Switzerland

JUNGFRAUJOCH – IS THE ‘TOP OF EUROPE’ REALLY WORTH THE VISIT?

JUNGFRAUJOCH – IS THE ‘TOP OF EUROPE’ REALLY WORTH THE VISIT?

Mar 28, 2017

Switzerland - the mountainous central European country surrounded by luscious landscapes, thousands of cowbells and rugged snowy peaks - is also home to Jungfraujoch; also known as 'the Top of Europe'. Jungfraujoch is a saddle that rests between two peaks, which both reach elevations of...

5 WEEKS IN EUROPE – EUROPE TRAVEL ITINERARY

5 WEEKS IN EUROPE – EUROPE TRAVEL ITINERARY

Feb 16, 2017

In 2014 I embarked on my first relatively long adventure abroad. I spent 5 weeks in Europe, travelling to the countries and cities that really tickled my fancy. The trip was only 5 weeks, so time was quite restrictive. The Contiki style of 'one day in every...

20 PHOTOS THAT WILL MAKE YOU VISIT SWITZERLAND

20 PHOTOS THAT WILL MAKE YOU VISIT SWITZERLAND

Jul 24, 2016

My oh my, Switzerland is certainly the first country that captured my heart! A country filled with so much beauty, character, history and kind people... A Euro trip just would not be the same without a visit to this breathtaking, mountainous and incredibly scenic country. This beautiful...

Girl in red beanie looking at camera with mountains in the distance

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Inside the mind of a compassionate, holistic, eco-conscious Australian! Standing up for things that matter and inspiring you along the way. Come and join me ♡

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  • The Great Wildebeest Migration... ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ An annual spectacle where over 1.5 MILLION wildebeest embark on a treacherous 1000km circular journey from Tanzania to the mighty Maasai Mara. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m calling it... I think this might be the greatest show on Earth 💛
  • When the world’s largest land mammals look like mere tiny ants 🐘 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This week I’ve been deeply missing wildlife photography, the mountains and a sense of adventure. Just as things were starting to ease and I began to make a few plans, Melbourne was hit with a second wave and now we’re back in lockdown... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I guess this is a reminder to go with the flow of life. Be flexible, expect the unexpected, be open to change, and always be grateful for the little things too ♥️
  • Mighty Sagarmatha 🏔 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I first caught sight of Mount Everest in June of 2019 from high up in the sky... And no more than 5 months later I had the privilege of walking through the Himalayas to see her up close. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But my reminder to you today, is that mountains are not for us to ‘conquer’. They do not belong to us. Love them, cherish them, treat them with respect. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Nature is not for us to defeat ♥️
  • How lucky we are to share this planet with such beautiful creatures... 🦓♥️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “We’re all part of this great big eco system; from the bees to the trees to the human beings” (@intersectionalenvironmentalist) 🌏 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We need to make this a space where we ALL can thrive... All life intersects, and thus our activism must intersect too 🌏🥰
  • WHITE PRIVILEGE IN THE OUTDOORS 🌱 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❝ Even though the outdoors may be interpreted as a place of wellness that people visit in order to decompress or become the best version of themselves, simply being outside has historically been a challenge for ethnically diverse communities and BIPOC ❞ — David Robles, @melaninbasecamp ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In many aspects of the outdoors; hiking, climbing, running, skiing, camping, bird watching etc. BIPOC are policed, threatened and targeted... Hiking routes have racist names, the people you predominantly see on the trails and in outdoor media are white, and in general, systemic racism creates barriers that make the outdoors less accessible to BIPOC... (etc.) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What is deemed to be a peaceful, rejuvenating, relaxing place to ‘escape’, is not always a safe and accessible place for all❗️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If, like me, you encourage others to dive deep into nature, to care for the planet, to cherish the outdoors... Remember that we MUST also do the work to make it something that is an inclusive, diverse, safe space for EVERYONE. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There is no “outdoors for all” whilst racism exists, so here’s what you can do: + Reach out to outdoor brands and ask them to do better, listen to the stories of BIPOC and amplify their voices, follow Black outdoor enthusiasts (there has recently been a BlackHikersWeek and BlackBirdersWeek. Look up the hashtags and support them ♥️), donate to grassroot orgs, educate yourself, be teachable, speak up, have conversations... Diversify. The. Outdoors! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We have A LOT of work to do. Once again, I’m right here learning with you 🌿 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍 Lairmairrener Land
  • Fluffy Stork-billed Kingfisher 🌱 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I have found a deep love for birdlife over recent years. My reminder to you, today and everyday, is DO NOT forget to look up! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There’s magic gliding through the sky... ♥️
  • ADVENTURE NEAR, NOT FAR 💫 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We may not be able to cross borders, fly over oceans or travel to far away places, but don’t ever forget that adventure is all around us... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the sun, the moon and all of the stars. In the walk from your doorstep, in the simplicity of nature, and in the depth of your imagination... Challenge what it means to explore 🌿 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Look up at the sky, get lost in the present, and find your adventurous spirit regardless of where in the world you might be. We may not be able to travel far, but beauty is everywhere — adventure is what you make it, and creativity is endless ♥️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ad @kathmandugear #adventurenearnotfar
  • Yesterday was World Giraffe Day! So let’s marvel at our long limbed friends... 🦒 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Masai Giraffe (with these unique patterns) were declared endangered due to their population plummeting by 50% in the last 30 years. Out of the 8 other giraffe subspecies, 2 are critically endangered 💔 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the same 3 decades, TOTAL giraffe numbers have fallen by 40%, with only 111,000 giraffe now remaining in all of Africa. Meaning, there are fewer of these towering giants than there are elephants... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, what can you do? - Support Acacia tree reforestation efforts and sustainable agriculture programs. - Support anti-poaching efforts that work WITH humans, not against them (killing poachers is NOT the solution!!!) - Donate to rescue and rehabilitation orgs. - Support sustainable community development programs. Finding community based solutions will assist in Giraffe conservation too. We need to look at the reasons why human-wildlife conflict/poaching/the bushmeat trade (etc.) occurs, and find beneficial alternatives and incentives for communities instead (Remember, it’s all connected ✊🏼) - Amplify Indigenous/LOCAL ecological knowledge. - Educate others on why intersectional wildlife conservation is so important (as well as climate justice and social sustainability too, once again... It’s all connected) 🌎 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To finish, I leave you with a fun fact... Giraffes hum at night! How cute is that?! 😍🦒🧡
  • This is Aṉangu land ♥️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Since the colonization of Australia in 1788, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples have been fighting to gain legal ownership of the lands and waters they have always called home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❝ For Aboriginal people there is literally no life without the land. The land is where our ancestors came from in the Dreamtime, and it is where we shall return. The land binds our fathers, ourselves and our children together. If we lose our land, we have literally lost our lives and spirits, and no amount of social welfare or compensation can ever make it up to us. ❞ — Yolngu man, Galarrwuy Yunupingu ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The Australia we know today was born on the back of slavery and genocide. The day of colonization is celebrated, sacred Aboriginal sites are continuously being destroyed, and racism and brutality is rife (the list goes on)... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❗️If you live in Australia, or even if you’re just visiting, go to “aiatsis.gov.au” to see a map of Indigenous Australia and the traditional owners of the land on which you walk. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Centre Indigenous voices and their ecological knowledge. • Educate yourself on the history of this country (I think the PM needs to do this too 🙄) • Email your local schools and ask for Aboriginal culture to be a non-negotiable subject. • Sign petitions, donate to Indigenous organizations, buy from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander businesses. • Email government representatives and DEMAND they do better. • Listen, learn, a m p l i f y! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Always was, always will be 🖤💛❤️
  • WILDLIFE CONSERVATION HAS RACIST ROOTS TOO. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Racism and social injustice takes place in every field, and that is no different in environmentalism and wildlife conservation: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❗️The BULK of conservation efforts are occupied by foreign conservationists or descendants of colonial settlers. ❗️Highly qualified Black conservationists are frequently supervised by white foreign practitioners who have FAR less experience in preserving local wildlife and ecosystems (aka. white environmental saviors). ❗️Despite Indigenous people being the guardians of the natural world, their voices are frequently disregarded and seen “as obstacles that need to be removed”. ❗️Conservation models are quick to demonize ethnic minority groups because of Western ideologies, instead of trying to understand and work with them to find sustainable solutions. ❗️When Black people kill animals it’s called “poaching”, when white people kill animals it’s called “hunting”... ❗️I’m sure you know of David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, but you probably haven’t heard of Carlos Lopes Pereira, Collet Ngobeni or Sylvester Kampamba... + ETC. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “The traditional Western conservation model only cares about places and nature without people. And the only people that do count in those places are white” — Sergio Avila ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Unless conservation benefits the traditional owners of the land and the local people who share the space with wildlife, it is colonialism in the name of environmentalism. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We cannot care for wildlife, the environment, or the Earth unless we are actively dismantling racist systems. If we are in search of solutions, environmental justice and balanced ecosystems, we MUST centre BIPOC voices, stand for Indigenous/tribal ecological knowledge, and make our activism intersectional. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Anti-racism work needs to be embedded in EVERYTHING we do. As I’m sure you’ve heard me rant about before, sustainability MUST be holistic; a balancing act of the economic, social and environmental aspects. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Conservationists, environmentalists, Earth activists (EVERYONE)... I urge you to SPEAK UP. Listen, learn, amplify. I’m right here learning with you ♥️
  • HOW YOU CAN AID WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FROM YOUR HOME: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ♥️ Be conscious of what you buy! This applies to food, fashion, beauty, physical products and more. Are they contributing to deforestation, death, pollution etc? (Make sure you think about Indigenous communities and local people too) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🦧 Avoid unsustainable Palm Oil (I have an entire blog post on this - link in my bio)! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌼 Plant native flowers, trees and shrubbery in your backyard to help wildlife and bees thrive! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💧On hot days, put out a shallow water dish (in a safe place) for thirsty wildlife to access. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🦆 Be cautious of what you feed birdlife — human foods can harm their stomachs and encourage bad behavior. Avoid it all together if not necessary, and DO NOT feed other animals either! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💵 Donate to genuine organizations and programs that are working to save lives, protect endangered species and aid in intersectional conservation (if you have the ability to). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ♻️ Pick up trash! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⌨️ Email companies and encourage them to reconsider any harmful practices. Sign petitions, contact government officials and get loud for our furry, feathered, scaly friends who don’t share our voice. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📞 Keep a contact list of local wildlife rescuers/carers so that you can quickly contact them if you see an animal in need. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🧠 Educate yourself on any issues surrounding your local wildlife and how you might be able to help. Knowledge is power! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are so many more, but this is already super long. Maybe a blog post is in order... 🐝🐸🦊🦘🐙🐛🐨
  • Future kings 👑 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As I’m sure you have noticed, the lion in the first photo has one blind eye 👁 I was quite a distance from him at the time, and actually didn’t notice the colour until zooming in on my camera... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I mentioned it to our knowledgable guide — a local Maasai — who seemed to think that he was (and would be) aye okay 💙 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A relief to hear, and what a beauty he was 🦁 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On a side note: HOW MANY FLIES CAN YOU SPOT? 🦟

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