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“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
~ Tony Robbins
In finishing up my travel goals list, I decided to focus on SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely goals. I am sure I will add more as time goes on, and maybe change or amend some, but I think it’s best to start with something rather than to have none at all. So here’s the last half of my list.
16. Take a cooking class abroad.
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I like cooking, when I actually have time to do it. But sometimes I find myself in a rut, always making one of my favorite go-to recipes. I would love to learn not just some new dishes, but authentic ethnic dishes. So I hope when I make it to Italy or some other far off land, to take a cooking class to learn some new signature dishes to bring back to the States.
Completed: May 2017- Thailand
17. Visit tropical hotspots like The Maldives, The Seychelles, or French Polynesia.
Leslie Cole
Or all of the above. And stay in an overwater bungalow. Lovely.
18. See penguins in the wild.
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Penguins seem so cute, I want to see them somewhere other than a zoo. Southern places (still not entertaining Antarctica) like South Africa and Chile are habitat to wild penguins, and both are already on my list of countries to visit.
19. Visit the sites of 3 ancient ruins.
Along with the Great Pyramids, I am interested in learning about ancient cultures and structures. At the top of the must-see list is clearly Machu Picchu, which several of my friends have already visited. I have seen one ruin, and that was in Belize at the Xutanunich Ruins on the mainland. Coincidentally, the day we were originally supposed to go, we had to reschedule because Prince Harry (yes, THE Prince Harry) was visiting. Shame, I would have liked to meet and hang out with him. Maybe I should add “Party with the Royals” to my list…
Completed: 1 of 3. Xutanunich Ruins, Belize- Visited March 2012.
20. Go whale watching.
Whales are such beautiful, gentle creatures, but other than SeaWorld as a child, I haven’t seen them in their vast habitat. I want to hit the Pacific and capture the gentle giants on film.
Completed: February 2015, Channel Islands, Southern California.
21. Throw a dart at a map and go wherever it lands.
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This one scares me. More than a little bit. Okay, a lot. But in the name of spontaneity, I am going to give this a whirl (maybe after a few practice tries???). If I have a companion to go with, I absolutely think it counts if we both throw a dart at a map—provided I can actually hit the map—and then choose between one of the two locations. Baby steps, folks.
22. Attend (or throw) a luxury party on a yacht.
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I wanna party on a boat. In my flippy floppies. But seriously, attending a yacht party sounds amazing; throwing one sounds even better (Royals invited, of course).
Completed: October 2017- Dubai, as part of #DubaiBlackout, largest yacht in the UAE
23. Eat a local delicacy of another city/country in 3 different places.
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I want need to pasta and pizza my way through Italy. Paella my way through Spain. Street food my way through Singapore. I want to experience the world like the locals do through the cuisine. You already know I am a foodie and there will be plenty of posts (and pictures) to document this yummy quest.
2017: Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, Thailand
24. Stay in a 5-Star, 5-Diamond hotel overseas.
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Pretty self-explanatory.
25. Visit 20 40 countries by 40.
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When I set this goal at the beginning of 2015, I had 15 countries under my belt. I originally set this goal at 20, but I am pushing myself and stretching my limits. I will strive to make it happen. Here goes nothing!
2015 New Countries: Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands.
2016 New Countries: Martinque (France), France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia.
2017 New Countries: Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia (Bali), United Arab Emirates. UN Country End of the Year Total: 25*
26. Cheer Team USA at the Olympic Games.
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The Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics is always such a spectacle that I want to experience it firsthand. But even if not the Opening Ceremony, I also want to cheer on Team USA during the Summer Olympics, perhaps in track and field or basketball or swimming.
27. See at least two more of the Wonders of the World.
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The only standing Wonder of the Ancient World is the Roman Colosseum. But on 7/7/2007, the New 7 Wonders of the World were chosen. They include Christ the Redeemer—Christo Redentor—which I have already witnessed, along with: The Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Petra (Jordan), the Pyramid at Chichen Itza, the Roman Colloseum, and the Taj Mahal. Additionally, on 11/11/2011, the organization chose the New 7 Wonders of Nature. They include: The Amazon, Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo (Indonesia), PP Underground River (Philippines), and Table Mountain (South Africa). One down, so many to go.
Completed: 1 of at least 3. Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Visited September 2008.
28. (Re-)Learn Spanish and be more than conversational.
I started learning Spanish pretty young and I was actually pretty good at speaking and reading it. But like anything, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. But I have not a bit of excuse now. I bought Rosetta Stone to re-teach myself the basics over two years ago. Haven’t even opened the damn box. Unacceptable.
29. Play with elephants in Thailand.
I want to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand and wash and bathe the elephants. I also want to see elephants in the wild in Africa, but I have heard they aren’t as nice as Thailand elephants LOL.
Completed: May 2017- Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Check out my adventure here!
30. Tango in Buenos Aires.
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The tango is so romantic, so seductive. I want to learn the tango and take my talents to Buenos Aires. It is an essential part of the culture and something I definitely want to experience when I visit. Apparently, I also need a red dress for this task.
31. …
32. …
33. …
34. …
35. …
There are so many more, like seeing Ghana to experience where the slave trade occurred, and photographing other beautiful monuments and skylines, but this is just a start. More to come. Wish me luck!
Check out Part 1 of this List here!
Awesome list! 16, 27, 23, 24 are things that are definitely on my list as well!
I love your list. Most of the things on here and things i want to do too. I’m plotting eating my way through Italy. Soon….
These are some great goals! I would also like to take a cooking class.. and abroad would be even better. I can only imagine how fun that would be in either France or Italy.
Great list. I have to do some of these. I know you will get these all checked off.
Such a great bucket list. I’m with you on #16, #17, #27 and #28. I think #21 is super cool. I just might have to do that one day. And, #20 is my favorite. I could do it over and over again — especially if it’s to see Orcas!
It’s great how connected the S.M.A.R.T. goal methodology to your travel dreams. I have no doubt that you’ll achieve them. Enjoy the process!
Awesome! These are Great goals. Funny I just bought Tony Robbins Money Master book last weekend in Dubai. I took a cooking class in Rome it was my fav thing did there! Looking at doing Maldives Right now just before typed this too. We’re on the same page girl ;-).
Those are definitely great must do’s! I would love to go whale watching, what an amazing experience!
I am always revved up when I see people who are driven by their passion and dreams. I love your list, and the idea of throwing a dart at the map, eventually going there.
What a fun post that brightened my day! Thanks for sharing through your unique view!
I love the idea of the dart throwing and perhaps I should do!
I have never thought of having a goal travel list.. I love your list and I have always dreamed of throwing a dart at the map and going. Thanks for shairng.
I like your list a lot. I too want to throw a dart and go where it lands. Maybe one day. I’ve seen the whales. Such a great experience. I love cooking so to take a cooking class at a different country would be great.
I love all your lists. Traveling is my best hobby in life to do with my family. Good thing they are bitten with travel bug.
You have a nice list here! I want to go to some of the places you have listed here too 🙂 Wish we could travel more.. has been so hectic the past few years.
I need to make a list of travel goals! These are great travvvel goals to have! I love the taking a cooking glass abroad.
Those goals are amazing. I cannot wait to see penguins in their real habitat. I would love to visit more ruins too
Those places look beautiful! I haven’t done as much traveling as I’d like, but will do so one day!! Thanks for sharing!!
I really want to take a cooking class in a different country! 🙂 That sounds like so much fun. AND stay in a 5 star hotel? YES PLEASE. haha
Those are place are really beautiful, I hope I could travel too on that place. Thanks for sharing your destination list.
What a fantastic list. If you get a chance to see Orcas in the Northwest, it’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to see the Seychelles as well.
Yes, yes and yes to all of these things! I’d especially love to visit The Maldives and the Seychelles, those places look like paradise on Earth!
That is quite a wish list you have there-I sincerely hope you make it to all those places even if it takes you to after the age of 40!
I did 16,17,19,23,24,25,27! 🙂 Lucky to have been done that considering I’m just 30. Love this list and thanks for sharing…
I love this list! 20 by 40 is awesome! I did that and it is awesome. Then I had babies and don’t travel much any longer.
What an AWESOME list! I might have to borrow some of these or just tag along 😉 I also love to travel and have to say that Brazil has been one of my favorites so far.
This is an amazing list! I too need to relearn Spanish lol. I studied it for 5 years and due to lack of practice I barely remember anything.
As a fellow lawyer/writer I love your blog name. And these are some interesting goals. I also want to attend the Olympics, but to cheer on Team Jamaica 🙂
Great list! Whale watching is pretty awesome! I had a lot of fun doing that! Penguins in the wild sounds pretty cool too, I would like to see that myself. I also need to relearn Spanish lol.
This is an amazing list. I could never throw a dart and go but I’m looking forward to your dart journey. Eating a local delicacy is something I would like to do.
Yes and yes and yes! I love these! I just mentioned in a post how I want to just be at the airport and pick a place on the monitor and just go! I too can’t wait to see and eat my way thru more of the World and visit more of the natural wonders! It’s so exciting to dream and plan and better yet making those dreams come true!
Well, thanks for making my travel goals list. NowI just have to put it into action lol but seriously everything on your list are things I’ll enjoy and I really need to travel more.
As always, very good… thanks for incluiding me!
It takes two to Tango and I always fly solo to Buenos Aires. So now I have to “turn down for what?”