Wow! Can you imagine the adrenaline rush you could get from these 10 amazing activities!
It would cost a pretty penny to engage in most of these activities, but what the heck, you can't take it with you anyway and if you should die in pursuit of completing this list, then you'll have died doing what only a handful of other people have done in their lifetime.
GO SKYDIVING
Skydiving has to be the most incredible ride of a lifetime. Taking a leap-of-faith out of the cargo hold on a B90 King Air airplane at an altitude of approximately 30,000 and free falling for about 2 minutes requires courage or just an “I am dying anyways” attitude. At this height, it requires breathing pure 100% oxygen, so to prevent getting the “bends” that could result in death.
Can you imagine the rush that skydiving is falling at more than 120+MPH straight towards the earth, knowing that there is a chance that this jump could possible be your last?
Fact:
Skydiving is statistically safer than scuba diving.
DOCK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Can anyone spare a little extra change of about $20 million to book a trip to spend a week on board the International Space Station. Wow, this vacation would be the trip of a lifetime. Just imagine, staring out from the International Space Station and gazing at the awesome blue marble that we know as Earth and experiencing weightlessness would be a hoot, too. You'll be sent a postcard or an email or something for your donation.
Fact:
The International Space Shuttle has taken more than 293,141 images of the earth. The Space Shuttle has taken more than 287,116 images, the Mir with 2,512 images and the Skylab with a mere 37 images that are stored in NASA's databases.
EDGE OF SPACE SUPERSONIC JET RIDE
Ok, you don't have a spare $20 million to spend for a 7-day trip to the International Space Station. That's fine, but you don't have to give up. How about considering a trip to the edge of space in a British Jet Fighter called the Lightning? Just think about it for a minute. Imagine flying 60,000 feet high over the earth at a speed of 50 thousand feet per minute and seeing the curvature of the earth. Now, that would fill a barf bag up with a stomach full of excitement.
Fact:
To put 60,000 feet in perspective, it's like stacking 41.29 Empire State Building one on top of another and still fall a little short of the height that this flight would take you.
TAKE A RIDE ON A RUSSIAN MIG-FIGHTER JET
The modern-day cold war will just have to wait until after we get our chance to take a ride on the legendary MiG-29 or the extraordinary MiG-31 Foxhound, while pulling G's way beyond the speed of sound. The best thing is that the Sokol Aircraft Plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia is not that far from Alaska, so if we book this adventure right, then we have the chance to see Alaska, too.
Fact:
The MiG-31 Foxhound can travel at a top speed of 1,865 mph using its power- plant of two 34,171-lb after-burning thrust Soloviev D-30F6 turbofans.
DIVE TO THE TITANIC ON-BOARD A SUBMARINE
If you feel more comfortable exploring the mysteries beneath the oceans, then visiting the world-famous Titanic must be at the top of any things to do list before you die kind of thing. For a mere $35,000 you could be one of the chosen few to see first hand probably the world's most famous shipwreck. Traveling down to 3800 meters to the ocean's bottom where light is a stranger this deep below the surface and the beast are tough.
Fact:
Only 706 passengers and crew managed to overcome the tragic sinking and the elements out of more than 2222 passengers and crew.
CLIMB THE GREAT PYRAMID OF EGYPT
Following in the footsteps of King Khufu and travel back in time to 2720-2560 BC to marvel at the engineering masterpiece of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. An estimated 2.6 million blocks weighing as much as 70 tons apiece were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid. Can you imagine the sense of achievement that it would be to climb to the top of the 482-foot Great Pyramid and panning the vast desert landscape?
Fact:
The subterranean chamber leads to a passage that descends 345 feet beneath the earth. It's foundation covers thirteen areas and has lost 33 feet of all of its dimensions due to erosion of its marble encasing that once was used to protect the pyramid from the brutal desert elements.
VISIT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The Great Wall of China was built in the Qin, Han and Ming dynasties as defensive fortifications during the Warring States Periods of the Yan, Zhao and Qin dynasties. However, it did not become known as the Great Wall until the Qin dynasty. The construction required an army of labor that included soldiers, prisoners and average people to complete the more than 4163 miles of the wall. With a history of more than 2000 years, this is on destination that cannot be missed out on.
Fact 1:
It took The China Great Wall Academy 45-days to survey all of the 101 sections of the Wall in different provinces. That's one time-consuming job.
Fact 2:
The Chinese call the Wall “Wan-Li Qang Qeng” when translated 10,000-Li Long Wall, which 10000 Li equals about 5000 km. It was built solid with a thickness of 30 feet at its widest area and a mere 15 its narrowest sections.
COVERT OPS
Live out your wildest dream of becoming an ultra-secret covert agent and assigned a mission to take down the enemy hideout and complete the mission. No, you don't have to join the military to experience the action of a realistic covert operation and receive covert ops training before the mission begins.
Incredible-Adventures.com
offers such a vacation for the most extreme vacation adventurers among us. I found this website while researching for this article and was amazed at what some people are willing to do, just to add a little adventure in their lives. Sure, combat pistol training and high-speed evasive driving excises sounds might exciting and becoming secret agent 021 (3 times more lethal than 007) has always captured the attention of may young men and boys the world over.
Fact:
Dropping down behind enemy lines operating under deep cover and carrying out missions only a few high-level government officials have approved is normally referred to as Covert Ops (Covert Operations).
DIVING WITH SHARKS
After watching the movie Jaws, it seemed like the perfect extreme vacation that would scare the heck out of you and overload the senses with unthinkable excitement. Great white sharks circling the cage like a prehistoric stealth bomber planning its attack. The only thing that is between you and them is a stainless steel cage. Every time the sharks crash into the cage with the power of truck the strength of the engineering is being tested. Diving with sharks is on this list, because the attraction can eat the spectators.
Fact:
The world-record for the largest Great White Shark was caught in 1948 and measured at 21 feet long almost 5 feet longer than the average size Great White Shark.
TAKE AN AFRICAN SAFARI
One of the coolest vacations that a person could ever take is booking an African safari. Just think how amazing it would be to actually observe nature's magnificent beasts roaming free in the wild. Loins resting under the shade, while hippos waddle about in the mud holes and elephants standing guard out in the distance. Look! There is a pair of giraffes grazing on those trees and checkout those rhinos as they charge. Pilanesberg National Park is South Africa's fourth largest national park comprising 212 square miles of nature at her best.
Fact:
Pilanesberg National Park is the home of Africa's Top Five animal attractions including lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo, not to mention the zebra, hippo, giraffe and crocodile that an adventurer may be faced with on an African Safari.
Hehee.. cooool stuff.. but i wonder if i will be alive AFTER i have done these. LOL
#2 by Nelson Doyle, Oct 7, 2007
Whoops, I meant to spell International Space Station not Space Shuttle. I have submitted the corrections to my publisher and it should be corrected very soon.
I guess I need to stop writing after 1:00am, so I can edit better.
My bad and thank you for pointing out the errors of my ways, Mr. Hutson and for helping make this article better for it.
#3 by gtwilliams, Oct 7, 2007
I lived in Egypt and I remember the year when signs were posted saying you could be shot if caught climbing the pyramids. Mom would not let me do that any more... :-(
#4 by Brian, Oct 8, 2007
I'd also like to point out the mistake in the "African Safari" entry. Many a time I've dreamed of traveling to Africa to see "loins" in their natural habitat.
#5 by ubi, Oct 8, 2007
I actually climbed the pyramids last summer in Egypt. The guards will stop you (but not by shooting) during the daytime, but if you're careful and approach it covertly at night (combination of #8 and #6?) it is possible if done quickly and quietly.
#6 by melliebee, Oct 8, 2007
nope, definitely cannot climb the pyramids (I don't know how you got into the pyramid grounds at night anyway since they close at sunset anyway) unless you want to find yourself in an egyptian jail that even the usually effective bribe can't get you out of.
#7 by john, Oct 8, 2007
what if a man gain the whole world and lose his life. tell me there are things more important than this to do before you die.
#8 by Chris Grooms, Oct 8, 2007
Correction: You do NOT skydive from 30,000 feet. I am a licensed skydiver. Skydivers jump from approximately 14,500 feet or lower, depending on the weather and other conditions such as the aircraft used.
Rarely, such as a time when you participate in a 50-way formation, you may jump from 15,500, which is what I did this weekend. Although I was not in the 50-way formation. There were two slots left on one of the planes that went up and I got one of the slots. At this altitude and the time it takes to get to that altitude with a larger plane, you can possibly experience hypoxia. I became dizzy when I stood up at 15,500 feet. Waited a few seconds to make sure I was aware and left the plane.
The only way you are jumping from 30,000 feet is in the military or a civilian HALO jump, which is very expensive. About $3500.
#9 by Sinosplice, Oct 8, 2007
Small correction: The Great Wall of China is called "Wan Li Chang Cheng" in Chinese (万里长城).
#10 by d, Oct 8, 2007
For the budget-minded adventurer, try bungy jumping into the Canal at Corinth. Just did it yesterday, and wow... very cool.
#11 by Adventurer, Oct 8, 2007
Not a bad list, but you forgot to include the Andes, white water rafting and Bungee Jumping - none more exciting than jumping out od a plane!!
#12 by Charles, Oct 8, 2007
I'd like to step foot on the northern most piece of permenant land on earth, as detailed in the Oct. 07 US issue of Esquire.
#13 by Nelson Doyle, Oct 8, 2007
The skydiving jump from 30,000 feet is a HALO jump and I wrote about things that were most obtainable given you have enough money to do these things. Incredible-Adventures offers these types of vacations, just to name one such travel agent.
Climbing the Great Pyramid has always been a dream of mine since I was very little and my understanding is if a person has enough money, then this can be arranged.
Thank you all for your comments.
#14 by Geordie Janner, Oct 8, 2007
Cool article. Better start saving my money now then! ;)
#15 by Matt, Oct 8, 2007
Good article. But you missed the most important thing. Better make Jesus the Lord of your life before you die. You can do it today. :)
#16 by Marla, Oct 8, 2007
How do you know he's hypocritical...? Or starting a holy war? Still, out of place is out of place...
#17 by molly, Oct 9, 2007
Here are a few more incredible things to do before you die:
1) learn to breathe right
2) make peace with yourself
3) make peace with your parents, children, family, neighbours, and friends.
4) give some money to an authentic charity
5) teach somebody something
6) learn to appreciate your present life
7) save, or improve, someone else's life
I can promise you you'll feel great for longer than an adrenalin rush.
#18 by , Oct 9, 2007
Good list if you've got lots of disposable cash. Not so applicable to most of us who have simpler tastes and nobler things to do with the money we DO have.
#19 by bbaker, Oct 9, 2007
I'm with Molly...make a difference before you die -- throw a little skydiving in on the side.
#20 by Nish Paul, Oct 10, 2007
Cool postings..Personal Trainer
#21 by Jaded and Tired, Oct 10, 2007
Nothing really appeals to me. It's all been done before vicariously on the boob tube. African Safari- what a yawn. Don't forget the heat and flies and stench. Wild Kingdom filled me up with that nonsense decades ago. Everything else, too costly. Bah humbug.
#22 by Earth, Oct 13, 2007
All exciting stuff I'm sure but very polluting too. A bit selfish I think for those who'll be left after you've gone. How about helping those you love? I'd rather be remembered as a good person than some jet-setting playboy. But I'm not going to tell you what to do. Enjoy.
#23 by George, Oct 13, 2007
Great things all, is it possible to climb the pyramid? I mean is it legal, Is there a specific tour you have to take to climb it?
#24 by Stone Heart, Oct 16, 2007
Wow...
Brilliant.
#25 by cruzin365, Oct 18, 2007
Cool stuff! Too bad I'll be broke till the day I die, lol!
#26 by bluff, Oct 21, 2007
@#20 Ugo P., congratulations, I could not agree more. But most of the people would accept these at an average age of 120. Yep, WYSIWYG - but you have to see the inside.
However, Nelson Doyle, keep up the good spirit!
#27 by Judy Sheldon, Oct 23, 2007
Interesting list and nice research, but I preferred Molly's list too. LOL
#28 by Afrooz, Oct 28, 2007
I love them! and i wish i will do one of this in future........
#29 by thinkdj, Oct 30, 2007
Ok.. that's 10 more stuff on my to-do list :D
#30 by mehdi, Nov 12, 2007
very good
#31 by Nelson Doyle, Nov 24, 2007
Hi popo -
Thank you for leaving your comments about this article. I agree that your list is an admiral one indeed, but really for folks whom never experienced the thrills of free falling that skydiving delivers or the rush of fear that comes along with diving with sharks, then this list is for those folks.
If you want to experience something supernatural, then you could always join a local TAPS branch in your area and go out on paranormal investigations. If you were near Memphis, Tennessee, then you would be welcomed to join my paranormal group during one of our investigations. Just a suggestion.
Thanks again to everyone who has left a response, comment or compliment to my article.
#32 by NASSIM , Nov 30, 2007
HI. i did 2 of them .taked an african safari last year and visited the great wall of china.thnx GOD
#33 by lux, Dec 9, 2007
I highly suggest trying Skydiving. :)
#34 by Amin, Jan 11, 2008
it is very nice. Amin
#35 by svenskflicka, Jan 18, 2008
woho! i've done two things: skydiving and african safari. i've scuba dived in the great barrier reef too and my dive instructor said there were sharks. but unfortunately i didn't see any...
i was 15 and younger when i did these things. now i'm 17. i still have a lot of time to do everything on the list but not enough money :(
#36 by belenkas, Jan 20, 2008
Belenka cia stumia!
#37 by DASH, Jan 25, 2008
Climb Mt. Everest...how is it that this did not make the list?!
Sweet list though!
And for those religious folk posting here and making myself and every other Christian look bad...please stop. It IS out of place here, not to mention impersonal and useless in this context. It is actually detrimental to your cause, if you can understand that. Why can\'t you people just take an article like this for what it is!? A fun wish list.
#38 by Sez, Feb 1, 2008
Someone mentioned that Pilanesburg isn\'t as nice as the Kruger National Park. I also live in SA, and have done volunteer work at the Pilanesburg - it\'s not as big as the Kruger, but it is lovely. It\'s perfect for a day trip, especially for those who haven\'t done SA nature reserves. It\'s cheaper if you\'re visiting Joburg and you can do the whole park in one day. I love the Kruger too, but it can be a mission to get to.
In terms of the other points. I really want to visit the great wall of China!! I totally agree with that, but I\'d like to add that I also really want to see the Aurora Borealis before I die.
#39 by susan mason, Feb 3, 2008
Great list..........hope I can do all of them before I die. It's fun to wish.
#40 by Alastair Cameron, Feb 7, 2008
I have a list of 50 things to do before i die...
...I have gone 24 of them so far... including Sky Dive, Snoboard, and go to america
and im only 15
carnt wait for the rest! ...
...God luck for others who also have a list
#41 by Sage, Feb 10, 2008
WOW really interesting i would love to do that.:)
#42 by Rico, Feb 22, 2008
Some people just cannot see things for what they are, great effort in compiling this list by the way, yes Mollys list is sweet and I agree more rewarding, but this is a list for things for you to do in your life which are spoiling yourself, be selfish and treat ones self. I mean how is learning to breath right the same as travelling to the edge of space in a jet plane?! It is near impossible for us normal beings to arrange some of these list entries, but that's the point of the list, achieving something like that, I can teach my child to peel a carrot tomorrow. The pyramid climb would be awesome!!
#43 by Jo, Feb 24, 2008
i've only done one of 'em and that's setting foot in the Great Wall, which was beautiful. :)
but yeah, i also prefer simpler pleasures coz for me they matter a whole lot more than those adrenaline rushes. cool list, just no for me though :)
#44 by virgin, Feb 25, 2008
Yo! I'm with Rico!!
#45 by joe njoroge, Mar 1, 2008
For safari I think Maasai Mara also fits in on the places to go on safari.The annual wildebeest migration was cited as a modern wonder of the world remember.
http://apexsafaris.net
#46 by Thing, Mar 4, 2008
It would be so fun doing all these things but i can't cause i'm 11 and i'm really short for my age but when i'm older i definately will for sure.
#47 by Unicylist, Mar 6, 2008
1. Learn to unicycle
2. Stand between two boarders aka england and scotland
3. Learn to do handstands and cartwheels
4. Dont worry, if a thing can be changed change it if it cant be changed then it isnt your fault so dont worry about it
5. Have FUN!
#48 by Shandee, Apr 10, 2008
Hey, Know that not everyone has the money to do these things. INstead of jumping out of a plane for $300, they have indoor skydiving places. It's amazing, you are just floating in the wind tunnel. It was only $50 and I will never forget it!
#49 by some random, Apr 18, 2008
OMG THIS IS SO MY THING.
THATS LIKE, PRACTICALLY MY BUCKET LIST.
YOU ARE SO COOL.
#50 by The Gamer, Apr 18, 2008
Lots of these things are cool. But u should have like included HALO jumps or White water rafting off a waterfall. Either way i still tink u did a great job with this list.
#51 by The Gurl, Apr 20, 2008
some r cool but i wouldnt do none cuz i want to live
#52 by lorry, Apr 23, 2008
do the highest bunjy in the world, south africa!
#53 by justin, Apr 30, 2008
These are all great places to go but I think going to canada to see the rocky mountains is absolutly a must but you have to find all the spots that there is no tourists
#54 by Ndava, May 1, 2008
Hi,about the African safari. South Africa is a wonderful place but if you want some of the "real" Africa, i suggest somewhere else. Personally I adore Zambia, the parks there are magnificent and not as commercial as SA. Try Luangwa, Kafue or Lower Zambezi. There you can get a taste of real Africa
xxx
#55 by Rick, May 17, 2008
whos is the girl jumping out of the plane? shes got an amazing chest!
#56 by Najib, May 26, 2008
Very impresive stuff...wow very nice
#57 by Dave, May 31, 2008
Ahaha Rick, i thought the same, what a rack!
#58 by Bill, Jun 17, 2008
#7 John should learn how to speak english before he dies
#59 by Rizzo, Jun 19, 2008
I've done 3 of them... Skydive, shark diving, and african safari. and i'm only 18. I haven't made my own list yet but I'm starting to think about things..
#60 by karina, Jun 23, 2008
these are some pretty cool ideas.(:
#61 by Suarid, Jun 25, 2008
Cool list but does anyone know where to get the list which I was browsing for when I chanced upon this one?
Here are a few things I wish to do with you at some point in this lifetime:
Be your best friend.
Get caught with you in the rain.
Dance with you in the rain.
Stargaze on a clear night.
Watch the sunset together.
Spend all day with you doing nothing.
Moonlit walks on the beach.
Be more proud of you than I already am at this very moment.
Go on a carriage ride through the park.
Do a crossword together.
Go to brunch.
etc, etc, etc ...
Sorry it's a bit long. Tks.
#62 by Steve, Jul 3, 2008
#8 by Chris Grooms,
maybe your just not a good skydiver?
#63 by destiny, Jul 12, 2008
I'm sorry to say that i would not be alive if I did any of these actions. jesus christ You want me to swim with sharks why? and who the hell drives a mercedes in an african safari @_@ me jumping out of a plane, my friends do it but what the heck is so fun about thinking that ur gonna die? I think the most I'd ever do is bunjee jump or something. 50 thousand feet per minute oh god, i think my body would go into shock. Visiting the pryamids sounds nice, climbing them and potentially rotting in egyptian jail, no no no! I might sound like I have no fun at all but see theres a thin line between fun and insane.
