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Coming Home from Travelling – The Best and Worst Feelings

Posted on July 10, 2020

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Coming home from travelling but what is all the fuss about?

You have just lived the last 2-6 months on the road, a constant adventure, a different thing to see every day, and new travellers to share stories with. You don’t know when you last washed your hair or even the day of the week. You have had the good and bad sides of travelling. But it didn’t matter they both carried lessons, they helped shape you into somebody else, somebody better. You aren’t that girl (or boy) who got on that plane, however long ago. But yet you have never been happier.

This is me. This is the new me. In my eyes, I have changed.

Leaving Home – Is It Really That Hard?

A golden hour sunset at a sandy beach at home — Sunset on The Beach

Everyone speaks about leaving but never coming home from travelling. Leaving for me is easy, people assume it’s difficult. Yet, I haven’t found that to be the case… I’ve left 4 times now. Every time its been easy. In the pit of the stomach, the butterflies gather as you start to venture into a world of unknowns. This excites me.

The greatest adventure of your life is awaiting you; this may sound cliché but it’s the truth. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who regrets their trip. Me, I am filled with excitement for new adventures, countries, and cultures. I’m about to invest my time (and money) in the biggest and greatest learning experience that no classroom can provide you or prepare you for.

Whilst You Are Away – Are You Really Missing Out?

The answer is No. You are not missing out. Everyone is a phone call away. Everywhere has internet. Staying ‘connected’ to your loved ones has never been easier. The feeling of missing soon fades and you find yourself deep in writing your own story following your own path. The truth is home will be the same; however, what has changed is you. I for sure have, I am not the same person who hopped on a flight back in 2015.

Changing isn’t negative and shouldn’t be seen as that. You should embrace it. Welcome it. It means you are learning and developing for the better. I have much more empathy, understanding, and kindness to give. All this change doesn’t mean you were a bad person before. Life is a lesson. Lessons are learnt along the way.

The happiest children I have seen were playing cricket with a stick as a bat and stones for their ball. This made me realise that I didn’t need all the materialistic things or the latest trend. You can be happy with so little.

Returning to Your Home – Are You Ready or Planning Your Next Trip?

Coming home from travelling, for me, I dread the last flight; it means one thing… I’m going home. Something I am never ready for because there are just too many places I would rather be. The chances are I have my next trip planned out and it won’t be long before that becomes my reality. I do carry eagerness for the family and friends I will see once again but that’s where it lies.

This is the hardest part of your trip… not the leaving.

I still love my family and friends but I realised I didn’t fit in anymore. I just yearned for the next big adventure.

A place I once called home just feels so alien to me. I no longer belong. I outgrew home.

What Happens Once Your Home?

The boat harbour at home in the south of England — The Harbour

What happens after coming home from travelling? The enthusiasm is there, everyone is happy to see you and vice versa. Sweet. You catch up, they fill you in on what you have missed. But after the first two weeks, no one wants to hear the stories. No one understands the way you feel. The politeness has gone. You’re back to square one but this time feeling like you are in a parallel universe. Home was small and unrelatable. I grew frustrated as I had this fire within me to try new things and visit new places. Home wasn’t where I wanted to do this. I craved the next adventure.

However, I have now returned home four times. This doesn’t get any easier. The last coming home from travelling was unexpected as the world went into a pandemic. Now as I sit here writing about the struggles of being ‘home’; I don’t know when I will next be leaving the country due to the restrictions everywhere. This is the first time I do not have a concrete leaving date. This makes me feel jittery, itchy, and depressed.

Post-Travelling Depression – Real Talk

Me sitting on the beach after coming home awaiting the next adventure — Waiting to Get on The Road Again

Post travelling depression is real. It is tough. No-one speaks about it. You feel like you go from 100-0 in seconds. Before you know you are back into a routine working five days a week at one job whilst balancing an evening one too. Pointless jobs just to take you back on the open road. The plane ticket acts as a comfort blanket. An insurance that you will be once again living life at 100, exploring those new places, meeting those like-minded people, and experiencing a different culture. This makes the routine bearable and the depression easier to cope with.

Here’s to The Next Adventure

In Short, travelling is something so pure and I would say even magical. If you are fortunate enough to experience it first-hand. I would say don’t hold back throw yourself into whatever is on offer and you will surprise yourself with what you can cope with as a person. I sure have.

Here’s to the next adventure!! Whenever that will be!!

On the road is where I belong… but this time around I will write a blog weekly, sharing my personal story with you.

Perito Moreno Glacier – How to Visit This Natural Wonder?

Posted on June 30, 2020

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you.

Perito Moreno Glacier lies within Glacier National Park which is in the South of Argentina on the border with Chile. We went for a day trip to the park for an ice walk on the world’s only growing glacier, Perito Moreno.

Parques Nacional Pick Up in El Calafate

We booked a guided tour with an agency on the main street and their shop was our meeting point for the bus the next morning; due to it being near our hostel. It was the only shop that was open the day we turned up. Again, we didn’t have anything booked in advance as our plans are never set in stone when we travel. There were plenty of busloads of tourists in the park so I don’t think you will miss out if you book last minute as we did.

Exploring the North Wall of Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier is very impressive, I’ve seen many glaciers and this one by far stands out the most. I would definitely rank this as my number one. The glacier covers a total of 100 square miles and is 3 miles wide. It raises 78 metres above Argentino Lake with a total ice depth of 170 metres. Not only is it this big but it’s advancing, moving forward around 2 metres a day.

Me on a balcony overlooking North Wall of Perito Moreno Glacier — Looking Over The North Wall

Firstly, was exploring a series of boardwalks split into different sections yet all loop together. On the tour, apparently, there wasn’t enough time to do them all but we did… maybe because we were the youngest!

However, we did walk at a fast pace but still managed to take in the pure beauty of mother nature. The walking was light and nothing too strenuous, very easy to complete. Along the way, there are different balconies to admire this impressive glacier.

A chunk of ice falling of the North wall of the glacier into Lake Argentino — Big Ice Chunks Falling

The best balcony is the one in the picture above. This gives you the greatest view and the perfect spot to eat some lunch. We are always hungry and with a view like that… who would say no!! This growing glacier can lose up to 20cm in a single day from the top and today was no different. Ice chunks were falling left, right, and centre as the sun beamed resentfully down on Perito Moreno. Not just small chunks some quite large as they fell into Argentino Lake also known as iceberg alley. The sound of this process was deafening as it sounded like gunshots ringing deep into the valley.

Boat Ride on Argentino Lake

The view of the South Wall of Perito Moreno Glacier from the boat ride across Lake Argentino — The South Wall Viewed from The Boat

After the official lunch stop, we went back to the bus. After a short drive, we arrived at the boat for a ride across the lake for our afternoon session of ice walking. As we set across the lake, we saw the South Wall of the glacier. A different perspective from Perito Moreno but no less spectacular.

Ice Walk on Perito Moreno Glacier

me having ice crampons fitted to my shoes ready to walk on the ice of the glacier — Getting the Crampons On

This was our reason for visiting, my friend never got to do an ice walk in New Zealand so here we were. After a short walk to the starting point, we met our ice walk guide. Crampons are metal spikes that go over your own shoes. So, don’t panic you don’t have to use stinky shoes used by thousands. Although, the crampons do feel strange and take a little time to get used to. Yet, it does mean that you are less likely to fall and bruise your bum.

The walk was amusing as we waddled uphill like ducks and leaned slightly back as we descended downhill. As we went around the carved-out loop, we witnessed crevasses, sinkholes, and standalone blocks. A quick whiskey over glacier ice at midpoint kept us going. Also, with freshwater on offer, my thirst was over in seconds with the purest and tastiest water (well, in my opinion, anyway).

Leaving Perito Moreno Glacier

The boat trying to dock on Lake Argentino with large icebergs in the way — The Boat Getting Stuck Whilst Docking

The boat that was taking us back struggled to dock for a while because icebergs were in the way. It was quite amusing watching the deckhands grab whatever object was on offer to try and move the icebergs out of the way. After what felt like forever the boat was able to dock and we were on our way back across the lake. On to the bus and back to El Calafate.

Summary of Perito Moreno Glacier

Overall, it was a good day trip. We went with a company to make sure the ice-walking tour was possible. Although, it was possible to explore this national park at your own pace and visit many more areas it has to offer. Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina is well worth spending many days visiting. We only touched the surface, there is still plenty more to explore. Nature here again like most areas across the globe was truly breathtaking.

Stanley Park – An Epic Day Out in Downtown Vancouver

Posted on June 25, 2020

*Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you.*

I am taking you back to my Summer Road Trip 2019 with a friend from home. The trip started out on the West Coast of Canada; Vancouver. The city combines city life and nature, with the Mountains in the North. Firstly, was a ride around Stanley Park.

Stanley Park. Bicycles. What Could Happen?

The bridge walkway to the entrance of Stanley Park surrounded by greenery — Eager To Explore Stanley Park

I’m joking, all we had to do was ride our bikes around the beautiful Stanley Park. Stanley Park is outlined by an 8 km seawall and covers over 400 hectares. This incredible rainforest on the west coast located in Downtown Vancouver is simply breathtaking. We rented our bicycles from a shop across from the park yet there are many stores that do rentals, so I would recommend visiting a couple to find the best deal. It was the beginning of our self-made tour. We were excited and eager to start so we didn’t listen to the briefing about how to use them… all bicycles are the same right?!

Two cute bikes next to a body of water in Stanley Park — Bicycles for Our Ride Around Stanley Park

There are various things to see throughout the 27 kilometres network of trails that Stanley Park has to offer. Yet we didn’t cover them all… we aren’t athletes after all. Nevertheless, this was about a leisurely ride to enjoy the sun, take in some fresh air and see what nature had to offer. Firstly, we rode to the Second and Third Beaches. These weren’t the cleanest and the sea didn’t look all that inviting which was a shame. Off we headed into the trees.

Lion’s Gate Bridge, Vancouver

The view of Lions Gate Bridge over the sea with a mountain in the background — The Lions Gate Bridge into Downtown Vancouver

Somehow, not quite sure how but we ended up at the Lion’s Gate Bridge. This bridge connects Northern Vancouver with the core of Downtown. We cycled along the path for a bit until a view back across Stanley Park was visible. Besides, the ride was into a strong headwind and uphill slightly making this the least favourite moment of the day. Also, this was less enjoyable as the heavy traffic noise replaced the birds singing. Although, the suspension bridge is impressive in itself. However, in my opinion, the best view of it is from the other side of Stanley Park.

Beaver Lake, Stanley Park

Me standing in front of one of the oldest giant cedar trees in Stanley Park — One of the Giant Cedar Trees

We pedalled along the vast network of trails over the three hours that we hired the bikes. As we explored, we came across a variety of gigantic trees including Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock and Douglas Fir to name a few. Whilst enjoying what nature had to offer, we made our way to Beaver Lake. Beaver Lake is a small lake situated in the middle of Stanley Park. For the most part, one can only assume it got its name from the animal. However, I’m not sure as there wasn’t any about that morning. Also, there is no swimming or boats allowed but you can enjoy a nice stroll around it.

The Totem Poles in Stanley Park

On our way to the Totem Poles at Brockton Point, we paid a visit to the famous Hollow Tree. It was exactly that, a large hollow tree, pretty impressive. There are 9 totem poles in Stanley Park from different British Colombia First Nations. They are easier enough to find when following the seawall for around 10-15 minutes. Also, the herds of people will show you have found what you are looking for.

The Stanley Park Seawall View

Finally, we made it out of the trees onto the water’s edge (who knew Stanley Park seawall was a one-way system for bikes). Yes, we were going the wrong way. Funny enough we seemed to be the only people who made this mistake. Subsequently, my advice would be to go the right way, Canadians are very particular about this. Undoubtedly, the view back across the city will never get old. This wasn’t the first time I was seeing it but it was still as amazing as the first. The skyscraper skyline along with the sun shining and the water glistening is perfection. Towards the end, I found the brakes, a backwards pedal… who knew! Strange and awkward to get used to, fortunately only one tree got in my way! Success.

Me riding the bike down a paved seawall at Stanley Park — A Successful Day on the Bicycles

‘Meet’ – A Gastown Vancouver Restaurant

Well, after a long ride and an even longer walk to get to one of my favourites restaurants in Vancouver. I certainly had an appetite. This restaurant was introduced to me by some fellow travellers. The boys went on about how good the burgers were… yet they didn’t know it was actually meatless!! It was indeed a vegan restaurant with two locations in Downtown Vancouver; Gas Town and Main Street. Another, meal that didn’t disappoint and to top it off I can enjoy a dessert. The lemon tart was my choice this time. Without a doubt, I highly recommend this place if you are looking for food.