The Bucket List: Ben - Online Marketing Manager

In a break from our traditional approach to The Knowledge, today we begin a brand new feature in which we ask our London HQ staff to write a travel bucket list of five items. Kicking us off this week is Ben, our Online Marketing Manager.

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans”

In order to avoid John Lennon’s famous quote from becoming a cold hard 9 to 5 reality, I have followed the latest trend and written my very own 5 piece bucket list.  I actually find the idea behind writing a  Bucket List a little bit melancholic – but there is no doubt that it acts as a spur to start planning some of the exciting things you want to do before you get too old to want to do them. Indeed, if I wrote a bucket list in twenty years time it would probably include more sedentary options such as a wine tour of South Africa (which I wouldn’t say no to now!) or a relaxing walking holiday in the Scottish Highlands. 

Therefore, I present to you my Bucket List of 2012, of which I will attempt to do at least four before the year 2015.  I will let you know in 3 years how it works out…

La Boca, Buenos Aires 2008!

Live it up in Buenos Aires

Back in 2008 I had the pleasure of spending 7 months living and working in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I was there because at the tail end of a 6 month trip through Central America I decided I wasn’t quite ready to return to London.  The whole experience of finding a job and then setting up a life in Buenos Aires was tricky but once I had an established job it was fantastic – the city is unique and the people and culture made a real impression on me. Since returning to the UK at the beginning of 2009 I have been keen for a return to the city, firstly to catch up with some good friends and also to soak up the truly unique atmosphere of a city I consider my favourite.

Likelihood Rating: 8/10 

Image courtesy of Velodenz

Bike around Patagonia

I am aiming to do this in January 2013 and it’s going to be a big challenge. Ride from Bariloche to Ushuaia in 21 days. It would involve cycling through some of the most spectacular scenery that Southern Argentina and Chile have to offer. Highlights include cycling through the 7th largest desert in the world,  viewing the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier, riding through the stunning Torres del Paine National Park and finally ending in Ushuaia, known as the ‘city at the end of the world’. A truly fantastic route and a perfect way to explore Patagonia.

Likelihood Rating: 8/10

Photo courtesy of Reidmix

Sail around the Caribbean

Charter a yacht and sail around the Caribbean for a month, soaking up the sun, scenery and beautiful islands. Need I say more? This may have to wait a few years as it will probably cost quite a bit of money but I would love to see the Caribbean in style. Although I don’t have a set route, I would want to visit St. Lucia and Barbados and check out a few of the smaller islands I come across.

Likelihood Rating: 4/10

Perpignan, South of France

Live in the South of France

This has been a dream of mine since a job interview I had in 2009 for a company based just outside Monaco. I realised that although London offers a fantastic varied lifestyle, the quality of life available living in the beautiful Cote d’Azur is something quite special. Dramatic scenery, great food and a fantastic climate combined with a real iconic status makes me really want to live here for a significant period in my life.

Likelihood Rating: 6/10

Santa Marta, Colombia

Spend 3 months getting to know Colombia

This is a definite plan for 2014. I have visited Colombia twice in the last two years and think the country is really interesting. So far I have been to Bogota and Cartagena and I plan to spend at least 3 months in Tayrona, Medellin, the Zona Cafetera as well as the stunning islands of Providencia. Colombia has a bit of a reputation as being unsafe, but out of all the countries I have visited in South and Central America I found it to be one of the most welcoming and hassle-free that I have come across.

Likelihood Rating: 10/10 
 
And finally… If I could only choose one Frontier project.

This has changed a few times since the last time Into the Wild asked me…right now I think I would go for an idyllic destination so I would probably say Maldives Sea Turtle & Reef Conservation. The Maldives looks like something a bit special, and I really love the idea of secluded islands mixed with some marine conservation.