The Post-Quarantine travel Bucket List We Never Knew We’d Have

Inspiration, , , 103 Comments

Ever since I remember, I knew I wanted to travel. With that in mind, I’ve always had endless lists of places, epic adventures, and experiences I had a desire to encounter. I’ll admit, over the years, while reading and daydreaming about far-flung places, I’ve gathered a startling amount of amazing things to do around the world (pretty much something in every single country!)

Due to the recent outbreak, the option of getting on the plane has gone and we have no idea when it will return or in what format.  Are we even gonna be able to walk the streets of our town to enjoy its many features? The cities will change and be pushed into survivor battle, some of our favourite shops and restaurants might disappear; replaced by ‘to let’ and ‘store closing’ signs, collecting dust and waiting for new owners.

Today has been busy with work and house chores but capturing summer flowers, going for short walks, writing about our past trips, while listening to chirping birds are a few things that pull me out of the harsh reality and let me escape for just a little while.

I know that days leading to more freedom will be a gradual process and that’s why living in isolation seemed like a perfect reason to jump at a chance to comb through our previous trips around the globe and write out new dream adventures. I know we are not the only ones realising that there were many things we took for granted.

Why make a bucket list?

Listing all the things you want to do once this is over, either your desire is to see your friends or travel around the world, gives you something to look forward to.

“What’s at the top of your post-quarantine bucket list?” is a question I’ve heard – and asked myself – too many times to count. The responses from my family and coworkers were often heartfelt: going to the library, hanging out with friends, and getting back to sports practice.

Either you love or hate bucket lists, and whether you actually write one and stick it to a notice board at the beginning of the year or at your Birthday, we all have them in one form or another.

I have noticed that many people have some sort of love/hate relationship with bucket lists. Let me tell you one thing. I believe it’s mostly because after a few weeks into a New Year we seem to have different priorities; we get caught up in everyday chores, we give up on our dreams, or just forget them. Not crossing off things on the to-do list is what actually makes us feel like we failed.

Benbulben Mountain in County Sligo, Ireland.

Getting started

If there’s one thing I’ve learned while being trapped at home for weeks on end – someday isn’t an actual day of the week. Start by asking yourself a couple of questions. What drives you? What is yours why? Don’t hesitate to take a few days to answer them. Stop and think about where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go. Forget about money, promotion, and power; these things cannot define you, they are only skin deep.

If needed, go back to your childhood and think about the things you wanted to do when you were a kid. Did you want to cross the desert on a camel or take a journey through the jungles? Translate them to ‘visiting Morocco’ and ‘exploring Costa Rica’. Don’t forget about the overall experiences, because it’s not just visiting the Sahara desert. It’s experiencing the vast and unfamiliar place and meeting people from different cultures.

You don’t always have to write everything down, store it in your head so you can mentally replace and reorder things. See it as more of a melting pot of your desires and ideas.

It takes patience and persistence to get to the finish line, and that’s why I believe in taking baby steps. If you wish to finally make it to your dream destination, pick one place that’s close to your heart, make it happen, and feel the whole spectrum of it.

Be inspired

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to choose from and don’t even know where to start and how to make the most of it?

With this blog post, we would like to encourage you to leave your fears behind, believe in yourself, and move forward better life. Give your mind a chance to think clear and creative thoughts.

Don’t wait until everything is perfect, we are on an incredible journey called life with the good, the bad and everything in between.  You don’t have to be rich or young or beautiful to make your dreams come true, trust your ability to create the life you want.

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed, but because nothing happens overnight, instead of dreaming you have to create a system that slowly chips away at what you actually want. You have to create a system with multiple positive outcomes.

You can flip through the pages of travel magazines, read adventure books and talk to other people to find inspiration.

Glencar Lake in County Sligo, Ireland.

Start by exploring your own country

What is your travel-related dream for when we are allowed to travel again? Do you dream about a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, wish to strike out solo, or have your heart set on hiking through the Dolomites?

Once the restrictions are lifted and you rush out the door, it’s also vital to make every trip count. If you have your heart set on a certain place, go for it. But what about exploring your own country? Have you ever thought about shaking off the limitations of mass tourism and plunging into your backyard?

Say no to cheap travel deals abroad and be a tourist in your home town. We are so preoccupied with far-flung destinations that often forget to open our eyes to the beauty of our country. Remember, tourists come to your homeland for a reason, and in times like these, it’s important to show love to local tourism.

Concentrate on personal growth

We all know travel is so much more than getting from point A to point B and so much more than just visiting new countries and cities, all while frantically ticking off boxes. Travel breaks the chains that keep you from moving forward, it makes you a better person, teaches you the difference between the price and value and much much more.

That’s why personal growth comes before seeing the most famous tourist attractions, otherwise, why travel!

  • Learn to see the beauty in the little things
  • Fight for your dreams and make plans to achieve them
  • Seek more to engage than to escape
  • Be more open to trying new things
Choose a staycation. Travel by road. Be mindful of your accommodation

Our wish list

Beyond the obvious things such as seeing our family and friends, organizing Birthday parties, going back to school, and hopefully going back to our homeland Latvia, there are a couple of things on our wish list.

Entering a new phase of the world and knowing that tourism will never be the same we are in the middle of the transformational process. Reevaluating our dreams, daily habits, and examining the mentality of consumption that we have towards everything, travelling including.

Let’s go back to tourism with a purpose. Instead of competing to see how many countries each of us have visited, let’s give value to our travel dreams. Let’s travel and develop habits that are useful for the world and local communities. Let’s go back to learning about ourselves and gaining tools for conscious actions.

Exploring Ireland | The world is vast and meant for wandering but exploring Ireland and supporting the local economy is on top of our list.

Learning to surf | Stepping out of my comfort zone and finally learning to surf, is something I’ve been looking towards for a long time. Choosing to do activities I’ve done hundreds of times before prevents me from growing and developing new skills. I just have to wait for the shops to open so I can buy all the equipment that’s needed.

Visiting Scotland | Visiting Scotland with a camper van has been on our ‘go-to’ list ever since Ericeira was born. While I’ve been to Edinburgh countless times, exploring-lesser known towns and coastal villages are something we desired to experience as a family. As our dream trip was cancelled due to the pandemic, we are hoping to visit Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye next year.

Views from Knocknarea, Sligo, Ireland

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Now, over to you!

What’s on your travel wish list? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are plotting an adventure and have travel-related questions!

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Our Crossings follows the daily adventures of Latvian expats living in Sligo as they surf and explore the world

103 thoughts on “The Post-Quarantine travel Bucket List We Never Knew We’d Have”

    1. We have quite a lot of places on our travel bucket list too, but we want to wait until it’s safe to travel. Flying is an accumulation of a bunch of things that in general imply higher risk, It is staying in fairly close contact with a whole lot of people you don’t know, it is doing that indoors, it is doing that for long periods of time. As we travel with a toddler, health and safety always come first. Fingers crossed we can hit the road next year. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a good day. I hope you make it to Japan, Austria, and Mexico! Aiva

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  2. That was really an amazing post. Thanks for inspiring me yet again. Although I would be desperate for a trip to Netherlands, but with the ease on travel restrictions, I would definitely be plunging myself around my countries local beaches, when tourism resumes.

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    1. Hi, Reena! Same here, we are looking forward to exploring Ireland this year. I’ve just got my surf gear sorted and can’t wait to catch my first wave. I’m not willing to travel overseas and taking that risk of getting sick and infecting someone else. Imagine bringing the virus to the family? No, thanks! We all have this enormous responsibility and devising a strategy that feels safe enough seems too challenging. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a lovely day. Aiva

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    1. Hi, Pedrol and thanks for stopping by. I agree with you, it’s time for us to discover the beauty of our homelands. We grew up in Latvia but live in Ireland and couldn’t be more delighted to explore it. Driving is certainly better than boarding a plane. Even with stops for fuel and bathroom breaks, there’s no question that driving is safer than flying. Have a good day. Aiva

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      1. thanks Aiva 🙂 your story is really interesting! I lived in Riga for a few months and just published an ebook about this (challenging) experience there 🙂

        enjoy your days in Ireland, for sure with a pint eheh all the best, PedroL

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    1. Much appreciated, Michael. As much as the threat of exposure during air travel is an academic question, it’s also a personal dilemma. We can’t wait to see our family and friends in Latvia, but from what it looks like, we might need to wait a while. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  5. My husband and I recently made a travel jar. We decorated it all pretty, then wrote places we want to visit on colorful pieces of paper and dropped them inside and shook it up. When it’s time to plan our next vacation, we’ll reach in and grab a slip of paper and let ‘fate’ decide where we go. It’ll definitely eliminate arguing lol

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    1. That’s such a brilliant idea, I’m going to borrow it from you! We can never agree with where to go on our next adventure. Valters loves surfing but I prefer the mountains, so we always have to find a place where we can do both! From what it looks so far, we are going to spend rest of the year in Ireland. Because traveling oversees seems like a mixture of science meets politics meets human nature meets the economy all in one big stew. Hopefully next year. Thanks for stopping by Stacey and have a lovely day. Aiva

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      1. Haha sounds like me and my husband. I need to be near the water and want to visit our friends in Holland but he wants to go to the desert (Grand Canyon). Once those 2 destinations are crossed off, we are turning to the jar!

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  6. I like your more casual style of bucket list. When we visited our English friends in 2017, he pulled out several binders, bucket list, financial list, estate planning list. Plans were neatly tagged as next year, 5 years , 10 years etc. Stuff that was already complete was checked off like notches on a belt. I thought what a great idea to be so organized….but I rebelled against this idea of having such a tight, fixed timetable. This was likely due to having been a project planner for 38 working years. I always had to have a plan, know where I was going, know what I was doing next, filling every moment. In the process, I saw and did a lot of stuff, but did I did really experience it? That is when I made the change to mental wish lists, things I would like to do, places I would like to go, skills I would like to learn and filed them in my memories. If they went away, I was obviously not serious. If they resurfaced, I would reassess and eventually make them happen, like our trips: to Arizona/Utah to hike the canyons, to San Diego to experience great Mexican food and Southern California, to Europe to experience Italy, etc. Where would I like to go next? Well, we have already managed our dream trip to Jasper for 4 nights. This trip was so much more than I expected during Covid. We want to go back in fall, hope to get to Vancouver to spend some family time with our kids, want to go back to NZ to see our friends and do some exceptional tramping, come back to Ireland to see more sights and spend time with dear relatives. You see, it is more about the experiences and the people now, rather than just the notches. That is what I have learned in my almost 67 years. Stay well, travel safely and enjoy the experience. Allan

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    1. Hi, Allan and thanks so much for your reply. I am delighted to see that we both share similar values when it comes to travel. Travel means something different to every single person in the world. For us, its parking our fears and hang-ups, and engaging with people of the world. It’s laughing at yourself and trying new things, making mistakes, and discovering skills such as presence and patience, that impact the world positively.

      When we set out to explore the world with certain ideas and goals, we often return inspired, aware, and grounded. As much as we wish to start traveling again, we want to see Ireland and its many attractions. I finally got my surf gear in order and are heading out to the local beach to learn surfing. Hopefully, I can catch my first wave before I turn forty next year. And I hope you get to return to Ireland one day, if you end up on Ireland’s west coast, I would love nothing more than to catch up with you, guys!

      Thanks o much for stopping by and sharing such thoughtful – and brimming with wisdom – response.

      Take care, Aiva

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  7. Beautiful post Aiva! Always so well written and with so much information that’s very valuable. I hope your travel plans become a lovely reality! I know that things will go back to normal, not the new normal but the normal we had back in 2019. Take good care and all he best. Oh, now we are free from the Royal Decree if State of Alarm so we can travel throughout Spain and the EU…

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    1. Thanks so much, Francisco. I hope our travel plans become a reality too. We are not planning anything fancy and only wish to leave Sligo borders and travel further south. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day. it’s only =16′ C but the sun is going to make an appearance tomorrow and we are definitely going to explore one of our local beaches with surfboards in hand. Take care. Aiva

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    1. California and Montana are my dream destinations too but for now, we are brimming with excitement to explore more of Ireland. As we live on the island, t’s not that easy to travel to mainland Europe. Maybe next year! Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  9. Love your writing. I have been thinking the same things lately. Locally I want to go the the used bookstore. I love wandering around the aisles and finding some treasures. When it is safe to travel abroad we want to go to Ireland and do some long distance walks. Things are just starting to open in our corner of the U.S. so we went to a lake camping last week and it was wonderful just to be out in nature.

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    1. Thanks so much. I love books and can’t wait to go to my favourite stores to stock up on new reading material. As for the travel part – we are grateful to live in Ireland as there are many places that are often just as magical as the locations we see so glamorously portrayed on our screens. When you think of it this way, it seems crazy that we often go to such lengths to travel halfway across the globe without giving our backyards a second glance. I hope you get to visit Ireland one day. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  10. Interesting. I just recently wrote a bucket list for myself. I probably am the kind of person that does things when I say I will do them so it suits me but as you say its not for everyone. I also adjusted mine to the times, my age and my financial capabilities so there are many things on it that are just more do’able and a few more ‘things to strive for’. I really enjoyed the process of it though, quite therapeutic.

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    1. I love bucket lists and always write one when it comes to travel or books that I want to read. This world offers so many spectacular sights, it’s often challenging to narrow them down to just a few and that’s why I love your ‘things to strive for’ approach as I love challenges when it comes to travel. As I once read somewhere – don’t dream of what might have been – get out there and do it. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experience. Take care. Aiva

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  11. What an inspiring post! Lots of places are opening up in Italy and to be honest I’m a bit worried about crowds, so I don’t think I’ll be going to the beach or the cinema (or my beautician!) until I feel more sure of how things work. Even going to the bar for breakfast has become a major source of stress!! I’ll be doing more reading, but definitely making lots of bucket lists of things to do and places to see near home- from the little things like sunrise from the hills, or a day trip to see a historical town in Umbria. Have a lovely summer 🙂

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    1. I’m glad to hear you are planning to explore more of your country. Things are only starting to open in Ireland too, most of the pubs and restaurants are still closed and some of the tourist attractions are going to open only from the next month. As we usually travel as a family, I don’t feel the need to expose our kid, or ourselves for that matter, to unnecessary stress and worry just to spend a week in Spain.

      That’s why we plan on discovering Ireland. From magnificent, haunting castles that radiate the romantic feel of Ireland to ancient sites like Newgrange and breathtaking natural beauty along its coasts, the Emerald Isle is a magical place that everyone should visit at least once. And, we can’t wait to see it.

      Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  12. I like your take on the bucket list! Instead of specifying which destinations to go, you specify the inspirations and personal goals you want to partake whether or not you go out. I would personally like to start by visiting more of my home country (USA), which I hope to do this fall. Otherwise, I’m keen on going to the Ukraine, Argentina, and Oman when international travel becomes safe again! Stay safe.

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    1. Hi, Rebecca, and thanks for stopping by. We seem to scoff at the idea of traveling locally, but perhaps it’s time we change that. For the sake of preserving frequently visited travel destinations — and to better acquaint ourselves with locations closer to home — it seems that this is not only a fun idea to try out but also a wise one. I hope you get to explore more of your country too, from coastal redwoods and Mohave desert to big shiny cities and the Great Smokey Mountains, what else one would want to be happy and content? I love your overseas dream destinations too, especially Ukraine and Oman. Fingers crossed you get to visit them. thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  13. Before lockdown, my travel bucket list was full of exotic places – now I just wish I could fly home to see my family, when I moved abroad less than a year ago I expected to be able to fly home as often as I’d like to, and that’s not the case any more.

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    1. I know, Alphe, with my family living in Latvia and without any possibility to see them, I can’t wait to travel home. But for the time being, we are planning to explore Ireland to gain a greater connection to and understanding of local history and culture. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a lovely day. Aiva

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    1. Can’t wait to read all about your Us road trip, I hope you are going to write about it! Making travel dreams a reality is what we usually strive for – I believe if something really is a priority, or of value to someone, they will make it happen, no matter what it takes. Travel is no different. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  15. You have one of the world’s loveliest countries on your doorstep. That’s a pretty good start point. Though I’ve never been to Latvia! I’m familiar with the architecture, but is the landscape outside of the towns similar to Poland and highly forested? 🙂 🙂

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    1. I am glad to hear you are curious about my home country Latvia, Jo! I hope you get to visit one day as woodlands cover around 52% of the country. Positioned on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia, Latvia is an impressive mix of art nouveau architecture and pristine nature. On top of that, Latvia has 531 km of sandy coastline, how amazing is that? Thanks so much for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  16. Nicely said Aiva, I keep a list on my phone of everywhere I am planning to go in Australia in our caravan when we can. Now I also have a list of all the things I want to do and places to visit just within my own state. It’s surprisingly long. Have a great week.

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    1. I have a separate travel bucket list just for Ireland which includes hiking trails, mountains, national parks, castles, and everything else possible. After 18 years we aren’t even halfway trough, imagine? Wishing you many amazing adventures in Australia and in your state. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day. Aiva

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    1. How long have you been in a long-distance relationship? I hope he gets to visit you soon in Singapour, how exciting is that? Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  18. Scotland is on the books (right now) for March of 2021. I’m hoping that it still happens and I get to take my students to see one of the places that has been on my “To See” list for a long time now!
    Take care! Always good to read your blogs!
    Allison

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    1. Hi, Allison, I’m so delighted to hear from you and I hope you get to go to Scotland next year! Do you have a certain place you wish to visit? It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been to Edinburgh, it always makes its way back to my travel wishlist. There’s certainly magic in its land! Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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      1. Our trip will take us all over- Edinburgh and you into highlands as well as the western coast. Someday I would like to go on my own and do a little (self-guided) historical Macbeth tour and visit the places mentioned in the play. I teach that play to my students, and I’d love to have stories to tell them. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Mark, great to hear from you! I value travel, therefore I make it a priority. I choose to have experiences rather than have “stuff”. Since travel is of such importance to me, it doesn’t seem expensive or inconvenient. The rewards I get from travel, the joy and happiness it brings me, far outweigh the challenges. Buying new boots, on the other hand, is something I consider a hassle and too expensive, but that’s because I don’t get satisfaction from things like that. I hope all is well with you and your family. Greetings from rainy Ireland. Aiva

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  20. Hi Aiva –
    I love lists and I love travel!! I wake each morning and make a list of the lists I need to make for the day – honestly! So I definitely have a travel bucket list. We’ve been very fortunate over the past number of years to have seen many amazing places but the list never shortens.
    Our world is upside down at the moment – but I’m lucky in that my immediate family is close by – even if I haven’t been able to see them as much as I wish. I’ve learned so much about my locality over the past few months – it’s been a real eye opener.
    I don’t know when I’ll get abroad again – I’m actually not thinking of it because I’ll have a meltdown. We’ll revisit favourite haunts here in Ireland over the next few months – and it’ll be brilliant!
    And top of that travel bucket list at the moment? Well Tom announced last week that he’s going to Machu Pichu. That’s ok … My wish is the Galapagos … and 60 years on the planet has taught me this – Anything is possible –
    I love your list Aiva – you’re in the right place to learn how to surf!!! Go for it!!!
    XXXMarie

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    1. Hi, Marie, how are you today?

      I’m so glad that there are other people just like me who love travel and bucket lists. For too many people it takes a terrifying illness, hitting retirement age, or some other life-altering event to honestly begin thinking about all the things to do before you die. In many of these cases, it will then be too late to turn these dreams into a reality. Life is uncertain, and you will undoubtedly be thrown curve-balls throughout.

      As much as we are eager to explore the world again, believe it or not, but m husband decided that he wants to go to Peru next year, we are happy to stay in Ireland. We are planning to travel to Cork/Kerry and Clare, take in the sights, and celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

      As for my own little wish list – I would love to visit Canada again and Denmark.

      Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. It’s already +22’C in Sligo and we are heading to the beach. Life is pure bliss. xxx

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    1. Hi, Indi, I hope you are doing well. I love bucket lists and in general, they should be well balanced. There should be items on the list that are easy to accomplish as you grow from a child to an adult. Such as getting a full-time job and paying your own rent. Learning new skills and falling in love are also beautiful milestones worth including. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. I’m just back from my first day at the ocean and I have to say it was fun. When it comes to surfing, I’m just a beginner. My arms are still sore from paddling, I don’t know how to position myself to catch the wave nor how to ride the wave down the line. I’m well aware that learning to surf is a slow process ad I’mOk with that. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day. Aiva

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  23. Driving around Scotland in a camper van sounds like so much fun! Road trips are the best!

    You’re right about January promises falling by the wayside. My most successful resolution ever was made one year in March and part of its success was that it wasn’t quickly decided on because some arbitrary calendar date (Jan. 1) was looming.

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    1. Driving around Scotland exploring its towns, villages, and natural wonders in our campervan were supposed to be a dream trip for the whole family. It’s not that easy to live in a world where everything is cancelled, and where we have to barricade ourselves into our houses and flood our bathrooms with hand sanitizer. I allowed myself plenty of time to be sad and disappointed and angry because it’s important to allow ourselves to mourn cancelled events and that certainly doesn’t make us terrible people. You know, if someone makes an argument about: how can you be sad about cancelled holidays when people are dying? Either way, writing a travel bucket list helped me put things into perspective and even thou we are not leaving Ireland, we are bursting with joy about the endless adventure possibilities. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  24. When this COVID thing first started I was really bummed about not being able to do the international travel we had planned for 2020. As time has passed, I’m now really excited about hanging out in my home province, exploring new and old destinations.
    Your camper van trip and learning to surf sound great! LOVE that photo of Benbulben Mountain and I hope to see it in person one day!

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    1. I know what you mean, Caroline. We only had a few trips around Europe planned yet I was still surprised how long it took me to get over it. We spent hours examining the maps, planning the routes and organizing time off work. As life is starting to feel more normal, and we are looking back on the last three months, I’m delighted we never caught the virus and I’m happy we didn’t lose our jobs; everything else can wait. In the meantime, we are excited about the possibility to explore more of Ireland with our campervan, this way we don’t have to worry about accommodation and we can stay away from crowded places. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  25. For starters, Sligo is now on my travel bucket list. We had some pretty big travel plans for 2020, but had to put them on the back burner. Instead I’ve just been looking into new places to explore closer to home. All the best with learning to surf and your camper van road trip to Scotland!

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    1. I’m so glad to hear Sligo is on your travel wish list, guys! I really hope you get to explore the Emerald Isle when it’s safe to travel, although no-one really knows when that’s going to happen. The rules and regulations are very strict in Ireland and most people who arrive in Ireland from another country still need to self-isolate for 14 days; even if you are traveling for a funeral.

      Either way, there’s not the slightest chance we can leave Ireland this year, but we are happy to stay local. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Exploring China sounds fascinating and I can’t wait to see where your travels take you! Thanks for stopping by and following along with our family adventures. There are still plenty of places we long to visit in Ireland and we are super excited to start traveling. Have a good day and greetings from Sligo. Aiva

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  27. I really don’t know what’s on my bucket list now. At this present time, absolutely nothing, which is really sad as we both love to travel.

    After lockdown ended here in Hampshire on the south coast of England, we thought we might do some local walks, but the huge crowds of people everywhere, especially where I grew up in Bournemouth and Dorset, scenes of which hit the news worldwide this past week with the beaches overflowing, illegal parking everywhere, no social distancing and drunken behaviout, well we don’t want to go anywhere near that.

    Even the New Forest, one of the most beautiful areas of the south coast, well it’s just really crowded.

    So far this year we have had to cancel a trip to London (Tutenkahmen Exhibition – cancelled due to lockdown), a week in Northern Ireland (my wife was hoping to follow her family history) and we are almost certainly not going to Cyprus now later this year as we don’t feel it would be safe.

    Staying in the UK is the best bet, but most self catering accomodation or safer hotels are likely to be fully booked, so most likely we will be limited to day trips only.

    COVID-19 is one thing, but the idiots who don’t try to stay safe and who are likely to spread it, that’s the really scary thing.

    I hope soon that we can start thinking out a bucket list. So many places in the world that we would like to visit (or re-visit) and retirement is only 3 years away.

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    1. I think it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone is confused about traveling right now as there is so much new information on travel restrictions at home and abroad, what we need to know about booking vacation rentals and how to stay healthy. Not to mention it can still be hard to differentiate between the facts, misinformation, sensible precautions, and overreaction.

      As many countries remain closed to nonessential travelers and non-residents we personally only plan on traveling domestically until it’s safe to do otherwise. It’s possible to book a flight to mainland Europe but with disruption of flights to be expected in view of the ongoing reductions in many international flight services due to COVID-19 Of course, there’s no point to do so. Yes, it would be incredible to go back home to Latvia to see or family and friends but until the pandemic is over (and it’s far from over), keep asking: Yes, you CAN travel, but SHOULD you travel?

      I have to agree with you, not everyone is taking safety precautions during the pandemic crisis and I have no intentions whatsoever to suffer due to people being careless. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your take on the subject. Take care. Aiva

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  28. Really nice post that really made me think about what my priorities are and what I will prioritise in the future! For me, going back to see my family (which, conveniently is spread out across the world) is at the top of my post-quarantine bucket list, and the rest is very uncertain at the moment, I hope I will get some clarity soon! 😊

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    1. Being stuck at home made me feel so thankful for all the amazing things we used to be able to do and maybe took a little bit for granted. I won’t lie, traveling and exploring the world and seeing as many countries as possible is still at the top of my list, but I am not planning to go anywhere until its completely safe to do so. We are very fortunate to have family and friends living around the world too, Panama, Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands just to name a few and I wouldn’t mind at all visiting people there. Thanks for stopping by Juliette and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. One day, we’ll wake up and everything will be back to normal. Kids will be back to school, we will hang out with friends again, eat out, travel, play at the beach. We just have to believe, with all our hearts, that the world will be better soon. And what better tie to plan for the future than now, when we are stuck indoors. I hope you make it to London and get to travel to Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone. Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you and your family. Aiva

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  30. Such a fun post! I’m a whole-hearted believer in bucket lists. Top of my all-time bucket list, and probably now my post-quarantine bucket list too, is still to study abroad in Scotland! Your plan to travel around Scotland in a camper van sounds incredible. I would absolutely love to do that!

    Miles of smiles,
    Grace

    gracefulrags.com

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    1. Hi, Grace, how are you today? I really hope you get to fulfill your dream of studying in Scotland. It would be such an amazing experience for you and I would love nothing more than to read all about it. Yesterday, IRELAND entered Phase Three of the government’s updated roadmap to easing pandemic restrictions, which means travel around the country is no longer restricted. Hopefully, we get to go away for a few days. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  31. Ah a Scotland road trip! We did that last year and it was fabulous. Make sure to hit Skye and Islay. Both were highlights but so was hiking Ben Nevis and the Highlands.
    Our 5 days in Ireland were not enough and it’s certainly on our post covid list to go back there.
    We are sticking close to home this year and will see if our planned bike trip in the spring of 2021 to Italy is a go. Lucky to have a huge country (Canada) to explore but not sure we will even see much of it this year.

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    1. Hi, Bernie, our main plan was to visit friends that live in Edinburgh and then head straight to the rugged Isle of Skye. II had a chance to cross the Skye bridge and explore the island many years ago, but my family hasn’t. But from what it looks like, we are not gonna go anywhere this year. and just many other people from around the world gonna stick close to home and see what Ireland has to offer. Thanks so much for stopping by and take care. Aiva

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  32. What a wonderful post Aiva!
    I do bucket list and I have so many things on it! 🤪 Traveling is always on top! Traveling is not only a vacation is a life experience that will remain in our souls forever! I cannot wait to be able to travel again! No matter where I just need to travel 🧳😊

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    1. Traveling is always on top for me too but it doesn’t look like we are going too far this year. As we are living on the island it’s not that easy to reach the mainland Europe, but thankfully there are many amazing places to see in Ireland. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend. Aiva

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  33. Oh my god, Aiva, those pictures of Sligo are divine! And this post was just so inspiring in this beautiful, quiet way, I loved reading this. It really made me think about my own plans. I’ve always had a thing for bucket lists, and I especially related to how you talked about going down memory lane to see what we wanted to do when we were children.

    For as long as I can remember, the number one thing on my bucket list has been skydiving. It’s specific enough but also very vague, and during this lockdown, I really dived deeper into that subject and built up a smaller list of places where I would like to skydive, and what all I need to do that (part of me just wants to become a skydiving instructor now, after watching so many exciting videos of people really enjoying it hahaha, and honestly, if life leads me there, I won’t even mind)!

    Local travel is really standing out to me as well! Your plans to visit Scotland in a camper van sound like so much fun! I’d love to read about your experience with that! I myself am hoping to save up some money so I can go on a solo trip around my own country after I’m done with college. It’s still a far-off dream because India is quite huge, and safety is another big problem, but it definitely is an idea I’m hoping to expand on. All the thoughts of bus travel, hostel-living, living out of a backpack are really making me excited, and I hope I get to do at least something like that!

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    1. Hi, Arshia, how are you doing, I’m glad to hear from you! Being stuck at home for so many months made me feel so thankful for all the amazing things we used to be able to do and maybe took a little bit for granted. Although remaining inside is a good way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, and is an important measure to help “flatten the curve” of daily cases that put pressure on our health care system, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness. That’s why I wanted to take a step back and see where we are heading and that’s why I wanted to sort out my priorities.

      Even thou a lot of countries are loosening up its lockdown rules, the uncertainty on the COVID-19 course among countries and borders situation doesn’t allow us to make plans for big trips. so we are not in a rush to leave Sligo or Ireland. If it’s safe to travel to Scotland, I’ll be happy to do so, if not, we can always explore more of Ireland.

      The skydiving experience is one of the craziest and most amazing experiences that a human can have and one that I think everyone should try (if they can afford it) at least once in their life. Whether you’re strapped to an experienced skydiver in a tandem jump or you decide to do a course and take the leap yourself, I hope you really get to do it, Arshia!

      Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you and your family. Sending you lots of virtual hugs. Aiva

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  34. Nice post Aiva, you have pointed out what many people probably think these days.
    We still have something left in the bucket we filled several years ago.. trying to take it easy, not to overflow it LOL But lately I started listening more the chirping birds, around, the grass, the tress, and the flowers. Took it easy with blogging also..
    We had to cancel our travel plans to Europe for this year, and making new plans to travel locally. I had a similar feeling few years ago that sometimes we tend to travel far away, rather than closer to our home, and we decided to do a road trip around one of the Great Lakes – Huron Lake. It was amazing!!
    You’re really trying to allure us with the beautiful photos from Sligo, aren’t you?🙂 I need to add it to out bucket list. One day🙂
    Cheers, have an amazing weekend,
    Christie

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    1. Hi, Christie, and thanks for stopping by. I am sorry to hear you had to cancel your travel plans. With the rules and regulations regarding travelling changing so often, it’s hard to know what to do, but one thing is for sure – everyone should use their judgement to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

      Breathe, love, be happy, enjoy the simple things in life – has become our go-to mantra while we are trying to adapt to life during this global pandemic and digest everything that is going on right now in the world. The Irish government still advises avoiding all non-essential travel to other countries. because as we know Coronavirus is still spreading around the world. Many countries are seeing the number of infections increase again and that’s we are staying in Ireland and looking forward to exploring our backyard.

      Thanks for stopping by and reading our blog. I hope you and your family are doing well. Sending you lots of virtual hugs from Ireland. Aiva xxx

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  35. Reading your post, looking at the wonderful photos inspired me to hope in traveling again. For now, I’m just simply going back to our fav places near me. I’m thankful I’m close to nature , & even the city has its surprising spots, but experiencing a new culture is a totally enriching life experience, so hopefully next year. I’m thinking Yosemite or Lake Tahoe or Mendocino on me next bucket list. Close enough, but seems safer. Thanks .

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    1. Thank you very much. It’s about time we got down to the nitty-gritty of local travel – it is a great way to get to know your home country. I am actually looking forward to a local trip where I can forget all about travel insurance, visa, flight tickets, and hiking equipment. The cost of traveling locally is undoubtedly much lower than what you would pay for a trip abroad, plus we can reduce our carbon footprint. Thanks for stopping by and reading our blog. I hope you guys have a great time exploring the USA. After all, you’ve got f the world’s most amazing national parks, soaring mountains, and coastal drives. Have a good day. Aiva

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      1. It’s our first year to actually save more with the virus around. We enjoy traveling outside the county but it does cost a lot and requires so much planning . For now, it road trips & appreciating what our city and bear communities has to offer. Adventure is how we make it. Take care .

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  37. You will love Scotland and the Isle of Skye! It’s got a remote charm all its own.
    We are sticking close to home for a couple of years I would suspect as we are in our 60’s and that puts us at risk. We’ve just recently upgraded trailers and hopefully in the next 2 years we can get down to eastern Canada. That’s been on my wish list for a long time. We had to postpone our trip to the Yukon this year so hope to go next June. Prior to Covid we had already decided we should do more Canada but having said that I need to get back to England to see my cousins.
    Take care and hope you’ve had a good summer enjoying lovely Ireland.

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    1. Same here – prior COVID we made a promise to stay close to home and explore more of Ireland. That’s why we bought a campervan and had heaps of fun visiting lesser-known parts and learning more about the fascinating history along the way.

      I’ve had the fortune on visiting the Isle of Sky many many years ago when I was still young and reckless and ever since then had a dream of bringing my family over. Fortunately, we live close by and don’t have to travel too far. I really hope we can start travelling a little bit further than Ireland next year, I miss my family in Latvia, I miss my sisters and my mums cooking.

      Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend. I look forward to changing seasons and autumn colours. Sending you warm greetings fro Ireland. Aiva xxx

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  38. So enjoyed reading this post and looking at your beautiful photographs. Years ago I used to fly into Sligo numerous times and I will never forget the windy landings and the beautiful scenery😀. I’m doing a bucket list for my 60th. Just putting it together this week.

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    1. Flying into Knock airport is always so much fun. I love small, intimate airports and the very first time I flew to Edinburg, I couldn’t believe how tiny it was. Did you manage to put together a bucket list for your 60th Birthday? It’s such a beautiful milestone to celebrate. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day. Aiva xxx

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  39. Our list was long prior to the pandemic, now we have explored new areas closer to home and the list is only growing. It will be hard to know where to head once other countries feel like opening up. Which is a wierd feeling when living in Sweden and everything looks as normal when traveling domestically. 🙂

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    1. Our wish list was very, very long, too. At least you are allowed to travel domestically. With our very strict, level five lockdown we can only go as far as 5 km from where we live. With days getting shorter and weather colder, we are staying close to home anyway. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely first day of December. Aiva xxx

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  40. You won’t regret visiting Scotland in a Campervan. I have done so twice and each time has been simply wonderful.

    Of course the Sligo area is wonderful too. I have visited many times as I lived in Co Cavan for 25 years before returning to England.

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    1. Travelling to Scotland would be a dream come true moment, but who knows what’s gonna happen next year. I would love to see my friends who live in Edinburgh and I would love to explore the Isle of Skye again, but only time will tell. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely first day of December. Aiva 🙂

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  41. What a thoughtful post, Aiva, that has given me much to think about. Joining the Lighting of the Menorah on Sunday was so exciting for me in this stressful yet boring period of our lives. Today we went to our local ‘world’ market to find a Christmas pudding – and we did! I have come to appreciate that we took chances; visited and lived in unusual places. Life is all too short and you can’t predict what nature will do next. Curiously, I have no desire to visit Scotland and my relatives. The idea of a 10 hour flight with connections (and masks) feels overwhelming but I am enjoying driving again.
    Wishing you happy day dreams thinking of all of life’s possibilities! K x

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    1. Hi, Kerry 🙂 With all that’s going on in this world, it’s important to focus on the simple things that make life beautiful. We don’t like thinking about the fact that our time in this life is limited. But until we find the secret to living eternally, we need to learn to accept the fact that life is short and we need to make the most out of it.

      We sometimes get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to do more of what makes us happy. And whenever something good happens, we don’t take enough time to appreciate it. We want to please, to be accepted and for that, we do all kinds of compromises — wasting precious time that we’ll never get back.

      Too many of us think that we have enough time and we postpone our dreams. But we only have enough time if we use it wisely. So whatever makes you happy, do it now! Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day 🙂 Aiva

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      1. I think some of ‘our’ thinking is influenced by society’s idolization of youth. We can’t live forever, even if we would like to. As I get older, I feel much more mellow about death and ageing. Have a lovely weekend, Aiva. K x

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    1. You are very welcome, Ali 🙂 Same here, but due to the ongoing pandemic crises and limited travel options, reading for me has become a source of comfort, a way to get out of reality for a few hours. I think that stories make us feel alive, connect us to who we were in the past and who we are today. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely festive season. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner 🙂 Aiva xx

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  43. I LOVE a bucket lists! I usually create one every year. Haven’t done that since COVID, but I think I will again. Thanks for the inspiration lady. Have a WONDERFUL holiday 💕

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    1. I love them too, Pam 🙂 Making a bucket list can help you prioritise your hopes and dreams, and to stay focused on making them a reality.
      The best time to get started is now because there really is no time like the present! Thanks for stopping by and have a good day 🙂 Aiva

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