All posts filed under: Adventure

[Nepal: Diary of a First Time Trekker]: Day 3, First Day Of Proper Trekking

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It was here – the first day of proper trekking! I think we were all keen to put our hiking boots to good use (mine for their debut) and get stuck in. As our guide, Pasang, had briefed us the night before, today we were in for a long day. We needed to begin our ascent up the mountain, and that meant a long 8 hour hike up a steep stone staircase, through neatly terraced hillsides on our way to the top of Ulleri. As we rose early, the sun was not yet out and temperatures were cold. But as I quickly began to learn, it’s all about the layers in the Himalayas (rhyming unintentional) as after a couple of hours, the sun emerged mid morning and it warmed up extremely quickly, plus the sheer exertion of walking on a constant uphill made sure we had our sweat on. It was a constant striving to retain a good balance, but I made sure I was prepared – with about 4 to 5 layers to play …

[Nepal: Diary of a First Time Trekker]: Day 2, To Birethanti

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The next morning it was an early start, but the wake up call was somewhat softened by the fact that we were heading straight for the van. It was a driving day, meaning we could sit back and relax all we wanted as the driver took us all the way from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a journey normally done by flight. I say relax – but by that I mean if you are able to sleep, shut your eyes or even rest your head, sat in a van going over the bumpiest of gravel roads adorned with potholes every other second, cliff drops leading to deep ravines on one side and sheer high cliff faces on the other no doubt prone to frequent and dangerous rock fall. In my younger years I’d never been one for napping or sleeping on any sort of transport. I’d never be able to fall asleep on planes or trains and would be baffled at people who could have 10 minute power naps. However in my recent years of travelling, I’ve …

[Nepal: Diary of a First Time Trekker]: Day 1, Kathmandu

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As far as long haul flights go, it wasn’t a bad one. I was prepared mentally and physically for the long journey in my comfy clothes and all the gear. I managed to watch a few films as well as getting in a good amount of sleep as this bit was an overnight leg. However on arrival into Kathmandu, after meeting the Exodus rep, Pasang – who, it turns out, was going my be my guide for the entire trip – and a quick transfer to our hotel, I realised I was exhausted. Although only late morning, I was lucky enough for my room to be ready and, desperate for a shower and a clean change of clothes, I headed straight up, with the intention of heading out a couple of hours later to explore the city. Well the district of Thamel which was nearby the hotel. However a ‘quick lie down’ on the bed turned into a whole afternoon of napping. Normally I’m really one for getting out and about and exploring whatever city …

[Nepal: Diary of a First Time Trekker]: Airport Musings

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[Written from Istanbul Airport] I’ve travelled a lot on my own over the years, but for this trip something feels a bit different. It’s not just the challenge of travelling solo this time, which in itself is hard – going it alone, out of your comfort zone, to a brand new environment, meeting a group of strangers, facing new and unexpected challenges. With this trip comes the extra physical challenge of climbing a mountain. Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been a super sporty person or into walking or running, at all really. If you had told me a few years ago I’d be going on a trekking trip to Nepal I think I would’ve laughed in your face! But here I am, waiting to board my second flight, nervous but excited and questioning what made me want to do it. I booked it a year in advance, it seemed like a great idea at the time, I was keen for a new challenge, and it was most definitely on a complete whim (which …

Philosophy Of Travel

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“In space, your convictions get heightened. You find yourself laughing and crying much more. You start to think, about all those people you know in, say, Saskatoon, and how they’re not that different from the people in the city in Africa that you’ve never been to – trying their best, raising their kids – and how your particular set of loves relates to everything else” This is what happens on this Earth, too, when you travel and let yourself live a bit differently, and see others live differently. No text book, degree or diploma will give you the valuable experience of what another city or country can provide. Travel the world, live in other cities, learn cultures. Learn because it keeps your mind young and your ideas developing. Travelling offers you possibilities. When you’re stuck about what to do next in life, get on a plane and spend time in another country. You not only learn about others, you learn about yourself. Travel opens up options you never knew you could have. You’ll become clearer …

Out & About: My Top Travel Experiences In The Great Outdoors

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Sometimes there’s no better feeling than getting out and about in a country and doing something active in the fresh air and the great outdoors. Often it’s the best way to get the feel for a place, and leaves you with memories you’re not going to forget any time soon. I’ve been lucky enough to have had many incredible once-in-a-lifetime outdoor travel experiences over the years and thought I’d do a rundown of my 5 most memorable. 1. Boating and wildlife spotting down the Kinabatangan river in Borneo Kind of like your classic safari, except instead of in a 4×4, you are on a wooden boat on the river, and instead of spotting lions and elephants, you’re on the lookout for Proboscis monkeys and alligators. With a local tour guide and two safaris a day (both very early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife is most active), it’s truly incredible to see this wildlife, a few species of which are now endangered, in their natural rainforest environment. Visit full post here 2. Dolphin spotting …

[Skydiving Review]: A Perfect End To My Year of Travels

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As you may or may not know, I have just returned from an entire year of travelling, visiting 6 countries and 45 cities, flying 46,925km, driving 2071km, as well as numerous treks, swims and boat trips! There had to be some way to go out with a bang, to finish this trip of a lifetime, and to say goodbye to a country which had become my second home…So what better way than to spend my last day in Australia jumping out of a plane into the clouds?