Training update – late January

I'm really getting into this now. Late January is off to a flying start! On the 16th I headed to Brecon Beacons solo to hike the horseshoe with an expedition backpack. I didn't leave super early, so it was a fairly "relaxed" day. Hit the trail at noon and once again headed up the gazillion...

Two months and counting – kit check time

Firstly, a huge shout out to Lauren and the team at Alpkit Bristol - I am so grateful for their help today - what a great place and great team! I thought was going to have to drive to the Lake District to visit an Alpkit store so I was chuffed to find they recently...

Anilao – a Scuba Diver’s Macro paradise

There's never a dull moment on my trip in the Philippines, especially when it comes to transportation. I was repeatedly told that to get from Tagaytay to Anilao I needed to get a bus to Nasugbu (Batangas) and then I could get a Jeepney to Anilao and from there a tricycle. Turns out that Nasugbu...

A couple of days in Kazbegi

This "townlet" is a great place to chill for a few days. The mountain air is lovely and refreshing although it is seriously cold compared to everywhere else I've been in this region at this time of year! George, who I met in the car on my way here was a great guy to know...

Tbilisi – vibrant modern meets classic

Tbilisi won my affections immediately. We arrived at the central railway station before 7am and my first view from the train window was this underpass. Then we three walked 20 minutes to Fabrika Hostel which I managed to book as we stepped down on to the platform. The beds cost us £8.24 each, which isn't...

Kyiv Walking tours and Lavra Monastery

Adam and I did a couple of walking tours in Kyiv, which were good and gave different insights and covered different regions of the city. Kiev or Kyiv? So the BBC and other institutions continue to spell the name of the Ukrainian capital as Kiev. But I choose to type Kyiv because that's how the...

Belarus Road Trip – Castles and Statues

The driving in Belarus has a level of passive-aggressiveness that I have only ever witnessed before in Russia. The traffic is kept flowing by the mega 6-lane highways around Minsk, and drivers on these roads can expect to be tailgated at crazy distances and undertaken and overtaken at the same time no matter what speed...

Strolling through Minsk

Now this isn't the first time I have been to an ex-Soviet place, but it's the first time I've blogged about somewhere that is still as Soviet influenced. So it is interesting for me to wonder. People here don't seem to rush or dawdle, I'm usually walking much faster or slower. I wonder if I'll...

Estonia Roadtrip II – lakes and forests

This week has been one of the best of my trip. Estonian countryside is gorgeous, particularly the lakes area.Day OnePicking up the car was easy; I decided to get a taxi using the Estonian start-up rival to Uber, Taxify and it was spot on.I saw some mad driving as I was leaving Tallinn, just insane...

Estonia – love at first sight

I've loved so many places that I've travelled to so far but Estonia stunned me. Right place at the right time I think, as it has been a blast since I arrived.Sunday 8 JulyMy flight landed later than scheduled but it was easy enough to catch the bus to Freedom Square at the edge of...

Roadtrippin’ around Ireland – cool coastline, mad roads and a heatwave

I was in love with Ireland from the first day and I am sure that I will return. Ireland had the best weather on record while I was there, hitting over 30 degrees and not a cloud in the sky for days on end. I was so lucky. It will not always be this way...

Cartagena – the icing on the cake of Colombia

This is it - my last post in South America (for now)! Next, join me in Europe. For me, Cartagena was a jewel in the crown of South America. I found the place enchanting. I stayed for 4 days and didn't leave the city for any excursions, I found that it was a great place...

Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas

I had heard mixed reviews about the trip to the northernmost tip of south America, generally either five stars like at this blog or one star*, with few in between. So it was with a slight sense of defiance that our group of seven intrepid explorers set out on this journey to the end of the...

Costeño Beach, El Rio and Palomino – Colombian north coast chillout spots

I left Santa Marta with Tom and Lilly and we headed for a night at Costeño Beach Surf Camp. We caught a local bus along the main road past Tayrona and then hopped off at the entrance to Costeño.The walk is about 40 minutes down the sandy track but luckily we were able to hitch a...

Tayrona National Park – a paradise all to ourselves

I had heard such good things about Tayrona National Park that it was great to be able to explore it with a good group, so soon after I arrived at the Caribbean Coast. A short bus ride from Santa Marta lies Tayrona National Park, a tropical paradise where the jungle runs right down to meet...

Santa Marta Dreamer Hostel – home from home

At Santa Marta I stayed at The Dreamer Hostel. A place I have been hearing about for months and an absolute must if you are staying in the North of Colombia. It's not cheap, with rooms costing upwards of $30.000COP (10-bed basic with fan). $33.000COP per night will get you air-conditioning - the first I...

Guatapé – a grand day out

You ever decide to do something and before you even get there you realise it's gonna be awesome?! Today I visited La Piedra, a giant rock that you can climb up near a tiny town called Guatapé, a 2-hour bus journey from Medellín. You take the bus from the North Terminal, just outside the Caribe...

Medellín – first impressions

I can certainly understand why so many people end up staying here indefinitely, it's an intriguing place. I wonder if I will end up joining them. I've decided to write this after my first day in the city to see how it compares to my thoughts after more exploring. El Poblado One of the main...

3 Days in Bogotá – it’s a must

The bus arrived into Bogotá central station at 1:30am, much earlier than we expected. The other girls managed to get a reservation at a hostel in La Candelaria district which is the ideal place to stay and I managed to get a bed at an awesome hostel called Masaya. Dorm beds are $32,000COP per night...