Paint The Town

Athens, Greece

Today there is a cold wind that feels like it should bring snow. It's a day of German hot chocolate and getting ready for trick-or-treaters, for seeing old friends and watching movies you've already seen a million times, for naps on the couch and carving pumpkins.

My time in Canada so far has been lovely and relaxing. I've never had a problem with jet lag, culture shock, or reverse culture shock; I suppose that's the way it goes for those who live transient lives. And as much as I love Canada, I know it is no longer my home.

Europe. I'm pretty sure my heart lies in Europe.

Welcome Home

Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada

Today I touched down on Canadian soil for the first time in nearly two and a half years.

Oysters And Uncertainty

(photo taken by J.)
Miyajima, Japan

Was it really just this summer that I stood there, so certain of it all? And now, only three months later, I'm living a life of complete uncertainty. And you know, I'm so much happier for it.

Sain Bain Uu

(photo taken by my mum)
Terelj National Park, Mongolia

This is the first time I've been online in three weeks! I'm exhausted but I have so many stories and even more photographs. I'll be in Canada on Friday so I'll share much more then, but I just wanted to say hello from St. Petersburg.

Yaroslavl And You

Moscow, Russia

I lived in Russia once, a few years ago, in a small city called Yaroslavl. I drank a lot of cherry juice and met a lot of wonderful children and went for long walks along the river, the river that was lined with colourful churches and snack shops. I don't have time to write about that experience fully at the moment, but after this second time in Russia I am sure I will be bursting at the seams with stories about this fascinating and mysterious country.

Mornings With The Orangutans

On the Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo

We woke before the sun came up, stumbling to put on our over-sized gumboots that were already caked with mud from a jungle walk the day before. Making our way down to the small boats, torches in hands, the anticipation of seeing wild orangutans or perhaps even crocodiles and elephants was enough to keep our eyes wide open, a better stimulant than coffee.

After miles and miles of river, after hearing the distant calls of monkeys and other creatures, we finally spotted those lovely and endangered apes, the gentle and intelligent orangutan. We all just sat in the boat for ages, staring up into the treetops to watch them eat their breakfasts. None of us spoke, none of us moved. And when it was finally time to head back to camp, to eat our own breakfasts and to take a river-water shower behind the huts, we all were filled with a great feeling of respect, of sadness, and of luck - luck to see these beautiful animals while we still could.

Kit Kats (Part One)

Cherry Blossom Green Tea

Sweet Red Bean

Apple Vinegar

Umeshu Soda (sweet plum wine with soda)

Cola and Lemonade
Crazy Kit Kats in Japan Part One
Kit Kats are incredibly popular in Japan, and over my 2+ years there I found a wide (and often very strange) variety of the chocolate. They are especially popular during exam time for students, as "Kit Kat" sounds very similar to the phrase "kitto katsu" in Japanese, which roughly translates as, "I hope you win".

Another Japanese word: oishii (pronounced o ee shee), meaning delicious. Because who would have thought that a red bean Kit Kat would be so damn oishii?

The Beaches Of Boracay

Boracay, The Philippines

I miss the sand between my toes, the red stain of mangosteens on my fingers, the taste of sea salt on my lips. I'm still mid-travel at the moment and I've already started planning my return to the beaches of Asia...

Overnight Train To Northern Vietnam

On the train from Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam

Here's the thing: I'm actually writing this on October 4th, sitting in my hotel room in Tokyo. This will pop up on my blog on October 17th, however, because I scheduled posts for the time that I'm away.

So this is a message to my future self: where the hell are you? I'm guessing on the train somewhere in the middle of Siberia.

The Pique

Valletta and Mdina, Malta

Malta is one of those countries that, when mentioned, immediately piques my interest. When you hear someone mention that he or she has been to Malta, you know they'll have some good stories for you.