• Will Triccas
  • Will Triccas

Backpacking

Travelling South East Asia, South America and the Philippines for 6 months! Les mer
  • Reisens start
    17. juli 2023
  • Kampot!

    27. juli 2023, Kambodsja ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    So much to do here, amazing hostel at Karma Traders. Felt like the pai of Cambodia. Checked out the night market on the first day and played lots of table tennis but didn’t do very well, went out to bay bar in the evening. Also got lots of free beers with our cap tokens. Next day we biked to Kep crab market and then went to Arcadia waterpark in the evening. Day after we had another full day on the bike, went up the bokor mountain national park and also checked out the plantation. Absolutely drenched on the way up and the conditions were mad. Day after, checked out the cave and had a chill day playing chess and games at the hostel. Then train out to sihanoukville on the Friday!Les mer

  • Koh Rong - Nestival

    29. juli 2023, Kambodsja ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    Came here for Nestival! Got the train down from Kampot and then jumped on a 40 min ferry, went for a swim on the Friday and just chilled playing volleyball and had some drinks. On the Saturday, drinks straight away and did the beach Olympics, won the tug of war at the cost of my fingers and hands. Got seriously burnt and had to take myself to sleep at about 1. Hostel had fifa as well which was unrealLes mer

  • Koh Rong Samloem - Goodbye Cambodia!

    1. august 2023, Kambodsja ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Amazing place to round up the Cambodia part of my adventure. I got here from Nestival on Sunday and just took the day to relax. Booked a dive trip for the next day, read a book on the beach and played some games at the hostel with Andy including giant connect 4 and pool. Had my first pad Thai of the trip too. Slightly more expensive here than rest of Cambodia! Next day, I went for a 2 dive day trip. Met Connie who was my buddy for the day and Sean who was my dive master who was very sound - he’d been struck by lightning before?!? The first dive at M’pay bay was short lived, only managed 22 minutes as the visibility was so low and had to abandon the dive as we lost the rest of the group. Second dive was awesome tho with much better visibility and managed 74-76 minutes which was huge! Saw some cool things too. Had lunch and an extra falafel wrap too. Met up with Ben and Fintan, Amy and Tegan in the evening for dinner and proceeded to have the most competitive 20 games or so of smash ball ever, but was awesome. Red wine with dinner was also lovely. Day after, Walked to lazy beach with Amy and Tegan, got rained on for 15 minutes inbetween amazing sun, then came back for boat cruise where we snorkelled, tried to fish, watched the sunset and swam with bioluminescent plankton which was super cool. Rounded off the evening playing president and eating the most amazing red snapper bbq.Les mer

  • Borneo - Kota Kinabalu

    3. august 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Can’t believe I’m in Borneo. Flight in was tough due to 8 hour lay over trying to sleep next to the check in desks at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Looked amazing from the sky coming in though. Had a nap then got some of the best rated fried chicken for lunch, looked around the malls and street markets for long sleeve shirts for the river cruise. Then I hit up the Tanjung beach for one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. Got some street food next to the beach and got an early night. Also got my first haircut of the trip!Les mer

  • Sandakan - Kinabatangan

    5. august 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    So got to Sandakan via bus which was 8.5 hours long - not doing that again. Checked into Sandakan backpackers hostel in my private room and just chilled out after dinner. Met a Malay guy on the bus who followed me on tik tok. Next day, I went to buli sim sim for breakfast dumplings which was unreal, super hard to find the restaurant. After that, went back and got picked up by my tour to Kinabatangan river for a river safari. Spoke with a Dutch family on the way there and made friends with some German people Joschka, Jannic and Alina who I spent most of my time with on the cruises and walks. Also met a Dutch couple who were lovely, the mum even gave me her daughters info so I can message her about Google. Did a sunset river tour, night river tour, sunrise river tour, jungle walk, sunset river tour and night walk to cap it off. Also walked to town with my friends to get some drinks which took it out of me. Saw SO MANY monkeys, proboscis, macaques and silver tail. Saw Orang-Utan twice in the same tree which was very lucky! Tiny crocodiles, rare birds like the hornbill and eagle. The food was unreal too in a buffet style format. Such a good time here and will remember it for a while.Les mer

  • Sepilok - Sandakan

    7. august 2023, Malaysia ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C

    Highlight was going to the Sepilok Orangutang Sanctuary. We got so lucky and saw a mum and her baby literally outside the centre which was so special. Inside I saw the massive alpha male on the feeding platform along with so many more. He charged through the centre and created massive commotion which was funny. The nursery was also so cute. The work they do there was so amazing I almost shed a tear during the briefing at the start. I went for the afternoon session of the sanctuary. Before that, went to the sun bear reserve which was really cool, just two viewing platforms to see the bears that have been rescued from illegal trade or bad treatment. In the evening, met Maks and Julia in the dorm, got some dinner with them and met Leonie and her bf, chilled at the sandakan riverfront for dinner then got a flight to KK at 7.50 the next morning from Sandakan, my Grab driver taught me some Malay phrases too which was niceLes mer

  • Kota Kinabalu - Bye Borneo!

    10. august 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Flew back from Sandakan and got in early. Couldn’t check in to my capsule immediately so I went to do my laundry at the local laundry bee. After that, I took my backpack and did island hopping around the Marine park - specifically to Sapi and Manukan island. On Sapi I met Kate, who was a medic who did a 6 month placement in Cambodia, so spent a bit of time with her just relaxing and snorkelling as she watched my stuff. After Sapi, went to Manukan and had lunch, went snorkelling and got so lucky! Saw reef sharks, blue spotted rays, puffer fish, needle fish, barracuda, clown fish. It was amazing. I spoke with a lifeguard ‘Ray’ who had worked there for 15 years and he agreed to watch my stuff which was really nice. Relaxed the rest of the day on the beach and spoke to dad on Ft. Met Owen, from Michigan when I got back and grabbed some food at the Philipino market followed by an overpriced beer at Chubb’s. Next day I started my advanced course with Jacky as my instructor, with Fern, Batiste and Leonie. That evening Met Canadian Marc and went bowling with some hostel people. Next day - finished the course and watched an amazing sunset from the marlin statue after a beer with my fellow course mates. Spent the evening relaxing in bed. Last day, went to the gym, got lunch at CFC and then headed to airport! Amazing time to wrap up my short stay in Borneo. I will be backLes mer

  • Night in Krabi

    12. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Got here about 6pm, met a dutch guy called Daniel on the bus who added me on LinkedIn, got to my hostel, Pak Up, met an Israeli guy who I played pool with, went to the night market, got some pancakes and fish cakes, passed by a Thai concert and called it a night, went to get the ferry and meet Amy at 10am the next morningLes mer

  • Koh Phagnan

    14. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Got the bus to Donsak pier and met Meg and Amy!! Was so good to see her. Then got ferry to Koh Phagnan - when we got there, we were staying at hideout hostel which was about 30 mins away. Weather was a bit drizzly but hostel was nice, we even had a balcony, but so so quiet! Went for dinner at the night market and got an early night. Next day, rented scooters and went to Koh Raham beach for some sun bathing and rly shallow snorkelling, got lunch there before heading to 420 bar which was amazing, got a strawberry smoothie then went to the Apichada view point which was unreal… until it absolutely monsooned and we had to go back in the dark down massively steep hills. Super fun day tho. Left the next morning for the 1230 ferry to Koh Tao but Amy got really seasick. Made it here eventually though!Les mer

  • Koh Tao

    16. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    Arrived at the best island so far. Crystal clear waters and super social. Spent the first evening in Sairee cottage restaurant having a duck noodle soup, met Daniel, Elliot and Charlie who we spent most of the rest of the time on the island with. First night at fishbowl playing lots of beer pong. Next day we, hungover, went to the Koh Nang Yuan islands for the viewpoint with Dan, had a choc shake here, after that we chilled, had dinner at 995 duck which was unreal then went behind the pub crawl to the cabaret then AC beach club. Morning after, Meg and I went to a Muay Thai class and then chilled on the beach for the rest of the day - had an early night after going to Mama Tams kitchen to have the best pork of my life because had a 530 am wake up for a day of diving the next day. Went diving in the morning (2 dives) with Rocktopus and then met Amy and Meg to do their first ever dives!! They lasted longer in the water than my advanced divers in the morning which was amazing. Their instructor Rebecca was amazing. We were so tired from that so we watched sunset at the lotus beach club with Elliot daisy and charlie before heading to Mama Tams again (no pork!!!), I got the crispy chicken which slapped. Their choco shake was not milo level tho. Chilled in the room before leaving at 930 next morning and saying goodbye to charlie at the pier. Will definitely be back to this place, had an amazing time.Les mer

  • Krabi 2

    21. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Relaxing stop in krabi before phi phi islands - stayed at the Glow hotel. First night we went to Kodak kitchen for one of the best Tom Yum’s I’ve ever had, chilled night then next morning we went to the Ao Nang elephant sanctuary which was special, following that, chilled at the pool before heading out to watch sunset at the beach (failed to get to railay beach) with some Soju’s, ate at night market which had the best crispy pork ever. Following morning, we went to the Tiger Cave Temple and viewpoint which invovled going up 1260 steps and was probably the sweatiest I’ve ever been - seeing a monkey heist was worth it. Oh yeah we also got a duck themed grab?Les mer

  • Phi Phi

    24. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Arrived in Phi Phi! first thing I was shocked at was how crazy the tide was at sunset when we arrived, aside from that, felt really weird being back! We had our first ‘night out’ after meeting Seoul and Sean in our accom, Voyagers Hostel - easily the nicest people we have ever had at a hostel, they gave free repellent, sun cream, unlimited water and even gave a free key ring as we checked out. We had a bucket from paddy shack before going to beach for fire shows and went to reggae bar, which we did every night. Early ish night for me on the first night because was diving in the marine park and wreck the next morning!

    Dives were amazing, I was with 3 dive masters so the first one was quite tough but was still so cool. On the wreck we saved some fish by removing a net, was good to see and dive with Sean again from Cambodia.

    After that, chilled at the beach before going to viewpoint in the evening. Dinner at Garlic 1992 with Sean, Niamh and Dan before heading for a night out, multiple buckets sent Amy but was such a fun night.

    Last day we did snorkelling trip, this time joined by Dan’s final friend llinos, Amy was too hungover to join. We saw some sharks!
    Dinner at Pan Noi before another night out but limited myself to one bucket this time. Went on the bucking bronco which was so funny.
    Les mer

  • Krabi

    25. august 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A bit of a nothing evening but needed to chill! Got off the ferry from Phi Phi and stayed at Srikusant Hotel which had a bed that resembled a wooden table it was so hard. We went to one of the night markets for dinner, had some final crispy pork, and then had a Japanese crepe.Les mer

  • Kuala Lumpur 2

    28. august 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Second quick stop over in Kuala Lumpur. First day we spent the time exploring the malls of KLCC and Berjaya Times Square (with a theme park inside?!) and also got some pics in front of the Petronas towers. Weather was spotty with rain and not what we were used to! First meal of the city was McDonalds lol. We saw Arif in the evening and he took us to Aunty Nat’s which may have been one of the best meals of the trip so far - the beef rendang was unreal. We also got to see cookie which was a highlight.

    Next day we had a rainy visit to batur caves followed by a game of padel with arif his bro and his friends at 1 Utama mall, probably one of the sweatiest activities of the trip so far as it was open air in 32 degrees and 80 percent humidity lol. We ate at the Jalan Alor food market that night and I got the fattest Milo shake ever ( milo dinosaur). That evening we went to Helipad bar which was just unreal, a crazy view and actually very good music from DJ’s. Quick Maccies after too.

    Next day we slept IN, going to petaling street early afternoon where we got a meal at leaf and co (same place we got lunch hungover a year ago). I got an off white t Shirt without realising that they retail for 500 dollars, but I got this one for 5 dollars lol. Also popped back to KLCC to get an active wear shirt from Uniqlo for my upcoming mountains. That evening, met up with Arif, and went for a very funny Korean BBQ. Arif was off it and brought his speaker out of the car which was just hilarious.
    Les mer

  • Bali! Nusa Dua

    29. august 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Arrived in Bali late, staying at the Nest Hotel which was so lovely. Quite the upgrade on hostel life. They prepared the nicest welcome for our Anniversary too with rose petals on the bed. We had a local dinner before getting an early ish night as we were up at 6am for a trip to Nusa Penida. In the night however, we were woken up by an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude which was actually a bit nuts. I thought amy was just violently shaking the bed for some reason but the shakes went on for about 20 seconds and dislodged chargers, shook furniture and everything, was quite spooky. There was 2 lighter 5.2/3 aftershocks as well.

    Our Anniversary day! In the morning, lucky with no Tsunami, we got picked up to go and visit Nusa Penida on a day tour. We started the day snorkelling and went to 4 points, the first of which was Manta Point where we got so lucky and saw 2 manta rays! On the way we saw dolphins as well. The other 3 points were quite plain but honestly the clearest water I’ve ever been in. I did also see a sea snake at the last place! It was quite choppy though so Amy didn’t dive in for snorkelling but she still got to see the Rays from the surface. The land part of the tour was just weird, we got driven around by a (practically mute) guide to the Instagram spots of the island to take pictures and that was all lol, wouldn’t do that again. In the evening we wondered to the beach for sunset, window shopped for some amazing resorts in the future and got some dinner. I got a Nyatnyat which was a full snapper with sambal sauce. We did some frog spotting on the way home and played monopoly deal before bed.

    Next day was chill day, we got breakfast at Urban Seaside after a nice lie in then headed to a beach bar, Manarai Beach House, where we stayed on a beach sofa all day with beers and coconuts. I popped off for a haircut for £2.8 at one point. We went to our hotel roof for sunset as it was the perfect spot. Up there we met Luke and Sylvie who just got married in Bali before starting their year long honeymoon. Weirdest connections ever with him playing American Football at Loughborough and them both meeting at Nottingham too and Sylvie being a psychologist. We got some room service which was amazing then got some sleep.

    Not forgetting my choc milk reviews I was doing during this time to send back to Meg.
    Les mer

  • Gili Air

    31. august 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Gili Air! Back to the islands. We met Seb (from Bangkok) with his gf Abi at the port which was a massive coincidence. Ferry over to Gili was super rough, only took 1.5 hours. When we got there, as we got the late ferry, we checked into Sayang Mama inn and went out to watch the sunset which was one of the best I’ve ever seen. This place was made for sunsets. We went to talk to a few dive schools about diving in the morning too. After that we went to Warung sunny for dinner where we were joined by a cat guest. Played some monopoly deal then headed to bed. (After the hottest crepe in the world too)

    Next morning we had a wander around the island (which you could walk in 30/40 mins around if you wanted), got Amy some seasickness pills and then went to the dive centre for the afternoon dive. The dive had quite a large current due to it being low tide so Amy and the other beginner did struggle but we saw 5 turtles! Was disappointed about the visibility tho, especially after Nusa Penida. That evening we of course headed back to the beach for sunset - got dinner and drinks at Legend Bar and then watched some live reggae next door.

    Next day was a beach hop and snorkelling day! I saw a turtle about 10 metres out from shore which was amazing and just spent some time with him before exploring further. We grabbed a Caesar salad for lunch, read a book and soaked in a sun after that until we headed back, got ready and headed out for sunset again, Moscow mules and sunset Timelapse’s tonight. We went to Warung Mexicana for some amazing food and then went to sleep.

    Next day we got the 11am ferry to Bali and headed to Ubud (got screwed for the shuttle so had to pay out for another taxi annoyingly)
    Les mer

  • Ubud

    4. september 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Got to Ubud and checked into, what I think was my nicest hotel yet with Amy, the Taman Amartha Inn. Out of all the hotels this one I would definitely stay in again. We searched around the endless tat markets for souvenirs and gifts, Amy and I found this really cool guy who personalises key rings so I got a Manta burned into one to remind me always of the first time I saw one! We were absolutely knackered from travelling but met up with Dan for dinner at Warung Sugwirya but got to sleep at about 9pm because we were up at 1.30am for Mount Batur!!

    Next morning was Hike time, we got picked up at 2.10am and driven just over an hour to the start point. Our Guide was Aria, who was lovely, we also met dan and his friend Ottman, and a German guy called Eustice too who was climbing with his parents. Me and Amy climbed alone and it was actually quite easy! Took 1 hour 20 mins and at the top the view was amazing before sunrise, after it rose, not so much. Breakfast was hot choc, volcano warmed egg and a choc bar with some banana sandwiches. On the way down we were essentially skidding through ash. When we got back to the hotel, we spent pretty much all day chilling in the amazing pool and hotel, we went to Sun Sun Warung tonight as it was so highly recommended (and we failed the night before due to 45 min wait) - food was unreal and we even tried fried banana and ice cream for dessert. Understandably we were knackered and got an early night after mandatory monopoly deal.

    Next morning we rented a scooter and drove to the Tirta Empul temple where you go swimming and blessed with the holy water after prayers by dunking your head under statues. The drive was super cool and the temple was different! We had to wear sarongs to walk around the temple and different ones to swim in.

    Quick lunch then we headed to Kuta to stay before we fly at 7 the next morning.
    Les mer

  • Kuta

    5. september 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Stopped here for the airport - just got a McDonalds to try out the Indonesian choices and have to say, best country yet. Also watched the sunset. Looking forward to coming back to this country soon! Our hotel also had a temple inside?Les mer

  • Singapore

    7. september 2023, Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Early morning flight got us to Singapore at 11am - used the amazing a metro to get to the Rest Bugis Hotel. After early check in, we headed to the botanical gardens but got absolutely destroyed by a monsoon, easily the most drenched I’ve been this trip. We abandoned that after 2 hours or so and headed to the mall to get my trekking gear from Decathlon and also got some wanton soup. All my kit cost under 18 pounds which was incredible. In the evening, we were so lucky to meet up with Leena and Akhil up the Marina Bay Sands at Spago for some drinks. Despite the rain the view was still insane, and the drinks were top tier. Mine was called kissy lips (sloppy kisses) and had absinthe and don julio tequila in. After leaving them, we hit up the Lau Pa hawker market commonly known as satay street for dinner and had our first experience of amazing Singapore street food. We had been up since 4am so it was time for bed!

    Next day we went to fun toast for breakfast in the metro station because they are so kitted out and clean and after that made our way to River Wonders. This place had giant pandas and manatees which was just unreal. They also had an Amazon river quest ride which you could see ant eaters and capybaras and more on which Amy bought for me. After that, you know we had to get a McDonalds again lol. From River Wonders we hit up the Merlion Statue before going to China town to get look at all the stores ( we got some year of the rabbit matching chopsticks, and I had to get my key ring of course, Amy got a dish) and then went to the China Town Hawker to get some amazing food. I got a guava juice and hainan chicken rice which I have been hunting for. We finished up the evening at the super tree grove in the gardens by the bay and watched the light show which was such a nice way to end our month together.

    Next day we spent the day at the airport. Sounds weird but this airport is amazing with basically a full jungle In the middle of it with the water vortex. We got, I think, one of the best meals ever at this Chinese place which had amazing pork noodle soup and the best pork dumplings I’ve ever had. We tried to go visit all the other fun things the airport had but that meant leaving eachother sooner which we didn’t want to do so we got a McFlurry and played monopoly deal. Eventually we had to part ways which was very painful but we had such an amazing month together. She flew home and I fly to Surabaya for some volcano trekking
    Les mer

  • Surabaya - Bromo - Ijen - Surabaya

    10. september 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Picked up by guide Putra, took 3 hours to get to accommodation in the mountains. Bed at 11 and had to be up at 2am. We went to Bromo at sunrise at seruni point, the crater was closed due to fires ( found out from immigration officer when I got into the country which was a shock), met Matthias and Lauren on mountain and then went to madakaripura waterfall instead of crater with them after breakfast and sleep. The waterfall was 200 metres high and was amazing. So grateful to see it. On the way to probolinggo train station we went for lunch went for lunch then headed for train to banyuwangi. I made some friends on the train with locals and they even shared their melon with me. Got into hotel at about 9pm and straight to sleep

    Even earlier today, wakeup time was 1230am which was nuts. Out Ijen guide haqim was the most upbeat fun person ever and I can’t believe how much energy he had at this time in the morning. He also said he liked being called fuck qim and qim jong un lol. Matthias Lauren and I were in a group with some more people, two of which were these girls from Germany who we stayed with for the majority. The hike up was HOT and we did not need the layers at all, definitely didn’t need to buy an Ijen beanie but that will be useful on Rinjani. When we got to the top, we headed down into the crater to see the blue fire which was insane. We had to whip out our gas masks here because the sulphur dioxide was so strong it made it hard to breath. I fully immersed myself in the fire to see it and it was crazy, despite hurting my eyes a little. After that, as a group of 5 (because others took too long) we rushed up the crater to the summit to see sunrise, Haqim literally sprinted along the crater rim to see sunrise - a dedicated man. Got some amazing pictures of it all. I then tried to lift the sulphur that the miners have to bring out of the mine up the crater and it was insane, I can’t believe they have to do that 5 times a day and only get paid 1,000 rupiah per kilo. The way down was beyond skippy and I almost stacked it multiple times, Haqim kept making fun of me saying that I was going to get ruined on Rinjani because of my shoes having no grip so we will see about that haha. After getting dropped off, I had breakfast, had an hour nap then got picked up for an 8 hour drive to Surabaya. I was obviously starving so had to stop at an indomart where I got a selection of snacks including some questionable cold chicken so let’s see if that kills me. Finally got to Surabaya and checked into a basic My Studio Hotel in Surabaya, but Honestly a bed was all I needed, even if the sheets were a bit dirty :/ up in the morning to catch the flight to Lombok!
    Les mer

  • Lombok - Mount Rinjani

    13. september 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Lift from the airport - got some fish satay courtesy of my driver which was so good. Stayed the night in their new Homestay of which I took pics of for them to use on booking.com. Woke up next morning at 630 to leave at 7am after banana pancakes. Our Guides name was Opan, hiked with Till, Amanda, heiß, Michel and another girl I couldn’t remember name of. Opan was a machine - he carried up his 25kg bag and Michel’s bag as he could not do it all the way. Hike was actually very ok up until checkpoint 3, then it started getting interesting and the sticks really came into their own. Lunch was incredible for a portable lunch. Idk how the porters can walk with 45kg on a bamboo pole and still be ahead and able to do everything for us, and they’re in flip flops! It’s incredible. Saw the most amazing night sky and took my first ever picture of the Milky Way before bed which was special, even more so that it was so cloudy you couldn’t see 5 metres in front of your face 20 mins before

    Woke up at 2am to start the trek, it was split into 3 sections, the first of which was fairly difficult but doable, second bit was flatter but oh my god, the last bit was mental. Deep ash and sand meant you sank into the mountain of about a 45 degree gradient, this was a total slog. I made it up to the top with Till only just before sunrise and it was a feeling like no other, we had beaten it and in time! There were only about 30/40 people at the top when we were there and many didn’t make it. Our whole group eventually made it about 1.5 hours later as well! We enjoyed a well deserved beer at the top before heading ALL THE WAY down. This bit was honestly worse than going up. The feeling of getting back to the truck at 4pm was indescribable. Speaker usage was critical, and when I was going up the mountain I felt like I was in a movie blasting out electronic tunes above the clouds. Opan invited me back to do it in 1 day for free and to stay with him and do more trekking, such a nice guy. I NEEDED to wash after finishing so ‘swam’ in a 15 cm high stream which was ridiculous, felt like a beached whale, didn’t even work to get me clean. Got a lift to Kuta Lombok with Till and said goodbye on the way. Overall, probably a highlight of my life so far.
    Les mer