Destinations, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Stories

Hitch-hiking Diaries: From Kraków to Tallinn

Recently I completed my first extended hitch-hike – around 1,300km and four countries – from the south of Poland to the northern tip of Estonia. When I tell people about this, they often seem confused about the whole idea. Who picks you up? Is it easy? Hard? What if no one stops? But hitching is …

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Destinations, Morocco

A Glimpse At Morocco

I’d never visited the north of Africa. Turkey’s maybe the closest I’ve come to a country like Morocco, and I didn’t have much fun there. But of course, things are different on the mother continent. After a quick two week whiz around Morocco, I don’t really have too much to tell you – it was …

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Destinations, Morocco, Stories

Under Stars In The Sahara

This camel has big mouth. Seriously, you could fit a basketball inside. I jam my camera in his face and snap a photo. I’m sure he doesn’t mind. Or maybe he does, but after a million stupid gringos doing the same thing, he’s probably over it. Our Berber guides tell us, one by one, to …

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Destinations, Spain

116 Things I Learned On The Camino De Santiago

So I hated the Camino. There, I said it. I joined my family recently for a section of this pilgrim’s walk in Spain, from the city of León to Santiago de Compostela. 311km, 13 days. As I’m not a Catholic, the history of the walk was of only passing interest to me, so it was …

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Destinations, Ecuador, Stories

It Started At A Salsa Club In Quito

  I sat at the bar nursing a beer, making small talk with the girl next to me. In front of us, the dance floor. It was lit up, like a stage at a theatre show. Couples glided effortlessly; the women twirling elegantly with their chins high and proud, the men guiding them with authority …

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Destinations, New Zealand, Stories

A Bowl Of Potato Soup In Rotorua

“What are you cooking?” “It’s like a potato soup thing.” “Is that like, a German thing?” “Yeah.” She had a pretty smile. Really straight teeth, too. I always liked girls with straight teeth. I turned back to my chicken, steaming slowly in my pan. Hostel kitchens are always interesting. Everyone’s trying to cook something healthy, …

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Destinations, New Zealand, Stories

I Found New Zealand In Ahipara

I still remember my first surf class. I wriggled into a wetsuit, lathered my face up with super thick sunscreen and walked down to the beach feeling like Aquaman in my spongy suit with a rocket ship tied to my leg. They say Kiwis love to surf, but at 28 I’d never touched a surfboard …

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Destinations, Tanzania

Have You Been To Tanzania?

I have a question. Have you been to Tanzania? Oh, it’s an incredible place. By the sea, the east African coast. Let me tell you about it, my friend. It’s a place by the equator, where the sun will hit you like an open flame. You will effortlessly tan to a golden bronze, or a …

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