santorini, Greece: PLAN: Okay, you would have expected an inveterate traveller like me to have lazed around the Greek Islands, lazily cruising around, swimming, eating fish by the beach, trekking into the hills. Sadly, every time I've planned to go, something stopped me--earthquakes, fires, political unrest--Greece is very volatile. Soon, I WILL go! (And I may even meet Jessica Bell, the resident famous author!)

4. Cuba

Ocean Front, Havana, Cuba:
Beach front hotel, Havana.
PLAN; Well, I was planning a trip to Cuba, incorporating Florida and the rest of the Caribbean, but Michael di Gesu is still looking for that house in Florida, so I thought I'd wait! Just kidding. And I do wish Michael all the best for his house in the sun.  I've looked at local tours, and now that it's no longer forbidden to fly in from the US, I might be able to catch a few of my American friends when I go. Maybe we could meet up in Cuba and hire one of those cool classic cars and tour around. Dreamy!

5. New York CityCentral Park covered in snow, NYC:

PLAN: Well, everyone wants to visit NYC once in their life, don't they? When I finally get to the US to catch up with blogger friends, I intend to visit this world capital. I know I'll be more than happy to jump back on a plane and hightail it outta there, but, just once, I'd like to visit all those 'best in the world' places--well, those eateries anyway (not that I'm a fan of bagels or donuts.) Food is always high on my list of things to, er, eat, when I travel. Partaking of a country's food is part and parcel of travelling. I wouldn't be able to handle American portions--we practise nouvelle cuisine in Australia--we have to use a magnifying glass to find the food on the plate, lol, but I'll take my husband to do his usual food incinerator job! While in NYC I have a dream to visit those islands--Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and also Boston. And Ann Best is always wanting me to visit her in Virginia. They're all on the East Coast, right?


So there you go. My List. I hope you're enjoying Bish's bloghop and hop on board. To read other posts, go HERE.
  • Thank you for reading. Do you like to travel? What places are on your bucket list?

69 comments:

H. R. Sinclair said...

I'd love to go everywhere! :p I've been to NY. It's fun.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Not sure about Cuba, but your trip to China should be amazing.
Been to New York City. Yes, it is a destination city.
Thanks for participating in Bish's blog hop!

dolorah said...

That's a cool bucket list. I'd love to visit Greece, and Jessica. I missed my opportunity to meet Michael when he was in LA, but I'm sure I'll make it to his home somewhere. Chicago would be a great place to visit too.

And thanks for the gift book. Just got home from a long day (weekend mostly) out of town so haven't had time for much. The Walking Dead is coming on and I need to focus :)

Have a good week.

Yolanda Renée said...

Wow, and you don't have to kill anyone before you book your trip! :)
What a fun blog hop. Can't wait to see the rest, but it'll have to wait till tomorrow, my bed time is here! Love your travel plans - maybe if we work it right we can meet in Ocean City, MD - we're hoping to buy a condo there.! Love your list, especially since it's a working one.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Love the bucket list Denise, fun hop and fun list ...me I want to go everywhere, except maybe Saudi Arabia and North Korea :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Love the list. I've been to China and India, but never to New York. It sounds so big, but I'd like to go sometime.

Bish Denham said...

Thanks for listing with me, Denise! A most wonderful bucket list! Good for you, that you've made plans to go to China, how exciting! I'd love to go to Cuba, growing up in the Caribbean and being aware of it's history, and that my great-grand parents lived there for a time, it's a place that I've been curious about.

Chrys Fey said...

Ireland, Venice, and China would be on my traveling list. :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Wow, China! Can't wait to hear about it. There's so much unrest around Greece right now. There's so much to see in New York. I really want to see Scotland and Ireland.
Susan Says

Juneta key said...

Nice list. Greece, Spain and Italy are on mine and I would like to go back to London England, Hawaii and the Bahama's
Juneta Writer's Gambit

Guilie Castillo said...

China in 2016—WOW, Denise! That's fantastic! I'm sure you'll love it, and I'll be looking forward to the updates you post about your experiences and the sights and the amazing landscapes and... well, everything :) China's on my bucket list, too (though the whole bit about animals in cages at food markets has it down near the bottom, haha), as is Cuba! Hey, don't forget your blogger friends (okay, friend) in Curaçao! We're not quite as close to Cuba as Florida, but it'd be great to get to meet you. Oh, I know—we can meet up in NYC! Curaçao now has direct flights to JFK (we don't have direct flights to many places), so that makes it easy :)

You're going to looooooooove Fahtepur Sikri! Before you go, read Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence; a good chunk of it plays out in the palace there, and it's an amazing place (and an amazing novel, too). And the Taj, and Jaipur... The whole country is magical. You'll love it, I know.

Fantastic list, Denise! May you check these off in the most wonderful of travel opportunities :)
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

P.S. — Thanks for the mention on Patricia, and for sharing the links. You're wonderful.

M.J. Fifield said...

I've been to New York City a few times. I used to live in New England, so it was just a train ride away. But I love your list. Australia and New Zealand are on mine.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

The Greek Islands are on my list too! Along with Machu Picchu, New Orleans, and Alaska. My husband would add Italy, Fiji, and Easter Island to the list.

Jemi Fraser said...

Great list!! I love your list. Mine would be similar - Tokyo, Hong Kong, Australia, Greece & a safari in Africa :)

Yvonne Ventresca said...

I live close to NYC, so I tend to take it for granted. Thanks for sharing your future travel plans!

Yvonne

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Denise,
China and India have always been fascinating for me. I especially enjoy stories set in China and Japan. I'm sure you're have a whale of a time when you visit the places on your wish list.

Belle Unruh said...

Great list; I loved to travel. My daughter visited New York City and Cuba. She loved both places. If I could go anywhere it would be Paris.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks for coming by, Belle. Paris is my favourite city and I've visited it so many times, so it's not on my list...but I will go back, several times, hopefully!

Denise Covey said...

It does sound fun, HR.

Denise Covey said...

Cuba I expect will be amazing. Probably the place I'm most looking forward to.

Denise Covey said...

Yeah, it was a shame you couldn't see Michael. Enjoy the book when you get down to it.

Denise Covey said...

Yes, killing's nowhere on my agenda. Let's hope you get your condo before we get to the US. What fun to meet up!

Denise Covey said...

Hmm, yes, both scary destinations.

Denise Covey said...

I'm glad you've visited those Big Two Natalie. They both will open my eyes, I"m sure.

Denise Covey said...

My pleasure Bish. I'm with you on Cuba.

Denise Covey said...

Love Ireland and Venice big time, and I'm sure China will be exhilarating!

Denise Covey said...

Yes, Greece is a difficult country to plan to visit and I'm not really into risk taking when I travel. Scotland and Ireland are amazingly beautiful, and Ireland, especially, is overflowing with friendly people!

Denise Covey said...

Spain and Italy are favourites of mine. London not so much. Often thought about Hawaii and the Bahamas.

Denise Covey said...

Yes,because of it's human rights and animal rights record, I had to think seriously about visiting China. But we can't stop all these things by boycotts can we? I'm pleased for the info on Fahtepur Sikri! It sounds amazing! I must get Rushdie's book!

Denise Covey said...

I hope you make it Down Under one day, M.J.

Denise Covey said...

Machu Picchu, New Orleans and Alaska would be a dream. Been to Italy and Fiji but not Easter Island.

Denise Covey said...

Yay, Jemi I hope you make it Down Under one day. A safari in Africa! You can't go wrong!

Denise Covey said...

Lucky you. It's all to easy to take familiar places for granted when they're so exotic to others who live far away!

Denise Covey said...

I will for sure, starting with China!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I really want to go to Italy (Venice and Rome), Egypt, the UK, and Australia! Great list. So many amazing places I'd love to visit.

Denise Covey said...

Yay, Shannon, hope you get to Oz. Only place of yours I haven't gone is Egypt and with the political unrest I wonder if I ever will now!

mshatch said...

The Greek Islands are at the top of my list of places I want to visit. It would be Heaven to spend a month or two hopping from island to the next.

VR Barkowski said...

Awesome list, Denise! I love to travel, too. There are many places, I yearn to visit, but Machu Picchu is at the top of my bucket list. I’ve wanted to visit for eons. Strangely, I’m better traveled in Europe than I am in the US. I’ve never been to New York City even though at present I’m just a short train ride away. And I’ve never been to Hawaii, although I lived most of my life on the West Coast.

VR Barkowski

Meradeth Houston said...

Wonderful choices! I hope you make it to all of them, and have a blast in China!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Great list!!! And best wishes with your travel to China next year. Both of my daughters are taking Mandarin classes this year in high school and they both hope to travel there someday.

Arlee Bird said...

I've only been to NYC and will probably go back since my daughters live close to there. As for the others, if I went I'd be going with someone other than my wife I guess since she's already indicated that she wouldn't go to any of those places. I've been trying to encourage her to consider a trip to Cuba since it's the most accessible for us, but she says no way. Darn, and I was counting her to do most of the talking since she speaks Spanish.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Anonymous said...

Those all sound like fun. Well, except NYC. I don't think I'd want to go there. It's just too much.

DMS said...

What a fun list! I have only visited one of the places on your list- NYC. But- I live about 2 hours away, so it would be weird if I hadn't gone. :) I have been quite a few times and there is still so much to see an explore. Best of luck getting to your travel destinations.
~Jess

Denise Covey said...

Yup. Just cruising, swimming, lazing around the Greek Islands. Sure sound idyllic.

Denise Covey said...

Can't believe you've never hopped on a train to NYC V.R. Do it for me vicariously!

Denise Covey said...

I'll do my best Meradeth!

Denise Covey said...

Well, I know about 10 words of Mandarin and I'm hoping they'll do me, lol!

Denise Covey said...

Ah, what a shame your wife doesn't want to go to Cuba...and speaks Spanish. Mine is very rudimentary, but I hope I can get by.

Denise Covey said...

Yes, I imagine it's full on crazy, but just once...

Denise Covey said...

Yes, I imagine to get to know NY properly would take a lifetime, but I'll allocate a week to see the bits I want to see...mustn't forget Seinfeld's restaurant. I believe you can really see it...

Katharina Gerlach said...

I'd travel to wherever I have friends and/or family. I'm not so much interested in places, although I like to look at the pictures someone else takes. Luckily, I've got family and friends on all continents.

Romance Reader said...

Such interesting places to travel to. I'd love to travel all over the globe.

Nas said...

I have NYC on my bucket list.

Denise Covey said...

Not everyone lives with a travelling bug, Katharina. I have relatives who don't understand my travel lust--I can go to Paris through the tv anytime, they're likely to say.

Denise Covey said...

Wonderful Olivia!

Denise Covey said...

We're tow of a kind!

J Lenni Dorner said...

I want to learn more about India, so number 2 on your list sounds great to me. NYC- I lived there for a while. Eat somewhere in Greenwich Village (pronounced GREN-itch for some reason). Boston isn't an island. That's an entirely different city! (Which I've also maintained a residence in over the years.) The New England Clam Chowder at Legal Seafood (by the harbor) is fantastic.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks J Lennie. I knew Boston wasn't an island. Sounds confusing huh? Thanks for the recommendations! Yum!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Denise
I'm too poor for a bucket list. Mine would say teeth...teeth. Sorta like a horror show instead of brains. Virginia is a little further into the country but a great place. I'll still hope you make time for Colorado.
Nancy

Denise Covey said...

You're never too poor for a bucket list. You must have your dreams! I do hope to get to Colorado one day. Both you and Donna live on that side of the country! :-)

Misha Gerrick said...

You and I share quite a few bucket-list destinations. ^_^

Denise Covey said...

That's lovely to know Misha.

Debbie D. said...

China! That's exciting, Denise and I can imagine, a little scary too. India looks fascinating and I hope you get there. Too bad you had to cancel that trip! Travelling is also one of my passions. We visited Greece in 2013 and I highly recommend it (when the political climate calms down); Santorini especially. LOVED EVERYTHING about Greece! New York City is on my wish list as well. That one is the most doable for me - it's only a 90-minute flight or 9-hour drive. One of these days! Australia is another dream destination. I'll look you up when I get there! ;) Venice, Malta and Egypt (another volatile area!) are up there too.

Debbie D. said...

Forgot to mention Cuba! It has long been a favourite vacation spot for Canadians and several of my friends have been there. They all rave about it, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. Excellent seafood, I hear.

Denise Covey said...

Debbie, you're definitely a kindred spirit!

Anonymous said...

Great list! Have fun in China, that sounds amazing! I have a list of places I want to travel: everywhere :P

Denise Covey said...

Hee hee everywhere covers it!

Carrie-Anne said...

I'd love to visit India, China, and Greece as well, and NYC beyond the clichés. A lot of folks seem to think of the city as just Manhattan, and maybe Brooklyn, when there are so many other fascinating things to see and do in Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx as well. I most want to visit Iran, Russia, Georgia (the country), Armenia, Estonia, and Japan. Since I'd like to visit Israel again within the 10 years of my next passport, I'd have to get a second (legal) dummy passport to enable a trip to Iran in that same timeframe. There'd be a lot of trouble by customs if either saw the stamp of the other in my passport!

Mandy said...

I wish I had seen this blog post back in October. I love writing lists! Also, great choices for your travel bucket list! There are so many places you listed that I'd love to go myself! :)