Monthly Mood: It’s Happening When The Vegan Way pressed a farewell slice of carrot cake into my hands and bid me a safe journey to Sri Lanka, I said I’d be back in October. What do you know, I awaken once again on the shores of paradisiacal Phewa. The lake winks at me that yes, it’s autumn. Yes, I’m… Read More
Monthly Mood: Ukalo Oralo Ukalo oralo: a Nepali special. A colloquial go-to meaning steep ascent and downhill. Ukalo oralo go the trails weaving between 8,000-meter peaks. Ukalo oralo goes my emotional rollercoaster. the secret of the mountain is that the mountains simply exist, as I do myself: the mountains exist simply, which I do not. the mountains… Read More
From Weed Wacking to Fuji Peaking Nakagomi Orchard was my ultimate reason for beelining for Japan in April 2019, right there and then. I found the Workaway page several years back and fell in love. Obsessive love. Cherries, peaches, grapes, countryside, home-cooked Japanese meals, a well-built dorm with wifi and tatami rooms—could a project be more ideal? Volunteers were promised bike… Read More
Orchard Observations: The Counterintuitive Way Life Works Hidden away in a corner of Japan’s fruitiest prefecture, I was volunteering on one of the best farms that ever happened to me. I wove my bike through rice fields and greenhouses of cherry trees. On clearer days, I soaked up a splendid view of Mount Fuji. One morning, I even found myself at the… Read More
High Up Huangshan: Three Days In China’s Yellow Mountains It was a Sunday morning. My mom, dad, myself, and our enormous sack of lychees and grapes were moving at 250kph along the train tracks through Chinese countryside. I was still unaware of what I was in for. Across the aisle of our train compartment, my mother was stretched across three seats, and unresponsive. I… Read More
Solo Hitchhiking La Carretera Austral Part I: Caleta Tortel—Cochrane Before I left for my world trip, I sternly told myself that I would stop hitchhiking alone. Yet using my thumb to experience the gems and potholes of La Carretera Austral, under rain or sun, had remained one of my biggest fantasies for more than two years. The generosity of strangers carried me… Read More
Solo Hitchhiking La Carretera Austral Part II: Puerto Rio Tranquilo—Coyhaique Continued from Part I: Caleta Tortel—Cochrane. Puerto Rio Tranquilo PRT is the pit stop for making an aquatic excursion out to the Insta-worthy Capilla de Mármol, or marble caves. Capilla is the Spanish word for chapel, so Capilla de Mármol actually refers to one specific limestone formation that your guide will point out.… Read More
Solo Hitchhiking La Carretera Austral Part III: Queulat—Chaitén Continued from Solo Hitchhiking La Carretera Austral Part I and Part II. Parque Nacional Queulat This national park is famed for its view of the Ventisquero Colgante, a hanging glacier poised over a lush green valley. Campers can set up a tent by the park entrance for 2,000 CLP ($3.30). Day 47 27 March 2018… Read More
Lycian Way 2-Day Loop: Olympos To Gelidonya Lighthouse And Back With an overnight in Adrasan and a hitchhike back to Olympos from Karaöz beach, the three of us walked one of the highlight sections of the Lycian Way with just our day packs. The scenic trek was the perfect medley of warm pine forests and rocky coastline. Before we knew it we were back to all… Read More
Overlanding Laguna Parón And Caraz, Peru Places like Laguna Parón are exactly why I love Peru so much. No-guide-necessary trails of varying levels of difficulty entice every type of outdoor adventurer. Markets and supplies are easily accessible in the pleasant town of Caraz. The last thing I did on this dear continent will be hard to top. Laguna Parón… Read More