Let’s be honest, I am incredibly lucky to have already done so much in the eighteen years I’ve been on this planet. Just thinking about my experiences gives me chills because I really struggle to believe half the things I have had the privilege to do. Have to say, it’s been a brilliant way to start conversations at interviews – “Seriously... You’ve done THAT?!”
However, my desire to do more and more will never be tamed. I am constantly adding to my bucket list every time I cross another off. My urge to travel is a blessing and a curse (especially when my aspirations will not benefit me on the financial front) but I am undeniably determined to do the following things before I die:
1. Free Dive With Great Whites (Neptune Islands, South Australia) And Killer Whales (Arctic Circle, Norway)
That’s right, NO CAGES!!! These have both been top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Not only do I absolutely adore sharks but I want to share my passion for them with the world, showing people that these magnificent creatures are not mindless killing machines but are instead vital to our planet, playing a critical role in their ecosystem.
Swimming with orcas has been something I have wanted so desperately to do since I first saw the trainers doing waterworks with the whales at SeaWorld all those years ago. No one had attempted to enter the water with wild whales till recently but I was still adamant that I wanted to do it. Imagine my delights when I found out people are now swimming with them. We all know what I will be doing next summer!
There are a ton of other marine species I’m dying to swim with in the wild, such as Sperm Whales, Humpbacks, Tiger Sharks, and Hammerheads etc, but these two species are top of my list.
2. Everlasting Lightning Storms, Venezuela
I am obsessed with spectacular weather phenomenons almost as much as I am with animals but there is one spectacle that I wish to witness more than any other... Venezuela’s everlasting lightning storms.
For almost 300 nights of the year, a lightning storm rages in a small part of the country. Known as Relampo Del Catatumbo, this storm is located where the Catatumbo River flows into Lake Maracaibo and is thought to be the world's largest generator of ozone.
Just sitting on the banks of the river watching the lightning all night and day is something I would love to do within the next couple years; touring this beautiful country and sampling its unique culture while I’m there.
3. Volunteer With Orphaned Rhinos, South Africa
Rhinos have always had a very special place in my heart. You can learn so much about an animal when you look into their eyes but I feel you can see deepest into a rhino’s eyes. These gentle giants are so pure and full of character; however there are many people on this planet that have been blinded by greed and only see these beautiful creatures as dollar-signs.
Rhinos are fighting for survival; the majority of species being critically endangered. The next stop is extinction. Gone forever! I cannot bear to think of a world without these amazing creatures so I want to protect them in the front line, helping orphaned rhino calves have a second chance at life after going through traumatic beginnings.
4. Hike up a Active Volcano, Iceland & Nicaragua
I have visited volcanoes before in Iceland and St Lucia but I have always wanted to walk to the crater of a large, active volcano; staring down into the mouth to see glowing lava lakes. Eyjafjallajökull is famous for being the volcano that halted flights across Europe after it erupted, blocking out the light of the sun, in May 2010. The hike to the 5,500 foot summit is incredibly dangerous and arduous but this is a challenge I definitely wish to conquer for at the top you are greeted with the bubbling lava lakes and vast lava fields of Eyjafjallajökull. There are easier trails but that would be no fun compared to this infamous hike!
Alternatively, travelling to Nicaragua to visit Masaya Volcano National Park would also be tremendous. They offer night tours to see the volcano’s blazing lava lakes in all their glory.
5. Tornado Hunting, USA
From the first time I watched ‘Twister’ to actually being in a cyclone, I have always wanted to see a tornado! Not just a small one either – an F4 or F5 is the ultimate dream. Mother Nature is fascinatingly powerful and has the ability to give and take life instantaneously. To see such a spectacular weather phenomenon would be a humbling and incredible moment. I would travel to ‘Tornado Valley’ during twister season to witness the most powerful ones and have a better chance of running into one. Even though it’s rare to see a twister touchdown for more than a couple minutes, even witnessing a supercell storm would be just as insane.
6. Submarine Ride, Galapagos Islands
Exploring the deep sea is every kid's dream, along with flying to the Moon. There is one big difference between the depths of the ocean and the Moon... More people have seen the surface of the Moon than been to the Twilight Zone of the sea. Incredible right?! Well I want to be one of the few people that have the privilege to see the mysteries that the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean have to offer.
The Galapagos Islands has got to be the best place to do this; being home to a diverse array of unique species. The islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean, 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador. Its geographical location at the confluence of three ocean currents has made it one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. The ongoing volcanic and seismic activity are constantly shaping the islands and forming new ones. Due to the islands being so isolated, along with the unusual amount of underground activity, the Galapagos Islands are the perfect haven for the most distinctive species of Flora and Fauna found anywhere on the planet. The most spectacular and bizarre creatures are below the waves and the best way to witness them is to submerge yourself into their home by taking a submarine ride to the deepest depths. Have I persuaded you to add this to your bucket list yet?
7. Kayak with Orcas (Salish Sea) and Belugas (Arctic Circle)
This one is pretty self-explanatory. I adore cetaceans and kayaking with these specific species would honestly be such a special experience. They are extremely curious animals and have been known to say hello to kayakers by vocalising to them and nudging the boats. Basically heaven!
Kayaking with Southern Resident Killer Whale pods in the Salish Sea would be a dream come true. These whales are at a critical tipping point at the moment and desperately need help. I would give anything to be at the forefront of the conservation efforts being applied to protect the whales. Observing their behaviour from a close proximity, and sharing their ocean home with them, is a huge desire of mine.
Belugas are just as special to me as Orcas and kayaking with them in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle is also a big dream of mine.
8. Venomous Snake Handling, Australia
Before I say anything else, I would like to make it perfectly clear I do not intend to go harassing wild snakes just for the fun of it. In order to tick this one off the list, I would work alongside experts in the field, helping conservation efforts that require capturing or releasing snakes. I guess that is really the dream, not just handling the animals but actually contributing to the efforts in place to help protect them. Steve Irwin is one of my biggest inspirations and I share his enthusiasm and passion for these stunning reptiles. Being able to safely handle and restrain venomous species such as Inland Taipans, Brown Snakes and even Tiger Snakes is an exciting and exhilarating prospect that is right up my street!
9. Humpbacks Bubble-Net Feeding, Antarctic Peninsular
Imagine yourself whale watching. You’re stood on the boat, clinging onto the rail, anticipating the arrival of whales at any second. Suddenly an eerie, deafening cry fills the air out of nowhere. As you start to look around in utter disbelief of what you have just heard the water erupts with fish and massive humpbacks, their mouths agape!
Bubble-net feeding is a complex and unique feeding behaviour humpback whales engage in, used as a feeding method to catch shoals of fish. Being one of the few surface feeding behaviours that humpbacks exhibit, this is often done in groups; whales coming together, during their migration season, to feed on the plentiful amounts of prey in the colder, nutrient rich waters of Antarctica.
Seeing humpbacks exhibit this behaviour has been on my bucket list since I could walk. Seeing videos definitely doesn’t compare to experiencing it in person.
10. Aurora Borealis, Norway
Unfortunately, when we went to Iceland in February, we were unable to go Northern Lights hunting due to appalling weather conditions and dangerous road conditions. However, that hasn’t deterred me from wanting to witness the sheer beauty of this dazzling light show. Auroras occur due to the disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar winds. They occur most frequently in the ‘Auroral Zone’ which is on the magnetic north pole. This zone extends over northern Scandinavia, the southern tip of Greenland and continuing over northern Canada, Alaska and along the northern coast of Siberia.
Instead of Iceland, I want to visit Norway to try and see these vivid dancing lights, as well as go whale watching. The serenity of this spectacle seems to leave spectators dazed and speechless as it’s unlike anything else you can see in the world.
11. Sky Diving, UK
Yes, I want to jump out a plane deliberately.
They do not know it yet, but I am planning on sky diving to aid The Hawk Conservancy’s efforts in conserving and protecting vultures in Africa from poisoning. The main goal of this event would be to raise over £500 to go directly to aiding their efforts in producing poison response kits. Each poison response kit costs £300 and after a poisoning incident each kit needs to be replenished at a cost of £180. Hopefully jumping out of a plane will help raise the funds needed to provide these kits that could save thousands of vultures and other wildlife from an unnecessary death due to poison. More details on this later!
12. Stroking Grey Whale Calves, Baja California
Monterey Bay Aquarium fuelled my love for these beautiful giants. Grey Whales have definitely stolen my heart! You can imagine the excitement on my face when I found out that people can now take a small boat out into the calm birthing lagoons of Baja California to meet these whales face to face. In fact, the babies are so curious and friendly they voluntarily come up to the boats for a good scratch from tourists. I mean, come on!! Who doesn’t want to do that?! I start welling up just thinking about how special that experience would be for me. Someone buy me tickets to Cali, please.
13. Volcanic Ice Caves in Mount Erebus, Antarctica
Iceland had its very own ice caves that we were able to walk in when we visited, however, these were designed for tourists; pathed walkways, no obstacles (apart from small children), directions to the nearest exit etc. I want to traverse snowy mountains to get to the ice caves I’m on about. Steve Backshall and David Attenborough are the motivators behind this bucket list experience. It’s obviously not a ‘fun’ experience but seeing the spectacular ice formations: stalagmites, stalactites, shards, and feather-like crystals. These are formed, sculptured and created from the volcanic steam and gases flowing through these subterranean spaces. It may be a strenuous task to reach them but its 100% worth it for the magical secrets that lie within these cave systems.
14. Komodo Dragons, Indonesia
Reptiles have always been a big part of who I am, as most of you reading this know. Komodo Dragons are definitely one of my favourite species as they are just so vicious, powerful and dangerous. These stealthy monitors are one of the few venomous species on the planet, also being the heaviest and the largest. As the name suggests, the Komodo Islands are home to over 4,000 individuals. You can get as close as you dare to the beasts and witness how these powerful predators hunt; relying on their sense of smell, using that forked tongue, to find their prey. I might need to be on a leash so I don’t get too close...
15. Witness A African Hunting Dog Hunt, Kenya
Being one of my favourite terrestrial mammals, African Wild Hunting Dogs always put a huge smile on my face. Their intelligence and ability to work as a well coordinated pack is astonishing. They are exceptionally successful in the wild at hunting as they use these teamwork skills, along with stamina, to wear down their prey. Chester and Perth Zoo will always be two of my favourite zoological facilities just for the fact they have these animals on exhibit (and I could happily spend hours watching them play with each other). I have watched countless documentaries featuring Wild Dogs hunting but I have yet to see it for myself. Guess I’m due another trip to Africa!
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