7 Epic Ideas to Spice up Your Bucket list

I'm an adventurer, thrill seeker, and life enthusiast with a shorter life expectancy than your mother's cat - Follow my never-ending journey.

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"Bucket list"— a list of things you want to do before you die. Ironically, when I read other people’s bucket list, it often makes me want to kick that bucket out from under their feet.

For example; run a marathon, learn to play an instrument, speak a second language, or see the Pyramids of Giza. Seriously? I'd rather watch my underwear tumble around in an empty dryer.

Here are seven not so boring ideas that will give your bucket list a little more zing.

1. Buy an old caravan and sell coffee along the Camino

The Camino is an 800-kilometre pilgrimage across the North of Spain. Nearly 300,000 people walk this journey every year. If you buy an old caravan, you could drive along the route and start your very own mobile cafe.

This is me on the Camino in 2016. A guy drove his van into the Pyrenees and sold tea & coffee to passing pilgrims.

2. Help build the Great Green Wall of Africa

The Great Green Wall is an African-led project with an epic ambition; to grow an 8000-kilometre​ natural barrier across the width of the continent. Its purpose is to stop the Sahara desert from expanding further due to climate change. If successful it will provide food, jobs, and a future for the millions of people who live in the region. Once completed it will be the ​largest living structure on earth. Why not volunteer, plant some trees, and become a part of history.

3. Be a postmaster in Antarctica

It's the last job on earth, and it's not for the faint-hearted. Every year the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust recruits a small team of people and sends them to Port Lockroy, Antarctica to run the most remote post office in the world. From November to March you'll live in a small cabin with four other people and a whole bunch of penguins. Unfortunately, there's no WIFI there, but you will find a good connection. (At the time of writing; Applications are open.)

4. Cross the Atlantic Ocean on board a cargo ship

A transatlantic journey by ship used to be the only way to get to the Americas. Nowadays we take planes, but where's the fun in that? Imagine if Frodo took a flight to Mt. Doom, dropped off the ring, and flew straight back. He would have learnt nothing, and it would have been a shitty story. Personally, I believe the journey should be the goal. You'll be amazed at what three weeks on a container ship can do for you. For one; it gives you time away from our high speed, over-cluttered world. You'll be able to hear your voice again, and that might lead to all sorts of inspiration.

5. Be a naked model

You know those old men that strut through the locker room naked, with absolutely no shame? Well, that could be you. There's no better cure for bodily shame than standing in front of a group of people naked. Alternatively; you could take any item on your bucket list, and add some random nakedness to it. Do a skydive, naked. Run a marathon, naked. See the Pyramids of Giza, naked. Now, You might get arrested, but if you add "getting arrested" to your bucket list, then it's still a win-win situation.

This is me as a Naked model in Australia, 2012.

6. Join the Cycling Circus on a trip through Europe

This is great for those of you that want to learn to play an instrument, speak another language, or travel through Europe. For the past six years, the Cyclown Circus has cycled over 40,000 kilometres, through 27 countries, on four continents. They move from town to town and do street shows for locals. Their acts include; clowning, fire-spitting, magic, live music, and live accidents. The circus is made up of a continuously changing group of travellers, and the best thing is; You don't need any skills, they will teach you all you need to know.

7. Walk the 88 temple trail in Japan

On the island of Shikoku, Japan. There are 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai. The trail— also known as the Shikoku Pilgrimage— follows a 1200 kilometre loop around the island. If walking is not your thing, don't worry. People have done it by car, taxi, bus, bicycle, motorcycle, and even on horseback. However, I suggest you do it naked.

A map with all 88 temples. It can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.

BONUS. Join a Rick Shaw Run in India

It has been called the pinnacle of engineering evolution, the alpha male of tarmac, but in reality, ​it is the most unreliable vehicle known to man; The Indian Rick Shaw. Several times a year there's a 5000 kilometre Rick Shaw Run across India. There's no set route, no back-up, no way of knowing if you're going to make it. Travellers from around the world unite and compete in this insane off-road race that I can only describe as a clusterfuck on wheels. It's easily the least sensible thing you can add to your bucket list, and that's precisely why you should.

Personally, this is my favourite. If you're up for it, leave a comment below, and perhaps in 2018/2019, you can join the STEEM team.

Whether you actually add one of these ideas to your bucket list or not, doesn't really matter. In fact, what's more important is that you start crossing things off your list.

There's no one on their deathbed that wished they had worked more hours or earned more money. In the end, the only thing you really own is your story.

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Follow me via my website henkvanderklok.com
Watch my TEDx Talk The Surprising Benefit Of Trying Something New

A big thank you to all my followers and supporters for enjoying the content and helping me sustain my endless adventures & explorations.

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Have you done something new today?

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