All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost… – J. R. R. Tolkien

To all of those Lord of the Rings fans who may have just wet their pants, don’t get too excited. I’m not reporting on a prequel or a sequel or anything along those lines, today I want to talk about the art of wandering. The dictionary defines ‘wander’ as to walk or move in a leisurely, casual, or aimless way. It is one of the things I love about holidays and travel. It has the ability to make you slow down so that you can soak everything in. Everything is new, everything is exciting, and it makes you completely conscious of the present moment.

So wow can we bring this into our every day lives, you ask? Easy. SLOW. IT. DOWN. Most people in today’s society are set to automatic or worse yet, cruise control. I was one of those people. Always in a hurry, taking the most efficient option and envying those who had the time to wander. No wonder days, weeks, years just pass by. Don’t fall into that trap. Change yourself to a manual (you’re welcome car purists). This way you can consciously choose when to speed up, when to slow down and understand the mechanics behind how and when to do so. Bring more awareness to even the simplest things in your life. Savour your food, walk without staring at your phone, when you breathe just breathe and god darn it start meditating. You don’t need to go and hide in a cave for decades – all you need is 5 minutes, a comfortable seat and yourself.

Since I decided to take my yoga teaching global I’ve found that I am mastering the art of the wander. And I can tell you, I am a fan. In this chapter of my story, I have wandered through Granada, Nicaragua. I don’t like to play favourites but Granada is special. The city itself is a feast for the senses – the smell of delicious food wafting through the air, the bright colours of the Spanish colonial buildings, the loud sounds of latino music blaring from people’s houses. And it is surrounded by many a natural wonder. Here are my must see’s:

Streets of Granada

Masaya Volcano at night

One of the only places in the world that you can see lava in an active volcano. Enough said.

Las Isletas

365 tiny inhabited islands in Lake Nicaragua only 5 minutes away from Granada. Most tours will stop you at monkey island, where you can feed some spider monkeys fruit.

Casa Lucia

This hidden oasis is the perfect place to stay and to get your yoga fix whilst in Granada. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the main drag and is quiet enough to relax but close enough to walk.

To eat – you can’t go past Espressionista and El Garaje. Nectar is worth a mention for their tacos and drink specials.

So whether you’re at home or exploring the world – you too can wander.