trails + tents

Cycling Croatia // The Story

Last summer I spent four weeks living out of pannier bags strapped to the back of a bicycle while pedaling around Croatia + Montenegro. This was not on my agenda when I kicked off the year nor when I booked my flights to Europe. I hadn’t even been on a […]

friends + feelings

Cycling Croatia // The Struggle Bus

I am a bit of a stubborn optimist, which leads me to believe in my ability to persevere even when the odds are against me. Because of this fateful personality trait, I considered this cycling trip to Croatia to be just another challenge. I haven’t ridden a bike for more than 15 miles in the last…three years? Not to mention, I knew/know little to nothing about bike touring. I went into this the quest to cycle to the coast of Croatia grossly under trained + somewhat under-prepared.

(more…)

travel thoughts

Cycling the Coast of Croatia

In a few hours, I’ll be hopping on a bus to Croatia. I’ll be leaving behind my life of comfort + ease in the Swiss Alps for a month of sitting in a bike saddle as I tour the coast of Croatia on a newly acquired bicycle. Everything is in order [I think] + somehow all of the details have fallen into place [hopefully]. The trip to Croatia was planned out of necessity [visa requirements + such], the idea to cycle the coast was born by insanity + the details were hammered out courtesy of many creative, enabling + determined minds.

(more…)

travel thoughts

Volunteer Exchange // WorkAway vs HelpX vs WWOOF

My first bout of nomadic living came as a bit of a surprise, to everyone. Myself included. I didn’t spend years saving up for travel. This meant my bank account was far from prepared for my voluntary stint of unemployment. However, everything else in my life was screaming “go, go, go”. So I went. I didn’t want to turn down the opportunity to see the world because it came unexpectedly. I decided I would just get really creative with my budgeting + travel plans.

(more…)

travel thoughts

Simply Happy

Yesterday I made the hilly, sweaty bike ride from the Camping Kate campground in Mlini to the main bus station in Dubrovnik. In an attempt to avoid the relentless, baking heat I left camp before 7am + arrived at the bus station approximately 3.5 hours before my bus.

(more…)