During COVID, while I was stranded and unable to travel, I watched the news like most people. The news became a constant reminder of what we had lost and highlighted the strength and resilience of people.
In many ways, the world seemed to grow closer. A sense of caring emerged as we all made an effort to check in on each other. I found this refreshing in the UK, and I hope it will continue.
However, there was also a darker side to this situation. For that caring spirit to emerge, many people had to be lost—millions of them. These were genuinely nice people who, despite being ill, might still be with us if not for Covid-19.
This brings up a sobering thought: How much time do we have left?
I lost two people I cared about. Although they were old enough to have lived long lives, both had so much more to give and experience.
Bucket Lists
The topic of bucket lists came up during this time. I’ve always distanced myself from such trends. People who know me understand that I don’t typically follow popular fads—I’ve still never seen “Game of Thrones” or “Breaking Bad”!
But because I enjoy travelling, the idea of a bucket list seemed more relevant, especially when I thought about the things one of my friends wanted to do but will now sadly never get the chance to pursue.
Below are the 20 things I have in mind to do while I’m in Asia. Some of these activities are ongoing and will apply to all the countries I visit (so I can’t cross them off until I’ve accomplished them all), while others are specific to particular places
Hope you like and comment with your own lists.
- Attend or be invited to a wedding in each country I travel to. ( not mine:))
- Sail a boat in and around Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.
- Stay in a monastery in Tibet or Myanmar
- Get a traditional tattoo from a Borneo tribe or a Thai Monk
- Climb a mountain in each country I visit
- Ride a horse in Mongolia
Ride a scooter in Asia- Motorbike down the whole of Vietnam
- Fish with fishermen in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
- Learn and cook at least one traditional dish from each country
- Live like a local
- Hot air balloon over Bagan, Myanmar
- Read the history of each country whilst you live there.
- Experience and learn a skill or traditional craft in each place.
- Learn a Martial Art
- Re-learn the guitar
- Sing a song live for prosperity with?
- Play one song on the guitar live
- Watch a movie from the country you are in.
- Master Yoga
Accomplishments
Whilst currently I can only attest to accomplishing one. The scooter in Asia, I now own my own little Honda Air Blade.
So far, I have had Invites to weddings in both Thailand (1) and Cambodia (4).
I have climbed the highest mountain in Vietnam and soon the one in the Philippines.
At a cinema in Bangkok, I watched a Thai movie with no subtitles, and where the whole audience rose for the king before the start of the movie.
I know how to cook a dish from Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
I guess the rest will follow.