Category: Travel Blog

I love using photography to document my travels and for this particular journey I would like the photos to speak for themselves!

The Harz region of Germany mesmerised me with its medieval beauty combined with the mystical, mushroom filled forests. This experience was an opportunity to connect with sisters and explore a magical piece of nature plus the historical town of Wernigerode.

“Awake my dear.

Be kind to your sleeping heart.

Take it out into the vast fields of light and let it breathe.”

– medieval quote (anonymous)

A Rejuvenating Journey

The two weeks I spent, mostly, in the northern, Macedonia region in Greece offered the most pleasant and refreshing experiences I think I have ever had during a short holiday…

When I booked two tickets to the Free Earth festival at the end of last year I did not have any idea of what Greece was going to be like and I soon realized that, on occasion, when entering into a new experience with no expectations, the rewards are bountiful!

My reality was about to be transformed in all of the best ways…

Thessaloniki

In mid August my husband and I flew, early in the morning, from Hamburg, Germany. The raindrops pattered lightly on the dark, quiet streets. We breezed through security, ate the breakfast we had prepared for ourselves and waited to board our plane. Our flight was slightly delayed, but soon we were on our way. We arrived in Thessaloniki and when we exited the airplane we were greeted with warm sunshine on our faces and a refreshing breeze. I grinned happily to myself. The bus (X01) ride into Thessaloniki took about 40 minutes and only cost 2 euros per person. We checked into our hotel, which was a basic room with a large double bed, a balcony and en-suite bathroom for 30 euros a night, (considering it is rare to find a bed in a shared dorm hostel room for less than 20 euros per night, this was a win indeed) then popped out for some lunch and returned to the room for a snoozey afternoon siesta.

Later that afternoon we wandered down to Artistotelous Square and met up with a dear friend from Australia. We sat at a bar and enjoyed catch-ups over wine, beer and yummy nibbles. – I just love the aperitif culture that exists in southern Europe. – We wandered along the shoreline, found a shady spot in a park at the foot of the White Tower and watched the sunset over the bay. That evening we ventured through the city centre and found Bosporos, a traditional taverna playing live music with seating out on the cobbled street. We settled in for the next couple of hours indulging in delicious plates of food including saganaki, zucchini croquettes, feta, tomato and cucumber salad and the guys enjoyed a meat platter. The red wine was exceptional and served chilled in a beautiful copper cup. We even received a complimentary dessert of rich chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream when we asked for our bill, which only came to 45 euros! We drank, ate, laughed and danced! My husband was not shy and joined in with the locals who held onto each others shoulders and danced in a circular motion through the space. I was in love with this country already!

Day two in Thessaloniki was beautiful. We ventured to the Ano Poli district in the upper part of town along cobbled, winding lanes, we ascended steep steps, dodged the little kittens that snoozed on the side of the footpaths, admired the colourful little houses and gates and observed children playing in a small square where elderly men sipped coffee and chatted. A castle and ancient wall greeted us at the top and as beads of sweat rolled down our faces we decided to find a shady place to sit and have a drink. I spotted a little ice cream shop and bounced over to order a scoop of delicious pistachio ice cream. Later on, after ambling lazily back down to the shore, we stopped for a frappe coffee – a super popular drink in Greece – before we found a sweet spot to see the sunset. Once the temperature began to cool (slightly) we found a lane full of tavernas! Every restaurant had inviting outdoor seating. We chose a comfy spot and settled in for another glorious meal. I ordered halloumi with pita, grilled aubergine with feta and tomatoes and red wine, and my husband enjoyed steak, calamari and beer. Once again we were spoiled with a free ice cream dessert and I wondered when did the hospitality part of a dining experience get lost in many parts of the world? To sit at a table and be served a large bottle of water for no additional cost, plus the free bread with unbelievably yummy olive oil and a complimentary dessert, I felt so amazingly appreciated! Efcharisto/Thank you!

Mount Olympus National Park / Litochoro

We awoke, packed out bags and missioned to the airport (after a slight detour in the wrong direction) to pick up our hire car. We got along with the Abbycar representative really well and once he found out we were from Melbourne he shared stories about his family members who live there and then offered us an upgrade on our car. We ended up hiring a little diesel Fiat 500 and oh my goodness she drove like a dream! We named her “Feta.” We cruised to Litochoro, a little town nestled between the mountains and the sea, also known as the gateway to the Mount Olympus National Park. I instantly felt overwhelmed with joy seeing the huge mountains reaching up to the sky! We found a little place to eat lunch and I decided to find us a hotel for the next two nights. In the centre of town, Olympus View was a cute and super clean little hotel. The owners were lovely and helpful and once they found out where we had come from they welcomed us even more warmly… the husband’s brother lived in Melbourne…

As the sun began to set we went for an evening walk into the valley to a water hole called Zeus’ Bath. We found a spot to sit on a rock and listened to the stillness of the breathtaking mountains. As I laid in bed with the window open, I listened to the crickets chirping into the night air while down in the valley below a restaurant had live music playing… the instruments and the woman’s voice sounded so traditional… like ancient magic floating up from the valley to the mountain tops. I listened, feeling romanticized by the entire setting and drifted gently into a deep and comfortable sleep.

The next day we had breakfast at the hotel before hitting the road for a windy drive to Prionia. “Feta” drove like a gem and hugged the curving mountain road tightly. We parked near a little café and hiked the E4 trail for a couple of hours. The forests were beautiful, the north facing side of the trail was mossy and cool and the south facing was dry and hot. There were moments when the sun shown through the gaps in the branches and scorched us, and the earth beneath our feet. We hiked up to around 1400 meters and then headed back. The views and the waterfall were breathtaking. Once back at the car we went for another glorious drive down to the coastal town of Plaka where we found a fish taverna, Aiolos Pharotaverna, set just a few meters back from the beach. After our hot hike the cool salty sea breeze refreshed us as we sat at a table under two massive evergreen trees. We order a feta, tomato, cucumber salad, a sea bass and a bream. The salad and fish were massive and the fish were grilled to perfection! Our late lunch was followed by a blissful dip into the turquoise, Aegean Sea. The super salty and cool water instantly settled the mosquito bites on my legs. What a relief! Feeling recharged from the hike, amazing lunch and a swim we drove back to our hotel to rest. Once the sun was beginning to set behind the mountain tops we ventured down into the valley where we heard the music coming from the night before. We found a bar called Skoipia, which had a mystical, earthy setting, underneath gigantic maple trees. It had a slight ampitheatre-esque feel, raw wooden tables that kind of resembled mushroom caps and a water feature in the centre. Lanterns glowed as the sky gradually transitioned to darkness and we toasted our glasses and praised the great day we had enjoyed.

Free Earth Festival

I awoke with an excited fluttery feeling in my tummy. We showered, packed our belongings, went to a local bakery for flakey, cheese and spinach pastries, drank cappuccinos, said our farewells to Litochoro and drove to the Halkidiki Peninsula. The festival was located on the second finger of the peninsula called Sithonia. Sithonia was a nature paradise! Torquoise, crystal clear waters and olive groves nestled at the edge of evergreen forests. As we drove through Nikiti we went shopping at Lidl for water and food supplies and went out for lunch, devouring a massive leafy salad drenched with feta and olive oil, before venturing to the festival site.

The site was spectacular! I had never danced on such a beautiful beach before. Parvati Records put on an epic line up and I loved the music from start to finish. There was amazing down tempo/dub on the beachside Oxygen stage with chunky beats. We met so many beautiful souls from Greece, England, Australia, Germany, Finland, Serbia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Brazil, Mexico, Denmark and Japan.

The only downside was the amount of plastic that was used… water bottles (due to no onsite drinking water facilities) plastic cups, cutlery and plates. The use of plastic water bottles was a problem throughout the whole of Greece. The infrastructure has not been established to recycle properly and in many/most parts of the country the tap water is not safe to drink since the piping systems are literally ancient! Many locals also buy their drinking water. The shear amount of plastic bottles was insane though and made many of us at the festival felt quite shocked and saddened by this serious problem.

Otherwise, my days there were dreamy! I felt relaxed and chilled. I rested a lot since it was so hot during the day. I swam lazily in the sea and I danced on the soft earth. Our campsite was in an olive grove, which was perfect for setting up a shade structure and we were able to camp with our car. Bore water was pumped up for the showers and we used the shady dried up riverbed as our pathway to get from our camp to the dance floors. Walking along this pathway felt like wandering through a mystical jungle, where vines drooped down from the branches overhead. The air was still and moist. On the Sunday night, after enjoying a delicious feast prepared by a friend, which included cheese and red wine, I danced in the sand on the beach. The music from Ulvae had an organic and psychedelic sound as it bellowed beyond the Parvati stage dance floor, across the beach where I was dancing and out to the sea. The sun had just set behind the multi-layered horizon consisting of the cove, followed by the Halkidiki finger of Kassandra, then the mainland of Greece and Mount Olympus far off in the distance. The stars were beginning to shine their light and as the night air began to cool, a kind Greek guy from Thessaloniki, who was camping next to my friends, created a little pit and lit a fire! I felt completely connected to this magical moment! The almost primal simplicity and satisfaction of dancing on a beach, next to a fire, under the stars made me feel completely happy and content.

Kortiri Studios

In order to rest, recharge and clean up after the festival I had arranged an accommodation for us to spend a couple of days at. It turned out that Kortiri Studios was one of the most beautiful, friendly, welcoming and peaceful places I have ever stayed in! Just a few kilometers from the small town of Agiou Nikolaos, Kortiri Studios was run by Gisela and Christos. Gisela was super friendly and made us feel instantly at home. She gave us great suggestions of places to see and eat at, she had interesting stories to tell, she arranged for a baker to deliver freshly baked bread and milk to the studios for breakfast and she owned two lovely dogs, Miele and Leon, who were wonderful, cuddly company! It was blissful to sleep in a proper bed after camping in a tent for a week and from the balcony of our studio we could see and hear the sea, only 400 meters away. Once again we were on a property in an olive grove. The space was tranquil.

After a hot but restful nights sleep we spent the day exploring the eastern coast of Sithonia. We drove to Kavourotripes Beach for a swim, ate a picnic and basked in the glorious views of Mount Athos, which was visible across the sea, located on the third finger of Halkidiki, Agion Oros. This coastline was stunning! On the drive back we stopped at one of the olive farms to buy olive oil to take home with us.

That evening the dogs joined us for a sunset swim. They guided us down to the beach and greeted the other beach goers with sniffs and snuggles. This was their little village and all the locals knew both dogs well and gave them treats. After our swim, we wandered back up to the studio, showered and drove further down the coast to the next little fishing town of Pirgadikia to go to a seafood restaurant for dinner. I am not normally a seafood person but I had heard that the octopus in this region of Greece is a delicacy and since my husband loves seafood we thought it appropriate. The octopus was indeed divine and we also enjoyed grilled feta, tzatziki, grilled fish and potatoes. Yum! I fell in love with Greek food!

On the Road to Athens

The time had come to head to Athens. We drove back to Thessaloniki, dropped off “Feta” at the rental car depot. We were then shuttled to the airport where we caught the bus to the train station. My husband and I love catching trains so our trip would not have been complete without this part of the journey. We had a couple of hours to wait at the station before our 15:00 EC train to Athens. As the train pulled into the station we were impressed by the colourful top to bottom graffiti on every single carriage! (You would never see this in Melbourne!) We boarded the train, found our seats and then assisted a lady to lift her suitcase up onto the overhead rack. She spoke English and I asked her where she was from. She and her nine other family members she was travelling with were from Melbourne! They were a Greek family and had come together to visit their homeland with their mother before she became too old to travel. It felt as if we had come full circle…. from meeting all the different Greeks who had family members in Melbourne, to meeting a Melbourne Greek family reconnecting with their motherland! It was beautiful! They were such an entertaining family and we chatted with almost all of the family members throughout our four hour trip. We learned that outside of Greece, Melbourne has the largest Greek population in the world!

Exarchia

We booked a sweet flat for a couple of nights in Exarchia. We didn’t know where we were staying exactly until we got there. Exarchia was a small district of Athens that’s only a 15 minute walk from the Plaka and Acropolis area of the city. We came to learn that Exarchia is the centre of left wing political and intellectual activism. As we wandered the streets and admired the insanely bold and colourful building walls and laneways we began to notice the political voice and struggle; the struggle that’s very real in a country that has been financially broken for many years. We had never seen such a vibrant and intense combination of graffiti artwork fill every last inch of wall space! Murals, stencils, stickers, political imagery, slogans and tags, this street art ‘gallery’ showcased the real life that existed within this community. There were wonderful cantinas, tavernas (Rosalia and Ama Lechei were amazing), bars, cafes and ice cream parlors and the food was delicious and inexpensive. There was a bookshop or music shop, full of instruments on every corner. There were tattoo studios and second hand clothing shops. The demographic of the local people consisted of university students, elderly people, young families and professionals. There was so much to observe.

Exarchia was surrounded by riot police 24 hours per day. They looked tough and had shields, batons and helmets. They watched us closely as we walked past. The police did not venture into the centre streets or square and the graffiti on the walls made it very clear that this was a space where police were not tolerated… stencils of anarchists throwing Molotov cocktails spray painted in black and red decorated the walls. I began to believe that the riot police were most likely present to stop any possible violence that was ignited in this area from spreading to other parts of the city.

Athens was the place that birthed the foundation of the democratic system that has been used to govern nations for over 1500 years! The view of the ancient Acropolis from the top of Mount Lycabettus put the city and the ruins on full display and began to make my mind wonder… The Acropolis, rising up on its ancient plateau pedastool as if being lifted up to the gods, was a sign of prevalence, power and order… and, almost ironically, just down below, only a few blocks away was a centre for anarchy bigger and stronger than I had ever experienced before! The contrast of culture was extreme!

Until next time…

This journey truly was an eye opening experience, which was full of warm hospitality, food that was better than I ever could have imagined and breathtakingly beautiful scenery! Macedonia, Greece has kept a little piece of my heart and Athens opened my eyes. I will return one day.

A Fresh Start in Melbourne

As my journey from a small mountain town in Canada, through the western states of the United States and on to Indonesia, drew to an end I was quickly absorbed into a whirlwind of responsibility and the rush of an energetic city! Melbourne welcomed me with open arms and I quickly became absorbed by family get togethers and homecoming celebrations. A small bush party on a close friend’s property with tunes, delicious food, drink and a big bon fire eased me back into the Australian way of life that I had been disconnected from for the last two and half years. What a fantastic feeling to be reunited with so many dear friends! …Sisters and brothers from other mothers…

Starting from Scratch

Somewhere in my mind I had envisioned that coming back to Melbourne would be simple…since I had lived here for eight years prior, already had a bank account and a tax file number. (Those things usually take time to launch when starting a new life in a country for the first time.) I had imagined being able to just step back into the working world and that Melbourne would whoosh me away. When I actually took a step back from my romanticised view of starting fresh I realised that there was a whole lot more to do…

Organisation kicked into action… first things first… write a list.

Lists support prioritisation and a sense of clarity in the mind.

Secondly, as life experiences happen, educational courses accomplished and jobs fulfilled, document them. Keep up to date with your Curriculum Vitae or Resume, this will save so much time when the job search begins.

Thank goodness for my crazy organisational skills which have kept my CV current!

Thirdly, use this opportunity of a fresh start to find what it is that you like/love to do. Starting from scratch offers the chance to really focus on you want to do, follow a passion or make a life long dream become a reality.

Take advantage of the transitional phase, the space in between the ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter, to plant personal seeds, set intentions or a goal you wish to work towards. This will support having a sense of direction when the time comes to find your feet in a new place. (-Refer to my previous blog “Transition” for more guidance.)

A Family Home

“Home is where the heart is”… is true far beyond the simplicity of this statement. A home can be anywhere and with anyone. A home is a safe space that offers feelings of comfort and love. A space where the individual is supported and can allow his/her true colours to shine. As I find my feet in Melbourne I am overwhelming grateful for the home that I have been invited to be a part of. A quaint house surrounded by greenery, with two dear friends and their young daughter in the northeast suburb of Ivanhoe. I am fortunate to be experiencing a shared living situation that shines more than any other. It is an equally shared experience, working together, cooking together and learning from each other. This space is full of playful inspiration that only a little munchkin can offer. A positive home environment is an important step in settling in and developing a sense of belonging within a place.

The World of Centrelink

Upon my return to Melbourne I have been introduced to the world of Centrelink… some friends told me that dealing with Centrelink can be more challenging than a full time job… I now understand what they meant. Hours have been drained away waiting in a Centrelink office or on hold on the phone or updating details on the government website. A dull reality of dealing with the bureaucratic system. Centrelink has been a test of patience and persistence and although I am grateful that Australia has a welfare system in place for its Citizens, it baffles me just how unorganised and karfuffled this system is.

Launching my Business

With ten years of yoga practice, a 200-hour intensive teacher training course and two years of yoga teaching experience in Nelson, Canada, I felt it was time to launch my own yoga business here in Melbourne. I registered Eclipse – A Yoga Journey for an Australian Business Number and organised the necessary public liability insurance. A dear friend put me in contact with the owner of a holistic health centre and I found myself lined up for an interview to launch the yoga modality at the Elk Wellbeing Centre.

This awesome opportunity has offered its own challenges and has been pushing me to market my business and the space that is newly offering yoga to the public. I keep reminding myself to allow time for growth and be open to try a variety of different methods to advertise: word of mouth, flyers, digital media (Facebook, website) online advertisements (Gumtree), posters on community notice boards, etc.

I have a handful of already dedicated students and have sold a few class passes, which has been very exciting and a huge motivator! Onwards and upwards!

Reconnecting with Old Skills

After two and half years of not working with children I am now ready to reintroduce myself into the early childhood educator role. I realized that I did not want to become emotionally attached again so I have chosen to join an agency, McArthur, for flexible, casual work. Relief teaching offers educators the opportunity to work in a variety of centres, a chance to participate in different educational philosophies, teaches flexibility and adaptability and a chance to observe the variety of design concepts and ideas as small spaces are transformed into learning activities and creative play spaces. I have realized that this work is an opportunity to become inspired by not only other educators but more so by the children themselves. Observe the world through the eyes of a young person who has not yet been conformed by a society, or by other people’s belief systems and views. This perspective of the world is creative, abstract and truthful.

Variety is Key

As I shift into this new chapter in my life and find my feet in this familiar city, I am keen to keep my days fresh and full of variety. My experiences in Nelson, British Colombia taught me to be comfortable to change things up a bit, as well as the importance of doing what I enjoy! A deeper happiness is achieved when my attention is focused on activities, thoughts and experiences that feed the soul with positive fulfillment.

The first couple of months have been a juggling act, and I have still not completely found my flow yet, but it is happening.

Transitions

The natural flow of life, one chapter ends as another one begins. New doorways of opportunity and possibility open up. Throughout my years of travelling and moving from place to place I have discovered that there is a space in between the end and the new beginning… this is the transition.

The transitional phase is the perfect time to reflect on past experiences, acknowledging the high times and the lows, the friendships made and the places visited. I find that emotions are brought to the surface: feelings of appreciation, for the good times experienced in a particular place; love, for the dear people that have been a huge part of my life in that place; sadness towards those people and the places I have to leave behind; anticipation about the future; excitement and nervousness toward the new opportunities and adventure ahead. While my mind is often a whirlwind of emotions, I still try to remain present, experiencing this very moment with gratitude.

Change

My present moment is deep in this transitional phase. I have just left my home for the past two years in Canada behind. I said my goodbye’s, or should I say, “see you later” to my dear friends, colleagues and the yoga studio where I have been teaching and am currently exploring the western United States with my mum and dad. We began our road trip by travelling through Osoyoos, British Columbia, down though the Grand Coulee’s in Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge to Portland where we visited an old family friend, then onward to Silver Falls State Park, the glorious Crater Lake, northern California and into the high desert of Nevada to visit my brother.

This Moment

A couple of weeks in the desert is offering me the time to contemplate, reflect in my journal, write letters, practice yoga and just be with family. When a dear friend from high school decides to visit I find myself blasting into my past, sharing stories from twelve years ago and deeply appreciating that even though so many years can pass by, a true friendship really can last forever! This realization consoles the lingering feelings of sadness with regards to the people I have just left behind.

Letting Go of Attachments

Being able to let go of attachments, objects and people, allows me to bring closure to a situation. When this stagnant energy is cleared space can be created for the new. My family is coming together this week to celebrate my Opa’s life and spread his ashes. This is going to be a significant opportunity for all of us to release built up emotions and set them free, just as he will be free to go back to the earth.

Reset

I have been invited to guest teach a yoga class this afternoon at the World Dance Collective in Reno and as I plan the sequence for todays’ class I realize that this is a huge opportunity to reset. (I often plan my classes around what I am experiencing in my life; creating a personal and realistic theme that I can share truthfully with my students and also one that my students can relate to.)

Eclipse

I also begin to recognise the significance of the upcoming full moon with a partial lunar eclipse, which will be followed by a total solar eclipse during the next new moon with this transition. Two eclipses this month! I am currently en route to experience the solar eclipse, and having already been witness to this magical phenomenon twice before, I know that it is the perfect assistant for a personal reset. Eclipses generate an energy that shuffles and shifts me out of my “normal” routine and thought patterns, they enhance creativity, recharge me to believe that I can and will follow my heart’s desires, and enhance my courage to make changes and positive life decisions! Eclipses are an inspiration!

The Time is Now

I feel this is the perfect time for me to be travelling. I am currently free of any constraints or schedule, which could restrict this opportunity to reset. I feel completely open to whatever new opportunities may arise as I flow through this transitional phase of my life with an open mind and heart.

“Fill your heart with the creative power to accept the past, decorate the present and transform the future.” – Osho

LESS IS MORE

As the time to travel slowly draws near, I find myself contemplating on what is necessary for the journey ahead and what objects I need to free myself from. Eleven years ago, when I first began to travel, I used to pack anything and everything that I “might need” for those “just in case” moments.

Living out of a backpack allows me to access areas more easily but I have to remember that I am carrying all of my things… Less is more and I have started to notice that I will tend to wear the same four or five outfits the entire time!

REFLECTION

Travelling is the perfect opportunity to reflect on where you have been, where you are at this moment and where you are headed. Take the time for reflection. I find it super helpful with staying on course, following the path I have chosen for myself. Keeping a journal is a super helpful companion for creative expression and emotional release. A journal allows me to note down sweet places I visit, yummy restaurants I eat at and the names and contact details of people I meet along the way. The journal can also become a scrapbook where I love to keep little maps and drawings that I tend to collect. Let your journal inspire you!

STYLE OF TRAVEL

Contemplate your budget and what kind of accommodation you plan on staying in:

• Camping (offers a connection to nature)
• Couchsurfing (staying with locals)
• Home stay
• Hostel
• AirBnB
• Hotel
• Volunteer positions

Let me recommend Couchsurfing if you have not tried it before. Join the website and set up an account and descriptive profile and you will be able to search for hosts as well as host guests at your own home. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the local way of life. Staying with hosts is free and I find it’s awesome to contribute to the household, cook a dinner, offer something positive to the experience and show your appreciation.

I have experienced very positive home stays in India and Jamaica, where I stayed with a family for a very affordable price. I had my own room on their property and got to experience their way of living, cuisine, music, etc. I highly recommend this opportunity!

AirBnB’s are amazing if you want your own space and your own kitchen for preparing meals. This allows you to save money by not having to eat out all the time. The couple of AirBnB’s I have stayed in really allowed me to see how the local people live. One was a super tiny apartment in the centre of Shibuya in Tokyo and the second was a very traditional Japanese apartment in the town of Mount Fuji. Both places offered such an individual experience, rich in culture and way more interesting than just staying in a hotel.

Volunteer positions offer opportunities to travel for longer periods of time, trading your labour for accommodation (and sometimes food) and giving you the chance to share your skills, obtain new knowledge and meet new people!

Hostels are affordable and can be super fun if you are in the mood to meet other travellers. They are great for socialising but sometimes I find that hostels can be disconnected from the actual place I am visiting. Just be careful not to just spend all your time with travellers… meet the local people and be respectful to the local community.

CLIMATE

The weather is going to play a huge role in what you choose to pack. Obviously if you are going on a ski/snowboarding trip you are going to need lots of layers and snow gear which makes travelling light more of a challenge. For warm weather excursions assess the seasons… If you are headed to the tropics will it be wet season or dry season? A thin waterproof layer is always a handy addition. Perhaps even a mosquito net if you have a tendency to get bitten. For dry climates, nights will most likely drop in temperature so make sure you have a warm jumper. A cotton scarf is always useful, warmth for night time and shade for your head and shoulders during the day.

TRAVEL SUPPLIES

Let me share my list of travel supplies I will never go anywhere without:

• Journal
• Book to read
• Camera
• Yoga mat – my soulmat
• Torch
• Stainless steel water bottle (refill whenever you can so not to use plastic)
• Small first aid kit – include antihistamines for bug bites, valium for long flights, essential oils, (peppermint for headaches; oregano oil for immunity support; tea tree for antiseptic) Electrolytes for proper hydration
• Toiletries bag – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, small sewing kit, feminine hygiene products, (tampons can be hard to find in parts of India and Asia) tweezers, nail clipper, floss, tongue scraper, sunscreen, coconut oil, mascara, eye liner, my favourite patchouli oil
• Travel towel (micro-fiber dries quickly)
• Global adapter (to charge camera, phone or Ipod, etc.)
• Boots
• Birkenstocks
• Waterproof jacket (super lightweight and packs up small)
• Mosquito net (they love to bite me!!)
• Clothing = 7x pairs of undies, 5-7x pairs of socks, 3x singlets, a couple of long sleeve tops, a jumper, 3x leggings, 3x skirts, 2x trousers, 1x pair of leg warmers, cotton scarf, swimwear
• If I am going to a festival during my travels, which will mostly likely be the case, I will usually pack a couple of funky vests and a couple of snazzy pants or skirts to jazz up my wardrobe! Get into the party spirit and feel great!
• If you intend to drive or hire a scooter get an International Drivers License

CAMPING SUPPLIES

• Lightweight tent
• Foam mat
• Sleeping bag and stuff sack
• Blanket and pillow (these are just for extra comfort – not always necessary)
• Tarp/shade structure or cloth
• Lighter
• Toilet roll and/or Babywipes
• Lamp + batteries
• Cooking supplies = stove, fry pan, saucepan + lid, plate, cup, spoon, fork, knife, can opener, chopping board, bowl, tea towel, dishcloth, dish soap
• Esky (if you have a vehicle) or cool bag if you are carrying your belongings

TRAVEL WITH AN OPEN MIND AND HEART

Have fun and be open! When I choose to explore exotic parts of the world it’s awesome to travel with an open mind and an open heart! Be respectful to the different cultures, (it’s ok to not agree with everyone’s choices and ways of living but there is no need for judgement) be patient, make an effort to learn some of the language and allow yourself to flow with the rhythm of the country!

MAGIC

Fascinated by pirate history, our desire to experience the Caribbean Sea and our love of Reggae, tropical food, sun and rum Ricky and I journeyed to Jamaica! As the plane flew into Kingston a wave of excitement rushed over me. The Blue Mountains were lush and green and the warm sun beamed down onto the bustling city below. We landed on Palisadoes and ventured into the city.

STAYING WITH LOCALS

We chose to dive right into the local way of life and stayed with a lovely lady named Melissa, who we met through the Couchsurfing website. Located in Central Kingston (the heart of the city) we were only a short walk from the National Heroes Park, a botanical garden and sacred space honouring the nations heroes, and the downtown markets. Ricky and I were welcomed by Melissa’s family and neighbors with warmth and we noticed how community oriented the Jamaican culture is. “It takes a village to raise a child” is a strong concept that is believed by many.

MUSIC

Music was always in the air! Loud speakers played local reggae tunes and many people sang! People sang when they cooked and cleaned and when they walked down the street. Little local buses full of people drove past with the doors and windows open blaring the deep dub beats. The Jamaican accent alone had so much rhythm that I constantly felt surrounded by song!

COOKING

Melissa, Ricky and I walked together to the markets where the hustle and bustle of Kingston was alive. Children walked home from school, men and women shopped for groceries from stands and small kiosks where you asked a server to get what you wanted and you slipped the money through a gap in a fenced window. The fruits and veggies laid out on cloth on the path were colourful and ripe. We tired Jamaican apples, a couple of different types of mangos, soursop and we bought ackee, bananas, flour, tomatoes, little spicy peppers and salt fish to cook for dinner. I was taught to cook the national dish, ackee and saltfish, which we enjoyed with boiled bananas and johnnycakes (dumplings). The next day we tried boiled crab and grilled corn.

ISLAND TRAVEL – KNUTSFORD EXPRESS

After a couple of days in Kingston it was time to travel across the island to the West End. We chose to book the Knutsford Express, which travelled from New Kingston through Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and arrived in Negril. (The Knutsford Express is an affordable option to travel between the towns and cities all over the island with multiple services everyday.) From Negril we took a taxi to the West End where we stayed at the Lighthouse Inn 2, directly across from the Lighthouse.

BUNGALOW LIFE IN THE WEST END

The Lighthouse Inn was a tranquil paradise nestled in the bush where a handful of bungalows were surrounded by palm trees, figs and flowers and only a few meters from the cliffs and the Caribbean Sea. Cicadas chirped, butterflies glided on the breeze, lizards scurried along our veranda and hummingbirds zipped through the air! We were completely surrounded by life! We had our own kitchen so after settling in we decided to walk to the local shop to get some breakfast supplies, eggs, tomatoes, onion, yams and local Blue Mountain Coffee, in order to fully enjoy a lazy start to each day. (A helpful way to travel on a budget – being able to prepare your own food, tea and coffee.) We also bought tropical fruits and soursop juice from a lady on the side of the road.

EXPLORING THE WEST END

Ricky and I chose to walk everywhere. Absorbing the slow, chilled pace of living, walking was the best way to discover all of the little local gems:

• Just Natural was a vegetarian and seafood restaurant, in the residential area of the West End, secluded in lush private gardens where the tables were scattered throughout the flora and trees… a magical secret garden where the food was divine! (Roughly JM$ 800 for a meal)
• Sip and Bite was a local restaurant that was recommended to us by a taxi driver serving traditional Jamaican cuisine: ackee and saltfish, fried plantain, banana, fried johnnycakes, breadfruit, rice and peas, jerk chicken etc. (Around JM$700 for a meal)
• The Mango Tree was recommended to us by a local man and had a small kitchen with full flavour food! (JM$ 500 for a meal.)
• Fire Water was a small bar propped on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the turquoise sea where epic sunsets kissed the horizon!
• Xtabi became our favourite spot to swim. The bar hugged the cliff edge with steps down to the water, either jump right in or get in and out of the refreshing, beautiful Caribbean water as if we were getting into a giant pool. There were caves to explore in the cliffs and bats flew through them as small crabs scuttled along the cool, damp rocks. Total bliss!

EAST TO PORT ANTONIO

We based ourselves in the small town of Port Antonio for the next few days to explore the wonders of the Portland Parish. Lush rainforest and refreshing tropical rain welcomed us. We arrived late and after dark, delayed by the storm, and the manager, Sasha, of Rafjam’s Bed and Breakfast had organized a driver to bring us to our accommodation. We were greeted like old friends and felt at home instantly. The morning light showed us the full beauty of our surrounding environment… the flowing river, a waterfall just up the dirt road, huge breadfruit trees, ackee trees, palms and apple trees and so many blooming flowers. Breakfast on the veranda was delicious! We were about a half hour walk from the town and passed houses along the way. Everyone waved and greeted us. We explored the markets and ventured to the beach to refresh from the warm balmy heat before having dinner at a small Jerk Restaurant (JM$ 600) on Boundbrook Road. A friendly, laid back community!

WINNIFRED BEACH AND THE BLUE LAGOON

The next day we explored the Blue Lagoon (free to swim) where fresh spring water mixed with the salty Caribbean Sea and then we continued on to relax and absorb the local vibe at Winnifred Beach, one of the last local beaches in the Portland Parish. The sea was clear and cool and the waves crashed on the rocky break a little out from the shore. Ricky and I sat at one of the huts on the beach and enjoyed passion fruit, lime and ginger juice and the yummiest rice and peas I had ever eaten! I hope that the locals are able to keep up the fight to save this beach for their own enjoyment!

KINGSTON

We caught the bus back to Kingston via the Junction, which was a beautiful drive through the Blue Mountains. We stayed at The Kingsworth Hostel, which was actually more like a homestay than a hostel, at the top of Jack’s Hill Road with awesome views of the city and Port Royal in the distance.

PORT ROYAL

We ventured to Port Royal on public transport through Kingston, taking a route taxi down the hill to Barbican, the 76 bus downtown and the 98 bus to Port Royal (JM$100 for each leg of the journey). Watching the rush of people squeezing onto the buses to sell snacks and cold drinks was an experience in itself! Port Royal was a tiny little fishing village with a couple of restaurants (we had lunch at Gloria’s Seafood Restaurant) and shops, a small community of homes, a school and the navy school. Fort Charles (built in the 1650’s) was all that remained to tell a bit of the tale of what was once the wickedest city in the world; that this land was once the home base to thousands of pirates, privateers and prostitutes. Most of this once lively pirate city was sunken beneath the sea.

The island of Jamaica captured our hearts and nourished our senses. We have left feeling inspired and enriched by the friendliness, the chilled pace of life and the strong sense of community that exists there!

Adventure

My fiance, Ricky, and I had dreamed of living together in a mountain town so when we arrived in Canada with two year working holiday visas we were stoked for adventure and to see where it would lead us. Our first month was spent wandering around British Columbia, going to festivals and speaking to people about where to find great snow and a “Canadian” mountain town. We volunteered for Shambhala festival located on a farmstead along the Salmo River and caught the Greyhound from Vancouver to make our way there. On the way the bus pulled through the town of Nelson and as we entered the vicinity of town we caught the first glimpse of its beauty… nested in the valley along Kootenay Lake. Once we were working at the festival we began to meet the local people from the Nelson area. They were the most friendly, accommodating, welcoming people! By the end of the ten days out on site we truly felt that we should spend some time in this place.

A Place in the Community

We found some volunteer gardening work along Longbeach Road where we settled for the next month and in that time we began to fully be absorbed into the beautiful community. I was offered a yoga teaching position in town at what was The Health Collective and is now Sante Holistic Health Centre. (A space that offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing with a variety of practitioners specialising in osteopathy, yoga, massage therapy, nutrition, art therapy and acupuncture.) I also began to work at Empire Coffee, serving delicious Stumptown coffee, organic teas and baked goods from the in house bakery. Ricky started labouring for a couple of local concrete and carpentry businesses.

Whitewater

One of our biggest interests was learning about the local ski hill, Whitewater. We had heard alluring stories of dry fluffy powder, also known at Kootenay Champagne, the wild and rugged terrain and the food. On the last day of the early bird lift ticket sales we committed ourselves and bought our season passes! The next day we moved into a spacious one bedroom apartment on Baker Street. Step by step and before we knew it we were settled in for the winter season!

Nelson Town

The town of Nelson consists of six main areas: Downtown, Uphill, Rosemont, Fairview, North Shore and Blewett and the population is roughly 10,000 residents. Nelson is also a main business centre for the entire surrounding area as far as the East Shore, Kaslo, the Slocan Valley, Salmo, Castlegar and all the little gems in between, which quickly increases the population to close to 60,000. There are funky little cafes (Empire and John Ward), yummy restaurants (Yellow Deli and Yum Son), quirky shops (Moon Monsters, Love of Shiva and Gaia Rising) and a few bars (Mikes Place, Cantina and The Falls) and venues (The Royal, Spirit Bar and Bloom) for live music and nightlife hosting local and international DJ’s, musicians and performers. There are numerous yoga and wellness studios and Front Street Dance and The Moving Centre for all of your movement and dancing desires! It’s a very community oriented town where people support each other… a little safe haven. I found it super easy to meet people and was comfortable to hitchhike around the area. During the ski season Ricky and I hitched up and back from the mountain daily, and made good friends along the way.

Whitewater Ski Resort, located in the Selkirk Range, was a magical gem and with only three lifts and no on mountain accommodation it has kept its local charm and trusting atmosphere. I will never forget being able to leave my bag and shoes under one of the tables or in an open cubbyhole for hours and hours knowing that everything would be there when I returned… my faith and trust in humanity had been reassured and it made me feel so great! The base lodge provided all the basic services you would need plus some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten at the Fresh Tracks Cafe! The previous owners of Whitewater developed a series of cookbooks, Whitewater Cooks, with amazing recipes such as the Glory Bowl and the Ymir Bowl plus so many more that offered skiers the opportunity to eat fresh, healthy and energising meals for the same price as eating out in town! Amazing! The most epic part of Whitewater was the spread out, wild and rugged terrain! With only a handful of groomed runs, I quickly had to learn how to ski not only in fresh powder snow but also in amongst the trees, facing obstacles, chasing those fresh lines, which were never hard to find since I usually had so much of the mountain to myself! Total bliss!

Year Round Beauty

As the winter season ended and spring arrived Ricky and I found ourselves grounded, and since each season was so distinctly different from the next we were intrigued to see what there was to explore! In spring as the trees blossomed and the days became longer, the water roared after the snowmelt at Cottonwood and Fletcher Falls and we adventured to discover the Saint Leon hot springs nestled on a mountain side, a three kilometer hike from the road into the woods. As spring shifted to summer the hot days and evenings were spent splashing in swimming holes and having BBQs with mates on the local beaches. As summer neared an end and fall began to introduce itself in all its colourful glory, we explored the lake by canoe and hiked up to Kokanee Glacier and Monica Meadows, high above the tree line and entering Grizzly bear migration territory. Awe inspired spaces of pure wilderness!

And sure enough winter arrived again… colder, icier and snowier than before! Nelson became blanketed with snow and icicles for months! A beautiful frozen world!

Home

It is crazy to think that over a year and a half has passed and I am still happily experiencing what this magical part of the world has to offer. Friends have come and gone as people pass through from season to season, but many of the locals remain. I am grateful for the ability to work within the community and experience the individual identity that Nelson town possesses.

Enjoy!

INDIA

Two years ago, at this time, I was deep in the Himalayan Mountains in Himachal Pradesh, India settling into a one month intensive yoga teacher training course. It was a journey I had set out on in order to deepen my yoga practice, to learn about the philosophy and history of this ancient practice and to strengthen my knowledge of and connection to my self. I settled in the small mountain town of McLeod Ganj and began this solo journey of self exploration.

MCLEOD GANJ

Nestled in the mountains above Dharamsala is the town of McLeod Ganj (elevation 2,082 meters), now home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Since the early 1960’s thousands of Tibetan refugees have sought asylum in India when they fled Tibet and now call this place home. The blend of Tibetan Buddhism with the local Hindu culture has created a peaceful haven and travellers head into this area of India to attend meditation centres, Ayurvedic retreat centres and yoga schools.

CHANDRA YOGA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

The Chandra Yoga International School was located in the Siddharth House, just off Jogibara Road, a short walk from the Main Square. Ricky, my fiance who I had been travelling with, accompanied me to Siddharth House where I checked into the school and was shown to my room. (Each student had his/her own room, bathroom and balcony with epic views of the mountains facing toward Dhalaudhar Peak.) Ricky and I said our farewells and for the next four weeks we embarked on our individual ventures. Dr. Sushil and the other teachers welcomed all the students and we listened to the mantra chanting and shared offerings of herbs, spices and ghee to the deities during the opening fire ceremony.

The course consisted of 200 hours of intensive yoga training, focusing on asana, pranayama, meditation, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy, ethics and teacher methodology. We attended classes, lectures and workshops 6 days a week.

• 5:30 Wake up
• 6:00 – 7:45 Meditation and Pranayama
• 7:45 – 8:00 Tea Break
• 8:00 – 10:00 Yoga Asana Practice
• 10:00 – 11:00 Breakfast
• 11:00 – 1:00 Philosophy lecture
• 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
• 2:00 – 4:00 Anatomy (1st two weeks) Self Study (2nd two weeks)
• 4:00 – 4:30 Tea Break
• 4:30 – 6:30 Yoga Asana Practice and Theory
• 6:30 – 7:30 Dinner
• 8:00 – 9:30 Self Study
• 9:30 Lights Out

The meals were vegetarian and followed Ayurvedic nutritional guidelines. Over the course of the month there was also a guest Reiki teacher who ran a two day Reiki I workshop and another guest teacher who taught us an Introduction to Ayurveda workshop. It was amazing to study and practice with students from all over the world: German, Thai, Brazilian, Slovakian, Finnish, American, English, Japanese, Australian, Canadian and Colombian… such an amazing mix and we all learned so much from each other!

THE DALAI LAMA’S BIRTHDAY

On June 21st a few of my course mates and I celebrated the Summer Solstice and the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday! The Tibetan community had organised a huge celebration for the Dalai Lama so we woke up early and headed to the Tsuglagkhang Temple to witness and partake in the festivities. There were over 6,000 people in and around the temple and all of the Tibetans were dressed so beautifully in silks and rich, bold colours. As the Dalai Lama entered into the temple there was such an overwhelming feeling of happiness that spread through everyone and brought many people to tears of joy! This was the opportunity for the Tibetan community to show their gratitude and appreciation to him for all of his guidance, support and teachings he has shared with the world. These teachings include the importance of compassion, peace, love and respect towards one another. The monks passed around traditional butter tea in giant teapots and scone like bread. A friendly man sitting next to me translated some of what was being said. I left the ceremony feeling completely content and at peace and am still so amazed how one man’s presence can be so powerful! A few of my course mates and I concluded the day with 108 sun salutations, paying respects to the longest day of the year.

TRIUND HIKE

On one of our free days we decided to hike to Triund (elevation 2,900 meters). We woke up early and walked 2 km up from McLeod Ganj to Dharamkot, then through the forest of oak and rhododendrons to reach to bottom of the 7 km hike up to Triund. The skies were clear and the views were majestic: the towns of Bhagsu Nag, Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj and Dharamsala below and the Dhalaudhar snowy mountain peaks above and beyond. We began as a large group but slowly separated into smaller groups as we ascended the mountain for about three hours. It was interesting to watch the landscape change from trees and bushes to huge, spectacular boulders to grassy meadows. There were small chai stands along the way and goats and cows roamed freely on the side of the mountain. As the hike became steeper, and my friends and I began to tire, we motivated and encouraged each other, one step at a time. Once we arrived at the top we experienced an amazing feeling of accomplishment! We had supported each other to succeed and the reward was incredible!

ASSESSMENT

During the last week of the course I was assessed on my ability to plan, cue and guide students through their yoga practice. I had a 30 minute asana practicum, a 30 minute meditation, pranayama and mantra practicum and a 60 minute asana practicum. It was awesome to be able to apply what I had learned and begin to develop my own style of teaching! It was also inspiring to follow the guidance of my fellow students as they taught their classes.

YOGA

The course was an incredible journey of the self, through the self, to the self. It was an amazing experience where I was able to submerge myself into the history of yogic culture that has been around for over 7,000 years! There were challenging moments that I had to overcome and the knowledge and confidence I gained from these obstacles has only made me stronger. I am honoured to have been able to travel to the home of this ancient practice and now, two years later, with over 200 hours of teaching experience, I find myself reflecting on this opportunity as a great gift which continues to inspire me to explore, further my knowledge and share this lifestyle with my own students!

Namaste!