MY TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Wouldn't it be awesome to just get paid to go island hopping in tropical destinations and just blog about your experience? One can only dream. And since I'm itching for a holiday, I thought I'd just jot down all the destinations that I'd love to visit. I'm not going to give myself a time limit and say "Travel List for 2018" because well, it's highly impossible at this point.

Side note - As a Muslim woman, I'm sure I'm not the only person who does intensive research on countries or cities before making a decision to go there. I have to always think about the climate in that specific country and I'm not even talking about the weather. I'm talking socially and politically. How are the attitudes in that particular country/city? Has there been a rise in Islamaphobic attacks recently? Do POC even exist over there?

Travelling while Muslim these days is hard enough. At least make sure the destination makes up for it.

I remember going to a certain European country when I was younger but we didn't stay in one of the bigger cities. We were in a very small town where I only spotted one black person every 5 days or so. We literally played a game of "Spot the black person" when we were on buses or taxis. And don't get me started on the looks that we were getting. I never felt happier to "go back to where I came from" on the plane back to London. (LOL)

Anyway, here are my top 5 #travelgoals. Let's keep it short and realistic.

1. NO PLACE LIKE TURKEY

From Istanbul's bustling markets to Antalya's beautiful blue waters, I want to explore every part of Turkey. I don't know what it is about this country that's calling my name, but after seeing pictures of my sister's vacation in the summer of 2014, I was hooked. It's now my top destination and a very high priority! Turkish food is definitely the best cuisine out there, in my opinion. I don't think it gets any better. So if I get to taste the succulent mixed grills IN Turkey and down it with a cup of tea, that would make my entire life.

Key areas to explore: Hot air ballooning in Cappodocia, Blue Mosque, visit the waterfalls in Antalya and a chance to just sit on a beach, please.

2. SAGANO BAMBOO FOREST, JAPAN

Imagine walking through rows and rows of swaying bamboo stalks that rise metres into the sky, creating a sense of being inside a green room? That's basically the Bamboo Forest in Japan. The pictures look mesmerising. I can imagine this forest being filled with tourists and the only way you can really get away from it all is to look up and admire the treetops.

Key areas to explore: The Japanese Alps, Matsumoto Castle and Yoyogi Park - you can't go wrong with the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring!

3. AURORA BOREALIS, GREENLAND

Seeing the Northern Lights is on everyone's bucket list. Some people go to Scandinavia and some go to Alaska. But who can say they've been to Greenland? I want to visit Greenland simply out of curiosity. There are some countries you hardly ever hear about. Greenland is known for having clear skies and that means a green glow is definitely guaranteed.

4) LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA CANADA

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff National Park has two towns (Banff and Lake Louise) and three world-class ski resorts along with the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Why wouldn't you want to grab a kayak and enjoy amazing views of glacier lakes and towering mountains? I love how vast Canada is. Fly towards the West for mountain ranges and coastlines, ski in Banff and stay in beautiful lodges, get the city vibe in the 6 (Toronto) or experience a taste of Europe in Montréal. A country with many personalities.

5) MARIETA ISLANDS, MEXICO

This is no ordinary beach. IT'S ONLY A HIDDEN BEACH LOCATED IN MEXICO. How do you get in there, you ask? You definitely don't jump off the sides. This secluded setting can only be accessed by swimming or kayaking through a long tunnel of water that links the beach to the Pacific Ocean. If this isn't goals, I don't know what is. It's like going to the beach with a bit of shade over you. This hidden beach was known as a Natural Wonder after a military bomb created a load of craters and weird rock formations.

If I can just visit those 5 destinations first, I'll be one happy woman!