10 countries and countless cities made it on my 2013 Bucket List. France, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Jordan, Aruba, Curacao, Canada, USA, Mexico, and Fiji were all part of my whirlwind of adventures and new experiences. I never envisioned such an amazing year of opportunity; my life continues to be a dream come true. I am blessed. Some people create a bucket list because they are dying; I created one because I want to live.
Here are my top ten favorite travel photos from 2013.
Number 10 – The King’s Highway, Jordan
A most ancient route, The King’s Highway winds its way through the different ecological zones of Jordan, including forested highlands, open farmland plateaus, deep ravines, the edge of the eastern desert, and the warm tropical Gulf of Aqaba.
Stay tuned for numbers 1-9 later this week!
Have you been to Jordan? Is it on your list?
You can read more about my Jordan journey and see tons of great photos here.
Bucket List Publications 
Right on…looking forward to this series.
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They won’t compare to your amazing photos but the locations make up for the photographer in my case 😉
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Beautiful! I would love to see Jordan and Israel some day.
On another note – if you do make Wisconsin in 2014, I just heard the Packer Hall of Fame is closing this week until 2015. They are expanding the Pro Shop and moving the Hall of Fame to the 2nd floor of the Atrium. Just thought I should let you know in case that was anything you were interested in.
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I had a trip planned to Israel this year, but it was postponed until next year. Hopefully it will be part of my 2014 favorite photos 😉
Thanks for the heads up about the Hall of Fame. I’m sure I can still find tons of cool things to do there. I’ll keep you in mind for more suggestions.You seem to have lots of them 🙂
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Nice pictures
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Thanks, and this is just number 10. Wait until you see number 1! Is Jordan on your list of places you’d like to visit?
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absolutely gorgeous, Lesley!
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Thanks! I’d love to go back again with my family some day. I’ll save it for when Athena is a little older since I just went, but definitely worth the second visit. 🙂
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I am guessing this is a sunset? Spectacular!
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Yes and I felt like I could cry. I never saw scenery so spectacular. Have you been to Jordan?
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Thank you for reblogging. I appreciate your support.
Have a great day. 🙂
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Beautiful photograph. A friend of mine has been to Jordan and said he’d never seen anything to compare with it. Looking forward to the rest of your top 10!
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I was so surprised with Jordan. It offered every type of beauty imaginable with complimentary people. I can’t wait to take my family so they can experience such a life-changing place. Is it on your list?
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Ha! Earning enough money to travel anywhere is top of my list. I’m more of a ‘north of the world’ type person – my ideal destination is Iceland and/or Greenland. I’m not sure why, but they just speak to me. 🙂
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I have a friend who just returned from Iceland and she said it, too, was life-changing… but I guess all travel is.
You can see some of her photos here – https://www.facebook.com/KatReesePDX?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
She’s amazing!
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Thank you! I’ll add it to my Inspiration file. 🙂
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Wow, this is a stunning capture! Looking forward to seeing the rest in the series!
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This one wasn’t the clearest photo or the best example of photography but it reminds me of the extreme beauty in a surprising country. Have you ever been?
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I only spent one day in Jordan….so I would love to go back someday and see a whole lot more of that beautiful country.
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Which part of the country did you visit? Petra?
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That is not a place most people would include on a travel wish-list, so it is of great interest that you have a scene from there on your top ten for the year.
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Most people are unaware of how friendly, peaceful, and beautiful it is. I hope that that will change as more and more travelers fall in love with the country.
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Wow, beautiful. No, I haven’t visited Jordan and it is not at my list, even it looks very beautiful.
Looking forward to see more photos and read about your experiments.
Do you have same activity level for 2014?
Irene
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2014 might have even more! 😉 We’re working on it now; that’s why I’m not currently traveling. I’m planning next year.
What country tops your list?
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I would love to visit Tibet and see the beautiful nature. But I didn’t make a bucket list yet. Need the economy on a better level first.
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You could still have a list and start out on the smaller, more financially accessible items. Taking my daughter ice skating is on this year’s list as just one example. It doesn’t cost much but it’s very rewarding. I love the dreaming process involved. 🙂
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You are right, thanks for your inspiration Lesley.
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Jordan is definitely on my list. Your photos of Petra are stunning and re-ignite my desire to get there. Thank you!
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What country tops your list right now? I’m still anxious to visit South Africa. As much as I tried this year, it didn’t happen. (Not that I’m complaining about my amazing year 😉 )
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A trip to Africa is right up there as well as Thailand. Would also one day love to get to Antarctica. Not everyone’s dream trip but would like to retrace the exploration of Ernest Shackleton. Fascinating.
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Antarctica is up there for me too and Thailand is already on my 2014 list. I’m going to check out the exploration of Ernest Shackleton now. How did you learn about it?
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I have done some speaking about leadership and Shackleton often is woven into my presentations. One who led by example. Anyone who can keep an entire crew alive stranded in Antarctica for 18 months has to have been remarkable!
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Sounds remarkable to me. Thanks for the inspiration. I love learning about positive leaders. 🙂
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can’t wait to see the rest
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Thank you! my photography doesn’t compare to yours but my subjects are definitely worthy 😉
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take any photo you want, does the photo mean anything to you? if the answer is yes, than is a good photo and that is the start of photography
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Jordan is on my list. I would love to see Petra.
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Petra was unbelievably well preserved. When you go, rent a donkey and ride up to the monastery. It’s worth the scary ride 😉
What is your favorite county that you’ve visited so far?
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I have different feelings about certain places. I loved Hong Kong and Thailand their vibrance. I loved have the beauty if France but I will say that Egypt gave me a sense of time when I thought about how old the country was and its glorious past. India was special without words.
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You’ve been to several places that I’ve yet to experience. I’m now following you and will check back regularly for inspiration. 🙂
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My blog is my about my adventures living on a remote island in the Caribbean which the vast majority of people have never heard of. In addition, I am now being bold by commenting on the stupidy and absurdity around me but thank you. I
When I was bitten by the travel bug I decided I could not wait for a friend to go with me so each year like you I went somewhere and now I,m going through my photos and creating what I call Vlogs. You might be inrested in seeing the one I did on Santorini.
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Funny, I was just checking that out. 🙂
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Amazing view!!! *-* Waiting for the 9 left photographs… Keep doing It!
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Thanks! The keep getting better 🙂 Stay tuned.
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Beautiful! I will be sure to stay tuned and see what other places you have picked 🙂
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There were so many from Jordan that I could have done a Top Ten Jordan Photos post but there are other amazing photos to come. Do you have a favorite travel photo of your own from this year?
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I had a friend that spent two years in Jordan and her pictures were beautiful as well. Seems to be an unusual place. My husband is the one who takes great pictures, probably our favorite one this year is from Spain.
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I love your post, “What type of Traveler…” Cute 🙂
I only spent two days in Spain, which is not enough time to enjoy the architectural wonders. It’s on the list to return. When did you visit? Which cities did you visit? Do you have any recommendations?
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Thank you Lesley, I’m glad you liked the post!
We had two weeks in Spain at the beginning of September, but we didn’t want to jump around too much. We wanted to be able to try and really experience a couple places. So we went to Barcelona and Madrid. We looooved Barcelona and would go back there in an instant. The works of Gaudi, Las Ramblas, the tapas, cava, flamenco dancers…Are all amazing and definitely worth seeing! I enjoyed the San Miguel market and the interesting quirks that Madrid has to offer.
Now if (when) we go back, we will probably do a smaller town, then venture off to see Portugal and Morocco.
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Beautiful! Visiting Jordan and especially seeing Petra are on my lifetime bucket list for sure! Thanks for sharing your experiences there – it makes me feel a lot more optimistic about being able to go!
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You’ll love it. It’s worth the flight and you can find good prices while you’re there. I can’t wait to read all about your experiences 🙂
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That is a great photograph. Thank you for sharing. I cannot wait to see what the others are.
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Gorgeous! I look forward to the next posts.
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Petra has always fascinated me – I look forward to the rest…:-)
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I was in Jordan during 2007 for a study abroad. My favorite experiences were standing on the beach in Aqaba – seeing four countries from one spot, and camping in Wadi Rum with a group of Bedouin for a week. I would go back in a heartbeat.
I did not visit Jerash and would like to spend some time Ajloun – That’s on my bucket list.
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I enjoyed Wadi Rum and experiencing the life of the Bedouin as well. Learning about new cultures and countries is life-changing. Do you still travel often?
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Yes! Though this last year has been mostly domestic travel, as I’m saving for a long trip to India. It is such a wonderful feeling, being foreign, learning the world as if everything is new, the people, the landscapes, the history. I especially love the unexpected places that you find – when you step into something you haven’t read about in any book, or seen on any screen…
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Amazing picture Lesley – can’t wait to see what you come up with for the next one! Thanks for your initiative last week, I have made some new online friends as a result, will pass on your link to my contacts too. Best regards – metiefly
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Wonderful! I’m glad you found others with similar interests. There is an amazing community in blogging. 🙂
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I went to Jordan in 1986. There were very few tourists at all, but I imagine its a bit different now. We were on a road trip from Saudi Arabia (where we had been living for two years) to London. A very interesting time in my life. Love your image.
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Are you from Saudi Arabia?
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Hi Lesley – no, I’m a New Zealander but have been resident in Australia for many years. I lived in Saudi for two years only (my husband was contracted there on a construction job). It’s a fascinating place, but not without its challenges.
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Looking forward to see what makes it to number 1
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I have not been to Jordan but with you, Leslie. Who can turn up her nose at this awesome sunset?
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I’ve never been; I’m traveling through you. I am amazed that there are so many different eco-systems in such a small country.
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What wonderful places you have been blessed to visit. Love the pictures as always.
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I would love to visit Jordan one day. What a gorgeous photo!
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