Travel People

I’ve been obsessed about travel and lifestyle blogs lately. The mere thought of an exotic locale surrounded by foreign sights and sounds appeal to me. Plus it's an excuse to get away from what is familiar and safe. Travel heightens our senses, pushing our comfort boundaries it reminds us that there’s a world out there full of possibilities. Bonus incentive to take gorgeous photos and eat delicious food….ahhh the life.

Personally there is four different kinds of travellers I have observed, none of which are better or worse than the other but simply distinguishing that each one of us are different in what we want out of a place and what we want to do with our time. Let me expand on my thoughts….

First. There’s the sightseer/tourist. A person that I believe is more about the sights. The fast paced, everyday we gotta do something or else they feel like they’ve wasted their time. With map in hand and a personalized itinerary organized, these people are all about ticking boxes and making sure they have the mandatory Eiffel tower shot or that Statue of Liberty pose down pat.

Second. Forget the monuments, sights and tourist attractions. All they want to do is lie down on a comfy day bed and find the best spa and be smothered with attention. Is that wrong? It sounds lovely though. This kind of traveller doesn’t really backpack or camp. Their idea of camping is a safari lodge in Kenya equipped with a five star chef and banyan tree spa included. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Third. It’s not about hotels and luxury but we need to be doing something physical AKA my husband!/ Adventure traveller. These people don’t want to sightsee, infact they feel likes it’s a waste of time. They want to climb mountains, kayak, parasail, mountain bike, ride a camel, bungee jump, skydive, sail etc you get my picture?“ How many temples and monkeys do we really need to see, they look all the same to me”. Enough said.

Fourth. I believe this is definitely the category I may belong to. I’m not a fan of hostels ( life is too short to be sharing toilets with teens who wear skirts as dresses). The combo of all three travellers. I myself love a bit of touristy stuff but I personally seek out comfortable accommodation with a nice spa topped off with good food. However I don’t mind roughing it up climbing mountains and camping under the stars ( luxe camping anyone?) If that makes me sound like a bimbo ….I think not. All fourth category traveller scours blogs, post and ofcourse tripadvisor and resort to lonely planet ( the bible!) to get the best deal for your buck….so we can afford that body scrub with gold leaf ha!

My Bali

Portrait of Man selling hats. His smile is contagious.

I was standing at one of the peaks of Mt Agung and caught this man in prayer overlooking the crater.

I was a bit sceptical of what Bali had to offer. Having heard from friends and reading forums that"Kuta" was the bogan state of Australia was discomforting to say the least. Then you read books like eat pray love by Elizabeth Gilbert, you conjure wonderful scenes in your head of rice paddies and herbal healers that made me question....can the real Bali please stand up!

From the verdant rice paddies of Ubud, rocky cool Ayung river, treacherous climb to Gunung Agung, Arty vibe of Sanur, luxuries of Nusa Dua, Surplus of seafood and smoke in Jimbaran....Bali is what you make of it. Yes Kuta can be an experience too.

My photo journal...more to come....

Life

After a While
After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company doesn’t always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead.
With the grace of a woman
not the grief of a child.
And you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow’s ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way
of falling down in mid flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
instead of waiting
for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn
that you really can endure.
That you are really strong.
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn
with every good bye you learn.

VERONICA A. SHOFFSTALL

Were on Stylemepretty.com + Bridalbook.ph

Who would have thought. Thanks Stylemepretty.com... woopeeee!

Southern Treat: Grandma's Bakery

Ever since moving to Canberra, I'm constantly comparing it back to Sydney. From Food, coffee, places, people. In the first 6 months I complained my dear husbands ear off ( feeling sorry for him now....no sympathy). However from time time I find myself very lucky to have found middle ground....I have a really cool YOGA studio i attend regularly, found a hairdresser just last month, just yesterday I was fixated on making philly cheesesteaks that I scoured for a local butcher that would shave sirloin for me and voila...new bestfriend! The list can go on and I will most likely continue to show Canberra through a Sydneysiders eyes....

A couple of months back my dear mother in law (MIL) took me to Grandma's Bakery along the federal highway. It's got this country charm mish mash with Italian influence...very weird design wise but the food is yum. Here a few photos I took.

Mezze Plate

They grow their own olives, bought a litre of their olive oil, deliciously smooth!

Geese in parade

I had the pasta, perfect on a chilly winters day

Hong Kong Flash

The gradually noises abate
and ghostly shadow congregate
on city streets.

For some few hours peace will reign
before the noise will start again
on city streets.

The early morning traffic sounds
start with the milkmen on their rounds
on city streets

We went to Hong Kong for the second half of our honeymoon, I've never been to HK but heard so many things about. Some were good, others were not. I was excited to see for myself. We stayed at the Mira Hotel in TST. It was such a cool place, the comfiest bed ever, excellent room service and spa as well....swoon

The egg chair in our room, I really want one.

One of the nights we went to Hong Kong Island.

This Caviar with gold leaf from Liberty Private Works....you need to go here.

Hong Kong can be a little overwhelming. However Agnes B cafe at the IFC can help you get over it. Yummy coffee and pastries. Don't forget to stop and check out the Agnes B florist shop with the most luscious blooms.

A sumptuous lunch was had a wooloomooloo . The views aren't bad either

Awesome views.

If you're ever in HK and looking for an awesome place to eat for next to nothing. Pay a visit to Tim Ho Wan. The cheapest michelin restaurant....salivating.

A Beautiful Dream

A beautiful magnificent dream, It was magic. I close my eyes to relive the memory … snapshots of each scene of our very special day. The smell, sound and feel for the day. I was told to take it all in , it will happen all too fast …..All true.