Category Archives: Hiking

The Next Adventure: El Camino De Santiago

Posted on by under Europe, Hiking, Spain

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Evidently, I’ve signed myself up for walking 800km from St. Jean Pied de Port in France, across Spain to Santiago de Compostela, starting April 21st, 2015, ten weeks from now. I’ve been vaguely aware of this famous pilgrimage for several years, it’s extremely popular in Ireland, every outdoors shop has complete packing lists and the staff are all well versed on the necessary equipment. Millions have made this trek, but I didn’t imagine I’d be one of them. When reading about reasons people make this journey, many (especially those doing the full 800km on the most popular route) are religious, in transitional phases in their lives, are having some sort of crisis, or are looking for answers. I am none of those. I’m compelled to walk mostly, out of a sense of adventure and general love for long-distance trekking, though I’ve never done anything of this length before.  Continue reading →

Hiking to Sandycove: A Questionable 25km decision.

Posted on by under Dublin, Hiking
Sandycove coastline

Sandycove coastline

I am inherently terrible at moderation, I tend to be all in or nothing at all. In life this has both served me very well (I tend to be very good at what I chose to do), and very poorly (sometimes you should probably show up to that Freshman seminar you hate, if you know, you want to pass). When it comes to athletics, sheer determination got me to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, even if I was intermittently unconscious ten minutes later and had to be run down the mountain because I didn’t acclimate properly (whoops). I am also extremely competitive, which manifests itself in the usual ways, and in slightly odd ways like disliking most board/card games because they have an element of chance, and I can’t depend on my pure ability to win. I am also terrible at “playing for fun.” So when I decided to see how I would fare at a 25km hike (about 16 miles) because I’m considering a long-distance trek this May (more on that later), instead of building up, I strapped on my hiking boots and walked along Dublin’s east coast from city center to Sandycove and back.  Continue reading →

Waterfalls, Thai Massages, and Housekeeping Ninjas

Posted on by under Belize, Central America, Hiking

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You wouldn’t know it’s the rainy season. Today, like yesterday has been absolutely perfect. Warm, but not hot, and comfortably humid. Of course, you never feel all that clean, but give it a day and you cease to notice. Whether or not this is a good thing, I’m not sure.
We woke up around eight, probably because we went to bed at, well…nine pm. After breakfast we were able to wander around the complex. Complex is best description. Though there are actually only a handful of villas/casitas the property is large enough that the walk from your room to the concierge takes a bit of time, and more than a few stairs. They have a horse stable, garden, pool, spa, two restaurants (which is good since we’re miles from anything), and a river. This must have been some summer home for Mr. Coppola before he converted it. But what I really like is how you don’t notice it, there’s no grandiose entrance or modern, shiny decor. The entrance is off the a small dirt road with a wooden sign indicating your arrival. The road to the lodge, about a quarter of a mile is lined with coconut trees, placed at perfect intervals. Everything about the lodge blends into the environment, from the bamboo vaulted ceilings to the earth tone decor. They also make a specific effort towards conservation. It may be a villa, but our only form of temperature control is an over head fan. We need flashlights at night since its so dark and electricity is used at a minimum, granted, there’s a IPod dock…which I was certainly surprised to see, but everything else, including our semi-outdoor (though thankfully with hot water) is certainly harmonious with its environment.

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