Saturday, 10 May 2014

Travels around Southern Europe


Well, so far I have only mentioned things on my bucket list that hasn’t been ticked off. So perhaps best to write about the many experiences I have ticked off my list, including skinny dipping in an isolated Pacific Island beach, which was such a liberating experience. Although, I won’t write about that as I refuse to put those kinds of images on this blog… Yes, I got pictures, and this is not that kind of Blog!

Since I can remember I have always imagined myself travelling the world. I’ve been fortunate thus far and have travelled to many countries, but mostly in the southern hemisphere. So when I was given the opportunity to travel around Southern Europe I was determined to make the most of my four months there.

Some people might consider an unforgettable Euro tour would consist of backpacking around Europe (in your early twenties) with a group of friends or perhaps sharing the adventure with a partner. However, because I was too busy trotting around South America, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Australia (my own backyard) in my earlier years, I completely disregarded the northern part of the world. So, it wasn’t until I was in my early thirties, and accompanied by my toddler (yes crazy!), that I decided to head off on my ultimate Europe trip.

Europe is amazingly diverse and so rich in culture. In short distances I saw historical ruins to stunning Mediterranean coastlines. During my time in Sicily I climbed to the top of Mount Etna, saw the remains of Catania after Mount Etna erupted in 1669, and ate a local delicacy which I would never have imagined doing so anywhere else.


                                           One of Mount Etna's volcanic craters

                                                              Italy's coastline

                                               Delicacy in preparation... poor horse

                                The remains of Catania's old city after Mount Etna erupted 

Spain was just as breathtaking as Italy, from the moment I started making my way from Madrid, stopping at the ancient city Toledo, and then heading to the Formula 1 track in Valencia, then up along the east coast till I reached La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.  
Similar to Italy, I experienced the 8th century to the 21st century in just one day simply by travelling from city to city.

                                                            Toledo - Spain

                                                            Valencia - Spain


Hence, why I have been posting about the things that I would like to tick off my Bucket List, as I have been very fortunate to have accomplished so much already that I can only keep on dreaming and imagining about the many more wonders to discover – life is beautiful J

-Marien- 

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