Backpacking

Travelling South East Asia, South America and the Philippines for 6 months! Read more

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Backpacking Will Triccas
Kuta Lombok
September 17, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Checked in late, dinner with daragh, unlimited breakfast pancakes with Noah, massage, drive to beach, sleep and eat on beach with dogs watching me for food, sunset spot up (check maps) with Noah, drove back on road that was still in progress, buffet dinner for 35k with Noah, played some shit head, met Loris who told me all about his trekking in Nepal and plans to go back, need to do that myself, played some pool, went to bed.

Rented a bike and drove to Selaman belanak beach to go surfing, got a lesson for 200k for 2 hours with ‘ruun’, actually got so much better! Best experience I’ve had yet surfing drive was amazing to this beach, really felt like paradise, laid at pool with book and chilled, went to bumble bee gym, got a choc milk and choc bar before going to buffet place, then went to surf bar before calling Matt and Amy

Rented a bike again, headed to Gerupuk with Noah, German Luis, Katie, Ziv and a couple more people from the hostel, waves were huge and paddling endlessly was SO tiring, caught a few big waves tho so was worth it. Back of my legs got so burnt. Driving around here tho is just so fun so every trip is unreal. We went to Fins for lunch before heading back, Ben then arrived and we sorted out things at dive shop and got him a towel before chilling in the pool with him and luis and Bibi, We then grabbed some food at Warung Reziki, of course with the unlimited buffet, got a crepe at Mr Crepe then played a few terrible games of pool before getting an early night before diving tomorrow.

Woke up at 7am for a dive day with Blue Marlin and we got so so lucky. MOLA MOLA!!! I was the 3rd time in 4 years that they saw one so it really was crazy. We had to battle such a strong current to stay with it but it was worth it churning through 50bar in 5 mins. Our dive master Im was so so happy and Ben and I dived along with Nic. We also saw a frog fish and banded sea snake which was super cool. Second dive we also saw a turtle which was nice. Came back after and just chilled in the pool before going to mamas pizza with Bibi, Carl and Fabian. Grabbed some beers after and played some pool. Amazing last dayRead more
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Seminyak
September 19, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Got a grab bike from middle of seminyak with all our stuff, crazy busy place. Dinner on the beach, checked out Mari beach club, played some cards at hotel where literally everyone was working in silence. Surfed in the morning, grabbed a bike to airportRead more
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Komodo!
September 19, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Arrived late evening, grabbed dinner at hostel which is like a resort, played pool and table tennis, also checked out dive shop for tomorrow!

First day of diving was insane, went to north Komodo which is home to the biggest currents in the world. Checked out castle rock, crystal rock and another dive site. First two were mentally good, last one was just ok. Someone in our dive group, Kowry was a nightmare, no idea how she was an advanced diver, the guide essentially had to swim for her and it was dangerous. The currents were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and hanging on by a hook was wild. Dived with Ben and Mick who was sound, grabbed dinner after at cuchina where I got the biggest calzone ever and jumped in the pool too.

Day 2 of diving was a cool one! First dive sucked a little, only spent 40 mins down because one of our team’s air management was terrible but the following dives he got taken up the dive master in training so it was all good. James and Chris our other buddy team were from New Zealand and sailing around the world which sounded awesome. First dive site was sabayor besar, second site was batu bolong and third was manta point. Batu bolong was ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and it was incredible. Along with seeing some massive fish, it was one of the most colourful sites I’ve ever been to. Last stop was manta point and at the surface we saw absolutely stacks of them, we just wanted to jump in. When we did however it took us about 30 mins before we saw anything and I was so nervous we wouldn’t see anything, but all was ok when we eventually saw about 10 which was incredible. Got back to shore and had to switch hostels which was a shambles. They gave us a fan room instead of an AC room and it was cooking. Met Tasha tho who is the first person I’ve met that has travelled South America out here so super handy for recommendations. we ate in the hostel then headed to bed for an early night.

Next morning I rented a bike, headed for Rangko cave, the roads were empty which was amazing. Didn’t realise I had to get a boat to Rangko which was an experience, met a Portuguese girl called diana who I shared the trip with. Unfortunately she was not the photographer and the pics were terrible lol. We played football with a couple of local kids on the beach before heading back, it was such a serene quiet place. I then drove up the Melo village in the mountains and had lunch with the most unreal view. Used the rest of the time to try and find a postcard which was actually impossible, I found one but it did not blow me away. Had dinner at seaesta and played some cards with Tasha and Aris before heading to bed (back at seaesta now!)

Today was the day of our private boat trip! Was actually surreal that no one else booked onto it so we had a private boat to Rinca island to see the Komodo dragons, where e saw loads of really active ones, including some that didn’t want their pic taken and came after us, followed by the dive sites of our choice and lunch. Mawan was so special - we saw 4 mantas, one of which did a fly by right above us, couldn’t believe I got to see that. Then Siaba besar to see SO many turtles. Got back to land and chilled at Blue Marlin with our instructor Akbar and played some cards before heading to seaesta for pool, dinner and cards with Aris again. He showed us this drink the spicy Thai which was incredible so had to get one, played some pool then went to bed. Bonus that they brought me the wrong burger, but I already had a bite out of it so got 2 burgers in the end lol.

Last day we just used to chill, played some table tennis, went in the pool, played some terrible games of pool and then FaceTimed home. Checked out the fish market for dinner in the evening. Fish was unreal but the vegetables were laughable, biggest con yet. Checked into escape bajo for one night as seaesta couldn’t accommodate us (again!) but it was a seriously comfortable bed, and so much colder than seaesta rooms which was a win. I went to the gym before bed whilst Ben watched the north london derby with 1 of the angriest football fans ever.
Grab bike to the airport in the morning to leave - will miss this placeRead more
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Amed - Kuta
September 27, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Arrived in Bali and rented a LARGE moped for 160k for 2 days. Used this for the 3/3.5 hour drive to Amed which was a bit crazy. We definitely should not have put in the motorbike route because it took us down some mental ‘dangerous’ roads. We stopped for lunch in a private beach in padangbai where we had the biggest spring rolls ever, was very scenic. After getting to Amed, we were shattered and went to Abyss dive shop to book onto dives for the next day before watching sunset with some beers on the beach at chill bar. Super relaxing evening.

Next morning we dived the USAT Liberty wreck. Ben got a nose bleed underwater so decided to sit out the next dive which was tulamben wall. Both dives were really good and the wreck was awesome but it had absolutely nothing on Komodo. On the second dive on my own, my mask was so overly tight and gave me the biggest headache. Highlights of both were a MASSIVE moray eel and the multiple swim throughs of the wreck. Also spotted a white spotted box fish which was super cool. After the dive (and multiple surface interval crepes) we chilled at the hostel playing some cards before I embarked on the long trip back home on my own. Passed a couple of nice rice terraces that were unspoilt by crowds and actually a bit of a hidden gem. Made it to the Sanur McDonalds for a hearty lunch/dinner before checking into my hotel, dropping off the bike and getting a budget (30k!)Haircut. Spent the evening editing some videos before getting to sleep.

In the morning I managed a questionable exchange rate for some questionable Kip I found, got a burger for brunch, my water confiscated before my flight and moved three times on the flight to get an emergency exit seat. I will miss this country very much - I have to say it’s probably my favourite in the world. I will be back. Here we come Australia.Read more
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Cairns
September 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Different vibe to Asia immediately on landing, as expected. Couldn’t get an Uber for ages and the price kept going up and up. Was unsettling lol. Very few travellers here so couldn’t pool anywhere from the airport either! Got to hostel, got some pizza and planned the next few days on the terrace. Met Neil from Boston and Jimmy from Taiwan in the room. Neil is a marine biologist working on a boat and Jimmy is a sushi chef which was kinda cool.

Bucket list kinda day - sorted out my sim and booked onto the Great Barrier Reef tour and Daintree tour in the morning before heading to AJ Hackett Skypark for Bungee jumping off a 50 metre platform. After talking it up so much in the past few years, I was actually shitting it when it came to jumping off. This kid also backed out at the top which set the nerves straight in. Joe went first and absolutely wailed as he jumped, then I quickly jumped after but the experience was unlike no other, complete adrenaline. Would DEFINITELY do again but bigger and better next time. Our driver was also the nicest guy, he had so many stories from spear fishing and mining, one of which involved him losing his thumb?!? We came back and chilled with some cards and went swimming in the lagoon before walking down the esplanade. We found this girls phone and managed to get it back to her which was cool after some rough detective work. For dinner we went to Woolworths and grabbed BBQ items and cooked them outside at sunset. Super cool day.

Today was the Great Barrier Reef tour, next to us on the boat were 2 Irish girls Sarah and Emma - finally diving the GBR felt so good and even got to do my first ever self guided dive, even if they did get pissed off that I was under for an extra 13 minutes… for dinner we got schnitzel, played cards with charlie from the Cotswolds and joes roommate Kathryn, before talking politics with Jimmy and Stanley prior to bed.

Tour to Cape Tribulation and Daintree rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world - Jamie the tour guide was great, met Sarah and Emma from tour yday which was nice, also met jasmine from Ireland who sat next to us on the coach. started off with a viewpoint, then we went to the beach then we went to the watering hole where I proceeded to SLAP my back onto the water trying to do a flip. We went to the board walk then finally we did the croc cruise - full on day but gutted we didn’t see cassowaries. Then we got back and went to chicken on a stick and got a friend chicken donburi, then played some cards with a pint at the bar next door.

10 hour long bus to Airlie beach!Read more
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Airlie Beach
October 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
10.5 hour long bus, saw some kangaroos at a service station, got a dominoes for dinner.

Woke up at 630 for sky dive which got put on hold, watched redzone in reception for 2 hours, put on hold again, super tired and weather only got worse so it got cancelled! Made some avo and poached egg breakfast and rescued the day by going on the Airlie Beach Creek ‘trek’. Was meant to be a super easy walk but we decided to scale an endless amount of rocks, which apparently we weren’t suppose to do so this got us lost on the way back. I punched some edamame looking plant and the plant fought back with some weird hair type pricks that hurt like hell, funny though. Super tired from the walk and my early wake up so we went to the beach for a few hours where I had a nap, got super cold though so left at about 530. For dinner we had fajitas and then checked out the Bingo at Boaties which was a laugh. Met Marit and Ilse. Tried to sleep but the Dutch guys in our room snored like wild boars.

Sailing trip to Whitsundays on the Tongarra. Corey the captain and Cassie the deckhand were lovely we talked travelling and Australia, and even helped with the sails which was fun. Sailing was super relaxing, the stop at the sand bar was lovely and even got to ride the calmest banana boat of all time - still fell off though. Snorkelling was underwhelming because the visibility was so bad but still such a fun day. We got so lucky with the prettiest sunset ever on the way back, listening to Rufus Du Soul, was perfect. For dinner we grabbed some wings and then went to the trivia night where we were terrible. Met Marie and Nick. Couldn’t sleep again because of the extractor fan esque noise from the snorers.

Super chilled morning before trekking to the Honey Eater Viewpoint. This was hot as shit and actually a huge workout. Saw some parrots and bush turkeys on the way up. Met some maniac who cycled to the top too. On the way down, Joe got scared for his life when he almost walked into a giant monitor lizard, was one of the funniest things of the trip. We earned a well deserved 1.5l of mtn dew at the bottom, bought a postcard and then chilled in the pool. For dinner we met up with everyone we met at Trivia night and cooked on the BBQ’s next to the lagoon with some beers - early night before my 5am wake up the next day!

Woke up before sunrise for my long awaited skydive. My instructor was Dawsey and was so nice. The plane journey up I could feel my heart beating out of my chest but the adrenaline was flowing. Genuinely felt like I was in call of duty when the red amber and green lights were going with people flying out of the plane. Being last actually felt so good to have to whole plane to myself. The free fall was absolutely Incredible, I’m so thankful that my other one got cancelled because the day was so clear, I could see right over the entire archipelago of the Whitsundays. I’ll remember this forever.
Chilled for rest of the day by the pool and at the lagoon with David from US before grabbing Maccies for dinner lolRead more
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Sunshine Coast
October 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Arrived, slept, met Megan in the dorm from Sheffield, one of the first people from England for a while??

Woke up and grabbed some baked breakfast bacon and cheese swirl thing to have with a milkshake on the beach, we then got free surf rentals from our hostel and went to Mooloolaba beach to surf for a couple of hours which was awesome, feel like I’m getting better and better each time. Only downside was the serious amount of seaweed at the start. After that we came back and played some pool and chilled. Called back home to Mum and Amy then went for dinner. We tried to go to a place called rice boi purely for the name because… cmon, but turns out it was the most popular place in the city with crazy long queue to get in. We went to ninth street instead for some unreal chicken parm burgers and free play street fighter and Pac-Man, smoked joe at street fighter and he wasn’t impressed. Came back, had some chats on the bean bags outside, then headed up to bed, super chilled out day.

Rained so much - grabbed some food for breakfast and lunch from Cole’s then played a lot of ping pong and pool until we flew to Melbourne. The airport had a cool aquarium tbf.Read more
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Melbourne - First Section Over
October 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Last stop of the first of three sections of this trip. We got to the airport too late to get the bus so bad to Uber and burn 40 pound between us as soon as we got here which HURT. On first impressions our hostel was very beaten down but our room mates Dina, Rose and Sam and Max were lovely and made it rly fun. Chatted and chilled with them on the first night.

Second morning we had a walk around St Kilda before getting picked up for our day trip to Philip Island. This included stopping at the moonlit sanctuary on the way where we got to meet Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies and Wombats. Oh my god the Wombats, new favourite animal. Grabbed fish and chips by the sea before going to the penguin parade. Our guide Cameron was super lovely too. Before the penguin parade we managed to spot a copperhead snake too. Penguins were super cute and such a cool thing to witness (and not take any photos of!)

Next day we explored Melbourne city for joes bday. Stopped at a pub in the morning to which the 49ers destroy the Cowboys in Sunday night football. We then looked around souvenir stores and shops for little bits before heading to fortress to play for a few hours on arcades. Our efforts (and luck) on the big bass spin pushed us towards winning a squirtle plushy for joes birthday. I got a Freddo too lol. We then went for an amazing steak dinner courtesy of joes parents at the railway hotel. Chilled with Dina and Rose in the room after.Read more
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UK Stop Over
October 11, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Stag do in Blackpool, dinner out with dad for his birthday, spent some precious time with Amy, Met Aaron Hibell at the airport, got lounge access, and got upgraded to world traveller plus.
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Santiago
October 17, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
First day, tired taxi from airport, met Tommy from Chile and had some tea which he loved because I was English, walked around parque forestal and had a look at central market, took a nap then went to Sky Costanera for sunset, accidentally ordered a ‘completo’ which I thought was a Hot Dog but was the biggest sandwich I’ve ever seen. Had drinks with Alba and this guy from Germany.

Went on the walking tour to the local markets and largest and oldest cemetary in Santiago with the ‘free’ walking tour. Went with Alba and Harry from Leeds who spoke fluent Spanish which was handy. Philipe the guide was awesome. Went to exchange some money to get some Bolivian Bob but proved harder than I thought. Went up Cerro St Cristobal - had to walk because a massive group came and took the last funicular tickets. At the top it was amazing BUT I couldn’t get the cable car as it was closed for maintenance. On the way down I accidentally wandered into a large protest and got tear gassed on the way in, luckily got out of there before they got sprayed with the high pressure water hoses. Chilled in the hostel with Jack and Becky from Surrey and got recommendations for rest of South America, then got some drinks with a couple Brazilians, Bruno and co in the hostel bar.

Headed to Casablanca valley for a self made wine tour and tasting at Bodega RE winery, Ramon gave me a private tour around the place and the wine was fucking incredible,. Im not much of a wine guy but wow. Then managed to somehow get a bus to Valparaiso and ran to get the walking tour of the city. We were part of the largest group they had since 2018 and they were lovely, met Andrew from aus, Camille from canada and Alex from Germany on the tour and grabbed dinner and drinks after before heading back (only just) to Santiago on a bus again with terrible Spanish.Read more
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Atacama
October 20, 2023 in Chile
Met two Brazilians who tempted me to
Come back to South America just for carnival, victor and Rodrigo, Germans (bianca and her bf) in my room were lovely and showed me why I need to come back to Ushuaia. Went on the astronomical tour in the evening but was an entirely Spanish group and even when I asked if he spoke English he said no lol. Sky was still cool and got to look at the moon and planets through telescopes, I think Rinjani topped it tho!

In the morning I rented a bike and cycled to Valle de La Luna which was really cool. Met a Portuguese and Slovenian girl who were from island at the bottom of one of the treks. The cycle back was very tough with limited water but felt so good to finish! Met Jack Henry and Chloe who I went to watch the England South Africa game with and met an Irish group there. Went for dinner with Chloe Jack and Henry at amazing empanada place.

El tatio in the early morning with same two girls I met coincidently on the bike. Chilled for day and made some calls home and watched some redzone whilst preparing for my departure to Bolivia the next day! Dinner at a pizza placeRead more
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Uyuni Day 1
October 23, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ 🌬 9 °C
Our group was David, Ana, Toby, Christian, Sarah, Heta, Timo, and Alvaro the guide (with some Brazilians too). Lunch at 4400m after hot springs and going through Dali desert and a few lagoons at the start, then we went to the highest point of 4900m to see some geysers followed by the red lake which had winds so strong I was almost falling over, we then drove through the absolutely mental landscapes, which genuinely looked like a different planet, to our accommodation where we enjoyed llama spaghetti for dinner before heading to bed.Read more
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Uyuni Day 2
October 24, 2023 in Bolivia
Left our accommodation in Villa Mar, passing alpacas as we left, first stop was the strange rock formations formed from magma including one that resembled the World Cup and also a camel which I climbed. I then also climbed the peak next to it which was an adventure. We trekked and climbed up a few more rock formations which was really fun and had some amazing views. We passed a HUGE group of llamas on the way to the black lake which we chilled at for a bit. We then had a massive lunch at the black lake before heading to anaconda canyon which was amazing, first ever proper canyon I’ve seen and I was blown away. After that we drove for about 2 hours to a place where we got wifi! So I got to speak to Amy albeit very briefly, whilst enjoying a honey beer and went down the oldest looking rusty slide I’ve ever seen. Last stop of the day was our salt hotel on the salt flats. Tried some of the wall to test it and then had a chicken and chips dinner with Chilean wine.Read more
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Uyuni Day 3
October 25, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C
Woke up at 5am for sunrise over the salt flats, was an unbelievably special sight that I will remember for a very long time. After that we went to incahuasci which is the largest island on the salt flats with 10m high cacti?!? Then came the most over the top perspective photoshoot ever which was hilarious. We checked out the salt hotel, got an amazing lunch (but llama meat was not great) and then went to the train cemetery. I chilled at the office after saying my goodbyes to my group, then had drinks and dinner with David until I had to go to my night bus to la PazRead more
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La Paz
October 28, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Got here at 530, felt dodgy walking through the streets at this hour, made it to the hostel though and they allowed me to check in early at half rate for the night which saved me as I could nap. Woke up had breakfast and met Kelsey and Jonathan from Aus, said I’d join them for cholitas wrestling later, then I went to Entel shop to get a local sim, and took the most scenic rides on the cable cars through the city. I even stopped at this random fried chicken place to eat because the views were so insane, wasn’t hungry at all though. Met up with some people to go see the cholitas which was a super weird experience, came back had a few drinks and played pool.
Jem, Emma, Jonny, Brennan, kelsie for pool.

Feeling rested for first time in a while - went and got a haircut, wandered around the witches market, bumped into the walking tour and had the basilica explained, sent a postcard, got a couple of seltanas as I needed to try the local food. Basically just juicy empanadas. Booked my Huyana Potosi tour with Jiwaki, watched some of the rugby with Jem, got an Uber to gustu for one of the most boujee meals of my life but was incredible.

Death road day - my group was me and 4 Russians and our Bolivian guide Nelson. Russians were so much fun. They were nuclear engineers making the new power plant in Bolivia. Brought beers for the ride. Was seriously dodgy at times but unbelievably fun. Alexander, Yuri, Dennis and AndrewRead more
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Huayna Potosi Day 1
October 29, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Riccardo, Francisco, Aseel, ice climbing on a glacier at 4900m was absolutely ridiculous. Felt my first bit of altitude sickness with a sore head and very breathless but I recovered quickly. Got taught all of the techniques to climb on ice. Came back and had a huge dinner including too many cheese and biscuits. Francisco also meditates through throat worbling which was very odd. First night was freezing and I woke up Incredibly short of breath at 1130.
Managed to get back to sleep at about 1 and slept through until 7.Read more
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Huayana Potosi Day 2
October 30, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Woke up and popped and immodium which was absolutely necessary and took the first half of a dexamethasone pill which I think saved me. Also the ridiculous amount of coco tea. The hike today was tough with 18kg on my back but I felt ok, head was fine and no breathlessness. Views going up were insane, we finally got to high camp and were greeted by 5 condors flying above. We played some uno, had tonnes more tea but this time didn’t have the cream cheese this time to save my stomach. We did a group stretch then played some music and sang along out of my phone to try and pull togherer a playlist for tomorrow! Got our final briefing which included not sweating becaus it will freeze at -20Read more
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Huayana Potosi Day 3
October 31, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☁️ -6 °C
Julio was mine and Aseel’s guide, for the day. We woke up at 11 after maybe an hour and a bit of sleep (woke up in the night with a bad stomach that would haunt me for day to come) walked with all our gear to the glacier where we put on crampons and attacked the mountain at 1230. I felt terrible tho and not sure if it was food poisoning or altitude sickness but through the whole climb I lost a lot of energy (and liquid). Thought about quitting a LOT, we got the to pass at 5700 which was the point of no return and I went for it. We made it up after so so so many stops from falling over from exhaustion at about 630am. Could barely enjoy the top before we had to rush down which felt even more painful but can’t believe I managed it. 6,000m peak ticked off and probably never doing again. Somehow word got around that I was struggling with illness and all the guides started referring and knew me as William Wallace which was kinda funny and cool.Read more
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La Paz Part 2
November 1, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Got back from Huayna Potosi and have never felt so dead. First day back I didn’t leave the hostel, got a club sandwich and some waters from the bar, FaceTimed Amy then got to sleep at 8 and slept for 11.5 hours.

Following day was a bit of an admin day, at 1 Aseel, this guy and I went to see Crazy Dave who talks about his experience in the famous La Paz prison every day at 1pm which was actually super interesting. After this we grabbed some Saltenas for lunch from Pacena La Saltena which was rly good. I booked my bus to Cusco and my flight from Lima to Mexico City. Talked a lot with Joey (German) and Rosie (English) in our dorm for a bit- they are huge hikers to was interesting to hear about their plans to climb illimani. Talked with Joey from Aus in the bar for a bit with Aseel. Got some snacks for tomorrow, had some fried chicken for dinner which was a terrible idea as my stomach got worse, but then settled in for the night ready to leave Bolivia in the morning!Read more
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Cusco
November 3, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Arrived very late at 1130 got an Uber to my hostel which had the worst pillow ever. Woke up after a good sleep, met Isaac from England and Rui from Portugal at breakfast.
Went to look around the square which was very pretty, got my SIM card, had lunch at a local place, explored the handicraft markets and large central markets, then spoke to Amy in the evening before going to the pre Salkantay Meeting and grabbing dinner at Taco mania. Up at 430 to start the trek!Read more
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Salkantay Trek!
November 7, 2023 in Peru
Up at 430 and drove to the start point. Our group was great, felix, susie, Kim, Casper, Rita, Luka Victoria , Simon and Lauren. Walked up to Humantay Lake which was amazing but then walked all the way back down to our accommodation and lunch. I got a ‘room’ upgrade and got placed in an igloo with Juan Alfonso from Mexico who was lovely, talked about his job, life in Mexico, his recommdations, I think he just liked talking to practice his English but he was nice. Watched an ep of the office before just staring out of the cube at the rain coming down thinking how crazy it is to be here. Guides name was Gato

Day 2 was trekking up Salkantay pass, we had ok weather for the first 2 hours up to the pass but as we passed ‘the gringo killer’ and ‘the Peruvian’ the clouds totally enveloped us. On the flat the tendon on the front of my right foot twanged which was agonising but managed through. On the way down it rained pretty much the entire time and just before and after lunch absolutely soaked us. Got to the accommodation. Got wifi, warm shower, beer and crisps were a luxury. Fell asleep listening to the sound of the river

Day after the weather didn’t look good in the morning but got so much better. Walked down into the jungle which was awesome, ate some wild strawberries, fell asleep in a hammock at a camp stay. Went to a coffee place, got lunch, said goodbye to Felix and Susie, got a lift to hydroelectrica where we walked for 2.5/3 hours to aguas calientes with the biggest blisters. Talked and quizzed about Harry Potter with Casper and Kim the whole way.

Machu Picchu day! Woke up again at 430 this time to get the bus up because my feet were ruined. I had circuit 3 with access to the mountain of Machu Picchu, did this with Joe Aoife, Simon, Lauren and Luka and Victoria. It was misty when we got there but after we completed the circuit (and got access to circuit 2 viewpoint through the mountain) to cleared up massively and was magical. Mountain was actually the hardest part of the 4 day trek! Met Sam from England and some French people at the top of the mountain as we waited for clouds to clear. Was so special to spend this day walking around. Got lunch with Kim and Casper before getting the most scenic train ride ever back to Cusco.Read more
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Cusco part 2
November 9, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Laundry Dufflebag tik toks dinner Message casper Plan Philippines Brunch with Hugh and Ben Drinks and empanada with Casper and Kim Bought and sent a postcard Cuy for dinner at Mr Cuy with salkantay group

Woke up at 4 to head off to rainbow mountain and red valley at 430 with Hugh Ben and also met Sam from the Machu Picchu mountain. Red valley was a major highlight, super pretty. It was absolutely freezing. FaceTimed Amy, made some tik toks ate dinner at wild rover then headed to bus station, my Uber was carrying Felix susie and Katrin so was rly nice to see them one final time too. Sad to be leaving this place, really liked it here. Made some great friends and so much to do.Read more
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Arequipa
November 10, 2023 in Peru
Brunch at Eco Brunch, Mundo Alpaca visit to feed some alpacas and llamas, met Amy and walked around with her for a bit. Went to gym for the first time in months then checked into hostel, met Anna in the room and reunited with Rui who was excited to book the colca canyon and also do rafting. Went to watch the sunset at Restaurant on the top with Anna Rui and Meg then went on a wild goose chase around town for dinner. Anna was from Accenture and worked with Omar which was so weird, small world. Ended up on a place that took 40 mins to bring us a water but was just laughing at how ridiculous it was.

Woke up at 230 to get picked up for 3am to start trekking the colca canyon, had a nice group with Rui, Matilda, a German couple, Dutch group, Brazilian girls an irish couple and a Spanish/French couple who live in Ireland. Trekking down was fairly easy but quite long. Ended up going ahead of the group to get to rest point with a pool and wifi. Woke up at 430 the next day to climb out the canyon, raced the guide and won as I ascended in 1 hour 25. Watched the sunrise over the canyon which was awesome. A dog followed me all the way up too? He loved me. We then had the best buffet lunch ever before going to a cloudy viewpoint ans heading back to Arequipa. Got some food and drinks with some of the group before bed. Drinks tasted like they had 0 alcohol lol.

Next morning grabbed breakfast in this lovely cafe with Matilda and Rui, before booking onto white water rafting. They spoke 5 words in English, forward, backward, head down, Inside and outside but it was so so fun. Rui was absolutely shitting it but such a cool experience. Even jumped off this massive rock after they persuaded me in Spanish. Got some lunch and juice from market, tried queso helado then waited for sleeper bus to take us to Huacachina !Read more
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Backpacking Will Triccas
Huacachina
November 14, 2023 in Peru ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Got here at 6am after another successful night sleep on a night bus. Got to Wild Rover with Matilda and then went on a walk up the largest sand dune for a viewpoint of the oasis. Went in the pool and got some lunch after this as I was absolutely caked in sand. Then went to go sand skiing with Anna (from Arequipa) and Isaac from the room, was so so so fun. Skiing again after a while felt very unnatural and it felt impossible on the first few tries, so much harder than snow. Eventually got a couple of good runs in though! The dune buggy through the desert was like a rollercoaster too it was hilarious. Watched the sunset with some beers on the dunes before heading back. It was a sand crisis again so needed the longest shower ever before heading over to banana hostel to meet some of our group, Chelsea, Freya Matilda and Isaac for drinks. Felt so tired and a bit ill after this so called it a night.

Grabbed breakfast next to hostel, amazing avo and egg, chilled by the pool with music and a book before getting bus to ParacasRead more
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Backpacking Will Triccas
Paracas
November 15, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Watched sunset on the beach for the first time this continent! Grabbed dinner with Matilda and got my first proper ceviche of Peru which tasted amazing. I researched best tour agencies and booked ballestas islands and dune buggying through national reserve for next day. After that I was knackered and went to bed.

Started the day off early heading to the Ballestas Islands to see penguins and sea lions. Got back and took some rest before it was time to try but glasto tickets. The entire network of Paracas went down at the absolute worst time so we had to rush to our tour operator to use their wifi but it worked amazingly, I got in in seconds and got 5 tickets! We then went to the National park in dune buggies which was super cool and so fun to drive. Had a FaceTime with Amy on the beach at sunset then grabbed Wine and dinner on rooftop restaurant overlooking small bay with Matilda after. Before bed I had the worst game of pool in my life with Chase and Michaela.

Woke up a bit early and had a Morning ‘gym session’ with the worst equipment ever
Breakfast pancakes and bus to Lima!Read more
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