The Ultimate Guide to Kumano Kodo Iseji

The Ultimate Guide to Kumano Kodo Iseji

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. All photos of me are taken by Chris of Aussie on the Road.  Hiking the Kumano Kodo Iseji was one of the most difficult, incredible things I’ve ever done in my entire life. As someone who doesn’t normally do long-term pilgrimage hikes, I was […]

The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done: Two Weeks Hiking Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji

The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done: Two Weeks Hiking Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji

It’s been one week since I finished Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji Route: the thousand-year-old pilgrimage route through Mie Prefecture. This two-week hike was simultaneously the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and yet also one of the most rewarding. 170 kilometers. 2 mountain peaks. 18 mountain passes. 7 fantastic shrines. 5 steamy onsens. Countless tiny towns. Fantastic […]

Why I’m Hiking Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji (For Two Weeks!)

Why I’m Hiking Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji (For Two Weeks!)

In just a few short days I’ll be hopping on a plane to Japan’s Mie Prefecture to hike the stunning, challenging Kumano Kodo Iseji. After approximately five years of navigating China’s busy cities: honking horns, dodging e-bikes, constant construction… imagining myself hiking through the wilderness with just me, my boyfriend, and my backpack sounds almost […]

River Tracing in Taiwan

River Tracing in Taiwan

I know what you’re thinking: What the heck is river tracing? Only the most awesome new outdoor sport there is! All of the photos from my Hualien Outdoors adventure are courtesy of Hualien Outdoors.  What is River Tracing? “First developed in Japan, river tracing is a combination of hiking, bouldering and climbing in and above […]

Hiking the Taroko Gorge

Hiking the Taroko Gorge

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas from China! Since it’s probably cold outside and you’re all snuggled up with your coffee, getting ready to see family and friends, I thought I’d bring you back to my trip to Taiwan, where you can look at beautiful pictures of sunny skies and hot weather. For those of you […]