My Top 5 Bucket List Icons
I never thought I would ever be that person. Making a list of bucket list travel icons! And ticking them off, slowly but surely.
I have subheadings, of different types of bucket list of National Parks, birds to see, shops to visit in the world, museums and so the list goes on and on.
I am so determined to get to see at least 60% of all of them. Here I share my top 5 bucket list icons I have seen and that have made a really imprint in my life.
1. Blue Mosque – Istanbul
The Blue Mosque is Istanbul’s most significant landmark. It’s a massive mosque, that takes your breathe away. And it is blue!
It is called Sultanahmed Camii, or the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, in Turkish. It is beautiful, very special spiritually and built with such detail. The Blue Mosque has six minarets, which prompted controversy when they were first constructed because the mosque in Mecca also had six minarets.
2. Taj Mahal – India
When I saw this amazing edifice, I cried. White marble dominates the Taj Mahal. The 200-mile-away Makrana marble was so heavy that 1,000 elephants and an untold number of oxen were needed to transport it to the building site. Dedicated builder!
2.5 million people every year make the Taj Mahal magnificent again. Daytime visitors can observe the white marble change colour. Visitors can see the Taj Mahal sparkle from within with a full moon once a month. Click here to view my heart on Taj Mahal. This was one of my major bucket list ticks.
3. Camden Market – London
At Camden Market, you can shop for vintage clothing, art and unique accessories. Enjoy the punks, tattoos, and oddballs that populate your street photography subjects. The market is comprised of two former markets: Camden Stables Market, which was formerly a horse stable and hospital, and Camden Lock Market.
Make a full day of it by beginning with a substantial breakfast and shopping for vintage clothing, vinyl records, and bizarre jewelry. Stop at one of the numerous cafes and food carts for a delicious lunch. Here, you can sample beer and spirits while experiencing London’s rhythm. I adored how the community embraced the underworld, their music, and their very radical community! This was in very early 2000’s.
4. Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from its mountain summit, is one of the holiest temples in northern Thailand, and its founding legend is taught in every Chiang Mai school. A 306-step staircase flanked by naga (mythical sea serpents) leads to the wát, a magnificent example of northern Thai architecture. This charming temple smells of incense, filled with monks and is a very spiritual place. You do have to climb up 306 stairs to get up there, but once up you will spend a few hours enjoying all its beautiful offerings.
Very dear to my heart, as I lit a candle for Simon and my darling Oupa (a little) of him is scattered there.
5. Victoria Falls – Zambia
Another tear-jerking moment for me. This massive wall of rushing water that doesn’t stop, is quite thrilling. And it just never stop flowing. The noise, the spray and the greatness of it really gives you goosebumps. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, the Victoria Falls are classified the largest, based on its combined width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres resulting in the world’s largest sheet of falling water. The Victoria Falls are roughly twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls and well over twice its width. And they say everything is bigger and better in America, well I beg to differ!
I have so many more incredible places to see, my travel bucket list is long and expensive. But as long as I am planning, plotting and saving my list will grow bigger and better!
What are your favourite bucket list places throughout your travels?
I would love to hear!