Things To Do Before You Die
We’ve all heard the saying “You only live once”. It’s an old cliché but it’s pretty much spot on. We do only have this one life and many of us want to pack in as much fun and adventure as we possibly can. Sure, travel always features strongly on bucket lists, but have you ever wanted to do more than just visit different places taking photos no one really wants to look at?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just get out there and do something a little insane or, at the very least, something that is usually so unlike you? Or maybe you’d like to do something that will give you a bit of an adrenalin rush. If you know you want to do something a little reckless that makes you feel totally alive, but you’re not sure what. We’ve put together a list of 20 insane things to do before you die. But don’t just read about them … get out there and do them. Well, at least as many as you can.
1. Skydiving
Jumping out of an airplane is one of the most common crazy things people think of doing. It’s pretty freaky getting to such a high altitude and then plummeting to earth, silently praying that the parachute won’t fail you. Once you get over the initial fear though, flying through the air can be an exhilarating experience. You’ll get to see the landscape in a way you never thought possible, meet some birds on the way down and come down to earth feeling like you’ve conquered something amazing. Look at skydiving clubs in your local area or find one in your next travel destination.
2. Drive a Ferrari
This luxury Italian sports car costs more than most people can afford so it may be difficult to actually own one. But wouldn’t be awesome to drive one, even for a short time? If you’re thinking of just walking into a dealership and asking for a test drive, it’s most likely not going to happen. You have to talk the talk and walk the walk so this means you will need to be dressed a certain way and have enough knowledge. There are other ways you may get to drive this ultimate performance car. Join a racing club or look for someone selling a Ferrari privately. These days you can also rent luxury cars, including Ferraris. It will probably be pricey, but for car lovers, it’s worth it.
3. Climb A Mountain
Reaching the peak of a mountain is an awesome accomplishment. It takes a lot of willpower and stamina simply getting up a mountain. Then you have to deal with the weight the supplies in your backpacking backpack, the colder temperatures and the higher the altitude, the thinner the air. You don’t have to pick Mt Everest to conquer one of the world’s peaks. There are mountains everywhere so start with a smaller one and work your way up to some bigger ones. You can make mountain climbing a challenge to complete each time you visit a new location.
4. Go On A Safari
Africa still tops the hit list for people wanting to go on safari and rightfully so. Nowhere on earth can you experience jungles, animals, mountains and rivers like Africa. The animals can be dangerous, the jungles and waters treacherous but you can experience real adventure on Safari and come closer to nature than you ever thought possible. Trek the jungle by day, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle by night. This is a trip everyone should take at least once.
5. Go Into Space
If you have an extensive travel budget, you’ve probably visited every continent on the planet and dozens of different countries. You come back with hundreds of photos and bore your family and friends with your travel tales. So what’s next? If you have the funds, you next destination should be out of this world – literally! Just imagine the thrill of getting through the earth’s atmosphere and into outer space. That dingy little globe you looked at in geography class will fade to an insignificant memory when you get to see the real thing in all its glory. And how cool would it be to reach zero gravity and float around the space craft? Obviously, this isn’t for everyone, but it doesn’t hurt to dream.
6. Go On A Camel Ride
Get a group of friends together and go on a camel ride. Dubai seems to be a hot spot for camel rides in the desert, but there are so many other places you can try this “ship of the desert” as a form of ancient transportation. The Middle East is full of sandy deserts, but you can’t overlook the Sahara in Africa or the Simpson Desert in Australia. Ride over the sand dunes and see some of the harshest scenery in the world and possibly find your own quiet little oasis for a little relaxation time.
7. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Air travel is easy. You sit on an airplane and it’s nice and contained. Get out of your comfort zone and go on a hot air balloon ride. Pick your favorite valley, city or bay and get flying. Think about it. You’re in a basket, hovering over some gorgeous landscape. You’ve got some wine and snacks in the basket with you and you just float around completely engrossed in the visage that is all around you. This is something that would be stunning no matter what time of the day it is, but there is something magical about the sky when the sun is rising or setting so aim to time your ride at these times. What better to watch the sky do its magic than while you are up in the sky?
8. Dog Sledding In Alaska
Alaska has one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. The wilderness there is pristine and some breathtaking, you’ll end up lost for words. Imagine going across country in the middle of an Alaskan winter? Nice, huh? Now imagine doing it the traditional way with a team of dogs? This is a true test of your ability to endure one of the coldest climates in the world. The dogs can reach some pretty amazing speeds, but it’s still a little on the slow side so you’ll spend a whole lot of time out in the cold. Even so, this is one of the best ways to experience the very best Alaska has to offer. Make sure you are equipped with good snow boots and down jacket and hit the road.
9. Visit The Seven Wonders
OK, so the original Seven Wonders of the World are probably not possible as some are no longer around, and some may not have existed at all. But the modern world has its own seven wonders and you can see those. You’ve got the Great Wall of China, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro: Machu Picchu. Peru: Chichen Itza, Mexico; The Roman Colosseum, Rome: and the Taj Mahal, India. All of these are architectural marvels that have been around for decades, or even centuries and are iconic to the countries they stand in.
10. Cliff Diving
There is nothing more exhilarating and terrifying than jumping off a cliff into the ocean. Yes, people around the world do this all the time, but if you’re a little afraid of heights then this will definitely push you to your own limits. Not only jumping from enormous heights crazy on its own, think of what you do when you hit the water. Waves tend to crash into cliffs and if you can’t jump far enough into the sea, those waves may very well crash you into the rock face. OUCH! Even so, it can be a lot of fun, once you conquer your fear.
11. Get A Tattoo
If you already have a tattoo, then you can disregard this insane idea. To many of you, this is not really an insane thing to do, but if you’re a conservative type of person that tends to stay within the confines of society’s norms, than a tattoo is a little act of social rebellion. It can also be a way of signifying a change in your life, remembering a person or event, or it may have a spiritual meaning for you. Whatever reason you can think of to get a tattoo is a good one. The only person you have to answer to is yourself.
12. Swim With Sharks
Swimming with sharks in completely insane. Those creatures have sharp teeth and they love to bite. Why would any sane person want to swim with sharks? For one, we’re looking at insane things to do, and secondly, there are ways to do this and live to talk about it. For the thrill seekers out there, it is possible to swim with sharks and stay relatively safe thanks to a cage. It’s still pretty unnerving watching those razor sharp teeth coming towards you, but at the same time it’s reassuring to know you’re safe inside the cage. How awesome is it to get that close to the ocean’s deadliest predator? A perfect idea for passionate swimmers.
13. Eat Something Weird
One of the benefits of travel is trying different and exotic foods. While most look appealing and are delicious, some are just plain gross and weird. Depending on where you go you can eat things like insects, worms, snakes and a bunch of animals we’d simply never considering adding to our weekly menu. Take the insane and weird up a notch and eat something that is still moving. If you can keep it down, you’re on a winner.
14. Throw Water Balloons
There’s probably not a person alive who didn’t play with water balloons as a kid. They were the ultimate in summer fun if you couldn’t get to the beach, a pool or a local stream. So what’s so insane about throwing water balloons? Well it depends on who you throw them at and from where. This may be something immature and childish, but it’s also harmless. Unless you get caught, that is. Next time you’re doing a little sightseeing in a city, or you’re at a friend’s high-rise apartment building, bring along some water balloons and toss them below. Boring? Fill them with jelly or pudding and have some real, childish fun.
15. Visit Stonehenge At Night
No one knows for sure when Stonehenge was made and even less know why. Some claim it was made as some sort of spiritual healing circle and others speculate that it was an alien landing site. There’s no denying though, that this ancient monument is shrouded in mystery and always has been. It’s a place that would make a great crazy destination, but how much more creepy or mysterious would it be to visit this place in the dead of night?
16. Hug Random Strangers
With so much negativity in the world, wouldn’t it be nice to do something positive for a change? It doesn’t actually take much to make someone’s day. Come to a strange city and just start to randomly hug passersby. Sure, some might slap you, or worse, but some might smile and hug you back.
17. Go Broke In Vegas
Las Vegas is party central on steroids. There are casinos, bars, restaurants and all sorts of places where you can go to have fun and get into bit of trouble, if that’s your intention. Most of us have heard the saying, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. Hmm. You’ve got ask, is that the shenanigans you can get up to, or your finances? Anyway, you can’t come to Vegas and not gamble. How heart thumping would it be to bet all of your money on a game of Blackjack or a spin of the roulette wheel? It’s probably not the best idea, but at the very least, give yourself a gambling budget and bet that on one game. If you lose, too bad. That’s Vegas. But if you win, our may get to enjoy your vacation a little bit longer.
18. Plant Some Trees
Deforestation is a huge problem that is causing devastation to our planet. Give something back to Mother Nature and plant some trees in your neighborhood or a local forest that’s looking a little bare. Forestry officials may not be too thrilled, but local wildlife will love you. You should also pick the most outlandish tree you can think of and plant it amongst the indigenous plants so that it really stands out. Let that be your mark in the world and a boost to nature.
19. Send A Message In A Bottle
Once upon a time, this is how stranded sailors tried to contact civilization to let people know where they were. It was also a way for students to study the currents of the seas. With modern technology, we don’t really need this anymore but from time to time, people write messages, put them in bottles and send them out to sea. Why? Who knows, but the results can be interesting. Send your message, inviting the finder over for a beer, or send a silly message, just for fun. Make sure you put an email address or something so that the finder can contact you so you can find out how far it went. Who knows, you may meet an awesome new friend.
20. And Finally… Write A Book
If you even manage to get through half of this list of 20 insane things to do before you die, you’ll want to document your adventure and leave it behind for your grandkids to read one day. Fictional novels are a great read, but real life experiences are so much more interesting. You can include pictures or your triumphs, travels and experiences.
If that doesn’t appeal to you, and you’ve had an idea in your head for years, start writing it down. It’s never too late as long as you’re still breathing. Books have always been a way to share thoughts, feelings and experiences and it’s a creative way to release your imagination. If you’re an avid reader, you already know that books are a way to go somewhere different, without going anywhere. Have some fun with it and get writing.
We live in a big, beautiful world and there is so much to see and do. Travel as often as you can and choose different destinations. Try new things such as foods and activities. Meet new people and just get out there and enjoy life. Drink that beer, eat that steak. Don’t deny yourself any of the experiences life has to offer. What’s the point of living to 100 if you denied yourself the things you love? Live a few years less and when you breathe your last breath, do it with a smile. Like many things in life, it’s all about quality, not quantity. Try out as many adventures in this list and add a few of your own.
