It’s a new year and although I’m on lockdown until at least March, I can’t help but indulge in a little cheeky planning session of what will be on our bucket list of travel destinations in 2018. 
I haven’t been able to go on any international travel for a few months and now that I’ve received my brand spanking new passport, I’m eager to start working on getting those pages stamped. Call me a nerd or a weirdo but I love going through all my travel stamps and reliving those memories of visiting new and wonderful places.
I asked Chris the other day what places he wanted to cross off his list and we both agreed on the following locations. How feasible this will be for us with a newborn on the way is a challenge we will tackle when the time comes. Having said this, we are always open to any suggestions and helpful advice because when child wrangling is concerned we are almost clueless – at least I am.
2018 Travel Bucket List
Philippines
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been dreaming of visiting the Philippines and this year is going to be the year we make it happen. I don’t think I’ve seen places with bluer waters than here and the amount of water activities you can enjoy is just insane. From lakes and lagoons to mountains with cascading waterfalls, this place just looks like a dream.
A dream with over 7,000 islands to be discovered to be exact and this place will have numerous underground rivers and caves, hundreds of world-class, pristine white beaches with magnificent limestone formations, crazy-colorful coral reefs that are a divers dream, 2,000-year-old rice terraces carved by ancient islanders, one of the world’s deepest ocean trenches and over 20 volcanoes.
I’m mentally packing my bags already and picking out my bikinis!
South Africa
Yet another that was actually on my list for 2017 but we ran out of time and the pregnancy has placed a hold on my ambitious travel plans but nevertheless, we will definitely try to make this one happen this year! From what I’ve heard it’s an affordable destination that offers a multitude of experiences that one can only dream of. At the very top of this list for us is doing a safari and a personal bucket list item is to go shark cage diving because where else would you go to come get a whiff of a Great White’s breath?
So if you’re up for a good adventure then chances are you’ll find exactly that in South Africa and I hear the wine isn’t too bad either. After my lofty ten-month abstinence from alcohol, I’m ready to hand over that sobriety chip and get my hands on a glass (or twenty) of wine.
Hawaii
Aside from the fact that you can pick up ludicrously cheap flights from Sydney to Hawaii, we all know the place for its pleasant weather and amazing beaches. But there are actually so many more reasons to visit the place and on the top of my list is to visit the Napali coast and checking out some of the amazing hikes they have to offer. Did I also mention that we’re obsessed with waterfalls? Well, Hawaii looks like they have some pretty epic ones to offer as well! You can call us waterfall connoisseurs if you want – ha!
China
This isn’t a new place for me but it sure will be for Chris and I can’t wait to show him that this is not only where my family is from but it is so much more than the land where knock-off Louis Vuitton’s originated. After all, where else are you going to find panda sanctuaries?!
Even though the major cities have their fair share of pollution and congestion, they’re still stunning at night. I am particularly patriotic when it comes to the hometown of my family and still think Shanghai is an exquisite city and late night walks along The Bund are one of the many things I look forward to each time I visit.
If you want to see the natural wonders of China then you must visit Hua Shan (Yellow Mountain) and Jiu Zhai Gou because those amazing mountains you see in traditional Chinese paintings are exactly what you’ll find here. Even more surprising is that these locations generally have minimal pollution!
LA/NYC
We wanted to balance out all the adventure in the great outdoors with a little city life and chose to add tinsel town and the big apple. Looking forward to discovering hidden gems in these cities and of course indulging in a little ‘window’ shopping and just being tourists.
If we somehow manage to find a few weeks to spare then we’d love to hire a car and road trip from one end to the other. From the metropolis that is overflowing with movie stars, aspiring actors and models, musicians and surfers to the city that’s known for its fashion, nightlife and art. I know people always give mixed reviews about LA and I just think it takes an open mind to appreciate its uniqueness – even with the perpetual traffic. I only ever got a chance to spend a few days in NYC many years ago and would love to spend some time discovering everything it has to offer. I have heard however that you could spend a lifetime and still not scratch the surface so I’ll just have to settle for whatever we can cram in.
What’s on your Travel Bucket List for 2018?
Check out my tips for girls travelling solo here if you’re thinking of heading on an adventure of your own this year!
