For those that don’t know, my goal of this trip was to visit the New 7 Wonders and the other 14 finalists (which helps explain some of the randomness of my location choices) that were determined by a world-wide vote several years ago. The premise was that these are the 21 coolest things in the world. As of right now, I have seen 20 out of 21.
New 7 Wonders
Great Wall of China – July 2007
Christ the Redeemer (Brazil) – February 2008
Petra (Jordan) – August 2008
Chichen Itza (Mexico) – April 2011
Taj Mahal (India) – February 2012
Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) – February 2012
Macchu Picchu (Peru) – June 2012
Finalists
Statue of Liberty (New York City) – June 1996
Eiffel Tower (France) – May 2005
Newshwanstein (Germany) – May 2005
Colesseum (Italy) – June 2005
Kremlin and the Red Square (Russia) – November 2006
Anchor Wat (Cambodia) – February 2007
Sydney Opera House (Australia) – April 2008
Stonehenge (England) – June 2008
Kiyomizera (Japan) – May 2010
Acropolis (Greece) – March 2012
Alhambra (Spain) – April 2012
Easter Island (Chile) – May 2012
Left to See
Timbuktu
My only remaining wonder is Timbuktu. Unfortunately while Morocco (I was there in March) is geographically close to Mali, it is worlds away in safety. There were regular reports of kidnappings in broad daylight in and around that area, so that my “last wonder” will have to wait until the political situation changes or I win the lottery so I can hire a private army to protect me. And apparently rebels are currently destroying parts of the adobe village, so I may not ever have this opportunity. The lesson I took from this is that I shouldn’t have waited. The lesson my mom took from this was that I should never go there…
I Quit My Job To Travel 