End of the World: A bucket list for the pre-apocalypse
A little girl watches a mushroom-shaped cloud forming in the sky as the nearby Guagua Pichincha volcano near Quito, Ecuador, spouts boiling water and ash. Perhaps she’s wondering if the end of the world is near?
The end of the world is fast approaching. In fact, according to the Mayans, it'll be here December 21, 2012.
But we're not going to take the apocalypse lying down. In the spirit of celebrating the world before it explodes (or implodes…or disappears…or floods…) we're making the ultimate bucket list.
We can't do it alone, however. If you've got suggestions for what we should add, shoot us a tweet or note on Facebook. The best ideas will make it onto GlobalPost's End of the World Bucket List.
More from GlobalPost: 1 in 10 of your friends may be counting down to the end of the world
In the meantime, here are a few "must do's" to get started on.
1. Visit the Great Wall of China. The world's largest manmade structure (it stretches 21,196 km or 13,171 miles, according to a new state report) is something to see. Luckily, China is opening two new sections of the wall to meet high tourist demand, the BBC reported, so you can soak in the Great Wall with the rest of the apocalypse bucket-listers. For the do's and don'ts of visiting this historical monument, which has been around since 500 BC, check out CNN's guide.
2. Swim with Sharks. Nothing gets the blood pumping quite like a brush with a majestically dangerous animal. Hang out with some sharks (many of which are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' endangered species list) at any of these incredible suggested spots, including the Great Barrier Reef or the Palau Shark Sanctuary.
3. Skydive in the Maldives. Scientists have speculated that these stunning low-lying islands may disappear in less than 200 years due to rising water levels from global warming, and the 1200-island archipelago is probably best-glimpsed from above. If you need convincing, check out the Telegraph's Johnny Morris' account of the adventure.
4. Eat the world's best sushi. Jiro Ono, 85, is widely considered to be the world’s greatest sushi chef, according to a new documentary about Ono called "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Grab a seat at his Michelin-starred 10-seat restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, tucked into a Tokyo subway station, and taste a little bit of heaven.
5. Walk like an alien. We're set on visiting this compilation of alien-like spots on Earth, compiled by Thumbpress.com and suggested by Eric Smith Dubois from Montreal, QC. Jellyfish lakes, rainbow rivers, and crater-like mud volcanos? Count us in.
6. Hike the Panjshir Valley. Cut inside the Hindu Kush mountain range, Panjshir (which means five lions, named after five brothers who build a dam there in the 10th century) is one of Afghanistan's most celebrated places and arguably its most beautiful valley, according to Lonely Planet. GlobalPost intern Jeremy Ravinsky thinks it's worth the trek.
What else are we missing? Let us know in the comments or via Twitter or Facebook.