Every year, the sun comes out (eventually) and along with it, a desire to lie with my nose in a good book for hours on end. Each summer I usually get through a good 5-10 books, and have decided to start documenting them. I'm the kind of person who likes to have several books on … Continue reading Six books I’m reading this summer
“People do go back, but they don't survive, because two realities are claiming them at the same time. Such things are too much. You can salt your heart, or kill your heart, or you can choose between the two realities. There is much pain here. Some people think you can have your cake and eat … Continue reading
Farewell to my final destination: New York City, as viewed from a fabulous balcony in Long Island City One of the questions long-term travellers dread upon their return is: "so how was it?" You've spent three months or more out of the loop, straying from most everything which formed the makeup of your life before, … Continue reading Returning from a long period away – an ode to London
Today was a most wonderful exploration. Today, I had one of those rare experiences when the travel of my imagination aligns with the travel of reality. We set off around noon after a phone call from Jon's friend inviting us to try out a new zipline nearby. We met said friends, a lovely Brazilian couple … Continue reading Zipline over jungle
“We loved each other so much we felt it necessary, in preparation, to say good-bye our whole lives.” -- The Art Lover by Carole Maso Tonight was a beautiful night. Saturday 25th April, 2015. We sat outside as Jon made strong cocktails from rum and limes: caipirinha. The crickets and cicadas chorused around us, while a ghostly … Continue reading Rum & lime
We decided to tackle the infamous Machu Picchu as part of a longer trail - the four-day Salkantay trek, which is a popular, challenging and beautiful alternative to the Inca Trail. We booked a trek after doing some research around the numerous agencies in Cusco's main square. We paid $210 each, to include rented sleeping … Continue reading Machu Picchu: a paradise in the clouds
The Colca Canyon in southern Peru - the second deepest in the world - is three hours from Arequipa by bus, meaning we had to wake up at 2:30am in order to arrive at sunrise with our tour group. A bumpy journey and some local breakfast later, we were greeted with breathtaking views from 5,000 … Continue reading Trekking the Colca Canyon
Today we undertook the most difficult, but rewarding hike of my life so far: a seven-hour gruelling trip to Laguna 69, an incredible azure lake nestled high in the Huascaran National Park deep in the Andes. We took a three-hour bus ride over bumpy dirt roads from our hostel in Huaraz at 5am, arriving shivering … Continue reading Feeling high at Laguna 69
After a seven-hour overnight bus we have arrived into bustling Huaraz, getting closer by the day to southern Peru where the most eagerly-anticipated adventures (Nazca lines, Colca Canyon and, of course, Machu Picchu) await.But there is much to entertain the eye here, and so after a nice breakfast of omelettes on the roof terrace of … Continue reading Walking among clouds
I have never seen beauty like the National Parks of southern Ecuador. The Cajas National Park near the colonial city of Cuenca is truly astonishing - a rolling Middle Earth of steep valleys and broad mirror lakes, an untamed wilderness with temperatures to rival an English winter and a landscape which shifts as much as … Continue reading The wonder of Ecuadorian national parks
no cash on the highway 