*This post will be updated as I cross off my accomplishments and add new items. This is my one and only, real-life bucket list, which includes more than just travel goals. I hope it shares a lot about me, as well as inspires you in your own life!

If you’re a regular reader of Eye & Pen, then you’ve probably come across my Bucket List at one point or another – in my list and my life dreams and goals, I have the problem of continually adding more and more items to the list than I am able to cross off. Therefore, my list continues to grow and expand, and that’s why its name is referenced as being “never-ending” and with that ever-expanding list, I seem to keep finding new and exciting destinations to see and experiences that I want to have. The problem, as you can surely see, is that I will likely never catch up in reality to all that I dream to accomplish.

     Digital detox is when you take some much needed time away from the technological clutter that consumes your everyday life. Think of it as fasting from your phone, computer, and television. It has become somewhat of a cult phenomenon recently, with stories of people successfully unplugging and finding out there’s more to life, and more to socializing with others. For me, personally, I’d love to escape to an electricity-free cabin far away from civilization, where I must fend for myself and live simply, where all I have is a pen and paper to write my memoirs. But what once was a natural trait in all human beings, the ability to live off the land solely from what we grew or gamed, has long gone and nearly everyone in the world would need training to refresh their inner survivalist. I think it would be a life-changing, humbling and self-proving experience to be able to last a week or longer, in the wild, with nothing but a few basic supplies.

     A must for all travelers and adventurers is a trip to the Earth’s southern most continent, Antarctica. The allure of Antarctica doesn’t stop at the mammoth icebergs, as it has a crystal angelic beauty about it that draws upon the curious-hearted. And even though it’s the coldest and harshest environment on the face of the earth, it has plenty of interesting living creatures. It’s possible to find penguins, seals, whales, and a whole world of bizarre sea creatures in the Southern Ocean. 98% of Antarctica is covered on average by an ice thickness of one mile, but from what I’ve heard from travelers who have ventured south is that the beauty is second to none.

     New York City’s New Year’s Eve bash is one of the world’s largest and most well-known celebrations. For 108 years, New York City’s Time Square has been the centerpiece of the world’s New Year’s celebrations. One of the most famous icons is the ball drop, which is lowered 77 feet at 11:59 PM on December 31st, counting down to the final seconds of the year. On average, Time Square’s celebrations draw over a million people, with another one billion watching annually.
     There are many world-known New Year’s Eve celebration hotspots, like Amsterdam, Sydney, Las Vegas, Barcelona, and London, just to name a few. If you surround yourself with friends and maybe have a loved one to kiss at midnight, I don’t think you can go wrong, no matter where you are. I’ve never really gone completely wild on New Year’s Eve, however it’s now on my bucket list to let go, party and experiment with some of what NYC has available for the holiday!

     There are few reefs around the world that are as beautiful as Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The reef stretches from Rockhampton to Cape York and is visible from outer space. The Great Barrier stretches for over 1,600 miles (2,600 km) and encompasses over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Australia’s northeastern reef line is comprised of over 12,000 species of coral, tropical fish, mollusks and other exotic inhabitants. Find places to stay in Cairns on Expedia that are fairly close to the reef if you decide you want to experience it for yourself.
     The closest I’ve been to experiencing something as majestic as the Great Barrier reef was when I snorkeled near Puerto Rico, but the amount of coral and variety of living organisms just doesn’t compare. This underwater paradise is nothing new when it comes to bucket lists, so it should seem as no surprise that I’ve decided to feature the reef. I love the beach and swimming in the ocean as much as the next guy, but I’m much more of a land-lover. So - I think I would limit my under-worldly explorations simply to two: the Great Barrier Reef and the Lechuguilla Caverns in New Mexico.
(Photo via www.desktopia.net)