Blog Post
De Kepler Track
yvonnemos • December 12, 2018
Voordat ik vertrok besloot ik twee meerdaagse hikes te willen doen hier. Toen ik hier eenmaal was bleek al snel dat ik die dan wel moest plannen en ik voor sommige echt al maanden te laat was. Maar gelukkig waren de twee waar als eerste mijn oog op viel nog wel te realiseren. In het vliegtuig tussen Auckland en Queenstown kreeg ik al een mooi bovenaanzicht van de bergen waar ik me de komende tijd mee ga vermaken.
Queenstown gebruikte ik als tussenstop en om de laatste benodigdheden te shoppen en na een nachtje reisde ik door naar Te Anau; een rustig dorp aan een prachtig groot meer en, belangrijker nog, het startpunt van mijn twee meerdaagse hikes.
Hike nummer één was de Kepler track, waar ik een kleine drie dagen over deed. De eerste dag hoefde ik maar een klein stukje naar de eerste camping (Brod Bay), dus wilde ik niet te vroeg vertrekken. Ik was van tevoren namelijk enigszins bang gemaakt voor de sandflies die op de Kepler campings bovengemiddeld aanwezig zouden zijn. Maar de halve dag in mijn hostel blijven hangen terwijl die prachtige bergen op me wachtten lukte me natuurlijk niet. Onderweg liep ik langs het meer en een stuk door een prachtig bos vol berken en varens. Om 3 uur stond ik helemaal geïnstalleerd met mijn tentje. Gelukkig kan een boek lezen met uitzicht op het meer ook veilig van achter het gaas van een binnentent..
Dag twee kwam ik nogal moeilijk op gang. De camping wordt vrijwel niet gebruikt en daardoor was het water op de camping toch niet zo drinkbaar als me verteld was en zo kieperde ik mijn kop thee na twee slokken weg. Gelukkig had ik nog ruim voldoende kraanwater over van de dag ervoor om de dag mee door te komen. Om het opstarten nog wat te lastiger te maken, begon de dag met een paar uur berg op. Ik mopperde wat op mezelf onderweg naar boven (vooral omdat ik vond dat ik eens door moest lopen, wat onterecht bleek) en liep vrijwel constant in de mist. Eenmaal boven was ik al helemaal in de wolken en accepteerde ik dat ik het uitzicht niet te zien zou krijgen. Ik at mijn lunch bij een hut onderweg, waar ik flink treuzelde omdat de plaatselijke Kea mijn aandacht opeiste. Om te zeggen dat ze een ‘inquisitive nature’ hebben is een behoorlijk understatement.
Eenmaal weer op weg begon zowaar de zon door te breken en zo liep ik een groot deel van de rest van de dag in de bergen, met een prachtig uitzicht op besneeuwde toppen en blauwe meren. De dag tot de tweede camping (Iris Burn) was lang en ver en het water van de vorige camping dat ik wel had gebruikt voor mijn avondeten en ontbijt had zijn effecten. Ik voelde me flink belabberd en ik sloeg mijn avondeten over.
De volgende dag werd ik gelukkig stukken beter wakker, al was het maar omdat mijn kop thee dit keer wel goed smaakte. De wandeling was maar iets korter qua kilometers, maar veel korter qua tijd. Nog even wat verder dalen door het bos, langs de rivier en dan nog een stuk over planken door een moeras. Moe maar voldaan kwam ik terug bij mijn hostel. Ik hoef twee dagen helemaal niets, al zie ik de legpuzzel die hier ligt wel als uitdaging.
#Kepler #NieuwZeeland #reizen
Focusing on keeping the good habits, making changes for the better and keeping the calm.
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#retreat #italy
Had a lovely week of rest, serenity and introspection 🤍
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#retreat #italy
I was told during the first days of this trail that there were loads of adders around. I had to wait until day 7 to spot the first. All and all I came across three and the last one, on the last day, wasn’t too startled to lay around for a bit so I could take some pictures.
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#viper #adder #fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
As a kid I wrote a report on carnivorous plants and I still find them intriguing. Sundew definitely isn’t a rare sight on the Fjordruta, but I still think these plants are pretty special.
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#sundew #drosera #fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
One more (endless) steep ascend, the last views of the fjord and looking back at the islands where the hike started.
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Day 12: Jutulbu - Halsa
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
None of these hills are really that tall, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t steep. A day of clambering up and down multiple times. Way more fun than forest roads though.
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Day 11: Tverrlihytta - Jutulbu
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
Far reaching views, green valley and fens. Accompanied by a soundtrack provided by things with wings that were out for my blood.
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Day 10: Hardbakkhytta - Tverrlihytta
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
The roof of the Fjordruta! Views of the beautiful coastline on one side and the snowcapped mountains inland on the other. The evening light added some great color.
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Day 9: Grytbakksetra - Hardbakkhytta
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
Started the day with a climb through a beautiful foggy forest, rewarding me with a stunning view at the top. Followed by a whole lot of wetland, where I just gave up trying to find the driest way through and embraced the soaking wet feet.
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Day 8: Storlisetra - Grytbakksetra
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
Rounding the tip of the fjord and keeping my socks dry-ish for once. I’d trade the final walk up the hill on a semi-paved forest road for wet feet any day though. Not having to look where I put my feet gives me more time to look at how far there’s still to go..
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Day 7: Sollia - Storlisetra
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
From an inland plain above the tree line featuring snow to some (small) trees and a view of the fjord. Sharing the hut with some fun people after 4 evenings on my own was a nice change.
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Day 6: Storfiskhytta - Sollia
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
With a code yellow storm raging outside, I decided to stay in. Feeling the wind tugging on the hut and the temperature not rising above 4°C, I was happy I had fetched enough drinking water the day before.
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Rest day
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
With the island hopping done, the route took me a bit more inland. The moody and cold weather fit the landscape perfectly. Being cold and wet, I was happy to find hot chocolate at the hut and I made myself a lovely fire.
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Day 5: Rovangen - Storfiskhytta
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
So much peace and quiet that I didn’t even really mind the 5km stretch of road in the middle. The day started with perfect hiking weather and ended with 10°C and a thick fog. Experiencing just one season in a day is boring anyway.
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Day 4: Nersetra - Rovangen
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
Not the most dramatic stage of the route, but a lovely hike among small trees and little lakes nonetheless. In the evening, the incoming change of weather announced itself beautifully.
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Day 3: Imarbu - Nersetra
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#fjordruta #turglede #hikingnorway #norway
Started the day with spotting a deer, clambered up a hill in the forest, sunk a boot in the mud (again), took in the views and ended the (hiking) day with a refreshing dunk in the fjord. No boring days here.
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Day 2: Gullsteinvollen - Imarbu
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#fjordruta #turglede #norway #hikingnorway
Finally going to do the hike that’s been on my wishlist for ages felt a bit scary, because what if it disappoints? But day one of the Fjordruta just made me wonder why it took me so long to return to Norway.
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Day 1: Tømmervåg - Gullsteinvollen
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#fjordruta #turglede #norway #hikingnorway
Tired yet recharged after a long weekend with chosen family 🤍
In love with these colors 🧡💚
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#mushroomhunting #wanderlust
Touristic Conwy on a sunny Saturday was a bit of a shock after 12 days of hiking, camping and sheep. But after stuffing myself with fresh food and ice cream, I decided to ignore that I clearly stood out from the crowd (being a filthy backpacker and such) and join in the fun. So I spent the afternoon walking on top of the city walls and visiting the castle, which of course was preparing for a rendition of a Shakespeare play, because: British.
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#welshadventure #castle
The last stretch. I may have underestimated this trail, but I loved it no less. A little sad that it’s ending, but happy and a little proud that I did it.
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Day 10: Llanfairfechan - Conwy
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
Friendly rolling hills with a sea view and some moody weather.
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Day 9: Bethesda - Llanfairfechan
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
Sunk a boot all the way into the mud, followed by some big steps and small jumps to navigate a rocky part and a walk through a green valley. I loved all of it. The only blemish was the little ache in my shin grew and turned out to be more persistent that I’d hoped.
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Day 8: Llyn Ogwen (south) - Bethesda
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
By this point I’d gotten so spoiled that I complained the path was a bit boring, because it was a wide gravel path leading straight on.. But this was the view.
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Day 7: Dolwyddelan - Llyn Ogwen
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
I picked up the trail where I left it, meaning that after I dragged myself up the steepest field I’d ever seen, I was stood on a familiar road and watched the bus I’d been on the two days before pass me by.. Unsurprisingly though, the surroundings were worth the effort. Happy to be back to “cross the field, then cross the stile to the next field”.
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Day 6: Beddgelert - Dolwyddelan
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
Enjoyed the luxury of a bed, left all my heavy stuff behind for the day and hiked to the top of the Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon. Swipe to see the view disappear about 30 minutes before reaching the summit.
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Day trip: ⬆️ Pyg ⬇️ Miners - 🚌 Beddgelert
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#yrwyddfa #eryri #snowdon #snowdonia #welshadventures #hikinguk
More green valleys and the joy of being on a bus before the rain hit. The initial plan for this holiday was to hike the standard route with full pack and do day hikes to the peaks and there was no reason not to go back to that..
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Day 5: Penrhyndeudraeth - Beddgelert - 🚌 Pen-y-Pass
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
The guide suggesting a 30km day seemed okay when when I was at home on my couch, but a bit excessive when I woke up on day 4.. Shifting the plan from long days/rest days to shorter days/all days.
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Day 4: Trawsfynydd - Penrhyndeudraeth
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
While I decided to switch from mountain route to standard route, the weather switched from relentless sun to overcast and high humidity. A green valley and Roman road brought me to the next stop.
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Day 3: Dolgellau - Trawsfynydd
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #snowdonia #hikinguk
The absolutely stunning views at the top of Cadair Idris are one of the highlights of my trip. Feeling good and strong and loving the hike at this point. The full day kicked my ass though and after running out of water (again), having trouble finding the path and thinking I was almost there while I really wasn’t, I deserved some rest and used the next day to reassess.
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Day 2: Abergynolwyn - Dolgellau
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #snowdonia #welshadventure #hikinguk
Started the hike in a heatwave, uphill, being attacked by horse flies and slipping in the mud as soon as it turned downhill. Save to say I was wondering why I was doing this and if I should bail within half an hour. And then the views got pretty and all was good.
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Day 1: Machynlleth - Abergynolwyn
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#snowdoniaway #eryri #snowdonia #welshadventure #hikinguk #wanderlust
When normal life feels normal again, it’s time to look back on a lovely trip. Starting with an ode to the friends that kept me company during my hike 🤍🤎
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#bêêêh #snowdoniaway #eryri #welshadventure #hikinguk #wanderlust
Guttation; the exudation of drops of xylem sap on the tips or edges of leaves of some vascular plants, such as grasses, and a number of fungi.
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#mushroomhunting #hikingnl #wanderlust
The atrocious premise is the same. The stories are different. The Dutch markings blatant and numerous.
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We cannot change history, but we must acknowledge and learn from it. Apologies are a nice gesture, but words are never enough.
Castles generally make me think of queens and knights, but some of the pretty buildings called “castle” have an purely horrid past. Ghana and The Netherlands will always be linked by the abomination of the slave trade. Reading about it left me speechless before. Listening to the stories and standing at a place where people were purposefully stripped of their last bit of humanity knocked the wind out of me.
Leveling with the birds.
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#ghana #wanderlust
The lively local harbor.
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#ghana #wanderlust
Six months into a new job and they send me to Ghana! After a week at an industrial site in Tema, Cape Coast was a lovely change of scenery.
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#workperks #ghana #wanderlust
The final stretch of the hike I really wanted to do. I’m happy I could complete it before getting sick. This coastline and Sagres (at the very end there) have captured my heart.
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Day 5: Zambujeira do Mar - Odeceixe
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#trilhodospescadores #fishermanstrail #alentejo #portugal #wanderlust
The longest day (22km) and not a cloud in sight. Luckily a nice beach and a lovely cold ocean were waiting for me at the end of the hike.
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Day 4: Almograve - Zambujeira do Mar
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#trilhodospescadores #fishermanstrail #rotavicentina #alentejo #portugal #wanderlust
High cliffs and empty beaches. Wind and sun on my face and loads of space for my thoughts.
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Day 3: Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve
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#trilhodospescadores #fishermenstrail #rotavicentina #alentejo #portugal #wanderlust
In 2016 I hiked one day of the trail, trudging through the loose sand carrying a pack that was way to heavy, but still loving it. I promised myself I would be back and do it right. Packed solely for hiking this time it was an easier walk and still as beautiful as years before. Happy I could keep my promise to myself.
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Day 2: Porto Coco - Vila Nova de Milfontes
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#trilhodospescadores #fishermanstrail #rotavicentina #alentejo #portugal #wanderlust
With the trip ending in isolation and diving straight back into work I haven’t taken much time to look back on my hike last September. Yesterday I finally uploaded the pictures taken with my camera to my laptop and two things stood out; 1) I basically had the same view for 4 days but it never became any less stunning, and 2) I miss daylight already.
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Day 1: Sines to Porto Covo
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#trilhodospescadores #fishermanstrail #rotavicentina #alentejo #portugal #wanderlust
We went looking for shade this weekend.
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With @eveline_mos
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#hikingnl #tragetocht #laagsoeren #wanderlust
“You’re supposed to learn from this experience, it’s a pilgrimage route.”
*learns how to tape blisters*
(I just learned that it’s in fact not a pilgrimage route, so I guess the lack life lessons learned can be forgiven ;))
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Day 3: Holthees - Ven-Zelderheide, 21km
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#hikingnl #pieterpad #wanderlust
The day I got too much sun..
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Day 2: Swolgen - Holthees, 21km
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#hikingnl #pieterpad #wanderlust
Things may appear softer than they are.
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Day 1: Venlo - Swolgen, 21km
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#hikingnl #pieterpad #wanderlust
That’s a lot to carry girl, he better be worth it.
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#paddentrek #hikingnl #nswandeling #nhduinreservaat #wanderlust
Head cleared, hot chocolate well deserved.
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#hikingnl #nswandeling #elsterberg #wanderlust
When you plan a hike two weeks in advance and, against all odds, the weather turns out great.
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With @mos_projectfacilitator.
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#hikingnl #eropuit #wanderlust
Well hello little fellow, thank you for sitting still for a photo shoot.
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#frog #tragetocht #schoonloo2 #middendrenthe #hikingnl #wanderlust
💚
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#groenewissel #schoonloo #middendrenthe #hikingnl #wanderlust
Pretty as porcelain.
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#fungus #tragetocht #sleenerzand #middendrenthe #hikingnl #wanderlust
Last hints of summer.
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#butterfly #atalanta #tragetocht #orvelte #middendrenthe #hikingnl #wanderlust
I thoroughly enjoyed my view the past couple of evenings.
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#sundown #middendrenthe #natuurhuisje #hikingnl #wanderlust
2 days, 35 kilometers, a tent and the decision to stop counting my blisters.
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#collectblistersnotthings #farmland #nswandeling #mookerheide #hikingnl #wanderlust
When your plans get canceled..
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#heather #nswandeling #mookerheide #hikingnl #wanderlust
Sea view
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#dutchcoast #lovezeeland #groynes #paalhoofden
Sail away with me
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#dutchcoast #sunset #lovezeeland
2 days, 52 kilometers, 4 blisters and the best company.
Thank you for letting me tag along @mos_projectfacilitator
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#romeinselimespad #hikingnl #wanderlust
A fluffy bit of happiness.
Made possible by @justineve14 😘
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#alpacaselfie #vorstenbosch
Cold and sunny weather, a nice route, my big sis and a deer hopping past. Not a bad day.
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#klompenpaden #hikingnl #wanderlust
Wavy fungi
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#mushrooms #forest #hikingnl #groenewissel #tharde #wanderlust
I always feel just a little bit better when I’m surrounded by trees.
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#forest #ovstapper #zandenbos #hikingnl #wanderlust
We walked along the beach until the cold made our ears hurt and we deserved hot chocolate.
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#dutchcoast #lovezeeland #uitwaaien
Longing for the forest.
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#forest #tragetocht #amerongen #utrechtseheuvelrug #hikingnl #wanderlust
Bursting out of its skin.
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#mushroom #autumn #tragetocht #amerongen #utrechtseheuvelrug #hikingnl #wanderlust
Just some twins enjoying the sunshine.
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#mushrooms #autumn #tragetocht #amerongen #utrechtseheuvelrug #hikingnl #wanderlust
The forest never bores me.
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#forest #ermelobuitenleven #hikingnl #tragetocht #leuvenum #wanderlust
Also in my front yard last week.. Or maybe I was in their back yard?
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#woodpecker #natuurhuisje #ermelobuitenleven #wanderlust
My front yard during last week’s getaway 💜💚
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#natuurhuisje #ermelobuitenleven #heather #foggymorning #wanderlust
Found some small beauties.
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#mushroomhunting #hikingnl #groenewissel #garderen #wanderlust
When you can smell the heather 💜
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#hikingnl #groenewissel #ermelo #heather #wanderlust #ermelobuitenleven
Sunshine & farmland.
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#hikingnl #nswandeling #limburgsplateau #wanderlust
I traded the boiling city for the shady forest for a few hours.
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#hikingnl #forest #ferns #wanderlust
Hints of spring.
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#hikingnl #nswandeling #meijendel #blossom #wanderlust
Sorting my thoughts on a sunny winter’s day 🖤
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#hikingnl #nswandeling #devuursche #forest #wanderlust
There will always be a part of me that longs for a little home far away from everything except mountains and waves.
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#whenigrowup #daretodream #escapism #wanderlust #alicante #casteldeguadalest
I know that 2020 has some adventures in store for me. I hope some of them will involve mountains and sunshine.
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#lines #horizon #clouds #backlight #nofilter #wanderlust #traveling #alicante #spain #winterescape
Sunny days in autumn 🖤
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#autumn #heather #wanderlust #loonseendrunenseduinen
Apparently I only take pictures at the beach nowadays.
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#beachlife #dutchcoast #pastels #scheveningenpier #scheveningenbeach
I’m leaving the seaside and am heading back to the city for a while.
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#homeiswheremybackpackis #changeofscenery #dutchcoast #beachlife #lovezeeland #blogindutch #linkinbio
Stay on the intended path or take a turn?
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#carreerplanning #daretochoose #winterwanderung #hiking #switzerland #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
I have a love/hate thing going on with the weather here lately.
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#blowmeaway #comerainorshine #changingseasons #sundowner #windinmyhair #beachlife #cloudporn #lovezeeland #dutchcoast #skyline
A breath of fresh air.
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#storm #waves #hightide #beachlife #windinmyhair #kopindewind #uitwaaien #dutchcoast #lovezeeland
Prickly.
For the past years I’ve loved living in a larger city, but I find that I’m appreciating space, peace and quiet more and more.
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#peaceandquiet #hustleandbustle #villageversuscity #rustenruimte #prikkels #dorpvsstad #blogindutch #linkinbio #salardeuyuni #bolivia
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📷: Bolivia, 2011.
From new to old.
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#zealand #zeeland #whatsinaname #beachlife #windinmyhair #blogindutch #linkinbio
Road tripping 🖤
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#roadtripping #sunrise #beachlife #northland #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
The best sights aren’t caught on picture.
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#divetrip #scubadiving #blowingbubbles #poorknightsislands #divetutukaka #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
I’m not a fan of big crowds, but often these people are there for a good reason. While hiking in a line of people sucks, this was absolutely totally worth it.
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#tongarirocrossing #tongariro #trampingnz #hiking #newzealand #aotearoa #traveling #wanderlust #blogindutch #linkinbio
I took the wheel yesterday and drove myself along the Whanganui River.
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#whanganui #whanganuiriver #whanganuiriverroad #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling
I took a little break from traveling and posting the last days, because I was enjoying the company of friends 🖤
Today it was time to move on again, starting the second part of my New Zealand trip: the North Island. But not without sharing a picture of my last stop in the South.
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#anchoragebay #abeltasman #trampingnz #hiking #friendsinfarawayplaces #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
Rest day.
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#palmtree #goldenhour #newzealand #aotearoa #traveling #wanderlust
A quiet summer evening.
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#beachlife #waves #moodygram #punakaiki #nzwestcoast #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling
I passed by this beauty some days ago.
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#hookervalleytrack #mtcook #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
I ended 2018 on a high.
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#obligatorytravelpic #summithike #trampingnz #arthurspass #newzealand #aotearoa #traveling #wanderlust
Just enjoying the peace and ‘quiet’ of Stewart Island.
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#stewartisland #rakiura #rakiuratrack #trampingnz #oystercatcher #newzealand #aotearoa #hiking #traveling #wanderlust #blogindutch #linkinbio
Found it.
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#kiwibird #luckyme #ulvaisland #newzealand #aotearoa #wanderlust
Another beautiful great walk.
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#routeburntrack #trampingnz #newzealand #aotearoa #hiking #wanderlust #traveling #blogindutch #linkinbio
What a lovely home base this place has been for the past days.
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#cloudporn #newzealand #aotearoa #traveling #wanderlust
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