After a few days in surprisingly pleasant Urumqi, we figured it was time to start heading west. West to the “Stans”.
Distances are big in China. Don’t let the crowded nature of this country fool you, it’s vast. We lucked out and managed to get sleeper seats for the 12-hour ride to Kuche, a town rarely visited by western tourists.
I’ve just arrived in Urumqi, the largest city in Western China and once a major hub on the Silk Road. I didn’t get to my hostel until 4am but there’s no better way to get over jet lag than to get up early and do what everyone else does on a warm Saturday morning – go to the People’s Park.
Part 1: Edziza Spectrum Range Traverse (this post)
Part 2: Crossing the Edziza Plateau
In northern BC there’s a rarely visited park that I hadn’t even heard of until a few months ago. My good friend, Jim, was putting together a trip to visit the asbestos mine (yikes!) where he used to work years ago and Mount Edziza Provincial Park just happens to be a stone’s throw away. To make the trip even more special, Jim invited Calder who also worked in the mine. They hadn’t seen each other since 1971! Continue reading “Edziza Spectrum Range Traverse”
There are many ways to visit a new country but few as rewarding as walking across from coast to coast. Travelling by foot, you notice the little details that give a place its character. You take time to savour the slow changes in landscape and you see places you’d never visit by car or train or even bicycle. Continue reading “Walking Coast to Coast across Sweden”
I’ve just arrived in Malmö, Sweden’s third largest and most multicultural city. It was once controlled by Denmark and is actually a shorter train ride from the Copenhagen airport than is Copenhagen itself. Continue reading “Who says Scandinavian has to be expensive?”
Long walks are good for the soul. After nine days of walking from Glasgow to Fort William, I feel refreshed and relaxed. There’s something especially enjoyable about exploring a country by foot. Along the West Highland Way, one passes through quaint little villages, mysterious inky black lochs, ancient ruins, and some of the best mountain scenery the country has to offer. Continue reading “A Journey Complete”
One of the things I love best about long walks (and travel in general) is the rich history waiting to be discovered. Like the ruins of this Augustinian Priory, built in the 13th century. (In)famous Robert the Bruce loved this place so much he endowed it in 1317. Continue reading “Scotland is falling apart”
It’s been pretty gentle walking on the West Highland Way so far. Today, beyond Inversnaid and its beautiful waterfall, the walking got a lot rougher. Continue reading “The Way Gets Rougher”
It’s Day 3 of walking the West Highland Way and I still can’t believe how vibrant the colours are. I’ve walked in Scotland twice before but I stayed up high where I was enveloped in fog or fighting through blowing rain and tromping through lingering snow, rather than basking in the soft light of the glens far below. Continue reading “All the shades of green”
Last night when we arrived at our accommodations in the little Scottish village of Drymen, I realized we had a problem. I’d booked a single room rather than a double. No, you can’t sleep on the floor. Or pitch your tent in the back. Uh oh. Continue reading “Upgraded”
Eating Snow Around the World 