27 Travel Goals for My 27th Year

I decided to start something a little different with my travel goals this year. Instead of focusing on a calendar year, or focusing on things to do on my actual birthday I wanted to focus on the 365 days between birthdays! So, to celebrate my 27th birthday I’ve come up with a list of the 27 travel goals I most want to accomplish before March 8th, 2018. Because we’re unsure of our travel dates in Asia, I may miss a few by a month or so. However, this means being spontaneous and I’m so looking forward to that!

Eat at Biscuit Head, Drink Beer + Explore the Mountains in Asheville, NC

Asheville is a city that just instantly stole my heart. It’s where Matt + I met and fell in love. Plus, I guess this is as good of a time as ever to announce that we’re planning to move back there after our big trip, some time in 2018! We love getting to make trips back to spend time with our friends. Musts for me are eating at Biscuit Head (my favorite restaurant on earth), drinking IPAs and getting my mountain-lover on!

Celebrate My 1st Wedding Anniversary with a Camping Trip

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Matt and I came up with this wild idea to spend our anniversary in a new state every year. So, this year a camping trip in Arkansas sounds like a perfect way to celebrate our first year of wedded bliss.

Visit 100 Temples in Asia

Last time I was in Asia, I was there for 3.5 months and got to almost 50 temples. This time we’ll be there for at least 8 months, so I’m going to squeeze as much spiritual, cultural + meditative goodness into my 27th year as possible!

Celebrate Christmas with Pure Relaxation in Bali

Matt and I found the most magical private villa to spend Christmas in. I’m not always the best at total relaxation, so I’m going to set Christmas and Christmas Eve aside to have a little R+R with Matt.

Attend the Holi Festival in India

Visiting India in general is a dream come true! Luckily for me, the Holi Festival comes just before my birthday! To celebrate, we’re going to don our white clothes and join in the Hindu festival that inspired the color run!

See 27 Waterfalls

27 is going to be the number for the year! I want to get to a minimum of 27 of a lot of things. Waterfalls are one of my favorite natural phenomenons on earth, so hopefully I can get around to seeing even more than 27!

Take a Meditation Class (or 2 or 3) in India

This is a huge one for me! I am so obsessed with the fact that I’m going to India that I’m trying to think of everything I’ve ever wanted to do there and just constantly daydreaming. What better place to learn about meditation than in India?! I’m excited to learn even more about this and become a better, more balanced version of myself.

Catch a Sunrise from the Top of a Volcano in Bali

One thing I missed on my last adventure to Bali, but I know this will be an amazing experience to share with Matt right around Christmas-time. Perhaps even for New Years? Watch the first sunrise of the new year arrive from the top of a volcano.

Watch the Hot Air Balloons Rise in Bagan, Myanmar (And Ride One if I Win the Lottery)

I have a massive dream of riding in a hot air balloon here. Dream of all hot-air-balloon-dreams! It’s really expensive, though, and it would take some serious budgeting… I suppose we’ll just see what happens. Seeing them from below is supposed to pretty incredible as well.

Get Mesmerized by Dambulla Rock Temple in Sri Lanka

My favorite professor in college specialized in Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism. Since taking my first class with him, I’ve wanted to visit Sri Lanka and immerse myself in the Buddhist Culture. This temple is just so stunning and it will be a must-see for sure!

Explore the Angkor Complex with Matt + Catch the Things I Missed Last Time

Stacey and I did the three-day pass when we went in 2015, and I really wanted to do the seven-day pass this time, but they’ve raised the prices, so we’ll see what happens. However, I now know that I want to catch the sunrise every day there so we can explore as much as possible before it gets too crazy hot!

Take A Yoga Class at Utopia in Luang Prabang, Laos

If I could use one word to describe Utopia in Luang Prabang, it would aptly be utopia. This paradise was one of my favorite places to do some blog work while grabbing a yummy snack and drink. We looked at doing a yoga class, but had decided not to because of the price. It’s something I’m sad to have missed out on. So, this time, Matt + I will be catching a sunset yoga class on their stunning balcony.

Learn Even More About Buddhism in Nepal

There are Buddhism classes in Nepal that I would LOVE to take. I studied Buddhism quite a bit in college so I am always desperate to learn even more. In fact, the Buddha was said to have been born in Nepal, so how would this not be a great place to educate myself even more.

Ride the Rails in Sri Lanka

Ethically Spend the Day (at least) with Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

I want to volunteer for a week with elephants in Chiang Mai. Matt isn’t nearly as excited to work with large animals and shovel poo on our big trip, but I want to do this desperately! I’m holding out for the opportunity to get to spend at least a bit of time with them.

Rent Bikes in Every Country We Visit

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This was a goal we set on Stacey’s and my trip through SE Asia, but it fell by the wayside after our first country. I don’t want to let that happen on this adventure. I love the freedom of being able to stop anywhere you want and get to watch the passing landscape at a much slower pace.

Soak up the Spirit of the Beach Temples In Bali

Bali has a spirit about it. I love how much you can truly feel the spirituality of the locals. I’ve never seen more devoted worshipers than the Balinese. I love seeing the offerings that devotees left all around them morning, noon and night. I feel like I totally missed out not seeing these when I was there in 2015, but I’m not going to make that mistake twice!

Explore Battambang, Cambodia

We heard about this city a little too late the last time I was in Cambodia, but I’m excited to dive into the history and beauty in Battambang.

Float Through the Village on Inle Lake, Myanmar

Visit 27 Museums

Why not make 27 the number of the year? I really hope to make this one happen because I have a goal to continue a my lifelong journey of education. Plus, it’s a great introduction to learn about things you never knew.

Trek in the Himalayas to Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

Friends of ours did this trek, and ever since then I’ve been dying to do it. It sounds and looks stunning. Plus, I know that it’s going to be one hell of a challenge, and I like a good challenge. I really like pushing my limits, and I know this will be no exception. 17,769 is the highest peak and that’s almost 4k feet higher than I’ve ever been on foot before.

Visit a Tea Plantation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the entire world. I am a tea-lover, and have been since I can remember. So, I know that I want to tour a tea plantation! Ceylon tea is good for you, and I’d love to start trying to have tea in a traditional way in every country I visit from now on.

Totally Veg Out in a Cafe with A Mountain View with Matt in Vang Vieng, Laos

I wouldn’t say that Vang Vieng was a favorite city, but I would say that it has one of my favorite views! I love the mountains and the river that create the backdrop. There are a lot of natural things to see and I do love the coffee milkshakes in those open-air cafes.

Get Lost in the Intricate Architecture of India

India has been so high on my list for so long, and for whatever reason, I never seemed to make it there. I have big plans to attend the Holi Festival next year, so I’ll have plenty of time to soak up the gorgeous architecture.

Swim… Maybe Wade… or, Perhaps, Just Step in the Indian Ocean

I’ve already discussed my fear of the ocean on here, but I also want to get into all of the oceans (even if it’s just a toe). I usually try to push myself to at least get in a little bit, so I’m sure I’ll get in the Indian Ocean at least once.

Fill My Passport

I’ve never filled a passport, but I think that I just may do it on this trip. It’s getting there and it’s looking gorgeous!

Celebrate Matt’s 27th Birthday (I Snagged a Younger Man) in the Mountains of Thailand

I’m not the only one turning 27 in 2017. My husband is about six months younger than me and we have plans to celebrate his birthday in the Chiang Mai area doing anything and everything he wants to do! I know exploring nature in the wee small hours of the morning will be part of it.

It seems that I have quite the year ahead of me. I’m excited to try to make all of these 27 goals a reality. Of course, I’ll keep you updated along the way.

Cheers to many more years filled with adventure!