When you Google the term “stone stacking”, you’ll find a shit-ton of information. There are lots of different meanings behind these stacked rocks. I’ve seen them before, but on our last hike at the Liechtenstein gorge, I was overwhelmed by the amount. Also at Lago di Braies, on its South side, we encountered plenty. So I became curious. After researching a bit I learned that this practice does more harm than good.

In the outdoor community, it’s usually recognized as a trail marking, but it actually origins in many spiritual and cultural practices. Think of its use in Buddhist tradition or Vikings practices. Even seafarers used stacked stones for navigating long before lighthouses came to be. Because of their wide significance, these types of stones go by different names. Some people call them stone johnnies, cairns, or stacked stones. So you see, before it became a social media trend as we know it today, it actually had (and still has) more purpose.

Leave nothing but footprints

Nowadays, stone stacking is a popular trend amongst hikers so it seems like we need to do some awareness work here. You see… when you intentionally move stones, you displace important ecosystem structures. In addition, moving rocks in any way contributes to soil erosion, as the dirt once protectively tucked under them is now vulnerable. Slowly, we start to turn natural landscapes into peopled places.

Do we want that? No. If we want to keep enjoying the outdoors as we do today, we have to start taking responsibility. “Leave nothing but footprints” preaches that message clearly and effectively.

What to do when you encounter these cairns?

Obviously: don’t add any. You could consider breaking them down if you feel comfortable with it. Only do it when you are sure these cairns don’t serve any other purpose because you don’t want to destroy those intentionally set as navigational aids. In the poll off Adventure Journalism, other co-travelers advise how to. Here I highlight one comment:

“Please dismantle them gently. Knocking them down can irreparably damage sensitive plant and small animal (inc insects and other invertebrates’) habitats. If you’re going to dismantle them, do it gently, or inform park/area staff so they can do so.”

Commented by M. on the forum

Would you like to have more in-depth information? Please read this article here. Next time you and your friends go for a hike, you have something to talk about If you wish to read more about sustainable travel, you might like my last article about flying and its impact. Cheers

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Now the real question is: how to reduce your impact when flying? First of all, I’d like to stress that cutting down our emissions is one of the only ways to fight climate change. So, before booking your next trip think mindfully about alternative transportation (think train, bicycle, etc). Each individual has his/her own carbon footprint which entails the emissions from our daily tasks, like doing the laundry or by driving. Traveling by plane is a huge contributor to the individual carbon footprint as well as to global warming. The second action you can take is to compensate your CO2-equivalent through funding a green project. This is called carbon offsetting.

This is how you can help:

For example: a KLM flight from Brussels to Accra only requires a 20 euros compensation.

There are many discussions about the effectiveness of carbon offsetting. Obviously, it is not the solution to climate change. It is however a way to raise awareness and a useful tool to start. The only way we’ll be able to fight the current climate issue, we have to cut emissions rather than compensate for them. For more resources on carbon offsetting and its effectiveness, please check the following articles on National Geographic and the Guardian.

Tourism is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world. But on the other hand, tourism creates jobs, income for host communities, infrastructural improvements, etc. Overall, if handled well sustainable tourism can improve the quality of life of host communities. Unfortunately, the current pandemic had a big impact on all activities within the industry. Let’s find a way to make this industry thrive again in a positive way.

More tips about sustainable travel over here. Cheers

The post Flying and its impact – Carbon Offsetting appeared first on Simply By Joy.

@routen.be

For the outdoor‑freaks! @routen.be provides you with all the needed hike and bike inspiration in Belgium Content in Dutch

@boeiendbelgie

This account has introduced me to many new places in Belgium and I’m very grateful for that! Check it out because you might be surprised about what this country has to offer Content in Dutch

@erop.uit

When planning my next hiking trip I consult the @erop.uit page as it gives a clear overview of possible routes, along with the connecting points (wandelknooppunten). As lazy as I am, I love it when people share an all‑ready‑prepared‑hiking route online Content in Dutch

@fly_along

Her pictures, along with local tips and hidden gems, invite you to leave the door right away. This #belgianblogger is not afraid of an outdoor adventure! Content in English

@discoveringbelgium

Nature, castles, hotels, … every bit of information is summarized on their account and their website. I vouch for them! Content in English

@staycation.belgium

Since we are in lockdown, people start to find their way back to nature. This account has already given me lots of hiking‑ inspiration. Through posts and stories, @staycation.belgium gives a clear overview of outdoors trips Content in Dutch

@katlovesostend

It’s only recently that my appreciation for the Belgian seaside grew. This profile is one of the reasons for that Content in English

@belgianhiker

It’s thanks to the @belgianhiker that I’ve caught the hiking virus. He loves the GR‑routes, camping, and (of course) sharing it with you through his account. Content in English

@hotspotsbenelux

Cynthia and Lars share their appreciation for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg through their account. Not only do they post aesthetic pictures, but also some background information about the place to be Content in Dutch & English

@malinials

It’s no secret that I love Mechelen. And so does @malinials! Epiphani created this platform for millennials from or heading to Mechelen (with success!). Content in Dutch #2800love

I hope this may help you plan a fun trip to Belgium! Much to see and much to learn in this tiny country. Kind reminder: always stay respectful towards nature & heritage sites. Keep your dog on the leash, don’t litter, and stay on the path. 

Peace and love!

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Preparing yourself

• Read blogs & watch vlogs in order to get informed by likewise travelers. 
• Do a try-out trip 
• Choose your bike wisely 
• Make sure you get a comfortable saddle

On the road

• You should know it’s important to plan your day according to the amount of daylight (ex. difference winter-summer)
• It’s not a race. Like Katrien and Kobe say: “The kilometers per day is not what mattered to us; it’s the overall experience. And in the end, the distance you travel depends on yourself and your mood.“

Apps & websites

Accommodation

• Warmshowers: The perfect platform for people who are traveling by bike. According to Katrien and Kobe, the website works better than the app.
• Couchsurfing

Navigation

• Maps.me: Offers basic offline maps 
• OsmAnd: A bit more complicated than Maps.me to use but offers more in-depth (offline) information 
• iOverlander: finding camping spots & other points of interest

Communication

• Google translate: Offers a ‘translate by speech’ function and offline translations

Money

Find yourself a suitable budget-app that allows you to track the amount of money spend on certain necessities (for example Goodbudget).

Info about arranging visas

The website recommended by Katrien and Kobe is Caravanistan.com. There, you’ll find all the needed information and ongoing-forums for traveling to destinations on the Silk Road.

Anything to add? Contact me!

Feeling inspired? Check out the recent article about the adventure of Katrien and Kobe on the blog or learn more about sustainable travel.

The post Long term biking: tips appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Disclaimer: Katrien and Kobe made it to Turkey when the COVID-19 situation started getting out of hand. They decided to fly back to Belgium and stop their trip for now.

My very first question to you: how did you get the idea of long-term traveling by bicycle?

The idea of ‘long-term traveling’ after graduation has always been on our minds. We just needed to figure out what/where/how. One day we ended up at a travel convention, not having an idea of what our trip would look like. The only certainty about our trip was: heading east and wanting to avoid flying as much as possible. Speaking to several travelers did confirm our intention of traveling and finally, we ended up talking to a man who had traveled by bike … that specific conversation warmed our hearts and we started dreaming. We decided to do a ‘try-out trip’: a 10 days departing from our hometown and ending in France. Together we decided to take the challenge and bike to go as far East as possible overland: China.

How do you prepare yourself for a trip as such? Concerning visa, planning routes, accommodation, etc.

The way you prepare yourself is completely up to you. Some people do not need a lot of preparation, some people do. Both works! Creating our personal itinerary started off by summarizing the countries we’ve always wanted to visit. For example, we were always curious to see the ‘STAN’ countries (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc.). China became our ‘destination’ point as it is -from where we departed- the furthest point. However, our trip wouldn’t just end there. We’d bike back through Russia combined with a train ride on the Trans Siberian express.

Other great ways to prepare you is by reading blogs, watching vlogs, asking questions to former and current travelers, and to do a ‘try-out’ trip of a few days. Regarding visas, we can recommend you one website: the Caravanistan website. This site summarizes the visa requirements for the countries that are located on the Silk Road. They also offer a forum where people can write their latest update of their visa-experience in a certain country. This is the perfect platform for those who travel overland (for example bikers, hikers, or road trippers).

I think traveling by bike is an awesome and brave idea. I imagine that, besides all the positive comments, you also got some negative judgment when announcing your trip to family and friends?

No one was really that surprised about us coming up with such an idea. But of course, many questions were raised by our close friends and family, such as “will you find food everywhere?”, “are the countries you’ll visit safe?” and “what about wild animals when sleeping in a tent?”. We ended up making a PowerPoint presentation for our parents that included the pros/cons and potential risks. This detailed presentation, along with our preparation, helped them understand that we thought everything through.

I can’t help but asking THE most asked question… What is the distance (on average) you traveled per day?

We started our trip rather calmly, especially because we weren’t yet used to biking long distances. The elevation profile of our route affected this as well: on flat areas, we’d end up biking about 80 kilometers (50 miles) per day and on not-so-flat areas, we’d bike about 60 kilometers (37 miles). Of course, this varied as every day was different. The wind could also be holding us back and we also found ourselves limited by the amount of daylight throughout the winter. You have to keep in mind that this kind of trip is more than only the ‘sportive challenge’. It’s exploring, setting up and breaking down the tent or finding alternative stays, arranging food, getting to know local people who randomly invite you, etc.

The kilometers per day is not what mattered to us; it’s the overall experience. And in the end, the distance you travel depends on yourself and your mood. It’s not a race.

What did you think of the biking-infrastructure in other countries?

The more east we went, the bike infrastructure became less of a thing. In Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, and Austria everything was very well arranged and we almost never cycled on the main roads. Only in Luxemburg, we encountered some issues with getting to grocery stores, that all seemed to be located along highways. Ever since Croatia, however, cycling paths were nonexistent and building routes was more of a challenge. From time to time we were even forced to travel on highways. In some countries, like Albania and Turkey, cyclists are not an unusual sight and there was no problem in sharing the road with a few cars. Contrary to Croatia where many people drove like fast and dangerous, obviously not knowing how to act around bicycles

Which country was physically most challenging, considering you biked from Belgium to Turkey?

Every country has its own challenges, but physically we’d definitely say Montenegro. We were only there for a few days, but we conquered quite a lot of hills! There, we followed a route along the Bay of Kotor, crossing over the mountains and then down to Lake Skadar. Up till today, we still think it was one of the most beautiful parts of our trip, so all the sweat was definitely worth it! 

Is there a certain (online or offline) community for this niche group of travelers?

There is much out there. For example ‘long-distance cyclists’ and ‘Bicycle touring Bike packing’, which are great groups if you are seeking some general advice. But unfortunately, just as in every big Facebook group there are also some irrelevant posts/comments. To us, Instagram gave us more the community feeling, as we got connected with other cyclers and used the app to communicate with them. Also Warmshowers is a great way to meet like-minded people. It serves as a platform for connecting host-families with cyclists. We are still in touch with those who hosted us during the trip. Of course, this community is not only online…Sometimes we met other travelers along the way and when we were lucky enough to be heading the same way we ended up biking together for a little while.

COVID-19: let’s talk about the crisis and getting home.

We made it to Turkey when the Corona-situation started getting out of hand. We did the right thing by flying back home, and there was also no alternative for us. As we got to know through a WhatsApp group with other travelers, countries were slowly closing borders and even denying foreigners. Continuing out travel was a no-go. We are, however, planning on resuming our long-distance travel one day!

My last question goes out to Katrien: I saw on your Instagram profile that you shaved your hair! What made you decide that?  (Super badass by the way!)

It was the most logical thing to do. It always got stuck between the clipper of my helmet and my hair was always somewhere where it shouldn’t be. Further, I’ve always been curious about the look so… I went for it ?

Any last thoughts you want to share?

On this trip, we realized that our life in Belgium is very privileged. We also learned that there are genuinely kind-hearted people in this world, no matter how little money or belongings they have.

Also:
1. Don’t hesitate and try it out!
2. It’s not as hard as it sounds.
3. You don’t have to be super-sporty to start this kind of a journey.

Want to get to know more about sustainable travel? Check out Sustainable travel – who/what/how. Got inspired to start your own cycle-trip? Read here the tips provided by Katrien and Kobe.

The post Longterm biking: Katrien and Kobe on adventure appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Basic sentences in the local language

Not all cultures are used to the idea of omitting meat or dairy products. For example, ‘no meat (sin carne)’ in many South American countries means no meat except for chicken and fish. Meaning you might have to face the struggle to clearly mention not to consume ANY meat. You have to accept that not all cultures understand ‘vegetarianism’ or ‘veganism’ and you can not blame them nor get angry. Explain kindly why you prefer to not consume certain foods and I am sure they will try their best to understand. Keep in mind that not everyone has the luxury to ‘choose’ what they eat. (See the end of the article for some basic sentences in foreign languages.)

Research before traveling: find suitable places online

Google is your best friend! ? Go online and find some recommended vegetarian-friendly places near you. Another option is to surf to the Happy Cow website or app which finds suitable places for you nearby. You could also join certain Facebook groups or find suitable places through hashtags and geo-tags on Instagram. 

Choose vegan/vegetarian-friendly locations

Many places are very welcoming to us! Think of India, Indonesia, Isreal, and many European countries.

Be flexible

In certain situations, you could consider being more flexible. I know this is not always the easiest decision to make. Last year I traveled to the jungle for a few days where the host did his best to give me food to my liking. In order to show my respect, I tried his freshly caught and cooked fish. In the end, how strict you stick to your diet is completely up to you.

Cook your own meal

Many hostels offer a kitchen where you are free to cook whatever you like. If you use initiatives such as Couchsurfing I’m sure you can – through kind communication – make some arrangements.

Bring food in containers

If you are planning a multi-day hike, or trip you could always take along some pre-made dishes which are made to your wishes, that way you don’t risk getting hungry on your travel!

Food Tour

Living as a vegetarian/vegan is become more ‘popular’ (yay!). Businesses know that, and in order for a business to survive, they have to adapt to the ongoing trends of their customers. Many food tours have the option to join as a non-meat-eater or even have specialized tours.

Get social: Follow fellow vegetarians/vegans travelers on Instagram

Instagram can serve as a source of inspiration. My favorite profiles are:
Justin from Lotusarticoke
Amelie from Mostlyamelie
Caro from Veggiewayfarer
and… My profile of course

Basic sentences for you!

Mandarin:
I am vegetarian – 我是素食者 (wǒ shì sùshí zhě) 
I don’t eat meat – 我不吃肉 (wǒ bù chī ròu)
Spanish:
I am vegetarian – soy vegetariano(/a)
I don’t eat meat – No como carne
Dutch:
I am vegetarian – Ik ben vegetarisch
I don’t eat meat – Ik eet geen vlees
French:
I am vegetarian – Je suis végétarien(+ne)
I don’t eat meat – Je ne mange pas de viande
Lithuanian:
I am vegetarian – As (Ash) esu Vegetare
I don’t eat meant- As (Ash) nevalgau mesos

The post Traveling as a vegetarian appeared first on Simply By Joy.

The Zahir – Paulo Coelho

A search for his wife, Ester, brought him not only to the desert in Kazakhstan but also to his inner self. The main character was challenged to find its way to his ‘Zahir’ while realizing many truths about his life and his marriage. This book makes you reconsider everything you know about love and your routined-life.

Women Who Run With Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Let your mind be guided by the adventures of the Wild Woman through fairy tales, folk tales, and other stories. Not only will you be reading these stories, but you’ll also be invited to contemplate on them while the writer gives you a clearer insight into your unanswered questions. Deep truths about the woman’s psyche which empowers your inner self .

The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff

The Tao of Pooh is a book that will make you indulge in the Chinese philosophy of Taoism. Effortless doing, that’s what it is all about. And who, you say, will teach us more about this practice? It’s only our dear friend Winnie the Pooh. You might think “what a childish idea” (as this is what I thought too) but after reading the first few pages you’ll think differently.  

The Alchemist – Paolo Coelho

While searching for a treasure, the Spanish shepherd embarks on a trip to the Egyptian desert. His journey, of course, brings many challenges and life lessons. This book is full of inspiration, beautiful lessons messages, and heartwarming quotes. 

Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

Of course, this book had to make it to the list. The main character, Elisabeth (who is also the writer), took the decision to travel for a year: four months in Italy, three months in India, and finally spend the remaining time in Bali. This spiritual journey began after a difficult time at home, leading her into a different way of life. 

Feel free to recommend me books as well, I’m always open for new ideas. I wish you to be strong during these complicated times! Take care and stay healthy!

Love,
Joyce

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