My life has always been about adventures. Call me cup-half-full but I like to view the world around me as a series of exciting opportunities that I just can't wait to seize with both hands. Looking back, adventures have come in all different forms throughout my life. Career-wise I've had the amazing experience of working as a journalist and an editor, my nine-year relationship was an adventure from start to finish and more recently, you guys will know all about my travelling adventures that never seem to end. Well this life of adventure chose me and I'm more than happy to live it every single day. Since travelling, I've been lucky enough to live some adventures beyond my wildest dreams and I'm so excited to share some of them with you in this post as part of a collaboration with Encounters Travel. This post is taking a look at some of the incredible adventure trips I've taken and some that remain firmly on my bucket list... for now!
Australia
Australia was one of the biggest adventures of my life. Not only was I literally on the other side of the world from everything I knew, but I was thrown between living life in the middle of a bustling city and the dry, dusty outback. Outback life is an adventure anyone who travels to Australia should not miss out on, it was one of the most incredible experiences I have had since travelling. From working on a cattle farm by day and watching endless shooting stars at night, to learning to ride bareback and swimming in flooded rivers. It was epic and I can't recommend it enough. If the outback isn't for you, then head to the coast for no end of adventures from diving on the Great Barrier Reef and swimming with whale sharks, to white water rafting and skydiving, perfect for all the adrenaline junkies.
Thailand
Thailand was my first solo adventure and one I won't forget in a hurry. Adventures came in all forms there from volunteering with elephants and exploring ruins by bike, to partying the night away on the islands and trekking through jungle to visit hill tribes. No matter what part of Thailand you head to, there is an adventure just waiting to be uncovered. For a taste of the untouched, head deep into the middle of the country to Khao Sok, an 80 million year old rainforest just packed full of exciting adventures. There's hiking to waterfalls, swimming through caves, jungle safaris and kayaking to be done, and you can spend your nights sleeping either in treehouses or in a hut on a raft deep in the middle of the jungle. If that's not an adventure, I don't know what is.
Vietnam
Vietnam is an adventure for all the senses as you escape the beaten track and take the chance to explore Sapa, visiting local families and experiencing life as they live it. Kayak around a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Halong Bay, navigate the crazy traffic in Hanoi or even motorbike from one end of the country to another. For those who want to feel their pulse race, look no further than Dalat, where you can experience the ultimate adventure at Canyoning, a day of abseiling down waterfalls and freediving from huge heights. There's time to squeeze in mountain biking to waterfalls before heading to Hoi An to taste delicacies you never knew existed.
Borneo
One of my absolute dream destinations - Borneo is the home of the orangutan. After volunteering with elephants in Thailand, my taste for wild an exotic animals turned to another favourite and I can't think of anything more incredible than seeing these creatures in their natural habitat. The jungle in Borneo looks absolutely prehistoric and I love the idea of seeing this incredible landscape with my own eyes, plus the opportunity to climb Mt Kinabalu would be a complete adventure. Once done exploring the centre, there is so much more waiting along the coastline from national parks to stunning wildlife - this land literally seems to have it all.
South America
I know I've overgeneralised here but that's because at the top of my bucket list sits a trip to South America - I can't break it down because quite frankly, I want to see it all. From the Inca Trail in Peru, to the Bolivian Salt Flats, to Iguazu Falls in Brazil and seeing the Amazon with my own eyes in Ecuador. From the physical challenges to the language barrier, I love the idea of throwing myself into harder travelling where I have to really learn along the way. That's the true adventure to me. There is so much to see and do that I know I'll never manage it all, but that won't stop me trying. I'm hoping to experience this adventure from start to finish in 2017/18 and can't wait.
India
Ever since I read the book Shantaram, India has been firmly on my must-travel list. The book describes the culture, colour and character of India so beautifully and uses such poetic prose that it made me long to experience it for myself.Travelling India just sounds like it would be such an adventure, to truly immerse yourself in the land, every aspect of it from the people, to the spirituality and the food. It seems like a country that would change the world as you know it, that would change your whole understanding of life. Any true adventure should rock you to your very core and change you as a person, India is an adventure waiting to happen.
Iceland
Somewhere I have been lusting after for years - as someone who always plumps for tropical locations the idea of experiencing the magic of this snowy land really appeals. Friends who have been have described action packed weekends exploring glaciers by snowmobile, diving into the Blue Lagoon and even riding through the mountains on horseback. But nothing would compare to my dream of seeing the Northern Lights with my own eyes, this may be one of the few times I stand still but would be one of the greatest adventures of all. Especially with my plan to also see the Southern Lights while down in New Zealand.
United States
Over the years I've made the standard trips to the US, I've spent Christmas in New York gazing at the views from the Empire State Building and wandering around vintage markets in Brooklyn. I've holidayed in Florida exploring all the theme parks and splashing my way through the water parks. But I have such an urge to one day experience so much more and how better to do it than by experiencing one of the greatest road trips. Gathering up a solid gang of mates and setting out to explore every state would be an amazing adventure. Highlights for me would be San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC and LA. But another amazing way to do it would be by venturing from one national park to the next - there are some beautiful natural sights such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone that would be the perfect stop-offs. It is my dream to visit New Orleans either for the Jazz Festival or for Mardi Gras - what an adventure to party there! 10 facts about New Orleans you need to know.
Africa
An African adventure is probably on a lot of people's bucket lists, but for me it goes a little deeper. With half of my family coming from Mauritius, I find myself longing to explore more of the continent from jungle to desert, and city to beach. There are so many amazing ways to have an adventure here and I'm sure you could spend the rest of your life in Africa without really delving into the depths of this land. For me, most of my ideals of Africa have centered around the idea of going on safari on the Serengeti, or waking up to the sight of giraffes and zebras roaming free, of waking in the night to the roars of lions and the trumpeting of elephants. I love animals and particularly I love seeing them in their natural habitat so this would be the ultimate adventure and a dream come true for me. One thing I must do in my lifetime is a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti at sunrise. Elsewhere, there is endless desert to explore, bustling modern cities and luxury resorts dotted along the coastline. Africa looks like a traveler's paradise, if you're planning a trip there check out the overland tours available from Encounters Travel here.
Antarctica
Call me crazy if you want, but Antarctica has always seemed like the most incredible adventure. Going to the coldest place on earth where nothing but penguins seems to survive and witnessing the weather and wildlife is such an exciting prospect. A place where tourism is absent, where you get back to basics and focus purely on the landscape. That is what travelling should be all about and that seems pretty adventurous to me. Sadly it is very expensive and seems like the least likely of my list, but that doesn't stop me imagining what it would be like to embark on this adventure one day.
What has been the biggest adventure of your life? What is your dream adventure destination? Do you dream of visiting any of these places?
