FAVOURITE ACTIVE MOMENTS FROM MY TRIP- TIMES I GOT SWEATY AND PUSHED MYSELF
I was recently asked during an interview to explain how travelling has changed me, in particular what I had learned about myself as a result of my time spent on the road. My answer was immediate and surprising. Instinctively, I replied that the best lesson travel has gifted me is the realisation that I am not defined by anything other than myself.
I explained how distance from my comfort zone had given me a platform to consider aspects of myself that I had previously ignored, or lacked the confidence to explore. An example I gave was becoming more active and embracing a lifestyle which involved putting myself amongst the great outdoors. My whole life I have been told how I am not the “active type” or an “outdoorsy” person. As it transpired, the times I felt most alive on my trip, and the memories I cherish most fondly, are those when I pushed my physical limits and immersed myself in nature.
With this in mind I have decided to share some of the more active highlights from my travels. The times when I worked up a sweat and my confidence grew just a little!
Remember- nobody should be allowed to define you or your goals but yourself!
TOP 15 ACTIVE MOMENTS FROM MY TRAVELS
- Hiking the Banaue/ Batad Terraces, Luzon, Philippines
There’s no denying it, hiking the 2000 year old rice terraces in the Ifugao mountains nearly killed me! I lost count of the amount of times I thought I was going to faint/ trip/ fall/die whilst navigating the narrow, uneven pathways- where one foot wrong would mean tumbling over the edge. The steep uphill trek from Tappia Falls had me climbing on my hands and knees, able to only manage a couple of steps at a time. There was a very real moment when I thought I seriously might not be able to complete the painful ascent back to the town. I was a hot, fiery mess; my muscles burned and my lungs screamed for more oxygen. I felt weak and dizzy reduced to a mere snails pace by the end, as I hobbled along with my cherished 20 peso Gandalf stick.
Would I change a thing ? Absolutely not. The sense of achievement I felt when I reached the final leg of that 5 hour hike was unbelievable. The searing pain only added to my appreciation- I will never forget that feeling or those views. One of the most incredible moments of my life.
2. Becoming PADI certified in Coron, Busunga Island, Philippines
Getting my Open Water PADI qualification was another tough challenge. The course spanned 3 days; involved early starts and multiple dive trips, carrying heavy equipment and intense revision sessions- but that feeling of breathing underwater for the first time is a moment I will cherish always. Being PADI certified has opened so many doors to me; I have dived in Barracuda Lake (one of only two unusual thermocline lakes in the world), witnessed the extraordinary sardine run in Moalboal (the water suddenly plunging into darkness as a wall of thousands of sardines blocked out the sunlight below) and swam with gigantic groupers and turtles in Mabul and Sibuan in Borneo. On my travels, I completed 15 dives in total. It’s given me an unquenchable thirst for underwater adventure and is a million percent a sport I intend to continue.
3. Exploring the Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines
Of all the places I visited on my travels El Nido stands out as being one of the most sensational. I remember being totally floored by the beauty of the Bacuit Archipelago- it’s spectacular limestone formations, crystal clear lagoons, jagged caves, and secret pools/beaches. Karina and I spent our time here kayaking and snorkelling on organised Bangka trips. There was little chance for relaxation but I remember being in such a happy, elated, paradise state!
4. Kayaking in Koh Rong, Cambodia
Unlike El Nido, Koh Rong was ALL about the relaxation. The beaches were out of this world; white powdery sands, palm tree fringes and turquoise waters- the perfect picture-postcard. One day however, we decided to get active and kayak to a deserted beach the other side of the island. Ordinarily this would have been fine, only that day we didn’t have decent oars, enough food/water or the strength to paddle against a powerful tide. Lauren and I fought tirelessly to reach the beach, despite being repeatedly dragged into the rocks and becoming increasingly sunburnt and dehydrated. Our sanity was compromised as we were reduced to chanting like Vikings to co-ordinate our oars, using every motivational cliché to keep us focused and on board (I threatened to jump out and pull the kayak several times). I can’t recall a situation where I have ever pushed myself so hard and got so little output in return! When we eventually did arrive, we flung ourselves into the sea and vowed that we would have to get a water taxi home. Luckily we found a passing boat that was willing to give us a ride (narrowly missing a storm!). It was one of those so-horrible-you-have-to-laugh moments that still puts a smile on my face. I was just relieved that nobody got hurt and we managed to get back okay (I’m pretty certain that without that taxi Lauren and I would still be paddling today!)
5. Cycling around Nimn Binh, Tam Coc, Vietnam
11. Dorrigo National Park, Crystal Shower Falls, NSW, Australia
On the advice of our Airbnb hosts, Lauren and I embarked on an epic road trip exploring the Dorrigo region of NSW visiting the World Heritage Rainforest. Our walk to Crystal Shower Falls took the breath out of me! I remember the thick stickiness of the forest and the distinct lack of air (almost as bad as Asia!), however what I reminisce about most is the feeling of being dwarfed by the trees, the calls of the tropical birds and walking behind the waterfall itself. It was part of an extraordinary day with astounding views that moved Lauren and me both.
12. Sandboarding, Te Paki North Island, NZ
I’m not going to lie, sandboarding down the dunes of Te Paki was a MASSIVE FAIL. I managed to flip my board in spectacular style, filling my mouth with handfuls of sand and a mask of grit to my face. Luckily I didn’t injure myself, though Lauren nearly cracked a rib laughing. It was certainly one way to introduce myself to a new group and a tale that has had many entertained!
13. Hikes around Stewart Island, NZ
On Stewart Island (NZ’s often forgotten third island) we glimpsed NZ’s untouched natural beauty. The few days we were there we relaxed into the communities close-knit, simpler, slower lifestyle. We spent our time going on walks around the peninsula and nearby Ulva Island, exploring the forests and rugged coast line. Rewarding ourselves with a trip to the Kia Kart for seafood chowder and a cheeky glass of L&P at the South Sea Hotel. Bliss.
14. Hiking to the summit of Mount John, Lake Tekapo, NZ
Lake Tekapo was one of the most breath-taking places we came across in NZ (which is high praise given the country’s plentiful natural splendour). To get the best sights we embarked on a 3 hour loop up to the summit of nearby Mount John to enjoy the 360 degrees views of Lake Tekapo, the Southern Alps, the Mackenzie Basin flats. It turned out to be a real mission- at one point Lauren and I had to cease talking to find the breath needed to power up the hill. Once we reached the summit the gales nearly swept us from our feet which really made us LOL. We took refuge in the Observatory cafe, ordered a ginger ale and sat back awestruck by the views.
15. Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, South Island, NZ
The 12km trek Lauren I took around the peninsula of Kaikoura was one of the most scenic pootles I have ever taken. The hike took us from Kaikoura town to South Bay with breathtaking views of the Seaward Kaikoura range. Our stroll journeyed by historic Whaling sites and clifftop farms, trailed by seabirds and fur seals. We paid visit to the world famous Seafood BBQ shack by the Point Kean Seal Colony run by seventh generation Kaikoura locals. Our feast contained some of NZ’s freshest and tastiest seafood; whitebait fritters, crayfish, scallops and mussels.
The trek got pretty serious towards the end as we ran out of water and found ourselves melting under the sunny rays. The last hour and a half seemed never-ending. We reached our hostel by the late afternoon, totally spent but feeling truly blessed and alive.