Map

See below the interactive map, highlighting in pink all the countries I've visited. As you can see I have yet to explore South America and Asia, as well as delve deeper into my African roots.

Create your own visited countries map or check out the JavaScript Charts.

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SWISS PASS- Worth the Dollar?

A common question that pops up when one visits Switzerland is: Shall I purchase a Swiss Pass?
My answer usually would be YES... as it really is worth it. However this does mostly depend on what you plan on getting up to throughout the duration of your stay. If like me you are on a budget trip to Switzerland, (yes it can happen) then I would recommend carefully planning what you wish to do whilst there along with the costs whether it be entrance fees, gondola rides, bus or boat tickets or simply a train ride. It all adds up and that is exactly why it needs to be taken into consideration if you are concerned about getting your money's worth. If you aren't too concerned then save yourself the stress and just buy one haha! It will definitely save you hassle and you can use it to get in for free to museums and galleries across the country. 

On a tram in Basel

The Youth (16-26) Swiss Pass for 2nd class use cost me 221CHF for 4 days. A full price list can be found here: https://www.swiss-pass.ch/swiss-pass/
This allowed me free access to all the museums and art galleries I visited as well as free use of the entire transport system (bus, boat trains and trams) and the entire journey up Mt. Rigi. It discounted my return journey up & back down Mt. Titlis by 50%, that being from Titlis Valley to the top of Mt. Titlis by gondola and revolving cable car. Usually this would of cost me 92CHF bust instead it cost me 47CHF. It also would of included (for free) journeys up Mt. Pilatus and various other destinations and attractions across Switzerland, including the Glacier express!!! but sadly I didn't plan carefully enough. The fact is the Swiss transport system is fast, efficient and what some call a work of art and for it to maintain customer satisfaction they have to charge unsatisfactory ticket prices. If I were to add up the cost of everything, the Swiss Pass most definitely done me justice.

There are other options for freedom of movement in Switzerland, but with slightly different regulations, such as the Tell Pass (for travel exclusively around central Switzerland) or the Swiss Half Fare Card. Check out these links below which take you to various passes dependent on the region you wish to explore and do your research!

Best of the best: http://www.myswissalps.com/

https://www.swiss-pass.ch/
http://www.tellpass.ch/en/
http://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/en 
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tickets/bergbahn/angebote/jungfraujoch-top-of-europe/jungfrau-travel-pass-3-days
http://erlebniscard.ch/index.php/en/
https://www.swissrailways.com/en/products/regionalalpspass
https://www.graubuenden.ch/en/


Here is a rough version of my itinerary... it went a little something like this;
(Every time I use transport I will put it in Green to indicate how frequent my use was)

WED 17th MAY
Land in Basel Euro Airport
Bus to Basel Town Center
Chill in town center
Train from Basel to Luzern
Bus from Luzern station to Luzern Hostel
Walk back into town & have a wander
Bus back to hostel 
Settle for the night & Sleep!

THURS 18th MAY
Awake nice and early & breakfast!
Bus to Luzern train station
Train from Luzern to Engelberg 
Bus from Engelberg station to the base of Mt. Titlis (Titlis valley station)
Gondola from Titlis Valley up to Trübsee 
Gondola from Trübsee up to Stand
Revolving Cable Car from Stand up to Titlis
Enjoy the top of Mt. Titlis for around 4 hours & lunch!
Revolving Cable Car from Titlis down to Stand
Gondola from Stand down to Trübsee 
Gondola from Trübsee down to Titlis Valley
Scenic walk through the meadows from Titlis Valley back to Engelberg train station
Train from Engelberg to Luzern
Decide what to do next...
Boat from Luzern to Vitznau (originally was going to be a round trip but then realised if I went up to the top of Mt. Rigi I could make it back in time for the last cogwheel train down to Vitznau)
Cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm (the top!)
Spent around 15 minutes at the top enjoying the view and taking pictures
Cogwheel train back down to Vitznau
Met a friendly traveler on his way to Luzern, we went to catch the bus together and soon decided to hop off and take a dip in the lake!
Swimming in Lake Luzern & relaxing under the moonlight (watch my vlog about this)
Bus to a random train station, praying I hadn't missed the last train
Train back to Luzern
Grabbed some food
Bus back to Luzern hostel
Sleep!

FRI 19th MAY
Awake early-ish & breakfast!
Walk to the Lion monument and get lost- of course- spend some time taking pics
Walk into town stopping at sights and taking pics
Bus from one part of town to the station
Decide to catch the later train and check out the Luzern Art Museum
Grab some Lunch
Train to Interlaken Ost (planning on going up Mt. Schilthorn but the rain was too heavy)
Train from Interlaken Ost to Bern (no rain yay!)
Tram from Bern station into Bern town center
Spend the afternoon exploring Bern, shopping & taking pictures
Tram around the city (went a little further a field)
Dinner at a nice restaurant
Tram back to the station
Train from Bern to Luzern
Bus from Luzern station to Luzern hostel
Chilled at the hostel then get ready to head back out
Bus to the town center
Walk around and eventually find Max's bar!
Spend the evening making friends, drinking and having fun
Walk back to the hostel as the buses are finished (long walk)
Sleep!

SAT 20th MAY
Awake bright and early for check out & Breakfast
Bus to the town center
One last wander around Luzern
Train from Luzern to Basel
Tram from Basel train station to Basel city center
Spend the afternoon wandering around Basel & lunch!
Tram to Basel Art Gallery 
Tram back to the train station
Bus from the train station to the Euro Airport
Fly back to London!

Peace&Love,
Willow

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The Sweet Life On Deck

Two weeks aboard a fully rigged Norwegian tall ship...

Christian Radich of Oslo

 After sleeping for the first time in a hammock (yes it was uncomfortable), I woke up feeling excited for the day ahead. We were still docked up in the Thames but it didn't seem to matter, as this was now my home... and I couldn't wait to really get to know everyone. I had spent the previous day playing cards and eating a very tasty portion of lasagna. It had been a great welcome meal. Today was our orientation day, as we would be setting sail for approximately 4pm. Everyone aboard, including the crew had been placed into watch groups around the clock... two 4 hour shifts a day. This would ensure that the ship was safe and secure consistently, as well as not sailing into danger. Your watch would become your new family as you would be spending the majority of your time aboard together, whether it be working, relaxing or sleeping... yes, you slept in your watch groups to avoid waking the others! I was assigned watch 12-4. Some (well many) referred to it as the Dog Shift, as you found yourself having to sleep at odd times and also to stay awake during the morning shift was exceedingly tricky. Once the watches were sorted, and we had met our team it was time for safety training. Funnily enough, it was not all about life jackets, though of course they were in the mix. We learnt about the very basics of the vessel, what to do in emergency circumstances and then yes... rig training! Splitting off into our watch groups we grabbed a harness and for the first time (well second for me) climbed the rig. It must have been a peculiar sight, seeing so many bodies upon the rigging of the ship, but no one was hurt and we got to climb as high as our hearts desired. Myself, along with a few others climbed to the top (yesssss) of the 40m high sails. How thrilling!

So I want to take a moment out to tell you about climbing the rigging on board. The ship was fully rigged, which meant it had three sets of 4/5 sails, stretching as high as 40m up. When all the sails are down (after a lot of hard work from the crew) it is a very beautiful sight. The process in which it takes to get there however is one not to be taken lightly! So crew members do have to physically climb to the mast that the sail hangs from (how else would they get up there?!) and either tie up or let down the sail. Baring in mind the height these sails as they need to actually catch the winds, as well as the size of them- in order to actually power the ship across the seas, you can begin to create a picture of what one is up against. There is no time for fear of heights, just climb! I do have one very fond memory of climbing up the rig later on in the trip with Martin, one of the students. He had explained to me how confident he had grown over the 7 months they had been on board with climbing and of course other aspects of life. I couldn't resist but to praise his bravery and humbleness in which he simply returned with a laugh, 'Thank You'. None of these guys had any idea how I admired their work, their bravery and their lifestyles in general. They lived such a simple yet fulfilling lifestyle. I adored it!


Diary Entry from Rig Training
Rig training- which I climbed over 30 meters high!! How exciting ay! Although I have to admit as fun as it was going up and down, it certainly was not fun balancing on that thin piece of rope we have to share with everyone else up there (once out on the mast). Oh my, honestly it is very very scary!! Any time someone wishes to change their footing...bam, you have to be ready for the weight shift etc!! Oh anddd your harness is practically useless considering you don't actually hook it while you're climbing haha. Only once you move up/down a platform or onto a mast thingy.

We then got to chill out as we left London for Torbay, ready for the race to start... the food was soon to be ready- salmon, salad and potatoes...YUM- we all dug in and then chilled out downstairs. Side note, may I add the food here is amazing. I have not been hungry once and it is literally of such a high standard! Night snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner- alla them! I don't think anyone can complain at all!

Looking around, and seeing nothing but ocean for the first time was a strange feeling. By this point we had crossed the start line of the race and we were well on our way. It wasn't long of course till something went a little wrong... a fishing net had got caught in a propeller and caused the whole boat to come to a stand still. This cost us valuable wind time and was in actual fact the reason we came in 2nd place! However, once sorted but the very efficient crew members, once again we we well on our way- hot on the competitions tail!

As mentioned before, I was part of the 12-4 watch and watches were a very big part of the whole experience. You spent 8 hours of each day on watch, ensuring the ship was secure and sailing in the correct direction haha!
Here is a diary entry of my first night watch...

Writing the morning of the 18th. My goodness, it is now pretty much 5AM and my first watch ever was pretty much close to torture. I was very cold despite having 4 fairly warm layers on... but only when I realised it was my turn to go on LOOK OUT did I become slightly worried. Those two words will haunt me for this entire journey. My mindset is things can only get better as we are moving into warmer waters... and weather I pray. I was the lucky one though, as I left my hour position (2-3AM) it began to rain heavily and the wind was blowing so hard that it felt as though I was being shot in the face 1000 times. Note to self... next time bring a warm f****** raincoat and waterproof trousers. You can never over pack, as a wise Norwegian told me on board!!!! I felt so sorry for the poor bastard that followed me on the final lookout watch. He must have got it bad. Aside from being cold, I was alone in pitch darkness at one of the highest above deck areas of the ship...alone...surrounded by what was now becoming the English channel. Fek. I was so scared. I was scared of the dark as it was and next thing I turn around and think I see a man standing there... meanwhile it was the ventilation system pipe thing- not a human. I had even started shouting out to see if it would respond. Obviously not. My gosh...if I had (caught a shock and) jumped back I could have tripped over a rope and fell into the sea. You best know I clung to the centre ropes for dear life...ensuring a body part was always in contact with the ropes while looking out for tiny lights in the distance- that could apparently mean danger or something- it was a very hard job I must admit. I was so glad when the next guy came on time!!
Afterwards we (those who didn't have a job to do) sat and drank water, tea and coffee and chatted... politics of course. A poor lady began to feel sea sick and I felt so bad for her. I am currently in my hammock praying I don't get it too, even though I am currently feeling a bit woozy. Humph.
I need to sleep though as I am up at 11:15am, for my next watch. Yippee. Ciao x

I woke up this morning around 8AM after having 3 hours sleep, yet I feel refreshed! Maybe it was the shower last night or maybe I'm just feeling more confident, now being a member of the team on board... whatever it is, I feel good! I have another shift watch at 12-4PM where I will likely have to climb the mast and open up the sails...very nervous as it is so cold and windy once you're up there. Plus, as I said your footing on that tiny rope is not great. Once I had gone out after getting ready for the day, I was happy to see a bright and welcoming morning. It was now around 8:45AM and the sky was a beautiful blue! The waves were a dark green/blue colour, teal maybe? And boy, were they crashing against one another! This is what it is all about! Beautiful! The sun was also beaming to add the the lovely scenery. A good morning...now for brunch :D and then on to my next watch.

These two diary entries were from the first days on board and as you can see it wasn't always plain sailing. The trip, I soon realised was about pushing my own limits and overcoming my fears. Nature is (most of the time) on our side and the sooner we try to work with it- rather than against it- the better! Nature was what was taking us from London to Portugal... and I trusted it with my life! My fear of the dark soon vanished (as I had no choice haha) and becoming closer with the people on board really heightened my overall experience. I fell in love with sailing that morning, and I definitely knew it wasn't going to be the last trip I made by boat.
The food continued on to be flavoursome, inventive and satisfying throughout the whole trip, although I had definitely had my fair share of cured hams and cold meats. One of the highlights with regards the food was the 3PM snack times. From freshly baked Danish Pastries and Cinnamon Rolls to juicy Melon and Pineapple- we were all in for a treat. 
The chefs did not spare us of their love and passion in the kitchen, that was for sure! Even when it was one of the trainee's 60th birthday, two very large fresh cream sponge cakes were ready and waiting for us to sing and send our blessings. Every single dish was made with great ingredients and an even better heart, but why was I surprised?! I had been told by Greenwich council that Christian Radich was had the best food!

Our days were spent eating and climbing, yes but also relaxing and enjoying the time we had together as a crew. There were over 10 nationalities on board, with everyone interested in everyone's lives. It was fantastic. There was of course some characters in the mix but it was all part of the fun.

Those that stood out to me and made the journey extra special are now poeple I deem to be life long friends. From midnight chats with Olave, to bum bum lips with Benjamin and Ken or reenactment stories with Kenny (oh my goshhhhhhhh!) and punny ad-libs made by Chris- followed by sarcastic comments about Chris' ad-libs by his girlfriend, Becca... we all had such different personalities that mixed perfectly together and made a tasty bowl of Radich soup! So shout out to Bermuda for being amazing... he is still sailing around the world as he signed up for the entire race! From London to Portugal, across the ocean to Bermuda, up to Canada and the back over to France, he is spending over half a year sailing like crazy! Of course I haven't mentioned everyone that made my journey special as there is just too many names to write but of course I must mention my loves Guiliana and Laeticia. 


Here are two diary entries about these lovely souls;

Giulliana

I remember first meeting Giulliana on the bow and she just had this radiant smile and glowing skin. I was like oh great, she is gorgeous and I bet she is a super nice person too. Of course I was correct hahaa. On a serious note, she is literally one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Her heart is so gentle and kind... and her looks are jaw dropping. We have really began to bond and are basically in a girl group with Lettie. We are also kitties (don't ask haha). I love that she is calm and mature yet she has this playful streak that amplifies her youth? I admire her a lot and I really do hope we stay friends for a very very long time.

Laetitia

I first met Lettie on the press thingy at Woolwich before the voyage. She was so so funny and naturally beutiful! Being on the ship together has made me feel as though I have come on board with a true friend, and we are experiencing every step together. She says stuff sometimes that I was thinking and I' there like tha fuqqq. Girl I agree 1hunna. Hahahaha. She is so genuine and I feel we too are really bonding. She is also one of the 3 kitties and one of the girl band members :P. Fun times hahaa.  Lettie is such a kind person who's sarcasm gets me every time and I really can't wait till we go out in London together.

My good friend Bum Bum ;)

In the evenings after dinner, all the young people plus Pierre (a handsome Swiss 50 year old living in Sao Paolo) would snuggle up with our snacks and watch movies in the homemade cinema club. American Pie was usually the theme though on occasion we would switch it up...

My best hammock Buddy <3

My nights were mostly spent on watch, and this although to begin with seemed like a curse, turned out to really be a blessing. There is nothing like looking up at the nights sky and seeing the entire galaxy... and the milky way staring right back at you! You then look down into the water and all of a sudden hundreds (yes hundreds) of dolphins are splashing in and out of the dark blue water, playing in the waves. One night for about 45 minutes we were joined at approximately 3AM by what looked like 150 playful dolphins, all going crazy! The plankton in the sea water made sailing through the waves a magical experience in itself, as it lit up the water with thousands and thousands of little florescent lights dancing in the waves. Along with our visitors, who also done their part in lighting up the ocean as they cut through the waves, it meant that I was somehow caught up in my own magical fairy tale at sea. I could have dropped down right then and there, and I would have been able to say I was at my happiest.
I don't have any pictures of this fantasy like experience, but sometimes, somethings are best kept to ourselves... with words filled with passion and emotion, being the ultimate way to share an experience.

Diary entry about the Norwegian trainee sailors [23/4/2017]:
Yesterday during the day, once again the watch was a lot of fun. Our watch was not at all busy and we pretty much lay in the sun the whole time. I did go up to a really high mast though, once again with Martin who I wished I had taken a picture of up there. He was clinging onto that yard with every muscle in his thighs and stomach I swear. He was like it for around 20 minutes too while he taught me how to tie a certain knot around the sail, so high up in the sky. I remember looking at him and thinking you're so extraordinary. All of these guys here are. They don't even realise it. Some still struggle to talk to girls, some are typical immature boys- but in the best way of course, but all are pushing themselves above and beyond while making this trip special for us! The funniest thing is I am sure they are all looked at and stereotyped in different ways yet no one would ever think that they do the things they do and have seen the things they have seen. The are all so modest about it as well! I have SO much respect for each and every individual on this ship. Each person is really really special. Thank you Martin for giving me that moment of reflection 35 meters above.

Arthur and I high in the sky!

After around a week and a half of sailing, sleeping in the hammock had actually become very comfy however my sleeping pattern itself had worsened as me, along with the others did not want to miss out on the last couple days of fun. We would soon be docking up in Sines, Portugal and be getting ready to celebrate, with our experiences on board slowly becoming memories of what once was our time at sea.

Sebastian's hair cut

Lil ol Me

Ken Doll

Colgate Model Giullianna

Credits to this beauty: Lettie Inett! I hope youdon't mind I used ya pics haha <3

Giullianna's bella piece

Peace&Love,
Willow

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WHY I CUT MY HAIR OFF

My hair is now short. About 3 hours ago, maybe 4... it was bobbing around my shoulders looking all cute and sweet. Why did I cut it off?

I've been taught through the media, through my parents,through my friends and just generally my overall interactions that when you are a woman, long hair is best suited. Why I don't really know. Apparently it makes you look feminine and lush and stuff, who knows. I've never really had a strong attachment to my hair but I was often worried about what people thought of me. I would pretend I didn't care about my image and sometimes I really wouldn't care -but the majority of the time I would. I hate that! I hate knowing that I will do something or not do something because of someone else who doesn't have a clue about me.

I recently turned 20 and left my underpaid, overworked job in South East London. I had moved back in with my Dad over summer and the travelling from Essex to SE London was too much headache, plus I was spending a fortune on trains. I also received a letter telling me about an old fine I had never previously received, asking me to pay a ridiculous sum of money. I had been planning to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer till I started back at uni in October but after receiving that (it was a very large amount)... I cancelled everything.

I then thought about how I've worked on and off since I was 15 and all it took was one year of shitty university- something we apparently all should do, to get me in even more debt than I have earned in my lifetime. I sadly am not born into wealth and I'm tired of working hard and not getting a lot in return. We shouldn't be working to pay our bills then find ourselves short at the end, we should be working to enjoy a life we want to live, that is why I save up my scraps and use it where I can to see the world! So how does this link to my hair?

Well I typed in on google, 'why do young girls cut all their hair off?'
This is what came up:

Practically all the links I found explained how the chopping of the hair from long to drastically short usually symbolises the need for control or change. One may feel as though she has lost control over her life, usually after an uncertain period that caused discomfort or maybe even trauma. The chop therefore is a way of showing herself, more than anyone that she is in control. It could also be a lot to do with just marking a new chapter. It may not always be after trauma or uncertainty but rather to feel refreshed and therefore renewed...

I cut all my hair off for both of these reasons now that I reflect upon it. I also cut my hair as throughout my teen years, my hair was what I was known for and I often felt people failed to see just me. I would straighten my hair and would get comments like, 'you look much better with your hair curly and big', meanwhile I'm thinking... Did I Even Ask You?! Cutting my hair was also a way of being defiant to what society has taught me, defines me as a woman. I was worried before that people would treat me differently, stupid I know although it genuinely did cross my mind as I feel it does happen. Women always have to legitimise their power and right as a woman and now I have a 'mans' hair surely this illegitimises me. I'm trying too hard to be masculine when all I really want is to be as feminine as can be while doing what I want! Did any of that make sense? Humph...

Well what all this boils down to is try and do you... it is easier said than done. We have twitter hype gals telling us do you boo boo and too right! But it ain't always that easy, especially when 'you' is always changing and growing due to your environment and experiences that are ever-evolving. I wake up a different person each day and not because I have a new spot or a new nail varnish colour, but because of who I met the day before and what I read at the library and maybe even the new country I hope I may have travelled to! Everything plays a part in who you are, so I don't blame you if you become a psycho killer by age 12 as more often than not, it is your environment that has caused it. 

OK I have gone waaaaay off track. C'mon. All I done was give myself a hair cut... riiiiiight?

Peace&Love
Willow

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Two Weeks Before My Sailing Trip

'Yes, a sailing trip... well actually a sailing race from London to Portugal,' ... 

'Really have you ever sailed before?' ...

'Errm, no but hopefully I'll enjoy it!'

Hahaha, so yes. A sailing trip and no I have NEVER sailed before unless you count a day trip on a boat in Turkey. How exciting right?!?!

Why? You may wonder and well for me...an adrenaline-loving, inquisitive soul searching almost 20 year old I guess it was just curiosity. Ha. Curiosity killed the cat. Yes, yes but I am willing to take a leap of faith. The ocean is oh so vast, swaying from side to side with open arms and it is pretty much waiting to be explored. It appears as completely foreign in my understanding and I suppose I would love to have a chance to understand it that little bit more. Two weeks is probably not nearly enough but I guess this is me dipping a toe in or testing the waters hahaha :P :P :P. Bad joke, I know. Being a part of this experience will, of course, teach me lessons and skills that I will take onboard for the rest of my journey through life and I may love it or hate it out there. However, as long as I come out of the experience with a smile, ready to tell the tail... I would have achieved something I would have never imagined I would! Yes drama queen but it is true! 

Just under a year ago, before I move to Greenwich/Deptford (I'm on the border) and before I even knew I was going to university, I applied for the Royal Borough of Greenwich's Tall Ships Regatta 2017 from London, UK to Sines, Portugal. It had said on BBC News that there were a number of sponsored places available on board the ship, or you could pay. I then proceeded to do some research as I thought, this does sound like fun! I realised that the only way to get a sponsored space was if you lived, worked or studied in Greenwich and of course I did not. I lived, worked and studied in Essex. The non-sponsored places cost around £1.5k for accommodation, food etc etc. I thought well you never know, circumstances change all the time, I could become a millionaire... not. I actually just figured that life has a funny way of working and if it is meant to be it will be! 

And for sure... it was meant to be!

A couple months later I found out that I was accepted into Goldsmiths, University of London, how exciting. As I hadn't actually decided if I was 100% taking the plunge into academia until I had been accepted (mid August), I hadn't sorted anything you're supposed to such as accommodation, student finance and anything else you can think of so I was panicking! I managed to get my ass in gear and by September I was almost ready to begin the new chapter. I was placed in student accommodation around a 20 minute walk from my university in Lewisham and about an 8 minute walk into Greenwich town centre, and for those of you who haven't been... go to Greenwich!!! It is beautifulllll.  I will give you a guided tour myself :P. 

Now around 2 months after moving into my accommodation I received an email asking me to pay the first instalment for my voyage to Sines. Oh shit, I'm not a millionaire yet and I definitely cannot afford £1.5k now... I'm a student! I had to explain that unfortunately my circumstances had changed and I may have to back out of the trip... however, I decided to slip in the fact that I am in actual fact now by complete chance, a resident of Greenwich (well borderline Deptford but I sprinkled some sugar on it)!! I explained how I've sadly become a poor student but would still be very interested if there were any sponsored places still on offer. To my luck?? the lovely man on the other end of the email replied and explained that they loved how enthusiastic I was right from the start (I had a great application) and they would be happy to offer me a sponsored place - right after my interview! Yippieeeeeeeee. From then on the only way was up baby! 

Here I am now, just under two weeks to go sat with my handbook for the Norwegian Tall Ship; Christian Radich. I've read it from cover to cover and will use it as my bible. 

For more information about the Tall Ships Festival please check out: http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallships

Peace&Love,

Willow

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JEEP SAFARI, TURKEY

The Jeep Safari was awesome.

We were two minds about whether to do this or the quad biking as the quads were seemingly more action/adventure though we were glad with our final choice. We were picked up around 9am from our hotel by our driver and took off in the Jeeps!

On the 'Safari' (using the word safari very loosely haha) there were various stops including on of the bays in Hisaronu Gulf; pretty, very picturesque and I kinda wish we got to explore this area more, a hilltop view of Marmaris; pretty cool but what seemed to me as a time waster and a lovely BBQ lunch; this was in typical mountainous Mediterranean surroundings, beautiful of course and cooked by locals. Yumm! One of the men cooking- a lovely little old man made the experience funny as he hopped around the BBQ and picnic area singing and shouting jokes in Turkish. Of course we understood none of this but giggled all the same!

Down there, that's Marmaris!

Did someone say Lunchtime?

Our highlight on the Safari was most definitely the lovely Waterfall!

The water was ICE COLD. We spent around an hour rejuvenating our skin, taking a dip and also exploring the surrounding area. Needing to pee, I disappeared off to the toilet we had passed on the way in. To my surprise now, there were two or three little children sat outside it with a sign asking for 1 Lira per use. The other people were just ignoring them and walking straight in but I just had to give them some money! They were little cuties and this was definitely something I would have done as a child hehehe. I gave them the coins I had on me- 3 Lira and smiled. They cheerily thanked me and put it in the money box. 

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about 'the Paparazzi'! This was super funny! At the beginning of the trip, the guide gave us a prep on what to expect as well warned us, "not to harass the Paparazzi". If only he knew - not that I have much experience with the Paparazzi but still. What he meant was don't annoy the camera man snapping action shots of the day. Meanwh, le this was what the cameraman was up to; 

There is not much more to tell about the day other than we saw lots of sceneries, ate a great lunch surrounded by kitty cats (hahaha) and got to see the best of the South!

Peace&Love
Willow

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DOVER & CALAIS DAY 1/2

Now, I L-O-V-E a good deal. Who doesn't?

To find the top travel deals (which also seem to miraculously cheer me up) I often look to deal sites such as Travelzoo and WOWCHER. On this occasion, I had hit the jackpot on Wowcher. An over night stay at the 4* Ramada Hotel Dover, including a three course dinner and buffet breakfast, plus inclusive return ferry tickets to Calais for two at just £89. Say whaaaaat?! No no no, not per person, for two!
Booked.

DAY 1/2

We were off again, this time for a petite weekend break. We left on Friday 4th March as after doing some research, I found that Calais was best to visit on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, this being many of the shops and restaurants would be closed. I, as usual, missed my bus ( I promise I try to be on time, the damn buses are always running early when I need to be somewhere important!!!). I ended up pulling over a local taxi that charged me the standard (overpriced) rate to the underground station. 
We made our way to Victoria, the station where our mainline train would depart to Dover Priory. The journey from Stratford through to Dover totalled to around 2 hours 45 mins, this was due to the fact that we had got tickets for the slow train. Unlike the quick zippy London underground rides I'm used to, the mainline services that take a couple hours really show England off for what it is all about... beauty!

We arrived in Dover at 2pm. The station was located around 5 minutes walk to the town centre, so we decided to have a wander. I had contemplated going back to the hotel to check in and drop off our bags, but as it was located a while away it seemed logical to build up our appetite while enjoying the outdoors and then retire to the hotel later on.

Once in town, there were plenty of signs directing us to Dover Castle and The White Cliffs. I was hoping to see them at some point, and tomorrow we would be in Calais, so why not! We continued on. First we walked up one hill, then another and then along a tiny roadside path that we mistook to being the final leg. We turned a corner to then see an enormous roadside hill that lead directly to the castle. The problem was, it was SO steep. The two of us had been walking around 25 minutes and already we were feeling it. There was no way I was allowing us to stop because there was actually nowhere safe to stop.
After about 10 minutes of steep incline, we had made it... and the castle was closed. It was a Friday afternoon and the castle was closed to the public. Humph... we sat, surrounded by sheep, catching our breath. At least The White Cliffs will be open. I opened google maps and typed in 'White Cliffs'... walking time: 1 hour. You've got to be kidding me. That was the last straw, we were calling a taxi!

From the Castle to The White Cliffs the taxi cost £5 and took around 5 minutes to reach. As we hopped out it was fair to say we were blown away (quite literally) with the incredible views before us. It was very windy, but being 350 feet above sea level during early March, it was to be expected.
We took a stroll along the cliff edge, taking in the views before us. The English Channel seemed so serine... rocking back and fourth, and every so often colliding with the rocks that lay below. In the near distance we could see the ferry port, unfortunately, this vital trading hub for the UK somewhat disturbed the serenity.
When you're on a cliff edge the extraordinary realisation that you, ultimately are in control tends to home in. Cynical it may be, but it is the truth. One brave (?) move and you could be done for... finito. You could become one with the sea...How many times a day do you face death... and walk away?

After a living on the edge for a while and now freeeezing cold, we decided to make our way to the warmth of the hotel. On arrival at the Ramada the staff were very friendly and made check in quick and easy. We booked a table in the Olive Tree restaurant for 8:00pm and went to relax!
8pm came around quickly and we went to feast on our 3 course meal. The food was great, all three courses. As I approached the final mouthfuls of the Creme Brulee I ordered for dessert I realised I couldn't go on. It is very rare that I go to a restaurant, have 3 courses and fail to finish the dessert. 
We left the restaurant looking 4 months pregnant, and ready to K.O.

Peace&Love
Willow 

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