Surfing is not something I would have normally associated with Britain. It seemed to naturally belong to hotter climes, like California, Hawaii and Australia. I always imagined taking my first lesson in one of these places, which are more famed for their surf culture. Certainly, squeezing into a wetsuit and making a mad dash for … More Surfin’ UK – catching my first wave in Newquay
Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea… …that was my sneaking worry as we headed toward the Okavango Delta, clutching the single bag of worldly possessions that we were permitted to take with us on our overnight stay. The Okavango is a wild, sprawling wetland in Botswana and popular stomping ground for cantankerous hippopotamuses – one … More Overnight in the Okavango
If you love waterfalls (and plenty of them), then Iceland is the place to visit. Whilst lacking the size and perhaps grandeur of more famous falls like Iguazu and Victoria, they are nevertheless beautiful and more tranquil than these bigger, brasher places. Once in Reykjavik, you won’t need to catch a flight or dodge hawkers … More Chasing Iceland’s Waterfalls
The Carretera Austral is not your average road. Weaving past the natural obstacles of Patagonia’s rugged landscape, it forges a path through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of southern Chile. As our truck carefully navigated the winding way, I attempted to peer through the shifting veil of mist which obscured much of the wild scenery. … More The Carretera Austral
Boat night – the night that shall never be forgotten. When I look back on our journey across the Golfo de Corcovado, I always think of that infamous line from Fawlty Towers – “don’t mention the war!” Only in this case, it was a night of sleepless hell that would become the forbidden topic; an episode of … More Crossing the Golfo de Corcovado (“don’t mention the boat!”)
“Fin del Mundo”, or “The end of the world” in English – that’s how they describe Ushuaia, the Earth’s most southern city. Located on Argentina’s curling tail, it’s the launchpad for trips to Antarctica and would become the finishing point of my adventure down the spine of Chile and through Patagonia’s legendary wilderness. With twenty-four … More Overlanding to the end of the world
I remember the first time I ever encountered a homeless person in America. I was in Palisades Park, wandering along a path lined with palm trees, the sands of Santa Monica beach stretching on my left, the busy road rushing on my right. She was pushing a trolley filled with odds and ends, her skin … More Los Angeles – from rags to riches
I stared across the water at the multi-coloured buildings, searching the sky for a sign that the show was about to begin. I felt like a child on Bonfire Night, eagerly anticipating the first firework. Only this was no firework display, but Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights – a ten minute laser show spectacular which illuminates the magnificent … More A Symphony of Lightning
Uluru. The big rock. After several teasing glimpses and one false alarm, today was the day that we would finally get up close to one of Australia’s most iconic symbols. We cleared our camp site, leaving behind the sprightly little mice that had run rings around our sleeping bags all through the night. But before … More Adventure in the Outback (part 2)
“So what’s a monster flap?” That was the question on everyone’s lips, when our guide was discussing our sleeping arrangements for the Outback. In front of him, he laid out a dusty old swag – a type of tough bedding used in the bush. Smiling mischievously, he explained the flap was designed to fold over our faces and stop … More Adventure in the Outback (part 1)
Free-Spirited Travel 