Tick, tick, tick… that’s the sound of my internal travel clock ticking. Tick, tick, tick.
When I’ve been settled for a while, it seems as though my internal travel clock starts screaming at me to make some plans involving far-flung places. I sometimes envy people who are satisfied with the status quo as they don’t have to deal with the ups and downs involved with wanting to get up and go.
Maybe it’s gotten worse since we’ve dropped the partner visa application with immigration. Now that I’m even more tied to this country, I can’t think of anything other than gallivanting distant lands – and returning here of course (Australia Immigration, I heart you!).
But, I’m not done with traveling. There’s an entire world out there to explore, and somehow, some way, I will do it! For me, it all starts with making the plans.
With that in mind, here are 10 places I want to travel to before I hit the age of 30. I’m 27 now, so when it comes down to it, it’s not really much time to plan, save and act.
- Georgia – The country, not the state, people. They invented wine! I was actually going to travel here back in 2008, but there was that whole war thing going on. It would be the first place I went if I had the funds to spare right now, especially since I have a friend that is currently living there.
- Uzbekistan – It’s Uzbekistan! It not only sounds cool, but it has some amazing cities. I just didn’t happen to make it there on my last Central Asian adventure.
- Kyrgyzstan – Yes, I’ve been here, but I need to return. I also need to bring Pat with me because he has some strange vision that it’s like the wild west. He doesn’t understand that there are real cities with normal people and some deeeeelicious food in the Kyrg.
- Russia – Russia only makes sense! It fits into my whole exploration of the former Soviet Union and love of the bleak.
- Mongolia – Riding a horse across the Gobi Desert and sleeping in a yurt… sounds good to me!
- India – I know that whenever I do get here that I will be spending a good chunk of that time with tummy troubles. But, I don’t care. India is an amazing, intriguing and inspiring place that I must get to.
- Syria – I’ve heard stories about the kindness of the Syrian people. It’s a little off-beat, but it is definitely calling my name. Aleppo, is that you?
- Greece – Part of my ancient triangle (Greece, Italy, Egypt), Greece is a place full of history and yummy food. I think I could handle a month or two in this country.
- Egypt – Hello, pyramids! Need I say more? I want to ride a camel and play hide and seek with mummies. Cheap Egypt holidays have been on my radar ever since I lived in Ukraine, and I’m wishing now I had taken advantage of the the opportunity when I had the chance with a good price.
- Tunisia – Tunisia has quite the rich history as well. You might have heard about Carthage before when studying ancient history. It’s right there in the vicinity of Egypt and Greece, too.
To me, this looks like one awesome trip! However, I highly doubt that I will be taking it all at once… but who knows? A nice round-the-world plane ticket (or two) from Airtreks (or the like) would be 70% of the battle in my mind. How does that sound, Airtreks?
…..
Hello?…..
Is this thing on?
Also check out:
10 Before 30 Plan: Issue #1
10 Before 30 Plan: Issue #2
10 Before 30 Plan: A Compromise of Smaller Trips
I’m intrigued with central Asia too. I love the whe silk road story through western china, northern pakistan, Samarkand. All that stuff. Might go there on an overland trip from oz the Europe. No planes. That’s my dream.
Doooo it! That’s an awesome dream
Great Brooke , Finally you decided to travel to India …. happy happy. happy ………
Love the list Brooke — not your average wish list at all
You’ve put it out there and I’m confident you can make it happen. DO IT!
It’s gonna take a bit of “old Brooke” channeling to do so. Penny-pinching and planning here I come
Some great countries in there, Brooke. Although I wasn’t a fan of Tunisia or Egypt, I know I’ll be a fan of reading about it sometime over the next few years.
Aw thanks, Ant
I’m at 20% of that list – India and Syria. No Afghanistan in the Central Asia trip? Not far from Uzb and Kyr, reckon that’d be something. Airtreks surely have to send you to write for them?
Lobster toast rears his head again…
Haha, yes might have to wait on that Kabul Travel Tribe…
What? Killara not exciting enough for you?
Cool list Brooke – I remain unconvinced by Georgia/Uzbek/Kyrg even though you’ve told me how cool they are before. The rest I totally agree on!
You can make it happen
I will shamelessly support your decision to do this trip! If not only because of your willingness to pal around with mummies.
Oh, and thanks for the plug for AirTreks. When you’re ready, even if it’s after you turn 30, we can make it happen.
I’ll hit up Greece with ya! It’s my must, must, must, must go-to place. I want to live there, actually. But I figure now is not the time.
Seeing as I turned 28 this year my internal clock has been ticking like mad – especially because I’m running out of time to do the Australia work/holiday visa. Shaun is a year younger than me so it really is riding on me. :X
Great post Brooke! I know exactly what you’re talking about when it comes to the internal travel clock! If I don’t have some form of travel on the horizon that I can put my mind towards I start to go a little insane.
Good thing for you, you’ve got enough places on that list to keep your clock well under control!
your list has many countries from the middle east. i would love to go the countries that are there or any that ends in “..stan”
Interesting list. I’d say India, Greece, and Russia are the only ones I have on mine that are similar. I still need to see a lot of places though, haha.
Might do a similar entry to this soon. I like the idea of setting myself a goal like this.
Goals are great! I don’t think I’d get anywhere – especially not out on the road – without them.
If you’d like to add any other stans to your list I have a friend who lives in Kazhakstan (sp?) and I’m sure she’d love to show you around!
I like how some women have their biological clock and you have your travel clock. I’m the same way
Hey Kyle, Yes I am a different kind of woman
I’ve already been to the Kaz and found it interesting yet a little blah. If I’m adding any other -stan to my list, it would be Turkmenistan.
Brooke, you know what would be awesome? After all these years we decide to finally meet in the middle of Mongolia! Let’s do it! Would be so fun and it’s a dream destination of mine too.
em…if u travel at south east asia…Maybe can get 0% fair ticket…if u r interested on southeast asia…just go http://www.airasia.com check for detail…^^
Really interesting list. I’d love to go to Syria and see Damascus- I’ve heard it’s beautiful. Greece and India are at the top of my list at the moment as well
That is one crazy list. I would love to get amongst Central Asia. I think one country you have missed is Morocco it is easily the best place I have been to. You should add it to your list and try get there when you make it to Tunisia/Egypt.
Wow, about 80% of that list is on my itinerary list too…
That’s cool… you got awesome taste in countries :p
Great minds think alike