Thursday 6 August 2015

31/07/2015 - Home

Well this is the last blog, for this eurotrip at least!
On July 26th I went to a dance festival in Amsterdam, it was fantastic! Pouring down rain, freezing temperature, different music and dancing! It was SUCH a refreshing change from Australia's electronic summer festivals, such a great experience :)
The next day after that I just relaxed and went shopping at markets and bought a new beautiful technicolour jacket.
The day after that Kalinda, Ryan and Eri travelled onto Berlin and I just relaxed at my airport hotel before my big flight home the next day.
Was I home sick? Not really! I was more torn to be leaving beautiful Europe. But at least I know it isn't goodbye for good and I'll be back in June next year.
Europe, it's people, food, music, buildings, lifestyle has grown on me so much. Leaving was quite emotional and I felt like I left a piece of me there.
I'm pretty sure when my studies end that's where I will be heading to.
This blog barely even stratched the surface of my experiences! I wish I was better at sticking to writing here but I was too busy living and experiencing :)

Saturday 25 July 2015

July 25th - Amsterdam

The last day of class and exam in Amiens went very well, I am happy with how I went!
After the exam we drove to Paris and I spent the afternoon buying lourve tickets for the next day and seeing the eiffel tower which was just amazing. Paris is so much prettier then I could of fathom. That evening I had a farewell dinner with the teachers and class and it was very beautiful and emotional saying our goodbyes. After the dinner we all walked back to the eiffel tower to see it at night because it glows and shimmers with lights. It is definitely something everyone has to see once in there life.
There were people everywhere selling champagne in the park next to the tower we had a few drinks and marveled in the tower's beauty.
The next day two of the guys from the group Filip and Luke and I walked around the city, saw the Notre Dam from a distance and saw the CBD area and then Filip and I went to the Lourve. There is so much incredible art there and the Mona Lisa was very underwhelming compared to other pieces.
That evening I caught up with Kate, my NZ friend I met on the Camino for some dinner and drinks as she was in Paris for the night. It was really good to see her again!
That brings me to today, well this morning I boarded my flight to Amsterdam and was greeted on arrival by the spectacular Kalinda! After nearly two months it was amazing to be reunited :)
Today we just checked into our hotel and did some grocery shopping and we are just going to relax and chill until Ryan and Eri arrive this evening. The weather here is horrible haha, a perfect transition to get me back into reality for Melbourne's winter.
the whole time I am here it will be about 17 degrees and non-stop raining!
Oh well, about time reality brings me down off this cloud of perfect summer bliss.
Tomorrow the gang and I are going to music festival which should be a hoot!

I'll leave it there and post again soon.
cyaaaa :D

Tuesday 21 July 2015

July 21st - Amiens, France

Oh wow, I can't believe it has been a whole week since my last entry. It feels like only yesterday! So much has happened in the last week.
On my two days off I went to Pisa and saw the leaning tower and then went to Florence. Pisa was really cute, I got some snaps with the leaning tower :)
Florence was incredible, did some shopping at there markets and saw the Cathedral and main square. It was however, 40 degrees so I felt like I was melting.
The next day I travelled to a closer beach then Cinque Terre which was called Viaggio. It wasn't the nicest beach compared to Australian beaches but the town was cute and it was good to lay in the sun.
The following day we flew from Tuscany to Brussels and drove straight to Ypres where we spent the next three days. Those days were jammed packed visiting the local war museum and visiting the western front cemeteries.
I fell in love with Ypres, cute little town with cobblestone streets and delicious food. They made a vegetarian burger which I can safely say I will travel back to try again haha... and those Belgium waffles ♡.
From Ypres, Belgium we have travelled along to Amiens in France and we have been here for a few days also visiting more museums and cemeteries. Last night I went out for a beautiful meal along the canals in Amiens, the city has a little Venice twist to it. Tomorrow is the last day of visiting memorial sites and then the following day we have to do our test/exam for the unit. On that day we then drive to Paris and have our farewell dinner with the teaching staff and students! But after then I still have two nights and full day in Paris and then 5 full days in Amsterdam with my friends from home (Kalinda, Ryan and Eri).

So that is my last week crammed into a short, short blog entry. Hopefully before I fly off to Amsterdam I can leave another entry and let you know how it was seeing the Lourve, Eiffel Tower, etc..
Hope everyone is well :D xo

Tuesday 14 July 2015

July 14th - Prato, Italy.

Ciao friends!
Sorry it has been so long but the last 10 days have been so crazy. In Gallipoli we worked through about 12 hour days on the peninsular visiting cemeteries and battle grounds and working very hard indeed. After each day I was to exhausted to blog. The coastline there is amazing though, warm weather and a beautiful national park. It's unbelievable to think 100 years ago there was such horrors happening there. Other then the field work we visited a Turkish museum and got their perspective of the war which was very, "protected" I suppose to say the least. It's funny how politics depicts what people are told, there was a room there that we weren't allowed to visit being Australian and they said it was because of "technical issues" but my teacher said he doubted so.
On the 7th we took a day trip on a fairy over to Cannakale and saw the ruins of Troy, it was actually slightly underwhelming. I think I may of romanticised it so much and when I got there it was really just a smallish area of old ruins... And the fact that there was no proof of the battle of Troy ever happening it was a little bit of buzz kill. But still amazing to see a archaeological sight!!
Two days ago we arrived in Bologna and I did some much needed shopping and relaxed a little and yesterday we arrived in Prato, near Florence.
Italy is so beautiful and quite hot at the moment (nearly 38 degrees everyday this week). The last day of Gallipoli I did my two presentations, one on a missing soldier and the other a group assessment on Anzac cove.
Yesterday and today I have been finishing off my report for the group assessment and then I can start preparing for my test and essay that will be due at the end of the course.
I have the next few days off so I'm hoping to visit Pisa, Florence and the beach Cinque Terre if I have enough time before we jetting off to Belgium. Not much time is put aside here in Italy, just really for assignments but luckily I'll be back this time next year for my archaeology study tour for a month.
Hope all is well with everyone xoxo

Sunday 5 July 2015

July 4th Gallipoli

Since my last two full days of being in Gallipoli we have spent about 10 hours a day doing orientation which includes visiting all the battle grounds, memorials and grave yards in the Gallipoli peninsular. It is interesting seeing the grave yards for all Australian, New Zealand, Turkish and British( which included their colonies at the time such as India).
Each day I'm exhausted though, trying to absorb all this information but it is truly once in a life time opportunity having Bruce Scates our Professor take us through everything, he is a true master in this field of knowledge.
Tomorrow is the last day of full on orientation and then he said we will have more time for personal study to start commencing complying our assignments.
This unit is hard but I am thoroughly enjoying this experience and again I just feel so overwhelmed and honored to be granted this experience.
Each evening we end watching a bit of a movie, yesterday was Gallipoli and tonight will be All the King's Men.
The sheer walking through the Anzac terrain is horrific with the heat and steep steep ridges and gullies. To think these men and woman were subjected to these conditions plus with a war and other creature comforts taken from them really pulls on my heart strings.
There was no winner or loser in this war and hearing the stories shows me to appreciate all life.

Thursday 2 July 2015

July 2nd - Turkey

My flight over on the 28th ran as smoothly as possible and I then spent the last three days within Istanbul doing some sight seeing or "cultural orientation" before travelling to Gallipoli today.
A few things I didn't realise that was a shock was Istanbul is not cheap, it is almost on par with Australian prices which is scary considering how little money I have left haha. Also a lot of the men have zero respect, so much cat calling and it made me feel very uncomfortable. Other then that Istanbul is just divine... But not as beautiful as a Spain though ;)
The first day in Turkey I looked at the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace. The Blue Mosque was so big and the jewelry in the Topkapi Palace was amazing. The Hippodrome alsi had some ancient artifacts and it was hard to imagine standing there that many years ago people use to do gladiator fights there.
The next day we visited the Haghia Sophia which was a church turned mosque turned museum. It was amazimg to see when Islam converted it to a mosque they didn't remove the Christian images but only covered them in a sign of respect. We also visited the cistern which was used as their underground water storage, it was so pretty and the waters were filled with fish. That day ended with some shopping at the grand bazaar but I didn't buy much as it wasn't as cheap and then a visit to Taksim Square to see the city centre.

Today I arrived at the Kum hotel on Gallipoli beach at lunch time and in the afternoon we went to the battle grounds of Anzac cove, lone pine, etc.. The experience was eerie, standing there knowing 100 years ago many of our soldiers were fighting and dying there. Reading the grave stones got a little emotional at times when the Lecturer told us of the soldiers and their back story with their families, etc..
Now it's time to get on with my studying and bed and tomorrow we head back to the grounds for more course work. This experience is so amazing and I feel so honored to have this opportunity given to me.

Sunday 28 June 2015

28/06/2015

Today is the day I say farewell to Spain and hello to Turkey. The other day I ended up shopping and buying some new clothes with Giulia (which was well needed) and we have dinner and drinks together and were joined after by her housemate Katya and her boyfriend Frank for a few drinks at this amazing bar with a flower garden with fountains that overlooked the monastery.
The following day was my first day of doing almost nothing, just relaxing, tidying up things for my departurer and cooking myself a healthy dinner.
Yesterday I joined Katerina, Elena and their friend Julia to go to the beach Vigo near Portugal. The beach was very nice and I spent the day just relaxing in the sun.
That evening us girls and a few more of their friends went to check out another festival, (San Pedros I think) and that party was a sight haha. The parties here were run by this sweet old lady who cooked food for people and spoke no English and when I explained I ate no fish or meat she went and got me fruit to snack on :)
Now today 28/06/2015 I'm at the airport... I never want to leave Spain! But everyone tells me Turkey is beautiful and the shopping is amazing so it's the start of a new chapter as of now.
I can not wait to come back the Spain and complete my Camino and see all it's wonders and beauty again.

Thursday 25 June 2015

25/06/2015

On the rest of Tuesday 23/6/2015 I stayed at the house with my housemate Lukas who I discussed tv shows and music with, he is a very cool guy. His also German and studying medicine at the University. He told me that night was a festival in Santiago called San Juan and the streets would be packed with people. I tagged along that evening with the housemates (also Elena who is a German university student and there is a Czech student called Katerina but she spent the night at the beach where there was bigger celebrations).
At San Juan I met some of the housemates friends who were very friendly, especially Giulia, an Italian girl who works in tourism in Santiago. She had actually lived in Australia for a year and we got along very well.
In Spain no one leaves to head out even for food until really late, I think we left after midnight? Which is standard here.
The festival was great, everywhere on the street's were bonfires and people jumping over them. I didn't as I was wearing flip flops and everyone said that would end badly! After a few hours everyone wanted to head back but Giulia and I headed out to a night club and didn't get home until way very late in the morning.
needless to say I spent all of yesterday sleeping and relaxing!
Today I woke up nice and early and went to a bakery to try a slice of Almond Torte which is meant to be "famous" here... it was okay, not the best though haha!
At 3pm Giulia finishes work and will catch up with me to show me around, take me to buy some more clothes now the Camino is over and show me this park that is meant to be really pretty.
because it's holidays Lukas left yesterday to go to Portugal for the week and Giulia leaves tomorrow for the north of Spain! But Katerina and Elena will still be here and apparently on Saturday there is meant to be this amazing day/night party for 3 euros that Elena said she will check it out with me :)

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Santiago 23/06/2015

I arrived at Santiago at 8pm and a taxi dropped me from the station near the Cathedral. Almost immediately I was approached by three pilgrims (as I looked  like one with my backpack) and they asked if I new if any albergues had room. They were 3 Germans called Lena, Ferdinand and Jonas. I told then I had an apartment and I was lost but if they helped find my apartment I would ask someone there to help show them any places they coul be open.
I ended up finding two Spanish uni students who were majoring in English so they walked me with the Germans to my apartment and then helped them find a place. My apartment was right in the middle of a plaza with a fountain so we agreed to meet up later and get food and drinks together.
That night we stayed out all hanging out with another German called Jonathan, everyone was lovely and they told me the next day they were travelling by bus 3 hours away to a beach town Fisterra and I should come camping with them...
So the next day off to Fisterra it was! The beach was spectacular and I only stayed the one day and night and the next evening I travelled back to my accommodation.
Yesterday Jonathan came back to Santiago so we spent the day together and went to mass and got dinner, this morning we have breakfast and then he left to travel back Germany.
The other three Germans I think MIGHT be travelling back to Santiago for just this evening before leaving tomorrow so I might see them tonight.
Today I just just relaxed and unfortunately my internet isn't working at my apartment so I'm having a tea at a cafe with wifi so I can write this.
Today's weather is actually quite cool but it's a nice break from heat :)

Hope all is well with everyone xo

19/06/2015 Burgos to Santiago de compostela

Hola!!
I decided to spend the rest of the day going to the Pharmacist to get antibiotic cream and some open toed sandals to let my feet breathe.
The gentleman at my hostal said to go to this shop called "inside" that is in Spain, Portugal and England for the shoes and I fell in love! I not only walked out with sandals but a top, dress and pants.
I eventually caught up with Lili and bumped into the others at the main plaza for dinner and drinks. Lili said she'd stay the next night with me in Burgos while everyone else would would go on so I could rest and figure out my next plan of attack.
The next day Lili and I got some food and sat by the river, soaking up the sun, did some window shopping and watched a knight's tale. It was completely nice and a relaxing day. Lili is such a laid back beautiful soul.
It was this afternoon I realised I had only 10 days left until my flight from Santiago to Istanbul and I was still only in Burgos and would be lucky to make it to even Leon in time.
I then jumped on airbnb and found an adorable room in the middle of Santiago just a few minutes from the Cathedral so I contacted the lady yesterday and locked it in for today. This morning I had breakfast and said my goodbyes to Lili, her back on the way by foot and I to the train station.
I told the taxi driver my situation and he told me he had completed the Camino 5 times already and the key is to not time pressure yourself or things happen like you don't get enough rest and it just takes from the experience... So next time I won't have a set finish date!
So here I am now, sitting on a 8 hour train ride to Santiago de compostela and I am so excited and proud. I walked from St.Jean Pied de Port to Burgos in two glorious weeks and met so many amazing people.
My reason for moving along to Santiago and not staying longer in gorgeous Burgos is because of the weather, Santiago is much warmer like Istanbul and I thought I better get use to the hot hot heat.
This morning Facebook messages came rolling in from pilgrims wishing me well and expressing happiness for meeting me and sadness for my short departure. I had planned to have a big send off in Leon with my Camino family as I was not to be able to finish with them. On the plus side many of them expressed their desire to travel to Australia (sorry mum I told them they have a place to crash if they find themselves in Australia).
I will continue these blogs as I still have so much to see in Santiago and then I still have Turkey, Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
My Camino adventures might be over for now, but not forever. This is only my first chapter of my European adventures!
Adios xo

Wednesday 17 June 2015

17/06/2015

Today my foot hurt so much and it looks really infected so I realised I needed to get some medical attention and put off walking for a while. Because I was in a tiny village with nothing medical and no public transportation I caught a taxi 22km to Burgos which is a very large city. The drive was amazing, I have not been in a car for so long and staring out the window at all the views was relaxing.
With the state I am in I decided to book to nights at a hotel in Burgos for 62 euros which was a really good investment. It's a big price difference compared to the albergues but I have my on double bed, ensuite, tv and wifi access.
I got to my accommodation an hour ago (around 10am) which was 4 hours before check in but the man was so friendly and let me straight into my room. He gave me a map and marked out where the albergues are so I can meet the others later, where the pharmacy is and told me about the city. He said every Wednesday from 4pm-8pm the museum is free to the public so I think I'll love to go check that out, along with the half remaining castle that was destroyed by Napoleon and the cathedral if my foot doesn't give me to much greif.

16/06/2015

Today was hard, I woke up and my foot was still playing up and there wasn't any doctors or pharmacies I could find that were open so I played my tunes loud and powered onto Ages. The walk for 30km was up mountain side and next to forest which was stunning.
Along the way I kept bumping into the same friendly faces I see everyday and they complimented me on my fast pace. Someone suggested I am probably walking to fast to which may be upsetting my foot though...
At Ages we stayed at a Albergue which was many many beds in one room. Again this village was tiny so everyone from the Albergue spent the evening sharing food and drinks together. Everyone is so friendly and I spoke to people from so many different countries.

15/06/2015 so Domingo la Calzada to Belorado

Like the day before I decided to power through the Camino solo just to quickly get to the destination as everyone else seems to slowly walk and stop at every town to try tapas and vino and I thought the least time on my feet the better until I work out how to properly deal with my foot.
I could be graphic and tell you the gory details but I'll try have some class and tell you the advice I got from others doesn't seem to be helping this one spot on my foot.
At Belardo I did however try some tapas and bumped into Ramone the American I met with Kate in Torres del Rio so we watched a few move tv shows together.
again at this Albergue we were all able to get a room together with John, Lia, Mark (the English one), Luke, Jill, Adelite, Nick and Leanne. Tu arrived late so for the same price he got his own bedroom, the lucky guy! He inly got it that price as the gentleman who ran the Albergue was so sweet.
We all ate a Pilgrim's dinner together which is usually includes entree, main, dessert, water, bread and sometimes some Vino.
After dinner I just socialised for a very little bit and went to bed to try and have a good nights rest before the next adventure tomorrow.

Najera to So Domingo la Calzada

Today with my foot hurting I decided to walk quickly to So Domingo la Calzada so I walked the 22km alone in 4.5 hours. It was nice walking alone, listening to music and dancing. I have become such a professional at twirling my hiking stick and many pilgrims and locals that see me smile and wave whenever I'm twirling the stick and dancing haha.
I arrived at lunch time and ate a vegetarian sandwich only to get tuna in it (I will learn one day) and had to wait for a new one to be made but it was just heavenly with those fresh vegetables, I don't think I can stress or repeat how little fresh food the Camino has.
When the others arrived we managed to get a 10 person room in the albergue with all my friends so it was comfy and the owner was really nice.
Because it was a Sunday everything was closed so we just ate dinner and all hung out.

13/06/2015 the voyage to Najera

Today Lili and I walked together from Legrono to Najera. The walk was the biggest so far, 30km but was very cruisy. After the first 21km as we stopped for morning tea in Navarrete and visited the church there. It was the most intense church I have ever seen. So much gold and statues of Jesus/Mary/Saints. I had goose bumps the whole time and a local was telling us all about the Saints and the history, again Lili being present was a god send as she could translate.
After the 21km it started to rain so Lili decided to stay in Viana, a small village and I foolishly powered on until Najera where everyone else was staying. I say foolishly because now I don't know if I got maybe Tinea or blister or a combination of both because there is a pretty bad wound on my right foot, I'm hoping it will just go away with correct foot taping for a few days.
Future advice, bring alcohol wipes or something for cleaning, don't be bare foot in communal showers and avoid walking in heavy rain.
This must sound so brutal for all those reading this but even through all the greif your body may give you, this Camino experience is definitely worth it!
Najera was not actually a very nice town compared to others so when I arrived I ate some food, got out of my soaking clothes, showered and went to bed.

Tuesday 16 June 2015

12/06/2015 Legrono

Today Kate and I woke up early and powered through to Legrono to meet the others (the UK/Aussie lads, the Americans, Canadian and the Dutch girl). Today was Kate's last day as she will travel from here to Madrid and then Portugal to travel with a friend. Everyone loved Legrono so they had a rest day there so today I could catch up. When we arrived the weather was delicious so I bought myself a citrus sobet to compliment it. When Kate and I arrived in Legrono they were celebrating a festival for their local Saint. In Pamplona they were also celebrating a saint day, the Spanish seem to love to celebrate, it's so festive and lovely :)
That evening we had a meal and drinks in Kate's honour and bonded and said goodbye.

11/06/2015

Soooo unfortunately the weather has not improved so at Los Argos Kate and I decided to split from my other Camino family and walk only 7.5km as a "rest day" instead of walking the whole 28km with everyone is rain to the city Logrono.
The rest day was really nice, we stayed at a little Albergue in a town called Torres Del Rio. Everyone was really friendly, we met an American called Ramone and watched up to date Game of Thrones with him as the weather was too horrible to leave the albergue.
For dinner we went around the block to a restaurant and the food was so delicious, everything on the Camino is usually frozen and reheated but this was actually fresh veggies, what a luxury after a week of bland tastes! :)
A personal observation; the Spainish like to eat a lot of dense foods like bread, eggs, cheese and meat so I found I eat a whole lot less here without so much fresh fruit and vegetables.

10/06/2015

After Estella I walked with Kate to Los Argos but after such a big night of bonding with all my Camino family I pretty much just walked straight into town, ate some dinner and had an early night! The walk to Los argos was disgusting, the rain was like how you would imagine a flood in the Noah's Ark story. My feet were not made for rain and the thunder and lightening was scary. During parts of my journey I ran through fields where I was the highest point (we made me worry I could be struck).
It is amazing how the weather can flip from so hot and dry to so dramatically the opposite!

08/06/2015 & 09/06/2015

Sorry for the lack of blogging, my tablet has died and that was my access to the internet! Now I'm writing off my mobile which is a struggle.
Okay, so where was I? For the rest of the 08/06/2015 I hung out in my albergue in Puente La Reina and met other lovely Pilgrims. One called Kate from Christchurch and three lovely lads from the UK called John, Mark and Luke. I also spent sometime talking to Miguel, our worker at the albergue, who educated me on the history of the medieval town we were staying in.

The next day I set off with Kate and took heaps of beautiful pictures of Puente La Reina and other spots on the way to Estella. Walking with Kate is so much fun as we both got into the vibes of chatting and listening to music which made the day breeze by! Estella was insane, the weather was hot and the people were so friendly. All the pilgrims at the municipal albergue ate dinner together and bonded and I have a lot of joyful crazy selfies with everyone. The Camino is a life changer; age, gender, race, nothing matters... We are all family!

Monday 8 June 2015

08/06/2015

Today my travels have taken me to Bunte La Reina, we went by raft and it was so amazing. I saw Eagles and other native bird and fish. The tour guide Nicko could not speak a word of English but was so sweet and my Canadian Pilgrim friend Lili was such a good translator. Now we are just enjoying the sun and relaxing before tomorrow's adventures.
P.S lunch was included and "vegetarian" means fish haha, everywhere is Spain is meat or dairy. It's okay, they got me a meal after the rafting tour to make it up but the concept of vegetarian is so alien to them all.

Sunday 7 June 2015

07/06/2015

Today I walked to Pamplona, the city famous for the running of the bulls. The walk today was less demanding and followed a gorgeous river. Today was only 17km and I was still hurting when I arrived. I arrived shortly after lunch and spent the afternoon buying some more appropriate socks and getting a foot and shoulder massage :) it was just divine!
Everyone is super friendly, even the masseuse Kristen who was a German.
After the massage I went with my camino pals for a bite to eat, some drinks and experience this lovely cute town.
The locals were so friendly, I wish I had more time to stay. The city is actually positoned within high walls and a draw gate, very old and medieval and full of character.
Tomorrow my next 22kms will actually be down river paddling in a boat by suggestion of Kristen with 4 other Camino pals, including Lilia a Canadian. I know paddling isn't the true Camino way but it's the only opportunity along the Camino and how many people can say they paddled 22kms down a river in Spain??! I am so excited!!
That's massage did wonders and now my body is ready for the next chapter!

Saturday 6 June 2015

6/6/15

Okay.... I didn't post yesterday because by the time I made it from St.Jean Pied De Port to Roncevaux because I  literally ate and slept. It was the hardest day of my existence. Coming from winter to 33c and walking 25km with nearly a 1500 foot incline really took it out of me. It took me nearly 12 hours and even with hiking poles and fantastic foot wear I was in struggle town.
The scenery was amazing though and I was so happy I made it! I met a German named Michael but I don't think he made it sadly. I asked around and everyone thinks he might of turned back as he looked so unwell.
I walked most the way alone as I was slowed down with my excessive bag but I have formed a solid Camino group. There is 7 of us; Tu, Adelita and Jill from USA, Mark and Nick from Australia and Leanne from the Netherlands.
With the reality sinking in that 25km in a day in this terrain knocks it out of you I realised I won't be able to walk the whole way to Santiago De Compestlla by my flight on the 28th and get to absorb the serenity.
The positives though is I'm walking with this gang to Leon which is about 3/4 of the Camino and I'll have time for rest days and to get transport to Santiago in time for my flight to meet my University in Instanbul on the 29th.
I've been told of many that people do a week in one section and sometimes it takes people a few visits to complete their pilgrim passport.
My plan is to maybe come back with Rebecca in 2017 and start at the alternative French route in Somport and giving myself 6 weeks to complete this instead of 4.
My walk today from Roncevaux to Larrasoana was about 27km but a easier with less inclines.
Now let me let you all know, the south of France and Spain border is GORGEOUS, life would be good to live here. Yesterday I drank water straight from the mountain creeks as the water is so clean and today I cooled off at a waterfall on the side of the track.
Tomorrow I head off to the first really urban place Pamplona.
Today I found out I can send my bags from town to town for only 7 euros which is a god send so I just will bring a day pack with me with essentials like hat, glasses, food, water, Band-Aids, etc...
So far this has been mind blowing, hard, life changing and amazing.
My body aches but I can pull through :)
Sending my love to you all back home xo

P.S The photos are on my phone so I plan to upload then shortly when I can figure it out as I blog on my tablet. This blog does not serve the Camino justice, hopefully my photo's may.

Thursday 4 June 2015

Here I am in St.Jean Pied De Port... And what can I say?? I think I found heaven.
The scenery is spectacular and the atmosphere is absolutely divine. I will definitely be paying this region a visit again. 
On my flight to Paris I thankfully slept a solid eight hours (hooray) and the stop over and flight to the south was decent.  The next part was interesting; I had to catch a bus from the airport to Bayonne train station and then catch a bus to St.Jean Pied De Port with people who did not speak a word or English, but thankfully I met this friendly American girl named Adelita who I met and we're bunking tonight.
I also met two other Aussies Nick and Mark and Mark's dutch girlfriend Leanne and another American name Tu. It is interesting that the only people who knew each other before today was Nick and Leanne.
Everyone is super nice and friendly, we spent the afternoon sorting out our pilgrim passports and having a few social drinks in the beautiful 32c temperature.
Honestly the views are just like what you would find on a postcard, so picturesque with lush green hills and adorable old white buildings with flower pots at the windows and blue shutters.
We will all be meeting at the bridge at 7am (the offical staring point) to start our first day of the Camino.
The only downside is I don't think my bag is practical but I'll see how I go and tomorrow will be 33c with a 1400 elevation but that's just life :D
Baby steps and I'll make it through, I have go this!!

Sending my love back to everyone back home xo








Wednesday 3 June 2015

The day has arrived!!
After dreaming of walking the Camino since 2008 here I am, 24 years of age and on my way!
Currently at Kuala Lumpur airport, enjoying a bowl of noodles and killing 3 hours until my 13 hour flight to Paris.
I have just traveled 1.5 hours from my home to the airport, 8 hours from Melbourne, Australia to Malaysia. Once I arrive to Paris it will be another 4 hour stop over before taking another 1.5 hour flight and then bus before I can say I have officially made it to the start of my journey.
How am I though? Well my spirits are high, I am absolutely ecstatic to be given this chance!

Bring on the Camino!!!