You might want both so some info and inspiration about the two opposite trips. Sex on the beach or a bit of culcher. To be honest I always think I’d love to chill on a beach but after ten minutes I’m bored. Beach stuff always incorporates snorkelling, boats, hiking and fucking around looking for a good beach bar. Archaeology and art always take a precedent which is another reason for travelling alone, for that in itself can create a tinderbox of arguements if you’re with someone. And natural beauty and flora and faena of course sort of mix with both.
“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively, unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Interest in art, museums, archaeology et al
On all my trips I have to have access to history and art. As an artist myself I find inspiration and happiness by always going to places where I can plan a circuit of the major museum and historical sights. The planning of this can be done on the road. It’s half the fun. Wonderful Google maps will let you mark places of interest and even give you the best walking route. I request museums first and mark them and then galleries etc as well. Then a heart marker for where you’re staying. If things are near enough always walk. You absorb your environment, get an idea of the layout of the area, and you will be able to spot good restaurants and bars for later or indeed straight away to rest your trotters! It’s a surefire way of feeling confident in your territory and aware of shortcuts, and saving money! Taxis are all very well for inaccessible places but you never get the feel of the place.
Go to the local Government Information Centre for maps and advice on the local public transport.They will give you a good map of the area which will open to a larger area than your IPad. It’s an extra tool and weighs nothing. Do not be tempted by other information centres that will hard sell you into expensive trips with exactly the sort of people you don’t want to mix with!
Obviously some of you will fancy theatre or the ballet at night, thats fine just have your hotel book you a cab back. I will write a section at a later section in one of my ‘Top Tips’ sections which will be marked by a pink background when the relevent blog surfaces.
There will be large sections on archaeology as well, and the sometimes murderous journeys to get to the sites (cave paintings on an island in Sicily for example) If want to go to places where tourists rarely roam you have to go on more tortuous journeys with more planning involved! This is part of your wonderful adventure.
The wet bits section….. The beach and all at sea.
Down and dirty at the beach. Swimming, snorkelling, diving, boogy boarding or just plain sunbathing? Onboard a boat for some fishing aswell? Climbing and trekking around the coastline? Gazing out to sea? Breath in that air and get ready for your wet bits! Plenty to do by the water rather than just sitting around. When you finish your activity its great to have that beer at the beach bar, or meal at a restaurant you’ve come across, or a lovely picnic of fresh produce you’ve picked up at a local shop. You can sit on a boulder and look into a rock pool while you munch on your lunch. No judgement on your table manners, you’re alone and can be a piggy, there’s nobody to interfere or judge!!
That empty beach was mine all mine after a hike over the hill! Safety first if in an isolated environment like this. Stranger danger, swimming alone and safekeeping of valuables will be covered in later blogs where appropriate.
These people had to pay for directions by taking a pic of me being silly! Don’t worry my hat was in my rucksack on the ground next to me, along with a shirt to cover those shoulders. I will also cover the tips for avoiding heat fatigue in later blogs.
Well, you don’t have to go this mad. But you can!!! This is a time when you need swim buddies! Details of this trip will be linked later. Whale sharks are gentle giants, by the way, no limbs were lost!
Pasta at the beach with clams and mussels is heaven. Something about the ozone in the air suits all fishy things which are bound to be super fresh!
I swam with this lovely turtle for twenty minutes out to sea. I was mesmerized. She waited for me each time I stopped swimming next to her. I fell in love with her beautiful and graceful gliding through the water, turning her head ponderously from side to side to eat jellyfish. Wet trip at its best but also most dangerous. I was so busy filming I hadn’t realised I had swum about a quarter of a mile out. I was told off by crew and suffered heat stroke after!
Cautionary tales are all the way through the blogs. I’ve learnt by bitter experience so you don’t have to!! I also got smashed in the head by a boat. The guy apologised profusely but that’s not really the point is it?
If you’re done here BACK TO BLOGS.
OVER AND OUT FROM A WET OLD BIRD
If you want to go:BACK TO BLOGS.
Old Bird Travels Solo! 