Blogging from A to Z 2026 - L is for Locating Loos

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

Being able to locate a loo can impact on the comfort and success of a traveller's island journey. Many travellers put themselves at the risk of dehydration by limiting their liquid intake prior to setting out on a journey.

While tour organisers try to include regular toilet stops in their itineraries sometimes tour coaches have to make unplanned stops for those whose bladder capacity is minimal or those who insist on starting the day with multiple cups of coffee.

Nearly there - Orkney, Scotland

On some pristine or wilderness islands the only option may be behind a large tree or in a clump of shrubbery. In more built up areas there are cafes, service stations, pubs and retail outlets which may allow use of facilities for those who make purchases.

Our Back-Roads tour in Scotland offered several loo stops. 

An old loo on Iona - it was out of commission

In Inverness - this wasn't a toilet!

Can't remember this awarded facility

Hotel ensuite on Isle of Mull

This was by a Lake in the Cairngorms

Banochry

We also visited several loos in countries in Scandanavia

A pretty pissoir in Stockholm, Sweden

Clean and cheerful in Harstad, Norway

At the top of the Cablecar - Tromso, Norway

Crossing the Pacific we only came across a few loos.

Omoa, Fatu Hiva

Anakena, Easter Island

Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island

The facilities at the home of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises on Santa Cruz Island were flash

The hand basins complemented the natural environment

Beachside Toilet in Burnie, Tasmania

We encountered a few places to spend a penny on the South Island of New Zealand

Dunedin Botanical Gardens

Timaru 

Napier

Also in Napier, a busy tourist spot

The North Island of New Zealand also offered several opportunities for a comfort stop

By the Waterfalls at Whangerai

The council workers were busy cleaning the facilities at Snells Beach

In the Botanical Gardens, Wellington

Further opportunities in Wellington

Clean and modern at Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Opponi where the interior was dark, dirty and dismal

L Islands we have visited include La Palma, Lofoten Islands, Lesbos, Lanzarote, Lido, Livingston Island