A few weeks ago I nearly died. I was snorkeling off the coast of Gili Air, Indonesia when I saw a school of small sword fish swimming towards me. I suddenly thought about the last words Seamus said to me before he swam back to shore: 'watch out for boats' and so I lifted my … Continue reading A New Start at the End
During my time in New Zealand I visited the National Geographic 50 Greatest Photographs Exhibition. An image captured by photographer Bill Allard really moved me. It reminded me a little of the hardship I had seen in South America and helped me to understand my own feelings about photography. Bill Allard - Peru "His name … Continue reading Paradise Lost
After 5 months of travelling and moving from one place to another, I started feeling a bit lost. I had no home - no friends - no family - nothing familiar surrounding me. On the one hand I was reaching out for new experiences and big adventures - on the other hand something was pulling me back, making … Continue reading Feeling Connected
The village of Quilotoa is famous for its water-filled volcanic crater, and is a common starting point for the Quilotoa Loop - a multi-day village-to-village hiking route, most commonly used by the indigenous Quichua people. Hiking around the crater's edge and to the nearby villages of Chugchilan and Insinlivi, crossing green paddocks and golden corn fields, up and down … Continue reading The Quilotoa Loop – Ecuador
As soon as you arrive on the Galapagos Islands you are surrounded by wildlife; walk to a local beach and dozens of sea lions will join you for a swim, take a seat on a bench by the road and a sea lion will more than likely be having a nap next to you. Lizards and … Continue reading The Galapagos Islands – How to Travel Independently
Planning The Amazon I'm a very independent traveller and tend to avoid organised group trips or package tours when I can, as they are usually very expensive and restricted in terms of what you can do. I prefer to go it alone. Finding information on how you can travel the Amazon on a budget was really really … Continue reading The Amazon Colombia
My Outdoor Adventures in Colombia Here are the highlights of everything I did in Colombia. I've also included a final thought on Colombia at the end. For more information on (nearly) everything Colombia check out my ‘Highlights’ and travel tips with links for places to stay, things to see and do and places to eat, drink and … Continue reading Colombia – The Great Outdoors
Colombia's capital, Bogota is a little bit of a let down unfortunately. Homelessness and drug addiction is rife and safety - especially at night, is an issue. We stayed in La Candelaria (the old town), and this is where we spent most of our time as it was quite pretty. However, walking the streets after … Continue reading World-Class Art in Bogota Colombia
So here's what we heard about Mexico City: "It's so dirty and polluted - it's unbearable, it's dangerous - do not go out at night and never ever go out by yourself!" The reality: Mexico City is wonderful! In fact, on my very first day as I was strolling down the city street, I felt … Continue reading Mexico City – The Perfect Ending to a Magnificent Country
One day, a caretaker named Don Julian Santana Barrera was tending to the garden of his home by the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico, when he found a little girl who had drowned. Shortly after discovering her body he found a doll floating nearby. Believing the doll to be that of the girls, he decided to take it and … Continue reading Mexico City – Isla de las Muñecas (The Island of Dolls)
