| This is the definitive list of activities to do while | | | | get in the water and experience the corals and |
| traveling. Each of the below are inspiring activities | | | | wildlife. If you swim near to a drop off hug tight to |
| which will leave you with a sense of achievement or | | | | the coral as the darker depths below can be quite |
| general amazement. It may not be possible to find a | | | | haunting as silhouettes of bigger fish and reef sharks |
| route around the world which will allow you to try | | | | are sometimes visible. You are encouraged not to |
| your hand at all 5 of the activities below, but you | | | | touch or break the corals as research shows they |
| should be able to get an opportunity to do at least | | | | are diminishing slowly, and if you accidentally kick the |
| two on any serious backpacking trip. I managed to fit | | | | reef, tell the instructor as the harmful bacteria can |
| in three but ran out of funds for diving, and the | | | | get inside the wound. Snorkeling can be just as good |
| mountain climb was snowed off in New Zealand. | | | | if you cannot afford the diving course as you can |
| Bungee Jumping | | | | see just as much only you cannot swim down and |
| If your travels take you down under you are in the | | | | explore the corals. There are good diving areas in the |
| home of adrenaline sports. You will get plenty of | | | | Red Sea, Thailand, Fiji, Australia, and California to |
| opportunities to pluck up the courage and bottle out | | | | name a few. A quick Google search will give you |
| before you finally take the leap of faith. New Zealand | | | | hundreds of ideas. |
| has at least 6 bungee opportunities, many providing a | | | | White Water Rafting |
| decent location to give a spectacular video recording | | | | One of the most exhilarating activities to do while |
| for your friends at home. The highest bungee in New | | | | traveling is white water rafting. You hang on for your |
| Zealand is in Queenstown at 134 meters ranging to | | | | life as you descend waterfalls and frantically navigate |
| 42 meters in Taupo. It is one of the biggest thrills | | | | your way through rapids. This social adrenaline sport |
| you can get as it is a total free fall from a height you | | | | keeps you focused the entire time you are in the |
| can actually comprehend. For first timers the | | | | water and provides great stories and photos when |
| adrenaline rush is immense and will leave you wanting | | | | back home. Rotorua in New Zealand has a course of |
| to go and again and again. The jump itself is smooth | | | | 14 rapid and 3 waterfalls with the largest being 7 |
| with no whip if you dive out head first but watch out | | | | meters. It is certain the raft will take the drop in one |
| for the boats below if jumping off the Auckland | | | | piece but it is up to your determination to hang on |
| Harbour Bridge. Other locations include Victoria Falls, | | | | and stay in the boat. Rafting has a great sense of |
| Zimbabwe (166m), Ticino, Switzerland (220m) and | | | | team spirit and accomplishment and was the best |
| The Macau Tower, China (233m). | | | | activity I did while traveling. There are opportunities |
| Elephant Riding | | | | for white water rafting all over the USA including on |
| These gentle giants are an uncomfortable ride it must | | | | the Colorado River. Other locations are Chile, |
| be said but traveling by elephant is quite an | | | | Morocco, Peru and Switzerland. |
| experience. In Asia there are plenty of opportunities | | | | Mountain Climbing |
| to jump on board an elephant and ride through the | | | | Okay, so you will not be scaling Everest as your first |
| jungle. I managed this in the Khao Sok National Park | | | | mountain but there are plenty you realistically |
| in Thailand. The elephants were led through dense | | | | conquer. You need to decide on where your |
| jungle, through rivers and deep mud. Luckily, they are | | | | limitations lie before marking a mountain to climb. The |
| extremely good on their feet and I now consider | | | | attraction of mountain climbing is the sense of |
| them as the ultimate off road vehicle. Normally you | | | | accomplishment when you reach the summit but this |
| will be able to ride in pairs in a double seat specially | | | | is always plagued by the thought of the decent |
| designed to go across the elephant's back. If you are | | | | afterwards. Once at the peak, you really do feel |
| lucky and skillful you may be allowed to straddle the | | | | untouchable and that you are on top of the world. |
| neck, but hold on tight to something going down hill. | | | | You will have to go as a group for safety reasons |
| Getting up close, riding or feeding elephants is a | | | | and may need specialist equipment but this is typically |
| remarkable thing to do and an activity I would | | | | included if you go as part of a tour. You need to be |
| recommend. You may be able to see locals in Asia | | | | fit and determined to be a mountain climber and be |
| walking elephants if you leave the cities or even in | | | | prepared for all weathers and it can turn instantly but |
| the cities around Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia for | | | | this keeps the climb interesting. There are good |
| some good photos. | | | | climbing opportunities in Chile, the Philippines, New |
| Diving | | | | Zealand, Nepal, and near any of the great mountain |
| Undoubtedly the best place to get beneath the | | | | ranges in the world. Remember, every climb is |
| waves is the Great Barrier Reef because of the | | | | different and it is a very social activity to be a part |
| variety of fish and the beautiful reefs. If you have | | | | of. |
| passed a basic diving course you I encourage you to | | | | |
