Life is a journey

Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, Japan   More than cherry blossoms or bullet trains or kawaii stationery, more than Mount Fuji or Lake Biwa or the beaches of Wakayama, more than sake or umeshu or Sapporo beer, more than sushi or okonomiyaki or tempura, more than anything- what I love most about Japan is its people.

Speaking another language is a great skill to have but it does take time, patience and money. Here are 10 simple resources I found really helpful for learning Spanish for FREE! They are really easy to find or organise and each will help you to understand and speak Spanish quickly if you cant afford to take lessons. If you are moving to Spain or planning to spend some time traveling here, I really recommend that you learn some Spanish. Not everyone speaks English and it’s really helpful to know at least some Spanish language basics. I took a beginners class at language school when I moved to Madrid but also used all of these resources and they really made a difference. If you want to learn Spanish (but have little or no cash) check out the list below for my top 10 ways you can learn Spanish for free and really immerse yourself into Spanish life. *RELATED article:  Useful Spanish phrases for traveling in Spain This page contains affiliate program links. If you make a purchase u...

Interested to see what we went through daily for our Mount Kilimanjaro climb? We completed the Lemosho route in 7 days/6 nights (original plan was 8 days/7 nights). Check out our trip report for Days 1 & 2 below to experience the hike for yourself.  Refer to Trip Report Days 3-5 and Trip Report Days 6-7. Related post on Why Mount Kilimanjaro is Awesome and Challenging . Day 1 – December 29, 2016 It’s the first day of our Mount Kilimanjaro hike and we’re excited for the journey! We met our guides from Top Climbers Expedition , Jacob and Ally, at Key’s Hotel and had a quick luggage and gear check. Jacob emphasized that we needed 4 layers for pants, 5 layers for upper body, a windproof hat, and scarf or something to cover the face for Summit Day . Check! Everything was ready in our Patagonia Black Hole 60L duffel bag and daypack. We went to Top Climbers Expedition’s office at 9:30am to meet the team, drop off extra luggage (so we didn’t need to leave it at the hotel), and lef...

I’ve been wandering for a while now. Moving from place to place, traveling, exploring and seeing as much as I can of the world. In my 20’s that meant backpacking on a tight budget, with just a well-thumbed Lonely Planet guide clutched in my hand and a huge smile on my face. I was lucky enough to backpack in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Costa Rico, Belize, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, USA, Fiji, New Zealand, Cook Islands & Australia I just couldn’t settle During my travels, I realised that I just couldn’t settle. I worked for a few months in between each trip. Just to get enough cash to plan the next adventure. I lived and worked in Cyprus, Greece, Holland, France, Australia & Scotland. I didn’t spend more than 2-3 months a year at home. My friends thought I was crazy. My family thought it was just a phase. However, everyone supported me and understood that it was something that I needed to do. When I hit 30 I got sucked i...

The Central Asian country of Kazakhstan shot to fame for all the wrong reasons when Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat hit cinema screens all over the world, but as anyone who has visited will tell you, as amusing as the character may have been, to say he didn’t do the country justice would be something of an understatement. Here are ten of many, many awesome things to do and see, from skating mountainous ice rinks to snapping extraordinary architecture. 1. Medeo High-Mountain Skating Rink There’s always something magical about ice skating outdoors, but ice skating in the mountains takes it to a whole new level. Located 1,700 metres above sea level, the Medeo High-Mountain Skating Rink is the highest in the world. The ice rink, which is found near Kazakhstan’s former capital, Almaty, used to be a training centre for Soviet Union Olympic skaters, and still holds some exciting winter sport events. 2. Kolsai Lakes Whilst you’re in the Almaty area it would be worth taking in the sce...

Planning an escape to the whimsical land of New Zealand? Perhaps you’ve been a longtime fan of Lord of the Rings or perhaps you’re just seeking adventure. New Zealand has just that and then some! We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best places in New Zealand you must visit. They’re our top picks for what not to miss! 1. Roy’s Peak, Wanaka Roy’s Peak is one of the most iconic photographic locations in all of New Zealand. Just one look at this photo and it isn’t hard to see why tourists flock there! It is a 5-8 hour hike to the top, but if you’re well-equipped and reasonably fit, it should take you about six hours. Add another hour to stay at the summit, take photos and snack on some lunch and you probably have a seven-hour hike, round-trip. Read more: Where to hike in New Zealand’s South Island during Winter 2. Dunedin Dunedin is not a destination you will read on many “must see” places in New Zea...