Before I Kick the Bucket
In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take
About me
My name is Mariam Hassan and I am high school student currently studying in Grade 11, coming from a family of frequent travelers and adventurers. I also alike to my family share the same passion for travel and adventure. My list consists of the different tourism regions (North America, Europe, Asia) and activities, I plan to check off before i kick the bucket.
My Bucket List
1) Go zorbing in New Zealand with my family
Zorbing is an activity of going downhill or rolling on a flat surface in an orb made out of transparent plastic. Zorbing is a great and unique activity to unwind or seek a bit of adventure. I would love to go with my family to share a good and exciting time with them, as well as enjoy the scenic views of New Zealand, the birth place of this activity. Overall zorbing would be a great adventurous experience, ranking on the top of my bucket list. It is also a unique form of adventure tourism.
2) Go skydiving
Skydiving is the activity of free falling from an air borne air craft in the prospect to reach back to land. Towards reaching the surface parachutes are used to help ease and slow down the descent. Skydiving is an activity most commonly performed by adventure and adrenaline enthusiasts, although this activity is a little out of my safety zone I would want to face my fears and mark it as a accomplishment. It also a known form of adventure tourism.
3) Vist the Antelope Canyon in Arizona, US
As I have always wanted to visit a canyon, the Antelope Canyon looks like a great option. With its photogenic views in the sunlight and interesting past, it seems like a great area to explore. Unlike the Grand Canyon it is less crowded, this works as a benefit for me to explore the area in peace and take a more personal tour of the area. Some of the tours offered at canyons are great, equipped with a little bit of thrill and knowledge, I would love the opportunity to embark on one of these tours and explore it to its fullest. It's also a form of adventure and cultural tourism.
4) Visit Shanghai, China
As a frequent traveler, I have never gotten the opportunity to visit Shanghai, China. A city that has a right amount of everything. From parks to skyscrapers and everything in between. If given the chance to visit some of the activities and places I would like to visit is the Oriental pearl tower, Peoples Square, the Longhua temple and lastly take a walk in the Yu Garden. I feel this experience of would be a great form of Cultural tourism.
5) Go with my family on Hajj
Going on Hajj is an Islamic Pilgrimage performed in the city of Mecca, mandatory to all Adult Muslims who can physically endure and financially afford it. Once of age, I would cherish the opportunity to go with my family on Hajj. Not only is a religious journey and duty, but is also serves as a purpose to tour and learn more about the city of Mecca and bond with my family. This pilgrimage is a world known form of religious tourism and is practiced yearly.
6) Take a cake decorating class
As an avid fan of baking sweet treats and then decorating them, the opportunity to enhance my skill and become an expert in the art of cake decorating is a goal of mine. To be able to pick up such a skill and then apply it to my daily life such as creating personalized decorative cakes for friends and family on special occasions is an attribute I would love to have. I want to be able to fulfill my interest to its highest extent and through it develop a sense of food culture. Cake decorating can be marked as cultural tourism when it comes to learning about a country and the various customs in its cuisine.
7) Go to Disney World
As a child growing up, I have always been a fan of Disney movies. Enchanted by all the songs, dances and characters, I grew up wanting to visit Disney World. It was an amazing opportunity to watch the characters I love so much come to life. Fortunately, I was able to tick this experience of my bucket list in the summer of 2012, when i got to visit Disney world with my family. It was a great experience visiting all the characters and going on all the rides at the theme park. Not only did a accomplish a goal but I also got to experience this form of recreational tourism.
8) Backpacking in Europe
Europe is a beautiful continent, rich with beautiful landscapes and culture. I have always wanted to visit Europe in its most rawest form and that is through backpacking. When backpacking there are no time restraints and unnecessary fees. Some of the main cities I would like to visit when backpacking across Europe are Amsterdam, London, Paris, Athens, Milan, Dublin, Munich and Berlin, Visiting and touring these cities is a great form of cultural tourism.
9) Be in the front row of a Beyonce concert
Since I was young Beyonce has always been a role model of mine. With her amazing talent and positive self image, I find her overall persona to very inspiring. She has inspired to reach my highest potential. The opportunity to meet and watch her perform in person would be an amazing experience. Especially in front row because of the heightened contact and overall music experience. Not only would it accomplish a personal goal of mine but it also be a form of recreational tourism.
10) Help start a womens shelter in Pakistan
Having deep roots in Pakistan, I feel a very strong connection to my native country. Unlike the many privileges we have in Canada, Pakistan is a country that is still developing and thus does not have such resources. For a woman to be living in Pakistan without an income or an education may mean that she is not privileged to shelter and food. I want to help develop a center where women can come in seeking safety and acceptance, it has always been a passion of mine to change someones life and through volun-tourism I am set to complete this task as a lifetime achievement.
11) Visit Tokyo, Japan
As a frequent traveler, I have never gotten the opportunity to visit Tokyo, Japan. A city that holds a perfect balance between ethnic culture and modernization. If given the chance to visit, some of the activities and places I would like to visit are the Tokyo sky-tree, walk in the Yoyogi park, visit the Shinjuku Gyoen, stay at the Tokyo Disney sea and lastly take a walk in Takeshita street. I would also love to try the local Japanese cuisine and purchase some of the local products sold on the streets. I feel this experience would be a great form of Cultural tourism.
12) Fly a glider
Flying a glider is a great experience for anyone interested in the prospect of flying. It also known to be thrill seeking and scenic, both of which I am an avid fan off. Through flying a glider an individual can perform maybe stomach-dropping tricks or prefer to cruise over scenic landscapes and enjoy the beauty. I would love the opportunity to fly a glider and get to experience the joy of flying. It also a great form of adventure, fitting under the category of adventure tourism.
#1 on the List
My top bucket list entry would be zorbing in New Zealand with my family. In my travel class, we watched a video and did a study on all the different activities New Zealand has to offer, I was most intrigued by zorbing. Although there is a variety of different forms of adventure tourism available in the country, zorbing was the one that I found most thrilling. Some of the more extreme activities offered in New Zealand such as bungee jumping are not as family friendly and may prove difficult in getting the whole family on board. On the other hand, zorbing can be done downhill or on a flat surface thus catering it to be a family friendly experience. I come from a family of travel enthusiasts and I believe New Zealand would be the perfect place to explore, not only is New Zealand extremely scenic in its lush landscapes but it also the ultimate destination for all extreme sports. One interesting fact about New Zealand is that is also looks quite similar to Canada, with this knowledge it would be easier for me to settle into the country and get used to traveling around. In conclusion, New Zealand truly is a great place with very unique and interesting activities to offer, both of which I plan on exploring with my family in the future.
Zorbing New Zealand
Checked of the list!
My trip to Disney World was definitely an experience that I can now cross of my list. It was a magical experience all in all and completed my wish as a young child to see all my favorite characters come to life.It fulfilled my need for recreational tourism as it was both a fun and relaxing trip at the same time.