Greece

My family trip is Greece will be a vacation I will remember forever. 

Kate and I arrived from India and were greeted by my father at the airport with a backpack of ice cold beers. After travelling from India --> Russia --> Paris --> Athens, over the span of almost 36 hours, we needed that beer! 
That night we ate dinner at a beautiful restaurant with white linen table cloths, proper cultery and waiters  tending to our every need, as we stared at the beautiful Acropolis. 
It was a dramatic shift in culture and sceenery but Kate and I welcomed it with open arms. 
 

Together the three of us explored all the ancient monuments of Athens while we waiting on my Dad's girl friends arrival. Once Diane had joined our threesome we head out to the beautiful island of Santorini. (It is on the map, above Crete but it is very small). 

Santorini is one of the most stunning places on earth I have ever seen and definitely battles with my number one spot, Gili Air in Indonesia. We spent a few days in Santorini watching gorgeous sunsets, drinking cheap red wine, laying on black/red sand beaches and absorbing the never ending beauty of Oia. If you ever come to Greece I highly recommended going to Santorini especially the area of Oia. 

The next island we conquered was Crete. 
Crete is a much bigger island with many more places to see but doesn't compared to Santorini beauty wise (in my opinion anyways). We started our journey on Crete in Hersonissos to celebrate Kate's Birthday....and celebrate we did! :) Kate and I found an amazing place to stay that night; cheap, large rooms, full kitchens and a free bottle of wine on arrival. Definitely our kinda spot. My parents took the room above us and we spent a few nights there laughing, chatting about life and catching up on the balcony over red wine and olives. 
After our dose of Hersonissos we headed off to Georgioupolis, home to the longest, white sandy beach on the island of Crete. We spent a few days there simply relaxing on the beach and reading the various love novels Diane found. Close to Georgioupolis is a little town where we connected with our neighbours from Winnipeg whom were visiting their home town. They live two doors down from us yet I had never officially met them. Our encounters were limited to the occassional drive by wave.  It is an interesting world when you are meeting your neighbours from home, for the first time, in a remote town on a Greek island. They are great people whom we enjoyed a delicious dinner with and many laughs and perhaps too much raki (traditional Greek liquor). 

From Georgioupolis we continued to drive to the west end of the island hitting up almost every major town along the way. We went from Georgioupolis to Chania, to Kissamos, and then back to Rhythmom and finally back to Hersonissos were it all started. In each place we spent a few days getting to know the area and exploring the local sites. We took a boat ride around the end of the island by Kissamos and saw a beautiful lagoon with goregous crystal blue water. We climbed many mountains to view ancient rocks, no wait,... I mean ruins, and rode ATVs around Santorini. We ate the most expensive sushi I have ever had. Kate and I went out to a rock bar one night with my Dad and practiced our air guitars. We shopped, we danced, we stuffed ourselves full of Greek food and wine, we laughed, we explored, but most of all we simply got the chance to spend time together. After six months of being away from home seeing my family refreshed my soul and relieved any bits of home sickness that had started to reside in my heart. In so many ways I am blessed with two fasntastic parents. They love me unconditionally and willingly travelled around the world so they could hug their daughter. 

First Greek coffee with Dad, The morning after we arrived in Athens

Auditorium at the Acropolis of Athens 

At the Parthenon of the Acropolis of Athens

My Dad and I at the Parthenon of the Acropolis

Another beautiful view

Overlooking the city of Athens

A view from our hotel

One of the buildings of the Ancient Agora

Saw so many rock structures and heads. Had to include at least one.

Arrived in the beautiful island of Santorini

Kate and I on the black sand beach of Santorini

The beautiful sunset from my parents places on Santorini

The ending of the same sunset :)

Just chillin' by da pool on Santorini

Kate and I at Oia, Santorini. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!

My parents and I at Oia, Santorini

The blue and white buildings of Oia, Santorini

The streets of Oia, Santorini

Just like in the movies!

View of Oia, Santorini

Another view...

At dinner in Santorini

My Parents

Kate's Birthday in Hersonissos, Crete

On the look out for our neighbours from Winnipeg

Delicious, cheap, Greek wine

Dinner with our neighbours from Winnipeg. First time I officially met them is in Georgioupolis, Crete

Chania, Crete

The boardwalk of Chania

Dinner in Chania. Watching Diane's amazing dance moves. (Note: not sure why we look red)

Boat ride in Kissamos, Crete

After an unexpected mountain climb in flip flops

The view from the top

We all made it up :) Some needed more encouragement that others

Balos Lagoon on Crete. A stop on our boat tour and one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen! The picture does not do the beach justice.

My Dad knows how to rock & roll!! A night to remember. Rethymnon, Crete

Why not?

I love this man!

Single hood

For many of my good friends October represents celebrating their first year of marriage or the birth of their first child. But for me October represents my one year anniversary of being a single woman. My first complete year of single hood! Of course there have been a few romances, here and there, but nothing substantial and nothing worth writing about it. For many this may not seem much of an achievement but for me this is a big one.

My entire life I have been constantly bouncing from one relationship to the next, usually without a breath in between. This has continued since I was approximately fourteen years of age. As much as I wish I had taken more time for myself, to be single in my early twenties, I also understand that everything happens for a reason so obviously that wasn't meant for me. Perhaps it was the loss of my mother in my teens that subconsciously forced me to seek companionship or perhaps I am just a serial monogamist. Either way it probably doesn't matter anymore because whats done is done.

This year of single hood, part of which as been travelling the world, has taught be many things;

1. I still believe in love.
2. Being in a relationship isn't always what its cracked out to be.
3. If its the right person, at the wrong time, its still the wrong person. Move on.
4. Choosing someone to share your life with is very precious decision. Make it wisely.
5. I have made many inaccurate choices with men in my past. It is absolutely no offence to them but we clearly just weren't right for each other. I know in their hearts of hearts they must believe that too otherwise we would still be together, right? But each of my ex-boyfriends taught me something very valuable that I'll never forget.
6. The more you travel, the more people you meet, the more selective you become.
7. There is no rush to get married especially if you are going to be together forever.
8. I don't want a huge white wedding, I wanna get married on the beach.
9. It is very important to love yourself enough that you are comfortable being alone. Your partner can't always be there for you. Sometimes you gotta be there for yourself.
10. Learn to be your own best friend. Your partner will love you more because you actually love yourself.
11. Romance is still alive!
12. Chivalry exists. It really does.
13. Being single can be very liberating if you know how to embrace the empty moments.
14. Being in a relationship doesn't mean your happy.
15. People who travel with partners back home usually cheat. Sorry guys (and girls) but 90% do. Its a harsh but true reality.
16. Don't travel for long periods of time with a significant other back home. It's not fair to either party.
17. Travel romances are the best.
18. COMMUNICATE! And I mean communicate everything!
19. If you can't trust someone then don't be with them. Relationships are build on all forms of trust.
20. The small things are so much more important than the big.
21. Have standards and stick to them.
22. Relationships take more compromise that I use to give.
23. Love like you have never been hurt.
24. Say what you mean, do what you say and never hold back. Tell your partner everyday that you love them and how much more insanely beautiful they make your life!
25. I am not afraid anymore of being single, I am terrified of settling.

What Are Your Hobbies?

When people use to ask what my hobbies were I use to always write; travelling, snowboarding, reading, yoga, etc. however in retrospect, at that point in my life, I didn't understand what the term "travelling" really meant.

Prior to this 'around the world trip' my travel experience consisted of backpacking in Australia for three weeks, various vacations to hot spots like Mexico, Cuba, Hawaii, and a brief stint of nine weeks living in Acapulco, Mexico for yoga teacher training. This so called travelling consisting of staying in fancy resorts were all my needs were easily catered for and all meals were provided. Even for yoga teacher training we lived in a beautiful, five star Fairmont Hotel on the ocean, with one meal a day provided by the executive chefs, and maids cleaning our rooms daily. Yoga teacher training was, and most likely will remain, as one of the most challenging things I have ever done but it cannot be classified as 'travelling'. Therefore, my travel experience consists of family vacations to Mexico and booze cruise get-aways with friends. Don't get me wrong I am extremely thankful for all the opportunities I have had to travel, outside and, inside Canada, but I am merely attempting to emphasize that these sun kissed weeks away cannot fall under the term 'travelling'.

The word 'travelling' now holds so much more meaning and describes not only an action but a specific set of experiences and challenges that accompany it. Travelling to me now means learning, exploring, and understanding a country from the street up. The simple means of trial and error or as some like to call it a scavenger hunt exploration! Let me explain...

When one lands in a new country (lets call the person "the traveller") he or she usually has an extremely limited ability to speak the local language. The traveller usually has no idea how the local currency works, what the exchange rate is or what the money even looks like.  Forget even having any of the local currency! And if you do well then, your one step ahead of the game my friend. 'The traveller' usually has no idea where they are going to stay, how they are going to get there or what area of the city/town/community they should head to. Eating? Well perhaps the traveller has an idea of popular local dishes or maybe this will be another interesting experience of trail and error, while the traveller figures out whats good and whats not by simply tasting everything! Finally, 'the traveller' may be completely alone in this new country without any friends, family or acquaintances, or maybe 'the travellers' has a friend by their side. If not, well once all the above are figured out the next task is to make some friends.

So, here you are, walking off the plane into a new country, with all the above questions bouncing around in your head completely swarming your mind. Within the first ten minutes one is able (if resourceful) to answer many of the above questions with a few simple tasks.

First, you find an ATM and pull out some local cash (your new funny money) hopefully not too much or too little. Then you find a security guard, information desk or any random person and enquire about how to get into town. Whats the cheapest way? Whats the fastest? Then you buy yourself a ticket for your chosen method of transportation and attempt to find the port in which it leaves from hopefully before it leaves. Upon boarding this new vessel of transportion maybe you pull out your lonely planet and research a good area of this new city to stay or simply take a gamble and pick a stop. During all this its usually pretty easy to figure out how much English is spoken in this foreign land, which immediately determines how challenging the rest will be (that's considering you haven't already determined that the amount of English here is limited and your already pulling on your hair).

As you head into the madness of this new unknown city you quickly survey your surrounding new home picking up useful information. Once you arrive at your desired destination, considering you didn't miss it because of language barriers, you start scanning the streets for somewhere to sleep. Perhaps a clean bed will be easy to find or perhaps you'll look at various rooms all sub par, while being followed and harassed by locals who all want to make a buck. After making a decision, you have now arrived at your new temporary home. Along your journey you definitely had the opportunity to see street vendors, side cafes, and restaurants, quickly determining popular local foods. After a quick shower, change and shave, (or maybe none of the above depending on the demands of your stomach) you stuff your new funny money into your pocket and head out the door to satisfy your growling belly. If you are lucky, you had a partner in crime to take on this new country with and share the burden of mastering all of the above. Otherwise you head out the door with your new funny money in your pocket, a smile on your face and the hope that today you make a new friend to explore your new temporary home with.

That my friends is what is classified as 'travelling'.

Oh India, You So Crazy!

India is the most difficult country I have ever travelled, experienced or survived, consequently it is the most difficult country to blog about. By the end of this blog post you may end up more confused than you are now, especially about whether or not you wanna visit her, but I highly recommend you do.

India is a very unique country. It is like a planet within our world. I have not experienced anything even slightly, remotely, similar to India and don't believe I ever will again. In many ways travelling India is a life changing experience. These reasons why are too difficult to explain as it is something that one must experience first hand to truly understand. 

India is a country full of contrasts. Contrasts that one sees on a daily basis. It is a country that does not hide anything from its tourists; even the ugly parts it displays right out in the open.  India is vast country that has everything from oceans to mountains, ancient ruins to a world wonder, massive slums to gated homes, and deserts to forests. And it is also a massive country; jam packed with people and everything that the media portrays it to be. It is loud, dirty and over crowded but it has this unbelievable beauty about it, if you have the eyes to see it. 

Thankfully I was able to see India's beauty and fell in love with the country almost upon arrival. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or experience and she tested me in ways I could have never imagined.  Although I found a deep love and appreciation for India there was moments when my hatred for her out matched my love. And as I continued to travel within her boarders I found it was possible to shift between this love and hate within the same hour, same moment, same minute, same second. Perhaps this is because India has the ability to test you on every possible level and because of this it is a country that forces you to see what you are made of. 

The reason why the country can be so intimating and overwhelming is because it is always in your face. The second you step out of your hotel room to the second you return the intensity relentless. But India is simply being who she is and we are simply unprepared for her intensity. To survive one must let go of all expectations and succomb to the organized madness, holding on the utter belief that everything will work out okay. 

India gave me some truly unforgettable life experiences and brought into my life some phenomenal life long friends. India taught me patience and destroyed all my expectations or belief in them. India showed me how beautiful and ugly people can be. India taught me how wise of a traveller I have become and made me realize the importance of travel partners. India taught me how to survive in conditions far less than I am use to and to find happiness in things being less than ideal. India brought to light for me how important my family and home town of Winnipeg truly is. Finally, India taught me gratitude on a whole new level. Because of my time in India my life and out look on life has been forever altered. 

I understand that people want to hear my own person stories of how all the above statements came to be but these are experiences to difficult to describe with simple words. I am very thankful for my opportunity to travel India and even more gratitful for all the experiences endured. Below are some pictures of my journey through India... 

In Hampi, India 

Morning Chai

Jessica and I at our guest house in Hampi overlooking the rice fields 

At the top of monkey temple after climbing 601 steps

Monkey Temple Hampi, India 

On the top of the temple overlooking Hampi.
My favourite place in India.

Monkeys are everywhere in India

One of the most famous temples in Hampi 

Hampi, India  

Why not? 

Indian Food. Yum! Yum!

Jessica and I on the beaches in Goa 

Just chilling havin a beer with the cows on the beaches of Goa

Bikram Yoga Pune, India 
I was given the amazing opportunity to teach and take class here :)
Thank you so much BYP!!!!! 

:)  

Bikram Yoga Pune yoga room 

At the Gates of India in Mumbia, India 

Yum Yum! In Mumbia, India $1.00 meals 

At the Golden City. Jaisalmer, India 

New friends and beers.
Jaisalmer, India 

The beginning of our three day camel trek in the desert
Jaisalmer, India 

Beers in the desert with new friends.

Sunsets in the desert 

Trekking on through 

Our insane 18 hour train ride with no a/c
It was a true Indian experience 

The red fort in Delhi, India 

After a two hour search we finally found beers 

Friends in Delhi, India 

At the Taj in Agra, India