Hi, my name is Dearbhaile and welcome to This Wild Life Of Mine!
All throughout university I had one dream – to travel the world as soon as I graduated. And though no one actually believed I would do it, I did. Since 2013, I have backpacked, worked, hiked, flown, roadtripped, ridden horses and unicycled (ok that last one’s a lie) across seven continents – yes, all seven! I swam with whales in Tonga, walked across volcanos in New Zealand, sought out the unique wildlife of Australia, visited ancient temples in Indonesia, journeyed coast to coast overland across Canada…I could go on, but that’s what this blog is for.
I’m just an ordinary Irish girl with a love for animals, nature and the world we live in.
Swimming with Giants – the Humpback Whales of Tonga
Tongariro Alpine Crossing – To Mordor and Back Again
Australian Wildlife – the most unique animals you’ll ever see
Starting out as a solo female backpacker
After my final set of university exams in May 2013, I packed my bags and left Ireland for an incredible summer working in Chicago on a JI visa. After graduation, a Zoology degree firmly in hand, I set off again, this time to the opposite side of the world – New Zealand. I’m a self-confessed Lord of the Rings nerd, so it’s no surprise I completely fell in love with that country. A year was not enough time there.
This was followed by a year in Australia, including a four-month, 20,000km solo drive across the continent, three months in Asia, then another few months working in Australia again.
Until June 2016, when everything changed.
While I love travelling, during my time in Asia I became a bit disenchanted by it. Maybe it was the exhaustion, the busy cities, the constant moving from place to place, but all of a sudden I realised I wasn’t exactly happy anymore. Losing my dog, whom I’d had since I was eight years old made this even more difficult. So I applied for a temporary job working as a rehabilitation assistant for a wildlife rescue centre in Malawi. I’d spent part of three summers volunteering with wildlife in Africa before and it’s my dream to make a career out of it.
Bats, Caves and a Broken Heart – Mulu National Park
Malawi – Life as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistant
Part-time backpacker, part-time conservationist
Now, I (try to) balance my budding conservation career with travel. Wildlife conservation has always been a passion of mine, along with travel, art and photography. While this blog is about sharing my adventures around the world as a solo female traveller, it’s also about showing you how anyone can experience the wonderful wildlife this world has to offer in a responsible, ethical way. I’ve seen too many instances of abuse or ignorance on the part of tourists when it comes to wildlife tourism and I believe that with a little knowledge and prior research, it’s possible to interact with these animals in a way that benefits them as well as us.
Since leaving Malawi I have interned with a kestrel research project in Spain, worked with a sea turtle conservation organisation in Cape Verde, driven 10,000km across Canada, worked at a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Ontario and then at another sea turtle project in Costa Rica.
Oh, and in December 2021, after months of pandemic-related stress, border controls and C***D tests, I completed a huge life goal and dream by visiting my seventh continent, Antarctica!
It’s been a busy few years.
Project Biodiversity – Saving Sal’s Loggerhead Turtles
Wildlife Warriors – Sue Meech of Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre
5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica as a Solo Backpacker
In August 2022, after a summer in Ireland starting my own freelance social media managing business, I moved to Sweden to start a 2-year Masters degree programme in animal behaviour. Though this does mean settling in one spot, at least temporarily, no doubt my itchy feet will have me travelling around Scandinavia between study periods!
Sometimes I do go home!
When I’m not somewhere out in the world, I like to spend time with my family in Ireland. Even after reaching that big 3-0 (although mentally I’ll always be in my early 20s), I still love that feeling of familiarity and comfort I get from stepping into my old bedroom after a long trip away. However, I have extremely itchy feet and find it hard to stay anywhere longer than three or four months, so even when I am at home I’m always planning my next adventure!
I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf, so solo travel just comes naturally to me. While many people have called me brave for it, I guess there are different ways to look at it. It’s not for everyone, but I can definitely attest to the rewards travelling solo can bring. It can be scary, but very do-able if you don’t let fear stand in your way.
So that’s me: just a girl who generally gets along better with animals than humans (hence why I’m normally found travelling solo), has too much sarcasm for her own good (according to my mother) and swears probably a bit too much. Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I like to pose with my back to the camera (when I’m forced to be in front of the camera at all).
Nice to meet you!
Here on the blog you’ll find a mix of stories, tips on how to travel more responsibly and sustainably, cute animal photos and some truths about the reality of my wild life from a personal perspective.
What are you waiting for?
Why Travelling Solo Doesn’t Make Me Brave
Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you enjoy This Wild Life of Mine. Follow along on my social media to make sure you never miss a beat!
