About Lora

Hi there! My name is Lora, I’m an adventure travel blogger and photographer.

This blog, Explore with Lora, is where I share all my travel tips, detailed itineraries, inspiring photography, and  adventures with you from my travels around the world.

My goal: Helping you make adventure happen!

My Story

I was raised on a giant rock in the Atlantic Ocean (Newfoundland!) Growing up in the midst of nature, I spent a lot of time exploring the outdoors and going on adventures. But while I was growing up, I always yearned to go somewhere else. I would print out maps and plan my adventures to faraway lands.

When I was 19, I decided to move to Dublin, Ireland on a working holiday, after a less than stellar first year at university. It was that year I took my first backpacking trip across Europe with friends.

That trip changed me.

It opened my eyes to the endless adventures there are in this world and how amazing backpacking is. It made me realize the normality of solo travel. It brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me get to know myself.

I came back from that type and returned to University with a fresh mind full of ideas. I switched majors from Science to Business and went from almost flunking out to graduating on the Dean’s list.

If it wasn’t for my time abroad, I would have never gotten to know myself better and find my right path through university.

After graduating, I began working full-time and building my career. I took many short trips abroad, which would help fulfill my desire for adventure, but I always wanted to go for longer. I had a dream that I wanted to travel for a year by myself, but it just never felt like the right time to go.

Then my Dad suddenly got sick and passed away. Shortly after, I went through a rough breakup. With the culmination of those two events, I was feeling more alone and lost than I ever had in my life. My world had been ripped apart and I had nothing to latch on too. But, in the same sense, it also presented itself as an opportunity to go.

I knew at that point I had nothing holding me back from going, and it might be the only opportunity in my life that was the case.

So I packed away my belongings and left to pursue my dream of traveling the world full-time and starting this travel blog. I started my journey in Guatemala and backpacked from there to the bottom of South America where I fulfilled my childhood dream of walking among penguins. I spent the summer exploring my own backyard by taking a train across Canada, and then hopped on a plane to Asia where I traveled through Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal, and the Philippines.

Traveling healed me.

But it also changed me.

After I got back from my trip and tried to return to “real life”, nothing felt the same. Work felt more meaningless then it it did before I left, and all I could think about was being on the road again.

Everyone told me I would get it out of my system when I left on my trip. And in a way I wanted to believe them, but I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

When you’re infected by travel to the degree that I am, there’s no getting it our of your system. Every trip just makes you want to take 10 more.

So after a few months of struggeling through my 9-5, my feet growing more itchy each day, I decided to make a decision that was a long-time coming: I quit my job.

What to expect from this blog

ad·ven·ture

• An unusual and exciting or daring experience

Adventure travel means different things to different people. For me, it’s about breaking out of your comfort zone by immersing yourself in different cultures and ways of life and trying new things.

I love to find wildlife, dive, and hike, so you can expect lots of posts on those topics no matter what country I’m in. I’ve never been much of an extreme sports kind of gal but lately I’ve been trying to push myself and try more high adrenaline activities, which it turns out, I do love!

I created this blog to be a place of inspiration and advice for people looking to take that next step in life. I want to show you that you can and should live your adventure, no matter how big or small it is.

Traveling has healed me and guided me so many times. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you discover something new about yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up in a place I’ve never been that resulted in life-changing moments.

I also want to help put your mind at ease in planning your next adventure. Not only can you expect inspiring posts, but detailed itineraries and ideas on where to go and how to get there.

Blog Values

I am passionate about ecotourism and responsible tourism. The reason I travel to many destinations is due to the natural resources and environment that makes them special. I want to minimize my impact on those places and ensure they remain the same for future travellers to enjoy.

When I promote a company on this website, it’s because I believe their values align with mine and that they only engage in ethical practices. I want to make it as easy as possible for you to be a responsible traveler, so you can always be sure the companies I recommend are helping the planet, rather than harming it.

Solo Traveler?

You’re in the right place! If I hadn’t traveled by myself, I wouldn’t have been 80% of the places I have. It’s hard to get friends to actually commit to a trip, or even find ones that want to visit the same places at you.

I know the idea of traveling by yourself  can feel overwhelming, but let me tell you a secret:

You won’t be alone for long.

It’s amazing how many like-minded, solo travelers you will meet on the road. When you start to go and do the things that make you happy, you’re going to bump into like-minded people doing the same. I’ve met some of my best friends traveling by myself. When two solo travelers meet and click, it’s an incredible connection.

Solo travel has changed my life. it’s allowed me to grow so much as a person and develop confidence in myself I never thought was possible. I believe that all women should follow their travel dreams and not let fear of what other people say hold you back.

I can promise you the world isn’t as scary as the media makes it out to be. In fact, it’s a very lovely place. The kindness of strangers that I have received all around the world has warmed my heart and shown me that no matter where you go, you can always find a home.

So please, make yourself at home here. I’d love to offer you a cup of tea, but I’m still working on a plug-in for that. In the meantime, check out the latest adventures on the blog and get inspired for your next trip.

Happy trails,

Lora