My Bucket List in my 50s and what I have ticked so far

[@theretirednomad]

Have you been to Kenya? You should see lots of lions on safari there.🦁

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

I have been many years ago now. Definitely the best place to go on safari and I saw lots of lions but just not a full grown male lion. I have seen one now so very happy! Xx

[@perolagrande]

As I've aged and already traveled extensively around the world (though never Africa), the desire just isn't there for me to go on an epic or exotic trip. Too much hassle involved with visas, vaccinations, traveling to the airport, flight cancellations and so on... I don't ever want to return to my native UK, even for a visit. I'm happy to take short breaks for a few days, travelling within 200-300km of my home, and driving there and back. That said, I'd love to visit the Açores as I love nature so much, and the (nine) islands are lushious green as they get a lot of rain. There are few extremes of temperature on the Açores, it's typically 18-25°C maximum all year round. A Portuguese friend told me I'd like Iceland even more, for him it was even more 'brutal' (in a good sense) than the Açores. What I don't like is going to impoverished Third World countries and seeing people dying in the streets, so India would be a no-go for me. Heard terrible reports of it on this score. Morocco too, children swearing at tourists when the latter don't give them money. A man in Morocco tried to sell my brother a forged one pound coin. These countries will only ever see you as a walking wallet to be exploited, or worse still, robbed. These countries are also dangerous for women travelers like you, given their culture, society and laws are fundamentally misogynistic: you'll always be considered second class.

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

Hello! Do you think you will go to the Açores? I went to India many years ago and I do love the country but one thing that stood out to me was the stark contact between rich and poor. Also, crazy busy! I would still like to go back and see Mumbai and Kerala at some point. I imagine Morocco to be like Egypt and again I loved the country and the people were in the main lovely, but one of my tour guides warned me to not be so smiley especially around men! I find it very hard not to smile! Any non travel related bucket list items?

[@perolagrande]

@RetireandTraveltheWorld I think I really should make the effort to go to the Açores (perhaps late spring next year?), and there are tons of direct flights there from Lisbon which is my nearest main airport. Of course, I'd need several trips as there are nine islands, though I wouldn't be visiting them all. A Dutch colleague visited India, and his wife just wanted to stay at the hotel after seeing people on death's door at a railway station. I don't travel to experience misery, and I'm not responsible for their suffering or providing a solution for it. I have a friend in Mauritius who owned a beach apartment, so he invited me over. Just before my trip, he said he was selling it, but guess what? He had another beach apartment (!), so I went to that one instead on the western side of Mauritius, and had the place to myself. I rented a car and enjoyed trips to colonial houses, former tea plantations and the like. Very interesting history, the island has joint French/British heritage, and almost everyone is bilingual. But still Third World. People driving in a crazy rush, it felt hectic like Calcutta would be at times. It's more a honeymoon destination, with miles of gorgeous, unspoilt beaches, so bear that in mind for when you get married! I don't really have lists of things I'd like to do, I decide at the last minute whenever the urge takes me. Spontaneity!

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

Lol! I'll bear in mind that honeymoon destination. I hope you get there in the Spring, sounds amazing. I like that, spontaneity, I am just one of these people that love planning!!! x

[@Nevertalked]

Done loads like you been 1000s of places

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

Excellent, what was your favourite place?

[@darklingdesigns8999]

I turned 50 this year and wrote down 50 'smaller' things to do in the year surrounding my birthday like open water swimming in a lake or loch, a city break either in York or Edinburgh, treating myself to some Doc Martens that I've had my eye on etc. My Bucket List is also mostly to do with travel, it's possibly too vast and ambitious but it's good to have dreams. I'd love to go to Mexico for Dias De Los Muertos and to do a Frida Kahlo tour. Japan has always been in my top 5. Possibly more attainable for now is going to Up Helly Aa in Lerwick. Non travel items include starting my own business (struggling with that at the moment!), buying my own place and getting a tattoo. Might need to start playing the lottery 😅

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

I love that! We all should dream and you have given me some ideas to look up for Mexico now! I also keep watching videos on Japan and someone from the gym I own has just been and said he was able to do it on a budget. Good luck and did you get the Doc Martins?

[@darklingdesigns8999]

@@RetireandTraveltheWorld Thank you 🙂I'll have to look at going to Japan on a budget, so much to see though! I've not yet bought the Doc Martens, unfortunately other expences came up, but hopefully soon 🤞🥾

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

I heard that if you stay in the capsule hotels in Japan it saves a lot of money. Personally I am not sure I could do that but it is an option. Fingers crossed you get there and get those Doc Martins!

[@darklingdesigns8999]

​@@RetireandTraveltheWorld Not sure I could stay in a capsule hotel pod either, I'd find it claustrophobic, I think.

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

Yeah I would struggle. Just have to hunt for deals I guess. X

[@cdogvlog5557]

I'd probably have a bucket list if I wasn't so paranoid about being robbed. But all sorts of picker pockets are everywhere. I have eternal stay cations cause I'm always procrastinating projects that need doing around the place. I suppose if you are skint you could do a stay cation and just go around the place on Google Street view. Maybe you should get those virtual reality goggles. I suppose if you are savvy with video editing you could just invest in a green screen and sorta superimpose yourself in Morocco, and then make up some fake beef to bring in the views and dollars to your channel so you can actually pay to travel legit. As far as getting married go, I think its a better idea to get a dog, the dog aint clued up enough to figure out its entitled to half your assets. I suppose your could set up your own poverty conscious travel agency but not if that trip to Australia is anything to go by. Seriously though I need to make some room in the budget to go car camping around the country.

[@RetireandTraveltheWorld]

😂 I love this! You should definitely go car camping. Now I very much doubt I have the skills to superimpose myself into travel areas but such a fun idea! Can you imagine it, hilarious. I tried those virtual goggles once, man they make you dizzy! Also agree that dogs are better than husbands. Sadly all my dogs have passed away now, broke my heart when they did and for that reason, plus I do to think it is fair to them when I travel, I couldn't have a dog but I do love them and miss having one. Thanks for joining in, that was a great answer x