This Wild Life Of Mine
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Irish travel blogger and zoologist. Love animals. Don't understand humans. Currently backpacking Bulgaria and Romania
This Wild Life Of Mine
7M ago
I had always imagined Malta to be a bit of a resort island, with shiny, high-rise apartments and crowded beaches (in summer, at least). It didn’t really seem like a backpacker destination. I will freely admit how wrong I was. This tiny group of tiny islands just south of Italy has so much going for it – cheap hostels, affordable food, great public transport, stunning views and a fascinating history, so it’s pretty easy to visit Malta on a budget. And because it’s so small, you don’t need much time to see the best this Mediterranean nation has to offer. I ended up there on a very spontaneous s ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
9M ago
Aside from Quito, Baños probably sees the most tourists anywhere in Ecuador. Nestled in a rainforest-filled valley beneath the shadow of an active (but generally safe) volcano, this is a lush, but busy destination that shouldn’t be missed while you’re traipsing around this incredible country. There is a ridiculous amount of things to do in the Baños area, from hiking and waterfall chasing, to zip-lining and canyoning. It’s the adventure capital of Ecuador, but unfortunately, most of the activities on offer come with a price tag, usually in the form of guided tours. If that’s not really your s ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
1y ago
Copenhagen began as a humble Viking fishing village in the 10th century, with rapid growth and prosperity during the time of the Kalmar Union leading to its adoption as capital city of Denmark around 1416. Today, it is an internationally-recognised metropolis, being award the title World Capital of Architecture for 2023. Situated on the western end of the Øresund Bridge, the famous connection between Denmark and Sweden, and the landmark that inspired first a Nordic television series (The Bridge), this is a vibrant, bustling and colourful city that is waiting to be explored. From canals a ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
1y ago
Before I arrived in Split, all I really knew about this city was that it was a tourist haven. Beaches in summer, yachts flitting between islands, a hearty nightlife scene – none of which really enticed me, if I’m being honest. My thoughts all lay ahead to Dubrovnik, the “real jewel” of the Croatian coast in terms of culture and history. Or so I thought. Three days in Split was only enough time to scratch the surface of this amazing part of the country. It’s just enough time to see the main city sights, walk up the hills next to the town centre, take an island day trip and visit another nearby ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
2y ago
Oh, Peru, how I fell for you. Immediately before arriving in Lima, I spent two weeks in Ecuador, which was great, but not mind-blowing. Then Peru came along. I absolutely loved this country. There is so much to see and do, so many different aspects to the environment and culture: the big city to desert shores, amazingly-high mountains to deep jungle. You could spend years here and not experience everything Peru has to offer. But because of a great bus system, it’s possible to see a lot in not much time, if you don’t mind spending a lot of time of those buses, of course! Whether you’ve got two ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
2y ago
I cried when I stepped foot on Antarctica for the first time, and if you know me at all, you’ll know what a big deal that is. Although it may just have been the brisk, freezing wind… Antarctica is impossible to describe in words, and photos simply don’t do it justice. It’s a bucket list dream for many people, and only a few lucky souls get to realise that dream. I was one of them, and it was the culmination of almost a decade of travel, my seventh continent, a massive achievement I wanted to reach by the age of 30. I originally planned to take a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula at the end of ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
2y ago
Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries in South America, with three main ecological regions: coastal, mountain and rainforest. Visiting all three in the space of just two weeks is next to impossible, so some hard decisions will have to be made during your time in Ecuador. As I had just spent the past six months working in a coastal rainforest in Costa Rica (as well as ten days on the beaches of the Galapagos), seeing the mountains and valleys of central Ecuador were more important to me than visiting the surfer-filled coastal towns.
From lush cloud forest and waterfalls to historical ci ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
3y ago
Ah, the Galapagos. A far-off island archipelago full of mysterious creatures and otherworldly scenery, the distant dream of many an intrepid traveller. But not anymore. These amazing islands, located hundreds of kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, are more accessible (and affordable) than ever. With relatively cheap hostels and regular flights, visiting the place where Darwin’s theory of evolution got its kickstart isn’t just for cruise-goers and luxury travellers anymore. And with so much to see and do, you don’t need travel companions to have a great time. Solo backpacking in the Galapagos ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
3y ago
I was so surprised by Plovdiv. The second largest city in the country, it’s the cultural capital of Bulgaria, and was the European Capital of Culture in 2019. It’s also one of the oldest cities in the world, with the area being inhabited for over eight thousand years and seeing multiple civilizations and empires rise and fall. So my expectations were fairly high.
And wow, did Plovdiv meet them.
The hostel I stayed in was located in the Old Town neighbourhood of Plovdiv, and walking through those cobbled streets, I saw a couple of ruined Roman columns in a pretty garden, gorgeous old architect ..read more
This Wild Life Of Mine
3y ago
Chichen Itza isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also one of the New7 Wonders of the World. So is it any wonder it usually sees over two million visitors every year? As the poster child of Mayan history in the Yucatan, Chichen Itza is a must-do for any Mexican adventure, but do you really want to share this incredible place with thousands of other visitors? Though you will never have that famous pyramid all to yourself, there is a way to avoid the heavy crowds. However, it does require a little more effort than simply hopping onto a tour bus. I understand why so many are drawn to th ..read more