Corny? Yes. Necessary? You bet! lastminute lovely Shauna shares her bucket list with us.
I was recently sitting in a kitschy little Sydney bar and nibbling on some locally-sourced organic olives with my girlfriends when my somewhat loopy (and existentially-minded) friend threw out a bit of a nail biter. “If…,” she began, “you knew you only had six months left to live, what would you do?”
Surprisingly or not, this question really got us all thinking. Our gourmet olives went untouched for the next 30 minutes or so while we spoke of the intricacies of composing the good ol’ ‘bucket list’; a compilation of activities, experiences and generally, things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket’. And no they’re not reserved for the elderly; us 20-somethings had plenty of enthusiasm for the topic.
It might be a bit cliché but since we’re all about ‘living every lastminute’ (boom tish), I figure compiling a bucket list is an effective way to push yourself a little out of your comfort zone. So here goes, these are the babies I’ll be ticking off (watch this space!).
1. Skydiving
Now I know this one is pretty uninspired but I really want to go skydiving at least once in my lifetime. The feeling of propelling your body out of a tiny plane at 14,000ft off the ground and then getting warm and fuzzies when you float down through the sky to then land gently on your not-so-cushioned bum on the soft grass is an experience that I cannot wait to have.
Now I just need to decide between a coastal dive (Wollongong, Mission Beach, and St Kilda are just a few of the spots to choose from) or an inland experience (the Hunter Valley and Yarra Valley both have beautiful views). It’s a tough choice but I think I might just need a glass of wine after all that adrenalin, so the Hunter or Yarra could be the winner!
2. Hot Air Ballooning
Floating Aladdin-style over a gorgeous part of Australia is another item that I will one day tick off my list, and while there are plenty of destinations offering hot air ballooning, I’ve got a clear idea where I plan to make it happen.
The beautiful vast landforms of the Flinders Ranges can only truly be appreciated from the air. Cue romance and a pinch of adventure for a hot air balloon ride with real wow factor.
The early start (and cool temperature!) will soon be forgotten as we take in the amazing views and later enjoy a light champagne breakfast. Bliss.
3. Hit the Slopes of Japan and say “Origato”
I’m a snowboarder. Well, when I say that, I mean that I’ve been three times in my life and I look back fondly on my trips (mind you, it’s hard to forget the bruised tailbone!).
My trips though, have only been to snowfields a few hours south of Sydney and I’ve been told over and over again that “Australia has nothing on Japan!” And since I just looove Japanese food, putting Japan on my bucket list was a no-brainer.
Niseko, a snow town in Hokkaido in Japan’s north is meant to have incredible snowfalls in winter. It’s one of the most famous snow destinations in Japan, with the season lasting from November to May. I can just see myself now, making tracks through white fluffy powder and kicking back with a nice hot bowl of miso soup at the bottom of the mountain.
4. Caving
Why relax when I can add another extreme adventure to my to-do list? Caving is sure to make my palms sweat and heart beat in my ears, all whilst showcasing some of the most beautiful sights Australia has to offer – bonus.
I’m happy to climb, slither, push and navigate through an exhilarating maze of torch-lit caves for an adventure to brag about upon my safe return. It’s a little on the wild side, but that’s what it’s all about, right?
5. Stay in a Ridiculously Luxe Hotel
Last but not least, this one has featured in a few of my daydreams of late. Taking my recent task very seriously, I’ve done a bit of research on the most outrageously luxurious hotels and have since convinced myself that I really don’t need to pay off my credit card debt. What are credit cards for, but to spend up and live a little?
There’s nothing that says ‘relaxation’ more than this resort and spa in Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains. 24-hour room service and a day spa is my idea of the ultimate holiday. Funnily enough, even Michael Clarke agrees with me, as he swept up his belle and got married here recently. If it’s good enough for our Aussie Cricket captain and his bride, it’s good enough for my bucket list!
I’ve specifically left this one til last because after all that adrenalin, I figure I’ll need a little pampering and relaxation time to reflect on my amazing bucket list adventures… and plan what to add to my list next.