8 Steps to Building Your Travel Bucket List After Age 65!

Sometimes we have so many travel dreams and it’s hard to know here to begin to realize them, especially when we are over 65.  Over the last few years I’ve used the following techniques to build my travel bucket list. I learned it years ago when I was working with youth at risk, but it works well for anyone.

The first step is to identify what is important to you.

1. Write your bucket list down.
It’s very important to write your dreams down on a list. Then you have the opportunity to look at it and read it on a regular basis. Post it on your calendar or mirror. Make sure it is something you see first thing every morning.

Turkey

2. Determine which item on your list is most important for you to do first.
After making your list, determine the priorities. Write #1 next to the most important and #2 for the next most important, etc. Once you prioritize, your dreams actually start becoming goals.

3. Ignore other people’s advice.
Remember, this is your wish list, not someone else’s! Try not to share the information because you may get feedback you don’t want to hear!

4. Cut your dream list to no more than 10.
This is one of the hardest steps to take. You have your dreams, but what if your list is 3 pages long? Gradually go through them and draw a line through the ones that are least important AT THIS TIME or ones that aren’t realistic. Also remove any that involve others directly. An example of this is "I plan to visit Syria!"  Not realistic at this time because it isn't safe.

5. Short-list to 5 things on your bucket list.
I know it may sound ridiculous but this is a heart-wrenching move! Suddenly you are crossing off 5 of your dreams! It is difficult at first but as you go through the process, you realize what is most important to you to accomplish now.

6. Re-prioritize your bucket list.
You may find by now that you have taken a number of important dreams off your list that you thought were right up at the top. Re-number them again.

7. Determine your top dream.
This takes some real soul searching. I use the question, "If I knew I was going to die in 6 months, what would I do first?"

8. Start researching all the steps necessary to reach your dream by turning it into a GOAL.
One of my travel dreams was to go to Turkey.  Every traveler who had been there said it was the "birth of civilization as we know it!" It became a goal about a year ago but because of the political climate, I wasn't sure if I'd make it or not.  The opportunity to go with someone who has been there numerous times arose a month ago.  It was obviously a no brainer!  Now I'm researching everything about the areas we are going into.  

Part of my research came about when a friend, Rick Antonson, released his newest book about 2 weeks ago, "Full Moon Over Noah's Ark."www.rickantonson.com.  He started his journey where I will be ending mine.

Next Saturday I leave Vancouver for a month of travel in Turkey!  And yes, I will be blogging about my trip.  It all started with realizing what was on my personal bucket list and then believing my dreams will happen. 

So, give yourself permission to enjoy the rest of your life, dream about your travels, and travel wherever you want!
　

Best 9 Ways to Get Around Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful city.  Majestic mountains, ocean, rivers, and green space are immediately noticeable but how do you get around to really enjoy the place?

1. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Service

Take advantage of the Hop-On, Hop-Off Vancouver Trolley Car service.  This travels all over the city for a very reasonable fee.  You can stop wherever you want and enjoy the sites and then get back on when you are ready to continue.  If you stop in Stanley Park, check on the horse drawn wagon rides.  The rides are seasonal but take you all around the park in less than an hour. 

2. Foot Ferry

To get over to Granville Island from the downtown area take one of the little foot ferries from the various stops along the seawall.  The cost is very reasonable and the ferries run into the evening.  The ferry captains are full of stories and facts about Vancouver as a bonus!

3. Bicycles

Bicycles are becoming a more common means of tourist transportation in Vancouver.  They can be rented at places downtown close to Stanley Park.  There are also sea kayaks for rent at English Bay if you want “to do the driving yourself!”

4. By Foot

Of course, there is always foot power and Vancouver is an extremely walkable city.  The seawall starts at Canada Place in Coal Harbour and runs all the way around Stanley Park, under the Lion’s Gate Bridge, past BC Place Stadium and the Science Centre.  It continues to Granville Island and eventually ends at Kitsilino Park.  The complete distance is 22 KM.  Or you can walk from Canada Place to English Bay around the park for a distance of 12 KM.  Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes!

5. Skytrain

Take the opportunity to ride all the Skytrain lines.  This can be done in half a day for a very reasonable price and gives a good overview of the lower mainland, as the coastal communities are called.  It won’t be as crowded if you leave after 9 AM and return before 3 PM.  The greater Vancouver bus service is also easily accessible anywhere along the Skytrain route.

The Skytrain service leaves constantly from the airport and takes you right downtown to the waterfront.  From there you can access greater Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, and Coquitlam by Skytrain  Huge shopping centres and a couple of casinos are easily accessible from the Skytrain.  There is also no shortage of ethnic restaurants along the way.

6. Seabus

If you just want to spend a little time traveling across the Burrard Inlet, the seabus is the way to go.  The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes and the views are spectacular.  Leave the Waterfront Station and travel over to the Quay in North Vancouver. There is a market and many local vendors have the perfect souvenir gift for you to take home.

7. Westcoast Train

If you wish to venture even farther you can check out the Westcoast train schedule.  It also leaves from the waterfront and travels out to the town of Mission with many stops along the way.

8.Bus Service

The Vancouver bus line service is a great way to site see.  There is excellent service leaving from downtown Vancouver and traveling all over the lower mainland.

Greyhound bus service leaves from near Main Street Skytrain Station at the old CN Train Station.  There you can connect with ferry service over to Vancouver Island and the gulf islands from Tsawwassen.  It’s a nice way to spend a sunny day.  Or you can take a trip up to Horseshoe Bay and catch a ferry to Nanaimo or the Sunshine Coast.

Take a local bus close just outside the Waterfront Station and visit Capilano Canyon or Lynn Canyon or Cypress Bowl.  The Grouse Mountain Chairlift has a fantastic view of the city and harbour.

9.Rent a Car

Vancouver is an easy place to drive around in.  There are so many places to see and a trip up to Whistler is a beautiful way to pass the time.  All major car rental services are available at the Vancouver International Airport as well as downtown.

Enjoy your stay in Vancouver and take advantage of all the things to do see in this beautiful city.  You won’t regret it!