Wanderlust // The Top Five

Do you have a travel wishlist that's getting longer by the day? Do you want to hop on a plane to see some new scenery, take in a new cultures, try new food?! Yes? Well, you've probably got a case of 'Wanderlust' then. It's okay, I've got it too, and Pinterest really isn't helping things.

I've always loved travelling. Whilst I was growing up we travelled a lot; my dad, who had always loved travelling, would tell stories about the places he'd been before. He told us exciting tales about the friends he'd made and things he'd done. He vividly recounted the lake at Vancouver, an earthquake in Japan, numerous peaks and valleys he'd flown over, and the incredible beaches of southern California. I guess it was listening to all these little tales that instilled the desire to travel in me too. 

As you probably know, I currently live in Jakarta, before here I lived in South Korea for four and a half years. One of the best things about living in Asia is how easy it's been to tick off a lot of places on this side of the globe that were on my bucket list. The problem is though, as time goes on, especially with all the amazing photos you see online, my list is actually getting longer not shorter! I realised recently that I needed to settle on some true 'bucket-list' destinations and make plans towards going on those trips. So, after much thought, here's my top five travel wish list...

Roadtrip the coast of California. See the ginormous redwood forests towering above me. Take a wine tour, or two. Look at a little art and culture in San Fran. Eat sushi and do some celebrity spotting in L.A. Go see if I can make a find in the Rose Bowl flea market. Big Sur. Stay in motels and cute boutique hotels that remind you of movie scenes. Stop off at diners. Lay on the beaches of Southern California.

Feel the chill in Alaska. Explore the wilderness and appreciate the vastness and isolation. Go whale watching and suck up the fresh, cold sea air. See the glaciers breaking off slowly and crashing into the ocean below. Try to spot a bear. Watch the skies light up with the incredible Aurora Borealis. Warm up by a cosy log fire.

Spend Christmas in New York. Get wrapped up in the festive season. Skate beneath the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Shop for gifts on 5th. Wander around (hopefully snowy) Central Park and go for hot cocoa to warm up after. Watch the Radio City Christmas show. All a cliche of the most joyful holiday kind!

Marvel at natural beauty in New Zealand. Drive through the vast open countryside and see the awe-inspiring scenery. Take a walk down 90-mile beach and lookout for passing whales. See the majestic, natural and unspoilt beauty of Milford Sound. Go hiking across the volcanic landscapes in Tongariro National Park.

Go on safari in Kenya. See the big five in their natural habitat. Watch the sunrise over the Savannah. Sit round a campfire at night. Sleep in a gorgeous luxury camp under the stars and pretend I'm a gamekeeper for a week. Amazing!

So, what do you think, and are any of them on your bucket list? I think my choices encompass a little bit of everything. They're each a bit different from one another and I'm sure if/when I get to tick them off the list they'll be such fantastic experiences and leave memories to last a lifetime. I guess now I've narrowed things down, the next step is to get saving!

Leave me a comment and let me know what your travel top five is, I'd love to hear where everyone wants to go!