Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Lady Completes the 90 Under 30 Travel Project
Eight months ago I set a goal for myself: visit 90 countries in my lifetime before my 30th birthday. When I announced the 90 under 30 Travel Project, I had 72 countries under my belt. I needed to visit 18 more in seven months and 27 days. That meant an average of 2.25 new countries per month, which was pretty aggressive given that I had already been to every country that was less than a 2.5-hour flight from London. But I was determined to do it. And today I am happy to say that I accomplished my goal.
It wasn’t always a given that it was going to happen. My trip to Brazil in November was delayed a month. I almost didn’t find flights to Peru that I could purchase with frequent flier miles. And I was nervous that the Israeli border control officials wouldn’t let me into the country given the number of not-so-friendly stamps in my passport (think Syria, Jordan (x4), Oman, the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, and Brunei).
But all of the trips went forward. After the last 90 under 30 Travel Project update, I took a trip to Southeast Asia to visit Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. That brought the total up to 85 countries.
At that point I was running low on time. I had less than two months left and still needed to visit five more countries. Mid-March to mid-April was a marathon month of travel, starting with a long weekend in Lebanon, country number 86. The following week I traveled to Peru and Bolivia, raising the tally to 88. After a short stint in Iceland, I reached Israel, country number 89, over Easter weekend.
For the better part of a month, I didn’t spend more than two consecutive nights in any one place, including London. I was exhausted, but I was determined to accomplish my goal.
And today, with only one day left before my 30th birthday, I did it. This afternoon I reached San Marino, country number 90!
It feels incredibly good to have achieved what I set out to do. While some of the trips were a bit rushed at the end, I’m glad I made it to every sovereign state on the list. Better yet, I feel like I have something concrete to show for my life before 30.
So did accomplishing my goal make me feel like I had seen enough of the world? Not in the least. As I mentioned in my last update, there are still over 115 more countries to visit. And the more of the world I see, the more I realize how many more places there are to go.
Along those lines, now that the 90 under 30 Travel Project is completed, I need to set a new travel goal. Any suggestions?
Congratulations!
Thanks EurotripTips!
Astounding, inspiring stuff. As for next, maybe 7 summits…? Or make a bucket list?
Thanks Tori! I like the 7 summits idea!
What a truly awe-inspiring accomplishment! You are a lucky and also very smart and brave gal, Ms. Julie. I was going to suggest you visit the New 7 Wonder of the World but I think you’ve already been to most of those and even the runner’s up.
So maybe you could try to go to some of the world’s most famous festivals?!
Thanks Pam! Those are good ideas! I looked at the New 7 Wonders list, and you’re right that I’ve been to almost all of them! I still have to make it to Timbuktu (I tried to go when I was in Bamako, but there was a travel advisory against it), Kyoto (my flight was delayed from Auckland so my trip to Japan was cut short and I had to cancel Kyoto), and the Staute of Liberty (can’t believe I haven’t done that one!).
Congratulations, Julie! This is AWESOME and so inspiring. Hope that you’ve returned home and are enjoying the much needed rest. I’d love to talk with you sometime about how you’re able to fund all of this travel (just sponsorships from your blog?) but if you have a blog post about this somewhere in your archives just direct me to that. : ) Be well! Turning 30 is awesome!
Thanks Katherine! I’m actually in Italy for my birthday right now, but am enjoying it. We should definitely catch up sometime soon!
Congrats on this worthy milestone. 100 by 32?
Thanks Eric! 100 by 32 sounds good, although I’m running out of countries that are easy flights from London!
If Scotland passes its upcoming independence referendum, then you will be able to retroactively add one additional country to your list!
That’s a good point, Karen. I’m not sure I believe it will happen at any point soon, though!
Pretty amazing stuff! You need your own show on the Travel Channel.
Thanks Richelle! I would love a show on the Travel Channel!
Congratulations, and happy (belated) 30th!
Thanks Emily!
What you’re doing is great, but I would say your goal should just be to slow it down a little. Still travel but get to know each place better instead of rushing through. I read with great interest your trip to Santiago, Chile but realized you didn’t even spend a night there. I lived in Quito, Ecuador for two years and I couldn’t imagine somebody getting the gist of the city by spending one day there. We spent a week in London and felt like we didn’t scratch the surface of the place. Life is not a race, we all finish in the same place.
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I actually spent two nights in Santiago, Chile, but I know what you mean about slowing down. I wish I had the time to spend a few more days in each place!
How about 40 for 40? Another 40 countries before you are 40.
Thanks for the suggestion, Claire! That’s an ambitious goal, but I like it!
Hi! Great meeting you at the cinco de drinko party. I was really excited to read your blog after we talked and it’s great! Noticed that you’re missing Sweden on your list of countries. It’s less than 2.5 hours away
Hi Louise! It was great to meet you, too. I have actually been to Sweden before, but it was prior to starting this blog. If I go back someday, I will definitely write about it!
I came across this blog and like it. Great job.
90/30 is great, but another 40 to 40 is like 90/30.
I admire you for the courage to complete the task, and even visit countries that are expected to be in unstable regions. I suggest you to settle down for a couple of years somewhere you have been and write a book about it. Show people that our planet is an excellent place to live, no matter where.
Thanks Aleksandar!
I apologise for my suggestion “to settle down.” I have not actually asked for permission to speak freely. My words may have offended you. I’m sorry.
Not at all!