New York has ruined me

I survived. 19 days in total - 17 traveling with Miss JJ & Miss V. We partied, snoozed, rode bikes, ferry rides, the subway & a whole load of walking.

And I fell in love. Hopelessly and madly inlove with New York City. How can such a diverse and crazy city be so soothing for my soul. From its hot steamy subways, open greens in Central Park to the southern fried chicken waffles in Harlem.

Yes I never thought I'd say it. New York has ruined me.

I've been spoilt for all other cities in the world and that includes Santorini.

It's been months that I've been back from New York. And for those months, I've barely had a night or day that I've not had the city in my thoughts and dreams. I had a steak on the weekend, and compared it to Kingswood (www.kingswoodnyc.com/) which single-handedly , without comparison gave me the best steak of my life.

I feel that because the culture that is the US is so similar to my own home town, that I'm cheating myself .... but when a place fills your hear and soul as much as the great city of New York did, it can't be stopped. A love affair is born.

I dream of the walking the high-line, of the subways, the people, the food, the shopping, everything.

I MISS NEW YORK and I want to go back !!!!

Solo Travelling

The Amazing Race Australia is an inspiration. It makes me want to travel, even to places I've been, and I’m sure the 100,000 entrants who applied to be on the show would think so too. But you know what is better than running from country to country, and across continents? Taking part in your own amazing race and doing it on your own. Solo.

No I’m a self confessed loner, I love being on my own and spending time in my own company, but in reality, I don’t even cross the road at work to get coffee let alone crossing a continent.

The first time I traveled on my own was my third time overseas. Third time … I knew what I was doing right? No, I’d not any responsibility with any of those trips and suddenly, here I was at Heathrow airport not knowing how to read the signage to get to the Tube. My plan in London was to couch surf for 6 weeks. Friends would entertain me when they weren’t working and any travel would be weekend trips with them. That lasted a week before I got myself a ‘student’ ID and hit the open road.

In the 6 weeks I was in Europe I went to Santorini, Barcelona, Rome, Paris and Krakow. I explored, missed flights, found romance, got mugged, and was the first person in generations to see my homeland since the war. All experiences I would not have gotten nor traded for 6 weeks of couch surfing.

The confidence you suddenly gain is character building, not being able to rely on anyone strengthens you to the core. You challenge your perceptions and there isn’t anyone to judge your decisions. You begin to see things differently and I think, more clearly.

I traveled before the day or Meetups and Twitter, and a travel network was as foreign to me as saying hello in Polish. But I’ve come to realise, they would enhance my solo traveling, but couldn’t give the gift that I’d receive from my self discovery, exploring and pushing my own boundaries in a new city.

And at home, I still don’t get coffee on my own.

5 things to do in Bali

I've never been to Bali. I never wanted to go. My high school friend was 'rich' enough to go every school holidays and my memory was of her returning to school with her hair braided. In one week I am going to Bali with 3 girlfriends for the first time. We've got everything and nothing planned. A private plunge pool, a bike ride down a volcano and a breakfast that you need to plan ahead for (and bring a buffet dress apparently) and a lot of massage time.

I don't know what to expect really. Firstly it will be the first travel I've done with these friends, and secondly, being my first trip to Bali, will it meet my expectations, what even are my expectations. Will I come home with my hair braided?
I decided to create a top 5 things I plan to do in Bali, and I'll revisit my post with what I came to find.
1: Tanah Lot, the ancient pilgrimage temple. Preferably at sunset.
2: Bike ride down before mentioned volcano, taking in the rice terraces
3: Massage massage massage
4: Eat everywhere from food stalls, to the Rock Bar 

5: Quite possible some shopping time or chance to get my hair braided?

My girls in Bali

My love affair with Santorini

Some people come to Santorini for the magical sunsets over the Caldera, some come for the romance, and some for the nightlife. I’ve wanted to come here since I was a small child. I remember watching a television program about the lost city of Atlantis and I glimpsed the white washed blue domed churches that are synonymous with the island.

My first time was 5 years ago and I’ve been drawn back 4 times. The first time was as a back-packer, the second as lone traveler, the third with my boyfriend and the forth, crashing the honeymoon of my best friend. To say I’ve seen everything the island has to offer would be an understatement, but to say I’ve had enough would be a drastic exaggeration.

You start with the churches, those white washed blue domed churches that are all over the island. Climbing stair after painted white stair, every corner showing you more of the history and the enchantment that is on offer. Cruise ships arrive in droves to take in this startling island and looking up, makes you smile in absolute amazement at this picture perfect village perched on the top of a volcano.

My 6 things about Santorini:

• It's the ultimate romantic destination: Without being in your face. I love romance - even if it isn't me being romanced.
• The best weather: There is something about the sun there, even in summer, it is absolutely perfect.
• Look at me !!: It is no where near as showy as other islands in the Mediterranean. Comfortably chilled.
• Something new around every corner: Each time I visit, I have found a new village, or area never found before.
• Lots of my favorite animal ever... DONKEYS
• Greek food: Enough said

Photos: http://kelliejane.redbubble.com/