X

Get FREE Email Updates

Sign Up

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Journals
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Links
  • Interviews
  • About

journals

Visitor submitted travel journals. Submission guidelines


2 Awesome Places I Got To Tick Off My Bucket List

February 8, 2014 by James JonesLeave a Comment

 SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

I’ve had an overseas bucket list since I was 18 years of age and I’m still nowhere close to completing the list, though I figure If I get to have 15 countries under my belt I’d be a very happy guy.

So far I have visited 8 countries (Peru, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mongolia, UAE and Brazil)…my highlights of those trips were:

  • Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru
  • Staying in a Yurt in Mongolia
  • Sand dune boarding in Dubai
  • Climbing the Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico
  • Swimming the Coastal Dunes in Brazil
  • Bungee jumping on the side of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
  • Seeing the Gorillas in Rwanda
  • Diving the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines

I know this is only scraping the surface because each of those countries boast tons more attractions and places that I didn’t get to see and experience.

My original bucket list actually had 30+ entries on it but I cut it down to just to 15 entries late last year to make it easier to accomplish.

So, this brings me on to the two ultimate highlights of my travels so far which are swimming the Coastal Dunes of Brazil and diving the Tubbataha Reef.

Here is why:

#1 Coastal Dunes, Park Maranhenses

Maranhenses

There’s no debating that Brazil is a popular destination and an amazing place to travel. Brazil, no doubts, packs a punch when it comes to tourist attractions!

Carnival, Copacabana Beach, Christ Redeemer and Iguazzu Falls are sure enough four of the reasons I went to Brazil (it’s a shame I won’t be able to make it for this year’s 2014 World Cup though).

However, the highlight of my trip to Brazil was the Coastal Dunes, which a fellow traveller recommend visiting when I was there.

I’m so glad I took the trip to Park Maranhenses (where the coastal dunes are located) because they’re just surreal.

My first thought when I saw them was “You’d expect to find these coastal dunes somewhere like Namibia or Dubai”. But nope, they were right here in Brazil (near Sao Luis in northern Brazil to be exact).

The best way to describe the Coastal Dunes of Brazil is “stunning oasis-like dunes in zig-zag patterns”.

Another cool thing about this place is the fresh water lakes trapped between the sand dunes allow for fun swimming and boating opportunities.
 

#2 Tubbataha Reef

tubbataha

I had been to the Philippines twice before, though the first time I went there I didn’t get to do the Tubbataha Reef dive experience.

Instead, I did the Mayon Volcano hike, the boat excursion to CoronIsland and water rafting in PagsanjanFalls.

Luckily, I was able to visit the Philippines for a second time and do the much anticipated dive of the Tubbataha Reef, which was just beautiful.

I’ve dived stunning coral reefs before, but nothing as exciting and picturesque as the Tubbataha Reef. The diversity of fish and marine life was huge and I got to see whitetip sharks, moray eels and…I even got to spot a whale too!

By the way, the Tubbataha Reef is the largest marine protected area in the Philippines. Not only that, nearly half of the world’s fish population and corals are located here alone….amazing!

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this read as much as I did writing it.

What is on your bucket list?

Related posts:

Why French Polynesia Should Be on Your Bucket List Hawaiian Healing, Our Favorite Places Bountiful Bohol Planning Your First South America Vacation Iguazu Falls – March 2011

Filed Under: South America · Tagged: Beach, Brazil, Cruising, Dubai, Inca trail, Mexico, Mountain Climbing, Namibia, Peru, Philippines, Sand, Scuba Diving, Seafood, Trekking, Victoria Falls, Volcano, Zimbabwe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want an avatar to show with your comments? Get a free Gravatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow @DaveDTC

Get FREE Email Updates  I

Categories

Journals — Home

  • Africa
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Caribbean
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • North America
  • South America
  • South Pacific
  • Other

Latest Posts

  • On April 29, Yo-Yo Ma and Louisville Orchestra Per…
  • Jackson Doktok, Chairman of Palau Visitors Authori…
  • Artezzan Restaurant and Bar, ChesterFunctional and sophisticated base from which to en…
  • Rediscovering Lithuania’s Springtime Nature:…
  • Taiwan-Based STARLUX Airlines Launches First Trans…

Explore

  • Above the Clouds
  • Guides
  • Highlight of the Month
  • Interviews
  • Journals
  • Press Releases
  • Videos

Prepare

  • Book Reviews
  • Pack List
  • Quiz: Geography
  • Quiz: Travel
  • Tour Booking
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Products

Share

  • Contribute
  • Forums
  • Links
  • Photos

About

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Contributors
  • Email Dave
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Kit
Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Return to top of page
Copyright © 1996–2023 Dave's Travel Corner · All Rights Reserved · Log in

7ads6x98y