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Meet Sydney

Hi, I’m Sydney and I’ve been slowly wandering this incredible planet since 1982! Welcome to my site.
If you love to travel with a focus on the great outdoors you’ve come to the right place!
I love to help you explore the amazing wild side of our planet – sailing, hiking, wildlife, swimming – no matter your age, stage, or budget.
Come share the journey and let me help you on yours.
Let’s go wild!

Latest posts

How to visit Iquitos: The complete guide to hotels, sights & Amazon Adventures
August 15, 2026
The 25 best things to do in the unusual European capital of Tirana!
July 28, 2026
20 best things to do in Colombia’s Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero)
July 27, 2026
The 10 best day hikes in the North Island New Zealand (off the beaten path)
July 21, 2026

The incredible frailejone trees in the paramo of C

The incredible frailejone trees in the paramo of Colombia! These trees only grow in this ecosystem between 3000 and 4000 meters. They grow 1-2cm year so some of the ones you see are 200 years old. They are responsible for much of Colombias local waterways - by capturing moisture from passing fog and mist with the fuzzy hairs on their leaves. The water forms into heavy droplets that drip onto the ground and then soaks into the spongy volcanic soil of the l páramo, which slowly feeds underground aquifers that naturally supply streams and rivers!!
Local guide Will took myself and my sis in law - Gloria - up into the paramo from a tiny but wonderful township Murillo - off the beaten path entirely but it shouldnt be!! (Its only 2 hours from Manizales so pop it on your itinerary if your going that way - its a spectacular drive!) .
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#paramo #frailejone #colombia #travelandnature

The famous Quinido wax palms - the national tree o

The famous Quinido wax palms - the national tree of Colombia and the tallest in the world. They grow to 45 - 60 meters (148 - 200 feet)🌴
You can easily see them at Salento on the tourist trail, but if you want to see them off the trail head to San Felix in Caldas where you will get the same views and trees for $0 with 0 people!
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#colombia #waxpalms #traveltips #travelandnature

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is basically the rocks

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is basically the rockstar of the Colombian cloud forest. Its pretty cool to see.
The males are impossible to miss with their Mohawk of orange-red feathers and athismassive, fluffy crest that completely covers their beak.
Sadly it is not mating season atm but when it is they gather in groups called "leks" to show off for females. They hop around, bob their heads, and make bizarre squawking noises that sound like a mix between a pig and a crow.
Even though the guys are super flashy, the females are a boring brownish-orange. This helps them stay camouflaged in the trees while taking care of the nests - always the practical ones!
In the gorgeous village / town of Jardín, you can see them just a short walk from the main town square at a local reserve. They hang out there every afternoon and nobody knows why but they do! I was also lucky enough to see them by a waterfall I visited.
Very cool thing to see in Jardin!
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#Jardin #Colombia 🇨🇴 #travelandnature

Probably the most colorful tuktuks I've ever seen

Probably the most colorful tuktuks I've ever seen en masse! In the playground town of wealthy Colombians - Guatapé!
We might find it a bit OTT as the houses and offices are pretty much the same - but somehow it works!!
I've been having fun here with a lovely new friend from South Korea staying in my same hostel. I even have a Korean name now - Hwa yeon!
People come here to climb a rock (and see some of Pablo's old houses!) More on thst later....
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#Guatapé # colombia # #traveladventures

La chiva - mountain road "buses" in Colombia. Bump

La chiva - mountain road "buses" in Colombia. Bumpity bump all the way. But a fun way to get around.This one was from Jardin to Jerico in the Antioquia region. Both are lovely villages and worth the chiva journey!!
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#travelwithme #adventuretravel #Colombia

Well seeing as Ive been in Colombia for a while no

Well seeing as Ive been in Colombia for a while now I thought its time I posted some pics from here.
This is the Cueva del Esplendor. Literally the cave has a hole that this wonderful waterfall bushes through. The water is brisk but lovely after quite a bit of walking!! Magical ✨️
Get here on foot from Jardin (3 hours each way) or tuktuk part of the way (5km walk each way from thr drop off point) or a jeep (only about 1.5km walk each way). As it was so hot and sunny I shared a tuk tuk with someone I met swimming yesterday and someone from my hostel. Good decision not to walk the whole way!!

#colombia #jardin # #traveladventures

If you're thinking of Socotra - do add it to your

If you're thinking of Socotra - do add it to your list......
Its a land of contrasts and extremes and stark beauty! The trees, the birds, the beaches, the mountains and cliffs....
We were lucky to have @socotra_tamam take us all over the island.
And I was lucky enough to sail there. Huge thanks to Captn Khalid!
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#travelandnature #socotra #sailinglife

Sand dunes in Socotra - there are plenty but this

Sand dunes in Socotra - there are plenty but this one is 400m high and I thought I was going to expire climbing up it!! I had to literally walk like an ape - punching holes with my hands for my feet!!
But it was sooo much fun coming down!!!
In the last pic you see a campsite set up for people here on camping tours at the bottom of the sandhill - the way to go here!
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#socotra #traveladventures #travelandnature

Qalansiyah and the Detwah Lagoon, Socotra! No foot

Qalansiyah and the Detwah Lagoon, Socotra!
No footprints on the beach, warm water, birds wading, and more circling above, whites, ochres, blues......Heaven!
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The final pic may bemuse you! But the coastline to this beach in the far west of the island is dotted with lots of old rusting Russian tanks - which I believe we never used!
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Is Socotra on your list? Yes / No? Its one of the most stunning places on this beautiful planet as you can see!
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Thanks to @socotra_tamam for showing us their land. 🚙
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#socotra #travelandnature #naturetravellers

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