3 weeks in Spain | Andalusia
A collection of images from 3 weeks spent visiting a good friend in Andalusia.
Long swims in the salty Mediterranean, late meals on boisterous patios, early morning hikes through olive groves, strong whiffs of fresh jasmine, easy floats in Roman sulphur baths, small sips of Bitter Kas, meandering walks through white towns to find the view, serious comparisons of Sea vs Ocean, quiet rooftop mornings.
Many delights.
Sheep, lochs, bagpipes, castles
Ireland and the UK did a fine job charming us Canadians who simply wanted to swim in the ocean and see a castle. We did both and more: hiking in Glencoe, swimming in the Scottish North Sea, fighting wind at Giant's Causeway, exploring castles on the Isle of Skye and getting acquainted with nosy sheep.
We drank more tea than water, willingly ordered haggis (more than once), and got to share it all with good, hearty company.
Mount Brandon, Ireland
Ross Castle
Muckross Lake, Ireland
Giant's Causeway, UK
Aberdeenshire, UK
Tillynaught, UK
Lossiemouth Beach, UK
Isle of Skye, UK
Armadale - Mallaig Ferry, UK
Glencoe, UK
Honister Pass, UK
Japan | 5 weeks of trains
My trip to Japan started with a week in Tokyo with my cousin. Together we hiked Mount Takao, slurped lots of ramen, walked, ate sushi at Tsukiji market, walked and got lost in Shibuya station.
After she left to return to California, Caitlyn (NZ travel companion) and her brother Shaun flew into Sapporo (on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island) where we met up to begin our month in Japan together. Our first stop was Niseko, a ski village heavily populated with Aussies. We had a day snowboarding at Grand Hirafu, thanks to rental gear and 100 yen shop "driving gloves" that we acquired the day prior. Hokkaido is known for its dairy products, and we can confidently attest to their excellent quality.
After Niseko, we made our way south traveling mainly on high speed bullet trains. We stopped in Sendai, Nagano, Fukui and then enjoyed some days in Kyoto. We all agree that Kyoto is special. It is history-rich and has a small feel that makes a person feel comfortable immediately. Although not planned, we managed to follow the cherry blossoms as they bloomed. Arashiyama delivered the blossoms exceptionally, which was helpful as we waited in a long lineup for... coffee. (Look up % Arabica Coffee.) After touring around Kyoto with great local guides/new friends, we headed to Hiroshima, Miyajima island, and onto Fukuoka. Hiroshima also sits in our top 5 cities. The Peace Memorial Museum is not to be missed, as are the many tributes placed all over the city. After making our way to Kyushu (Japan's large south island), we headed back to Tokyo for 5 days before flying south. Tokyo is an experience. We found it to be surprisingly quiet for its size and population. More eating and walking and getting lost.
Our last week in Japan was spent on Okinawa, one of many islands that make up the Okinawa Islands (or the "Hawaii of Japan"). Upon arrival, the increase in heat and the humidity were both felt and welcome. We rented a car for a few days and saw a lot of the island, swimming in both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Both were warmer than any ocean in Canada. After getting too much sun, we met up with friends in Naha city to enjoy 4 days together.
3 words for Japan: safe, clean, quiet. I will most definitely be back.
NZ continued
Ngarunui Beach, Raglan
On the walk up Mount Maunganui
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula
Hot air balloon festival, Hamilton
Aotearoa | New Zealand
The past three weeks I've spent my days in New Zealand. Firstly for a friend's wedding, and secondly for the scenery. The landscape is dramatic and changeable. Here are some photos mostly from the North Island and a small part of the South Island. More photos to come!
Stopped north of Whanganui to peek at the scenery
Brutus, our home for a week on the road
Lake Taupo
Audrey exploring our campsite at Mangaweka
Wellington
On the ferry
In Akaroa
A trip to Ayiti
In March I took a trip to Haiti.
It is a place that I find difficult to describe, but easy to love.
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One quarter Nova Scotian
I took a trip last week to Nova Scotia, one of the nicest places on the East coast of Canada. Every day brought a different fish to eat and a new reason to pull on my Blundstones.
Boiled down to five words, my week was: wind, wool, blizzard warnings, warmth, and Frenchy's.
These photographs were taken in Deep Brook, Point Prim, Mavillette Beach and Jordan Bay.
