That's On My Bucket List Trivia Quiz

Answer: Peru

Shown in the photo is Machu Picchu that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Most cities built by the Inca civilization were destroyed by the Spanish conquest. Machu Picchu was built in a location that made it almost impossible to see from low elevations. Thus, it was one of the most well-preserved Inca cities still in existence into the 19th century.

Modern scientists have observed that the sacred Intihuatana stone - carved into the bedrock of the mountain - accurately indicates the two equinoxes because twice a year the sun sits directly over the stone creating no shadow.

Historical research published in 2022 claims that the site was probably called Huayna Picchu by the Inca, as it exists on the smaller peak of the same name.

Answer: Shetland

The area of Shetland is often referred to as the Shetland Islands and is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. These islands are the northernmost point of Scotland (and, thus, the northernmost point of Great Britain) and have a climate that has been described simply as cold and wet, most of the year. Even the summer months - June to August - are cool and humid, often windy and rainy. With beaches, wildlife and a preserved heritage unlike any other place in the world it is worth packing a coat, gloves and a bonnet and taking the journey.

Answer: Pearl Harbor

One of the reasons the US was so interested in claiming Hawaii for is own was its location. Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles from the mainland of the U.S.A. and has some of the best harbors in the world. Pearl Harbor (among many others) offered the U.S.A. an unprecedented increase in their whaling, shipping and trading activity in the entire Pacific Ocean. Also, Hawaii gave the U.S.A. a much desired strategic location for a military presence in Pacific.

The area that would become known as Pearl Harbor naval base was acquired by the U.S.A. with a treaty of reciprocity between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom that was signed and ratified in 1875.

The U.S.A. annexed Hawaii in 1898; Hawaii would become a U.S. state in 1959.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial contains a number of important historical sites including the Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, the USS Missouri Battleship and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

Answer: Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, Russia has often been complimented for its mix of beauty, history, culture and contemporary lifestyle. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is shown in the photo. It is the oldest church in its city and its splendid design is that of Swiss-Italian architect, Domenico Trezzini; it was built between 1712 and 1733.

The Hermitage Museum, in Saint Petersburg, is the world's oldest museum. At various times, it has housed and displayed over three million items. To put that magnificent number into perspective, it would take about eleven years to see all of those displays if only one minute was spent with each.

Answer: Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is one of unique importance to multiple religious faiths. Yet Jerusalem is so much more than an ancient city in a modern world. To reflect the aspects of the 21st century, Jerusalem is home to high-tech businesses and start-ups, venture capitalism investment services and several global brands.

There are local wineries producing some of the area's most interesting wines in and around Jerusalem. A must-see spot in Jerusalem is The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo which at times has housed over two thousand animals and has been recognized for its breeding programs to enhance the survival of many endangered species.

Answer: Denali

On the western end of the Denali National Park & Preserve is - as shown in the photo - the aptly named body of water called Reflection Pond. Although it is a very popular tourist photo-op, getting the "shot" is more challenging than just going to the right place. Those who have managed to get a perfect reflection of Denali in the pond say the wind must be calm and the waters must be still.

The window of opportunity to travel to the area is rather short, too. Tour buses only attempt the roadways in the summer, usually early June to early September.

Answer: Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is located close to the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. It is also close to the regions of the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. Its bio-diversity is an animal lover's dream come true with its huge herds of elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.

The national park was established in 1967 with the specified intention of not only promoting tourism to Botswana but preserving it as a non-hunting area to protect the wonderful array of local wildlife.

Answer: Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. It is on Japan's main island, Honshu. In addition to the accolades mentioned in the question, during the early 21st century Tokyo was said to be the city with the most neon signs and the city with the most vending machines. All tongue-in-cheek aside, vending machines were abundant! And the wares available via vending machine were just as vast - everything from candy to clothes, ice cream to cosmetics, hamburgers to soup stock - and, of course, soft drinks and cigarettes.

In the forefront of the photo is the Tokyo Tower. It is a communications and observation tower and, yes, its design was based on that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Tokyo Tower has been one of Japan's most often visited tourist attractions since it opened in 1958; as of 2020 more than 150 million people had visited the tower.

Answer: Maine

This peninsula in Maine is the place to be to see the first sun rays of the day for the U.S.A. The West Quoddy Head Light station was established in 1808 - according to its own historical data - under the orders of President Thomas Jefferson. The lighthouse sits on the grounds of the Quoddy Head State Park, which also offers a visitor center museum and many trails to go on hiking and/or nature walks.

Its adjacent beach is very rocky but the views are spectacular and the expectation to see whales is reasonable.

Answer: Acapulco

Well, it would be a good endorsement to say, "If it is good enough for Elvis, it is good enough for me" but Elvis never actually went there - in spite of "Fun In Acapulco" being the top-grossing movie musical of 1963. The exterior shots that were filmed in Acapulco used a stunt double for Elvis ... the rest of the story is for another quiz.

In the mid-20th century Acapulco was among the most desirable destinations for the rich and famous but as that century became the 21st century, drug trade and gang violence became the city's identity and it fell from favor, universally. Sad, too, because Acapulco is truly gorgeous and offers unique fauna and flora. Well into the 21st century there were still the daily exhibitions of the fearless cliff divers at La Quebrada. Hopefully, the city can re-build its reputation - and be worthy of returning to many "bucket lists".