Friday, August 29, 2008

Around The World

Over the last few years, I've developed a list of places I'd like to someday visit. I had always assumed it would wind up being a 'one trip at a time' thing, and I'd knock destinations off my list one by one. As time went on, however, the list grew longer and longer, and it came to the point where I decided there was no way I would be able see everything on it. The solution? Do them all at once. Here's the list (so far):

Tikal, Guatemala (Mayan Ruins)
Machu Picchu, Peru
Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Cape Town, South Africa
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
Cairo, Egypt (Great Pyramids of Giza)
Petra, Jordan
Athens, Greece
Rome, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
Dublin, Ireland
Reykjavik, Iceland
Amsterdam, Netherlands
St. Petersburg, Russia
Moscow, Russia
Delhi/Taj Mahal, India
Beijing, China (Great Wall of China)
Tokyo, Japan
Hong Kong, China
Hanoi, Vietnam
Siem Reap, Cambodia (Angkor Wat)
Ko Libong/Ko Lipe, Thailand
Bali, Indonesia
Queensland, Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
Queenstown, New Zealand
Easter Island, Chile



Since this route doubles back on itself a few times and really skips a lot of Africa, I expect a few destinations to be added, or some replaced. Either way, this is the trip I've come up with. It's a work in progress (you can click on the map to enlarge it).

I've begun researching the financial implications of such a trip, and airfare alone looks like it'll start at around 14,000. If I'm to do everything on my list, I figure it would likely take six months. I'd probably wind up subletting my apartment, or just moving out and leaving my stuff in storage for the time I'll be gone, which would count out rent. I could defer my student loans for that same amount of time (or even a few months prior, to help save). Airfare/train fare/bus fare would be the bulk of the expense, since I plan on keeping food and housing on the modest side.

If anyone's interested in joining me, I'm accepting applications.