"Life is for strange adventures, midnight swims, rambling conversations and maddening enthusiasm."
Here is a wishlist I maintain (and keep adding) to keep my adrenaline pumping that one day I will cover all. I was able to do a few so far, hope to do the rest soon!!
The anticipation gets me through the regular humdrum of life and make everyday a surprise!
1. Living in a Ice Castle
Picture courtesy: Balea Lac, Romania
Sleep on a bed made of ice but warmed up with fur, marvel at the glass-like corridors and decor, eat and drink out of cutlery made of ice!
An ice hotel is a temporary hotel made up of snow and sculpted blocks of ice. To visit one you have to be comfortable with the outdoors. Ice hotels are dependent upon sub-freezing temperatures, are constructed from ice and snow, and typically have to be rebuilt every year. Ice hotels exist in several countries, and they have varying construction styles, services and amenities, the latter of which may include ice bars, restaurants, chapels, saunas and hot tubs. Ski resorts, reindeer sledding, snowmobile rides are some of the experiences that you can indulge in.
Igloos can also be the alternative to staying in the main hotel. Most of the Ice hotel properties also having options to camp out in igloos too although there are exclusive Igloo hotels as well.
Snow hotels/Igloos can be found any any country that has prolonged duration of sub-zero temperatures like Russia, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and more.
2. Going for a walk under the sea!
Take a ferry or speed boat to the designated spots in the ocean, put on your breathing helmet, and jump into the water! No fins, no diving gear, nothing! And no you don't have to swim, just sink yourself to the bottom of the ocean and walk!
Seabed walking is a guided stroll along the seabed in the depths between 10 to 25 ft. Feel the turquoise water surround you and the warm sandy floor under your feet as you observe the sea of life around you. You also have the opportunity to hand-feed some fish and touch the colorful polyps in the natural home. Fresh air is constantly pumped into the helmets hence there is no need of masks. Just breathe normally, swallow time to time to clear the pressure out of your ears, and enjoy!
Sea bed walking is found in any country with tropical waters of the oceans and warmer climates, like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Mauritius, Maldives, Caribbean area like Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, and many more...
3. Climbing to the roof of the world!
Image courtesy: Wikipedia
Image courtesy: Travelhi5.com
Tibet is officially known as the "Roof of the World" and in this plateau lies the famous Mansarovar Lake to which thousands of pilgrims pay homage to through the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. This 18-20 day trek is well known for its geographical and religious significance.
The lake is at 4,590 metres (15,060 ft) above mean sea level, a relatively high elevation for a large freshwater lake on the mostly saline lake-studded Tibetan Plateau. To the north of this lake is Mt Kailash and is near the source of the Sutlej, which is the easternmost large tributary of the Indus. Nearby are the sources of the Brahmaputra River, the Indus River, and the Ghaghara, an important tributary of the Ganges.
The trek route is through the most scenic landscape of India's Himalayas. The pilgrims/trekkers have ample time to enjoy, absorb and assimilate the joy of being in the lap of Mother Nature.
The region is symbolic to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike.
In Hinduism, Lake Manasarovar is a personification of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake will go to the abode of Lord Shiva after death. He is believed to be cleansed of all his sins committed over even a hundred lifetimes. Mt Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance and illusion, he Lord of Yoga and therefore the ultimate renunciate ascetic, yet he is also the divine master of Tantra.The pilgrims get the opportunity to see The Om Parvat which otherwise is not visible from any other place.
Buddhists associate the lake with the legendary lake Anavatapta (Sanskrit; Pali Anotatta) where Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. Buddha, it is reported, stayed and meditated near this lake on several occasions. The area is surrounded by Gompas (monasteries) which are one of the most tranquil places on earth.
In Jainism, Lake Manasarovar is associated with the first Tirthankara, Rishabha.
It is an achievement to complete this trek as the terrain gets difficult in some parts, high altitude required good acclimatization, and all are required to undergo a comprehensive medical test before selection.
4. Soaring with the eagles!
Image courtesy: www.newzealand.com
Image courtesy: http://www.skydiveburnaby.com/
There is nothing like skydiving for sheer heart-stopping adrenaline and adventure. Go to the edge of your plane, muster that courage and then go for it. The free fall that you experience is unique, and you get a spell binding view of the earth below. To get a birds eye for for a few moments and to look endlessly across the horizon is what the eye craves.
There are many skydiving operators across the world and all offer tandem jumps. You'll have experienced skydivers taking you-step-by-step through what to do on your jump and what to expect.
New Zealand seems to top the charts in this field mainly because of the scenic beauty that you witness below. Otherwise the experience remains the same no matter where you do it. If you skydive in Lake Wanaka or Queenstown and you will look from the vastness of the Central Otago high country to the snow-capped mountains surrounding the jewel-like lakes. At the other end of the country, Lake Taupo has the largest commercial drop zone in the world and stunning views of volcanoes, forests and the lake itself. A Bay of Plenty skydive flight will take you over gleaming waters and geothermal wonders.
USA has options of skydiving over the Miami coastline, California, and the Arizona desert.
Europe also has scenic options like Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Austria.
Choose your pick and go for it!
5. Living the magic of trance!
Image courtesy: 9 bar, Goa
Progressive trance playing on the slope of a hillock, the moonlit sky with fleeting clouds above and the waves kissing the rocks down below. Yes, where else can you find a setting like this other than Goa, India! Although many other Indian towns do attract crowds from far and near for their magic, Goa still remains the unbeaten party location for trance lovers.
Come sunset, and numerous small open air bars and pubs sprout, in the small clearings hidden away among the hillock studded seashore of Anjuna and Little Vagator. They are kept as close to nature as can be, with rocks being used as seats and tables, the muddy grounds your dance floor, and and huge tree roots the DJ console. You can hear the sea in the distance. The DJ plays progressive trance till late in the evening or night, though some places do close by 9 or 10 pm. Using only natural lighting, or candles at most, the place becomes the perfect setting for you to lose yourself into your reverie. Dance yourself out on the moist mud floor as if no one is watching (which I am sure nobody is!). Everyone is lost in their state of trance, either dancing to the psychedelic beats, or quietly sitting down and experiencing oneself from deep within.
Around the area is the famous Anjuna flea market, and a couple of very good local and international restaurants.
For a slightly commercialized trance experience visit the 9 bar at Anjuna (that shuts at 9 pm), and when you are hungry you can head to Fusion Cafe and try their yummy Ortolana pizza! There are other non-commercial hide-outs that are best found yourself.
Just a note here that most of their places are temporary and only open up during season (October though March).
More coming soon, stay tuned!