LONDON landmarks are hidden by ghostly white veil as thick fog descended over the city in the past few days the sun has not shone and a blanket of fog that covers London seems to go on and on..
This week’s fog lent London an air of mysterious beauty but I am just dreaming of the sun on my face and a warm breeze….
If this gloomy weather goes on I am not sure I will LOVE London so much…
xxxx Shan
Africa is a continent known for its wild animal encounters, dramatic landscapes, exotic cultures, and stunning beaches. It’s the first travel experience that crept under my skin, and compelled me to want to return again and again. However, traveling around Africa can be a difficult and daunting experience here is my journey…
So Africa well it is amazing what more can I say our stellar twenty day adventure allowed us to inhale the fragrant perfume of Zanzibar’s spice plantations, hunt for the perfect snapshot of the ever-elusive ‘Big 5’, which we managed to see all of them!!! We felt the thunder of Victoria Falls— which is just mind boggling we did it from the air in a helicopter ride which was just breathtaking as well as from foot I have never been so drenched in my life it is just too hard to explain. We enjoyed the stunning wilderness and bright city lights from the comfort of our overland truck and camp under the big African sky for truly a unique perspective of this majestic land.
On our first night we settled into our tent and our first African experience was a sunset booze cruise along the Zambezi river, the cruise offered us views of Hippos bathing in the river, elephants, baboons and impala on the banks on the river. As the sunset over Victoria Falls we knew we were in for and amazing time. Day two has to have a mention in my email; we woke very early to a picture perfect day to walk with lions. We took a bus ride to a sanctuary were they breed lions to release back into the wild to improve lion numbers in Africa. We were able to pat lions, touch their paws and walk alongside them. This would have to be one of the most life changing amazing moments of my life, I have attached a few photos.
From Victoria Falls we headed through Lusaka up to Lake Malawi, which is like a huge inland sea, it is just massive. We drove through villages and mountains, fields of maze. We stopped the truck and mingled with the local children and learnt about their culture. We camp with Zebras, Giraffes, Water Buffalo, and other animals. We stayed with the Maasai people whom made us beautiful food and drinks, we learnt about their cultures and traded clothes. We then made our way to Dar es Salaam which is bonkers, this was our over night campsite before heading to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is amazing it is a melting pot of cultures, white sand, history beaches surf and sun. We explored the old cities, bargained for deal souvenirs and then headed to the beach to relax, go snorkeling and watch magical sunsets. From Zanzibar we headed to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, we moved into 4 wheel drive trucks and explored the vast wilderness, we saw herds of wilder beast, and zebra, prides of lions, cheaters, water buffalo, leopards, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and so many more. We were very lucky to get to see everything and it was amazing we could reach out the window and touch some of the animals. I will attach and few photos.
From Africa, we headed to London and the crazy adventure got even crazier……………………………..
I have been notable by my absence on this blog lately, well for two years nearly but I have an excellent excuse…well I think so anyway….
Its all London’s fault it stole my heart and soul, I fell in LOVE over and over and just got to busy to even have a chance at keeping this going I don’t think I ever stood a chance, so here is a quick snapshot of the last two years.
It’s a beautiful, vibrant city… just walking around, I stumbled upon museums and galleries (free!) and some unique little shops, the people are friendly but the weather can make you very cranky – you never know what to wear.
I feel like London is the city where I forged my life and set the foundations for the dreams that I am finally starting to live. I had many highs, and suffered many lows let like the city itself there is a certain element of resilience that I try to follow every day.
The trivial things that make London so unique Big Ben and the lights of Westminster seem to light up like a firework against the night sky, it still send shivers down my spine.
So my favorite this from London and beyond….
And now the arrival on one of my best friends turns me into a tourist again and I fall in LOVE with London all over again.. So the beauty of London stretches out in front of me again and I am excited as I start to process my VISA to come back for another few years.
xxx
Shan
The famous Busselton Jetty
So the house has been packed up and we are very sad to be leaving Albert Park, we loved living there and we have enjoyed our beautiful rental, but there was no way of keeping it. All our furniture is in storage, our suitcases are on a boat and we are down to our backpacks, boy that was hard to do.
On the 6th of January 2011 we flew out of Melbourne for the last time it was sad but exciting as we head off on our next big adventure.
First Stop Western Australia: We landed in Perth and headed off to my Grandparents place before the 3 hour drive down to the farm in Vasse WA. We will be at the farm for about a month which will be the longest I have spent at home in about 10 years.
We have been having a great time down the farm, out on the boat, down the beach and a family reunion. Poor Adam had to meet the entire McGill side of the family, and I was not a good host, as I could NOT remember everyone myself.
Not much else to report for now. I will take some photos of the farm in the next day or so and post them.
Bye for now,
xxx Shan
Well it is finally here after months and planning Adam and I are of to London to work play and explore. I can’t wait to go to Paris for the weekend as it is just a hop skip and a jump away. There is so much planning to do and I have hit the ground running, flights booked, house cleaned up and friends to be seen.
Our plans are to head to Perth for January and off down to the farm for a month with my family, then we are so excited as we are off to Africa. I will get to live out my dream and see lions and cheetahs and many other animals, we are so excited to spend 20 days exploring the beautiful country. We then land in London on the 5th of March, to explore, find house, find a job and make some friends.
I will keep you posted as I photograph my way around the world.
xx Shan
