Being a tourist in the Philipines
Its so easy to get sucked in to the surfing day in day out. Particually when there’s the waves of your wildest day dreams out side you door. So I really try and make the effort to get out and see the culture and trouristy side of the countries I visit ( even if these trips are usually planned on smaller/ windy days or when the tide isnt so great..) Here is what I got up too in between surf days in the Philippines...
Sohtan caves...
an hours pump boat ride from where we where staying on Siaragao lyes the most incredible nooks and crannys of Sohtan caves, we spent the afternoon swimming through underwater arches and caves, climbing through rocky passages to leap into the lagoons and paddling little boats through swamps of beautiful jelly fish!
Swimming with the largest fish on the plannet- Whalesharks need i say more?!? these beautiful plankton munching giants had me speachless...
Snorkeling about, not going to lie i’m exreamy proud of thses photos I took having fun with the underwater macro features on the olympus tough (tg) 5
Tumalog Waterfalls, Ohhh, so very welcome for a cool off dip after a hot day exploring. These are also in Oslob (Cebu Island) Only 10 minuites away from the beach where you can swim with the Whale sharks.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like more info as to where these places are and the best / cheapest ways to get to them!
A lil’ collection or adventures and work
Splashing around in my natural habitat
I guess everybody looks for different things from a surf trip, whether it’s the long days spent kicking back in a bikini on the beach, that adrenalin you get after dropping into an absolute bomb or those salty sunset beers after a long day in the water. However to me a surf trip is a bit of an adventure and a lot of training; it’s all about discovering new beautiful spots and breaks. Its the freedom after a long summer of saving. It’s an endless hunt for those glassy sunrise sessions shared between you and your favourite people, that leaves you satisfied yet still hungry for the rest of the day. But the real beauty, I’ve found, is in all the simple pleasures that come in between.
I’ve recently been travelling around Indonesia, that place has the perfect surf set-up if I ever saw one! There was the crystal clear aquamarine ocean, the most epic of reef breaks and endless sunshine, which, frankly, is enough to put a Cheshire grin on any surfers face.
If you’re thinking about heading to Bali anytime soon I would totally and utterly recommend jumping on a boat and heading straight to the little neighbouring island Nusa Lembongan. A breakfast view of white sands, Boats of every colour bobbing on turquoise water is enough to give anyone a happy soul, its practically paradise. When we weren’t surfing our time was spent snorkelling hunting for a Nemo or two, driving our peds over the most dubious of bridges to get to the another amazing island. I say driving, what I mean is maybe, potentially, landing face first in a bush. That’s standard, though, right?
Then there was Sumbawa island, I have never been more smitten with a place! I went for just a few days at first, I’d heard rumours but didn’t know what to expect, and man was I hooked. As much as I loved Bali with its beautiful bustling streets, scattered temples and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, it just didn’t have the same magic (and waves) as Sumbawa. I went back to Bali purely to extend my visa (…and for a cheeky lil’ night out in Kuta!) then it was Sumbawa all the way. With days consisting of surfing and hanging out with raddest girls imaginable, why would I ever want to leave?
People can get a little cliché when it comes to traveling. Terms like ‘finding yourself’ and ‘having the experience of a lifetime’ seem to spread like wildfire when discussing trips away. I guess its true. You put yourself in situations and places that you would never normally face and meet people that you would never expect to impact your life. However, the most important thing to me? The memories.
Greece is a place I've wanted to visit for years (watching Mamma Mia might have had something to do with it....). A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to pop over with one of my fave' people, Maddie for the Launch of Olympus's new PEN EPL8. A weekend of speed boats, infinity pools, feta cheese, photography workshops, partying, exploring secluded Islands and of course plenty of splashing about in the crystal clear ocean.
Photos of me by Maddie, all taken on the Olympus EPL8 and TG Tracker!
I always love gong to Northern Scotland. Let face the facts here; is mighty chilly and very barren (I tend to go in October) but I think its that untouched feel that makes it so outstanding.
It is such a great British surf adventure Long roads through the bright orangey mores, changing into your suit in farm yards, seals as big as the cows, slate slabs, crumbling castles, huge flat open spaces, sea otters, gorgeous golden light....I could go on but you get the idea!
Maybe I’ve just been lucky with the swells but It never seems to disappoint! This year I nearly surfed a different spot every day, one of which has to be one of the longest left hand point break I’ve ever seen, with just 2 other guys (...and a fair few mega seals) out in the water! I was there for the UK Pro Surf tour event at Thurso, we were blessed with pumping waves for the finals day and I was absolutely stoaked to take the win!
Part of the charm of Ireland is it’s rugged beauty and unpredictability. You never quite know what you are going to get. One minute the gorgeous landscape is highlighted by the most incredible golden sunlight. The next it is grey as can be, with squalls of snow and sleet. (But would it really be Ireland without a bit of rain?)
A swell was brewing on the horizon, we had a few days free and a heads up from a local that is was going to be pumping. Within a few hours the van was packed with as many thermals and warm wetsuits as possible, ferry tickets booked and Adam, my boyfriend, and I were on the road. We drove through the night to be greeted by a crisp, stunning sunny day and a glassy head high right hand reef break. After surfing until sunset we sat by the fire, defrosting in a cosy little pub, Guinness in hand. Ireland had sucked me in easily.
Four days of exploring the beauty that Ireland’s West coast is famous for was incredible. Some of my lasting memories have to be; surfing a collection of worldclass (empty) waves, watching dolphins owning the peak at a solid Mullaghmore, the snow, the chatty locals and of course the stunning surroundings. I feel like Ive only dipped my toes in to what Ireland has to offer and I can’t wait to go back and dive on in.
