Nathan's Insights

With my 2024-25 world trip behind me I’m now focused on what is next.  Having visited 90 countries so far I’ve issued a challenge to myself to experience 100 countries before I retire (hopefully sometime before 2029 and 2032).

I had previously decided to explore the world as much as possible before retirement with a balance of breadth and depth. 

This meant sometimes only having limited experiences in some places due to quick visit and at other locations having much deeper and longer experiences. 

This pre retirement travel as to allow me to pick some favourites and go back for slower more meaningful engagements with the culture, history and landscapes..

So the question is always before retirement want countries do I want to experience that I haven’t so far? 

I started a Bucket List – To Do for inspiration.  I’ve managed to do some much from that original list with 66 experiences completed so far. Actually as I don’t have a lot left it might be worth coming up with new experiences.

The standout Bucket List experience missing is completing the Seven Wonders of the Modern World which I started way back in 2006 with Great Wall of China.  Petra is the only one outstanding so Jordan must be part of this trip.  Floating in The Dead Sea was also still to be done as Jordan is locked in.

Another Bucket list experience I’d like to do in 2026 is exploring Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage site which houses the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion temple.

Of my two nieces and two nephews I have one nephew I have yet to take on a world trip so Harry will be joining me for this next trip. So, beginning late 2026 (after Harry’s University exams) I’m thinking we will visit Qatar, Jordan, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.  All of these countries will be new to me except Spain.

I had planned that during this trip I’d get my apartment bathroom and toilet areas renovated.  After discussing plans with renovation company, it appears I’ll need to be away longer than this world trip. 

So I’ll start this trip with a trip on Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) with an add on tour of Perth and the wider area including Rottnest Island.  Darby, my niece who travelled with me to Europe in 2024, has indicated she wants to join me for 10-day train and tour trip.

2026 is now starting to take shape and firm up.  A lot of savings will be needed for to afford an extensive World trip, plus an Australia trip, plus bathroom renovation, plus putting my cats up in a nice cattery.

Early plans for the trip to take me to 100 countries is for May 2028 to include Bhutan, France (French Tennis Open), Greenland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.  This will likely be a solo trip but I’ll think more about it in January 2027 😊