Author: Erin

  • Hiking in Mount Kinabalu Park

    Hiking in Mount Kinabalu Park

    There are few places in Southeast Asia where raw wilderness rises so dramatically from the earth as Mount Kinabalu. Towering above the misty rainforests of Kinabalu Park, this UNESCO-listed landscape is often associated with its famous main summit, Low’s Peak. But sometimes you don’t have the time for this multi-day attempt. Summitting Nuluh Lingion Peak…

  • Sake Tasting in Japan: For Beginner’s

    Sake Tasting in Japan: For Beginner’s

    Sake —more accurately called nihonshu in Japan—isn’t just a drink. It’s an expression of place, season, and craftsmanship. From the water used to the rice chosen and even the climate outside the brewery walls, every decision shapes the final cup. Sake brewing in Japan dates back over 2,000 years, originally practiced in Shinto shrines as…

  • Fort Langley Bike Route: Derby Reach, Telegraph Trail & Farmland

    Fort Langley Bike Route: Derby Reach, Telegraph Trail & Farmland

    The Derby Reach area near Fort Langley, BC, is a scenic and historically rich stretch along the Fraser River. This route is one of our regulars and can be done as a leisurely scenic ride or a fast-paced workout. We certainly do both. At around 40km, it’s perfect for those Garmin Weekend 40K badges (if…

  • Beyond Valletta: 5 Day Trips to Explore More of Malta

    Beyond Valletta: 5 Day Trips to Explore More of Malta

    While Valletta is packed with history, charm, and sea views, Malta’s compact size means you’re never far from a new adventure. If you’re based in Valletta for a few days, here are five awesome day trips to explore more of the island’s rich culture, dramatic landscapes, and ancient history—no overnight stays required. 1. Mdina &…

  • Tips for Kilimanjaro & Things I Wish I’d Known

    Tips for Kilimanjaro & Things I Wish I’d Known

    Climbing a mountain the size of Kilimanjaro was not something I’d done before. In fact, I had done very few overnight hiking trips, where we were hiking more than just in and out. I had an idea of what to expect after reading blogs and such, but not everything can prepare you for the experience.…

  • Hiroshima in 2 Days

    Hiroshima in 2 Days

    Hiroshima is an emotionally complex place to visit. Once a university, cultural, and military growing city, the Atomic Bombing in 1945 reshaped Hiroshima forever. Today, it has once again become a city that is full of life, cafés, university energy, and one of the most powerful peace museums. Hiroshima never hides from its past –…

  • Clipping In: A Beginner’s Guide to Clipless Pedals & Shoes

    Clipping In: A Beginner’s Guide to Clipless Pedals & Shoes

    At some point in your cycling journey, you are going to start considering things that make you feel more like a cyclist. The click-clack click-clack of cycling shoes on the coffee shop floor is certainly one of them. It is a big game-changer. Once you’ve tried them, most riders never look back. But it is…

  • 4 Days on Gran Canaria Island

    4 Days on Gran Canaria Island

    Gran Canaria, often called a “continent in miniature,” lies at the heart of Spain’s Canary Islands — an archipelago of volcanic origin off Africa’s northwest coast. The island’s diversity is striking: sweeping dunes in the south, pine forests and mountain villages in the interior, and vibrant coastal cities like Las Palmas in the north. I…

  • Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Part III: Summit Night

    Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Part III: Summit Night

    Summit night is often described as the hardest part of climbing Kilimanjaro — and for good reason. Cold, wind, exhaustion, altitude, and doubt converge in the dark hours before dawn. This final section covers the long night to Uhuru Peak and the quiet emotional comedown afterward. Day 6 – Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka…

  • 2 Days in Kanazawa: Gardens & Gold Leaf Traditions

    2 Days in Kanazawa: Gardens & Gold Leaf Traditions

    Kanazawa feels like Kyoto’s quieter cousin. With immaculately preserved samurai and geisha districts, Edo-era lanes, one of Japan’s top three landscape gardens, and a centuries-long love affair with gold leaf, the city offers a deep sense of history without the crowds. Once a wealthy castle town during the Edo period, Kanazawa escaped WWII damage, allowing…