The beginning
When I closed the door behind me in April 2022, I had no idea that it was the beginning of my first bike trip around the world. The idea was to go on another bike tour (my third) around Emerald Isle. A bit longer, and a bit more challenging, so I can measure my strengths further and see if I can really continue doing such a thing. Moreover, I wanted to explore more of the land I was reborn in and learn more about myself. I have always dreamed of going on such long outdoor expeditions, but was I capable of doing it? I was eager to find out the answer before I could start putting all the plans I had in my head for years into action.
Just a couple of months, I said, I got on my bike, half scared, half excited, and left. But it didn’t take long for the excitement to wipe out all the fears and hesitations I had before starting. I was finally doing what I always wanted to. Exploring, seeing and experiencing the world (even a small part of it) in my own way. The more I was going, the stronger and more competent I felt. I began to do and live things I could never have thought possible from the security of my sterilised home.
As a result, my initial idea began to grow slowly. After a couple of months exploring the Emerald Isle, it eventually became the beginning of my first trip around the world. Nine months later, I am writing this post from Greece, and I am still unable to believe what I have done so far. It was beyond anything I could have imagined or expected. A crazy roller coaster of experiences and emotions, that lasted almost eight months and took me through wonderful places in Ireland, France (mainland), Corsica, Sardinia, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy (mainland). Greece was only a finish line for the first part of my first trip around the world; I will explore and discover more about it, during the next ones.
Changing and adapting
Cycled for thousands of kilometres and thousands of meters of total elevation. Went through mountains, hills, emerald and golden landscapes, forests, lakes, and seas and wild camped at some stunning places. Watched nature changing slowly from one season to another and got close to it as I had never been before. Hiked and climbed some beautiful routes, and tried some other activities for the first time, like sailing and kayaking. Learned what it is like to live off the land, and sailed hundreds of miles in calm, glassy and rough seas. Sweated a lot and swam in nice refreshing waters. Took trains and cars when my bike was injured, and ferries to cross from one land to another. My tent became my beloved home and my bicycle the favourite way to travel and explore.
Furthermore, I saw myself gradually transforming from an insecure, shy, closed-to-self person to a confident and almost over-socialised one. All of these thanks to the wonderful people I’ve met along the trip, so far. Each one of them helped me to keep going in their own special way. I became friends with them by just saying hello and smiling, and together we shared rides, laughs, food, water, and many beautiful inspirational moments. I found help in the most unexpected locations, and learned a lot about the places I passed from the people who live there.
Questions and challenges
However, there were also numerous challenges that I had to deal with, in different parts of it. From a simple cold and exhaustion to injuries to my body and bike. At one point, I almost threw away all my equipment due to bedbugs, and another time I was sick for the first 12 hours of our sailing to Tunisia.
Even so, each one of the challenges I encountered taught me something different. It is not a secret that from the very first moment you start a trip like this, you are out of your comfort zone (physical and mental). Facing the fear of what exists out of it, it is probably the greatest challenge you need to overcome. And I wasn’t an exception to it. I had to break many of my personal limits and comfort zones, to learn more about myself and realise that the spectrum of my capabilities is much wider than I believed.
I questioned myself many times about what I was doing, and there were times when I almost gave up. But I always found a way to get back to light and recovery, so I could keep going. This was one of the biggest lessons that this trip taught me so far. For the first time in my life, I felt completely alive, with zero regrets of anything I have lived and experienced. I wouldn’t change anything at all. Not even the toughest moments. Every moment showed me something new and helped me understand more about myself and the world I live in.
Just-a-Trip around the world (vol.1)
Route maps
Winter break and recovery
Although, at some point, I felt so overwhelmed by everything on this trip that my body and mind couldn’t follow. It’s been almost eight months since I left, and I needed a break. So, I decided to speed up my arrival to Greece and take a winter break to rest and digest everything that has happened until now.
Now, after a couple of months of rest and recovery, I feel ready to start planning the next part of my trip around the world, which will hopefully begin this spring.
Moreover, I have begun to review the photos and videos (too many!) I have taken, and I will start to post them online together with some nice stories about the trip so far. The idea is to give you an enjoyable taste of what I discovered, learned and experienced, and maybe you will be inspired, just like many others have inspired me, too. It is wonderful to imagine the life you truly want, but it is even greater to live that life every day.
You are more than welcome to follow this new part of my trip around the world (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Medium, Newsletter), and share it with your friends and family.
Lastly, in my blog, I have also included a few different ways to support this trip, such as t-shirts, services and others. I would be truly grateful if you could check them out and get or share anything you like.
UPDATE #1
When I first arrived in Greece in December 2022, my intention was to stay for a couple of months and then continue with my trip. But my body and everything else I wanted to do before I could continue had different opinions, and the couple of months turned into almost eight. As I mentioned before, before starting again, I wanted to edit and share with you some stories from my trip so far. Sadly, this process is much bigger than I expected and requires a lot of time and energy, especially if you’re new to it like I am. I decided to take it easy and release the stories from my first trip around the world when they’re ready. Until then, you can check out the stories of the second part, which started in July 2023, and it’s dedicated to mainland Greece and Crete.
Until next time,
Be well, Breathe and Live!
... and maybe support it?
If so, please check my little shop, where you can find a few different ways to do it!
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