most instagrammable - till death do us part

I love good photography. That's why I hate Instagram.

You'd be surprised on how many pictures death is present - even though not always visible.

It deteriorates the art of photography and makes the world a dangerous - and endangered - place. Till death do us part.

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i am not a dark tourist, the world is a somber place

Arriving in Sri Lanka end of January this year, it struck me that over the past one and a half years, this was the third country with a really dreadful past that I was travelling.

Visiting a country and learning about its history can lead you to quite dark places. 

I'm not talking 'bout Stalingrad and WWII. No, here, dreadful past has been so recent that I do remember it being present, watching the news as a child.

How is that even possible? Am I subconsciously searching for terror and horror? Am I a dark tourist? Or is the world, sadly, just a quite somber place?

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Ride with the Devil - Flashbacks on the Highway to Hell

Travelling by bus can be comfortable and cheap; but most of all fast. Very fast. Far too fast.

There are some countries where taking the bus is the biggest challenge and adventure - since the motorists drive like the devil on the highway to hell.

Taking the bus in Kuala Lumpur is fine. It's when you leave the city limits that the adventure begins.

My recent visit to Sri Lanka where I got the biggest adrenalin-rushes on buses between lovely, peaceful destinations, reminded me of some exciting rides and encounters with daredevils behind bus wheels I've had before.

Here is how the story went.

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I am what I am...and what I am is not a person who likes carnival

I am what I am.... - the beginning of Gloria Gaynor's evergreen is the perfect intro to a post I wrote last year during the carnival in Brazil.

Since yesterday, this year's edition of the world-famous event is taking place.

Bar on the Copacabana beach

So carnival - yay or nay?

Spoiler alert: I am what I am, and what I am is not a person that likes carnival; anywhere in the world.

And here you can read why.

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Memos from SRI LANKA. 7th Memo: Good Luck in Tangalle. It's not so easy being an expat.

Tangalle - another town, another homestay.

Goyambokka - one of Tangalle's nicer beaches.

I'm staying at a room in a lovely...yes, one could call it a mansion. My hosts are a couple from....well, he is a native Sri Lankan, she is from Ukraine, they were living together in Austria and he decided to come back to Sri Lanka due to the supposedly increasing xenophobia in Europe.

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My liebster Liebster - and some ventilation

I've been nominated. For the Liebster award; an award that is given by bloggers to their peers. I guess there is no moment not convenient for being nominated for an award. My moment was pretty perfect: I was a bit frustrated and fed up with this whole blogging business - which for me doesn't even have to be a business.

But, of course, when you spend every day for many hours on something, you want results. Recognition. Rewards.

However, after one reward and eighteen months of blogging, some ventilation seems appropriate.

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Vietnamese Contradictions - the contradictory dealing with history and politic related matters

Coming from Europe and remembering how things were back in the socialist days, the way Vietnamese are dealing with history and politics baffles me.

Uncle Ho's Cabin - and Uncle Ho's Statue in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Eastern Europe, politics were a serious, serious thing. No cracks about the government, no doubts, and certainly no marketing schemes with the emblems. One wrong remark and you were in big trouble.

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Croatia Bus Road Trip. Eighth Stop Dubrovnik

I wrote in one of the posts on my rail road trip through Portugal that this kind of meandering from stop to stop stretches the travel endlessly. Every single destination feels like an individual little vacation. You have to pack and leave - but a couple of hours later, you arrive at your next destinations which is all new and exciting - hence, your vacation starts all over again.

The iconic view of Dubrovnik - it's all about the roofs.

It worked until now, but it's all over, baby blue: Dubrovnik is my final stop of the bus road trip down the Adriatic coast.

Am I sad? Yes. But I'm also very exhausted since there is a lot to see and a lot of climbing to do and it's hot and there are huge crowds basically everywhere; and I know already now what I'd do differently the next time I'm coming to Croatia: I'd start my trip in Dubrovnik and move then up North to the calmer and emptier places.

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Croatia Bus Road Trip. Seventh Stop Vela Luka on Korcula

Walking through a tunnel of exotic looking bushes and conifers, smelling the scent of their needles. Hearing nothing but the cacophony of what seems to be a thousand cicadas. Passing a row of cactuses, turning left at the little field of olive trees and carefully climbing down some huge rocks.

My favorite spot - I can truly enjoy it bye:myself.

There I'm spreading my beach towel on the one that's shaped like a mattress - and that's my personal piece of paradise for the day.

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Croatia Bus Road Trip. Sixth Stop Split

I guess you can judge by the frequency of my posts that I'm moving at a rapid pace: Actually, after two cozy, lazy nights on the island of Cres, I've spent four nights in a row in different places.

View from the bell tower - the lowest level of the cathedral's bell tower: I'm afraid of heights and the staircase is pretty open....

Split is the last destination on this - however, very inspiring - tour de force. I've checked it out in a split second - you can judge from this pun that I need a break, I guess - before moving on to the island of Korčula where I'll spend four nights in a row - in one single place!

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Croatia Bus Road Trip. Third Stop: Rijeka

I'm on a Road Trip, so I'm obviously moving on and on. Although I'm not racing through Croatia, I hardly spend two nights in a row in one place.

A Croatian city for Croatians - but they share it generously with visitors from all over the world

If I had to choose one, though, it would be Rijeka.


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Croatia Bus Road Trip. First Stop: Porec

Technically, Poreč is my fourth stop on this trip - a journey partly a bit back in time, but we'll get to that later. But the first three stops - Munich, Ljubljana, and Zagreb - were like weekend trips. City breaks. Familiar terrain. The big adventure starts with all these small towns in the middle of nowhere or on islands. Places that I have to find, avoiding getting lost between bus and ferry schedules.

Istria used to be ruled by Venice - and funnily enough, not only the alleys and palazzi of the little town remind me of my favorite Italian city, even the skyline looks a bit Venetian.

So this makes Poreč the first stop of my bus road trip along the Adriatic coast.


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Class of Brazil - 9th Lesson: Foz do Iguaçu and the Games Without Frontiers

I like frontiers. The idea that you can take one big step and you cross from a country with one language to another, totally different one. That you need to look for a currency exchange office. That you might have to sing another anthem under a different flag.

I'm not spamming my blog with pictures of myself - but I cannot spare you of me posing in front of one of the 'Wonders of the World'.

No, of course I do not like frontiers protected by high walls, barbed wire, patrolling officers with German shepherds chasing people who try to cross from one side to the other in search of a better life - or even just an outcome.

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Class Of Brazil - 7th Lesson: Curitiba - and the Meaning of Means

As you might have noticed, I'm travelling quite a lot. Obviously - I'm a travel blogger. But I'm also travelling a lot when I'm travelling.

Curitiba's landmark, the greenhouse at the botanic garden - as iconic as the tube shaped bus stations.

Since I'm not driving - I explained in an earlier post why - I'm familiar with public means of transport basically around the world.

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Class of Brazil - 5th Lesson: I Call Them Like I See Them

The change of cities - a couple of days ago I came from Rio to São Paulo - gave me a new perspective on things. I was thinking a lot: about travelling, about blogging...about travel-blogging. Why do I travel? Why am I blogging? What is my intention? What is your expectation? Are they always compatible? Do they have to be?

A son of Brazil - a mural dedicated to Brazil and its youth.

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I am what I am...

...and what I am needs no excuses - the beginning of Gloria Gaynor's evergreen is the perfect intro to this post, which deals with my perspective on the Carnival in Rio, an extremely gay event - gay in every sense of the word.

Bar on the Copacabana beach

Carnival in Brazil - yay or nay? Spoiler alert: I am what I am, and what I am is not a person who likes carnival; anywhere in the world.

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Let the preparations begin

I was thinking of writing about what I am expecting on this trip, but as I sat and contemplated my expectations words from a great friend, and an even greater teacher popped into my head. "Expect nothing, and be prepared for everything."

The process of preparing to go to Vietnam with the CBT Vietnam Project is bringing back vivid memories of my trip to Western China this past summer. I wanted to be open to any and all opportunities in  China, and pre planning accommodations, transportation, and activities would, in my mind, close off the potential to go with the flow. As much as I resisted I created expectations of the trip. Some of these expectations turned to anxieties. It was, after all, my first trip outside North America. The anxieties over food, lodging, and transportation were for nought. The anxieties are now replaced with excitement of the potential that the unknown offers. New aromas, flavours, sights, sounds, people, and culture send my brain into a flurry. I get a bit carried away, daydream a little, and then, BAM! I'm back. I must resist the urge to create the new scents, sights, and people in my mind, soon enough all will be revealed.

The daydreams are useful. Coupled with the excitement generated by the team meetings they provide motivation and inspiration. Much like my summer trip, this trip will be work focused. Another opportunity to practice what I have been studying for the last four years. Another opportunity for tourism to benefit individual entrepreneurs in their home communities.

In speaking to some of the past team members I have come to realise something. There is one thing that I can expect: participating in this PATA & Capilano University project brings people from great distances and varied backgrounds together to do great things. That is an expectation that I will hold on to.

In the end, I am extremely excited to be a part of this project. I am at the same time humbled to have been chosen to participate. And while I am expecting nothing, I know that another experience of a lifetime awaits.

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A New Chapter

Today was the information session for potential volunteers looking to be the next star of the CBT Vietnam project. For me, this meeting was reflective, as it was an opportunity to see how the project has evolved since it’s inception. 

This time, two years ago, I sat eagerly through the same presentation, hoping to be one of the ‘chosen ones'.  The process was competitive and I will never forget the moment when I found out I was selected — I was overwhelmed with anticipation, and as I look back, I realize, I had no idea how life changing the experience would be.  Even today, it is hard to conceptualize how privileged I am to have been involved with such an incredible undertaking. 

It is incredibly remarkable to see the progress that has been made in the last few years. When we were brought on board, our web presence was minimal. Now we have a Twitter, Facebook, website, updated blog and almost three documentaries! Not only has our e-communications evolved, but so has the content of our training trips. 

In 2011, the majority of our time was spent working with street sellers developing their English and event management skills. The recent trip was dedicated to much more holistic endeavours, as the team escorted some of the Red Dao women to Hanoi, to meet and build relationships with tour operators. Now as the project continues to move forward, relationship building will continue to be a focus, and there will even be expansion into new villages.  

I am thoroughly excited for those students who are chosen to be part of the training trips set for Spring and Fall 2013. Some new energies and expertise will continue to propel this project forward and produce even greater results. To the applicants: Best of luck through the application process and get ready for the most educational, enriching and enthralling  experience of your lives! 

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