October 4, 2011
Hello Dunsborough!!!
July 30, 2011
Dunsborough and Shaun!!!
I know it has been a long while since I last updated you all on my travels, but has been the best time of my life and rather than writing it all down I thought it was better to just live it. After leaving Adelaide, I met up with my good friend from high school Katrina to tour around Perth and Margaret river. We hit up all of my favourite places in Perth, Fremantle and little creatures brewery, Cottesloe, Downtown, and Rottsnest island...talk about a beautiful place. Kats aunt put us up for a couple of Biggs and took us out on the town it was a lot of fun. Then we rented a car and headed down to Margaret river to meet up with Shaun ( for those of you who don't know Shaun is the guy I met in Indonesia). Our first night in dunsborough we headed into town for a couple of drinks at a local bar ( one of three in the town) malt. It was pretty fun we ate good food, danced, played some jenga and drank some good wine. The next day we headed out to Margaret river to check out some of the vineyards. Shaun took us to some of the best in the region and also treated us both out for a delicious lunch at a very popular restaurant called studio. We had a lot of fun the whole weekend and on Monday I was really sad to see Katrina go. It was so great to hang out with someone that knows me from home.
It was now time that I tell all of you my crazy story about how Shaun and I met. It all happened on my second night in Bali, up until this point Shaun and I had only really said a few words to each other but there was something really different about this guy that I really liked. He was constantly challenging me which was refreshing. We were having a great night out together dancing and talking it was obvious that there was chemistry in the air. Shaun kept saying that there was something different about me that he liked but he didn't know what it was, I agreed that there was something different about him too but I just didn't know what it was. Shaun then said to me and I quote " I guess we all have our secrets" I completely agreed and said yes, I guess we all have our secrets... Thinking in my head... Heck yes I have a secret in that I was married. We continued to dance and then shaun said that he wanted to tell me his secret, I am not going to lie I was completely freaked out about the prospect of what his secret could be.. I mean it could have been anything. Anyways, he then said are you ready and told me that he used to be married. I think I laughed and then told him to shut up... To which he responded do you have a problem with that. I then started laughing again and said that I also had a secret. So I told him and we basically hit it of ever since. If I am honest with you a relationship or being genuinely interested in a man at this point of my life was the LAST thing that I wanted, but you can deny how you are feeling and there was and still is a huge connection between us!
So, here I am now July 30th in dunsborough living with Shaun and enjoying life to the fullest. Shaun has an "zest" for life that I desire. He really lives life with no regrets and I am really impressed with how hard he works to achieve different things in his life. I really hope that one day you all get to meet him because he really is an amazing man.
I love you all so much and I can't wait to come home to see you all for a couple of weeks in September!!!
Sending you hugs and kisses from Aussie town.
Love c. Xoxoxo
It was now time that I tell all of you my crazy story about how Shaun and I met. It all happened on my second night in Bali, up until this point Shaun and I had only really said a few words to each other but there was something really different about this guy that I really liked. He was constantly challenging me which was refreshing. We were having a great night out together dancing and talking it was obvious that there was chemistry in the air. Shaun kept saying that there was something different about me that he liked but he didn't know what it was, I agreed that there was something different about him too but I just didn't know what it was. Shaun then said to me and I quote " I guess we all have our secrets" I completely agreed and said yes, I guess we all have our secrets... Thinking in my head... Heck yes I have a secret in that I was married. We continued to dance and then shaun said that he wanted to tell me his secret, I am not going to lie I was completely freaked out about the prospect of what his secret could be.. I mean it could have been anything. Anyways, he then said are you ready and told me that he used to be married. I think I laughed and then told him to shut up... To which he responded do you have a problem with that. I then started laughing again and said that I also had a secret. So I told him and we basically hit it of ever since. If I am honest with you a relationship or being genuinely interested in a man at this point of my life was the LAST thing that I wanted, but you can deny how you are feeling and there was and still is a huge connection between us!
So, here I am now July 30th in dunsborough living with Shaun and enjoying life to the fullest. Shaun has an "zest" for life that I desire. He really lives life with no regrets and I am really impressed with how hard he works to achieve different things in his life. I really hope that one day you all get to meet him because he really is an amazing man.
I love you all so much and I can't wait to come home to see you all for a couple of weeks in September!!!
Sending you hugs and kisses from Aussie town.
Love c. Xoxoxo
June 21, 2011
Awesome Adelaide
Well, after spending a couple of weeks in Perth, I decided to go and visit my Aunt and two cousins in Adelaide. I really had no expectations of what Adelaide the city was going to be like - but when I arrived I knew I was going to like it. I loved Perth because it was on the water, and could do my daily runs along the beach, but in Adelaide, I can go for runs in the national park - which is beautiful! It has been really nice for me to hang out with Aunt and cousins too. I haven't really spent much time with them in my life given that they have always lived away so it has been nice to spend a month with them. My Aunt got me a job working at the university, which is great for my bank account. I get to mark biology papers and edit biology manuals for my aunt! My time here has been filled with homemade food, sleeping in, runs in the park, and hanging out with family! I even went to a gay bar with Auntie Karen and Carmen... let's just say it was an interesting experience... but really fun!
I head back to Perth on July 2nd to meet up with Katrina Jones, a really good friend of mine from Vancouver. I think we will hang out with a couple of friends I met in Bali (Oz and Shae). We are planning on going to Rottnest Island - just off the coast of Perth for the day and probably hang out at Kings Park and around Perth. We will spend four days in Perth and then head down to Margaret River to taste some wines and hang out with a friend that lives down there. Stay tuned to what will happen next... you never know with me!
Love you all
xo
C.
I head back to Perth on July 2nd to meet up with Katrina Jones, a really good friend of mine from Vancouver. I think we will hang out with a couple of friends I met in Bali (Oz and Shae). We are planning on going to Rottnest Island - just off the coast of Perth for the day and probably hang out at Kings Park and around Perth. We will spend four days in Perth and then head down to Margaret River to taste some wines and hang out with a friend that lives down there. Stay tuned to what will happen next... you never know with me!
Love you all
xo
C.
May 26, 2011
My Bali Experience!!!
So I know that I have been away from writing my blog for a while but that just means that I have been having an incredible trip and did not want to take the time to document all I have been doing. So, basically traveling in Bali was a life changing experience for me. When I arrived at the airport I met this French guy Pierre who shared a cab with me from the airport - definitely saved me a couple of dollars and was really glad that we were able to meet. After the cab driver dropped me off at the hotel I knew I was in Paradise! The hostel (more like hotel) was incredible. "The Island" was literally a perfect paradise with more experienced travelers and Australian professionals looking for a cheaper holiday. The place had a pool in the centre and a rooftop bar and lounge areas. As soon as I walked in I jumped into the pool and met Matty and Renee (a guy). Matty is British and comes from a smaller city "Chester" outside of Manchester. He was traveling with two friends; Oz, and Aussie, who is seriously a world traveler and Shaun - a friend from back home who lives and works in Australia. I also met a beautiful Brazilian girl, Giuliana who you will later find out has been my little angel along this trip! The first night a huge group of us decided to go out for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant, Mojo's. After that we went out and had drinks at a restaurant where we shotgun beers and did tequila shots (my favourite). Then headed to the well know party spot - Skygarden , a five floor party area that has different music on different floors. We all had a blast and the next day we all decided to do it again. We had a blast again and really became a much closer group. The next morning before I even knew what was going on Giulana told me to get packed because we were going to Ubud with the boys - without hesitation I packed up my stuff and left along with them. This might have been the best decision of my life - it was the decision that allowed me to be free and really get to experience the life that I want to live.
When we arrived in Ubud the boys went to work to find a place and Giules and I sat at the bar with the bags and drank a "bintang." The boys found us an incredible place for something like $15 a day. The Ubud Lesari was a little piece of heaven. Ubud is a vibrant city with beautiful food and people. One of the days I was there I wandered into a mans yard thinking that it was a temple - honestly it was incredibly well kept, he was quite proud of his home and welcomed us in. I also manned up at went on a motorbike to tour the rice fields around Ubud which are incredible! Giules and I were motorbike superstars - well to be honest I just sat at the back of the motorbike while she drove but still. We stopped at one spot and played soccer with a group of kids - you can have the most amazing experiences in the most unexpected places. You just have to be willing to allow yourself be open to whatever comes.
After Ubud, Giules and I headed to Lombok with the boys - this was probably the most important thing for me. The boys reason for heading to Lombok was to climb the Volcano, Rinjani. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew that I had to have this experience. Initially, I was worried that I would not be fit enough to keep up with the boys, but I figured that regardless this was going to be something for me. On the first day up the mountain, I knew I was going to be okay. I stuck to the front of the group with Shaun - and in the end I managed to beat all of the guys up the mountain - granted Shaun hurt his knee the first day so I will give him that :P We hiked for 9 hours that day in the hot heat, so literally we ate dinner and went to sleep but that was not after experiencing the most incredible sunset and being able to see the stars so clearly you can see the Milky way. We woke up at 6 the next morning to continue on our hike up to the Summit. We hit the rim around an hour later it was incredible, we could see the cone of the volcano and also the route that we would have to climb to get to the summit... at this point I was still feeling good about it! We continued to hike but this time we had to hike downhill for us to get to the lake and the hot springs! It was a nice walk down and the hot springs were a nice treat when we got there. After we finished lunch at the hot springs we headed out for a hard 3 hour trek uphill - like grouse grind style but not as well maintained up to basecamp 2! I am not sure what happened to me that day but I definitely overcame a lot! I decided to walk ahead of the group there was this fire inside of me and I wanted to let it out! I hiked up to the top in 2 1/2 hours really fast considering how long it takes most people and got to the top and felt this huge sense of pride. I knew that I was going to make it up to the top of Rinjani tomorrow and I was going to celebrate this huge achievement! Once again absolutely exhausted from the 10 hours of trekking we all headed off to bed early. Shaun, Matty and I all woke up early for the trek to the summit. Giules wasn't feeling well and so she decided to opt out. We started our trek up in the pitch black it was really scary, but I figured if I could reach the summit then I could get through anything in my life! The hike to the summit takes 3 hours and after the first hour I was freezing cold and really scared but I kept on going - at about the 2 hour mark and literally climbing up the mountain side that has a path 4 feet wide and step deathly cliffs on either side Jannis - one of the german guys in our group just about fell off the edge and I freaked out. I started to panic and held on to a rock and just cried. I honestly thought I was going to die - I was really scared and alone and my flashlight went out and was not working. Nathan, another guy in our group, grabbed my hand and told me we were going to do this and I followed him up the mountain to the top and once at the top I let out a gut wrenching scream - I had done this and NO ONE could take this away from me. The pride and sense of accomplishment that I felt that day will be something I will remember forever... that and that amazing sunrise and view I got to see!
People.... I am BACK finally after all I have been through the many tears and months of sadness I am back.
After Rinjani, we headed to Sengiggi, a cute little holidaying town and rested for a couple of days before heading to the beautiful GILI islands! Janene told me before I left that this was here favourite place in Asia and I could see why. It was a little piece of heaven. WAter that you can see for miles in and beautiful beaches with a great night life. We hung out there for 6 days - lounging, eating and drinking! When we left the Gili's I was really sad because I knew that this meant that after two and a half weeks with our group we were all going our separate ways. The boys were going to Java and Giules to Thailand.
I decided that my trip had to be extended because my new sense of self and happiness was something that I needed to continue to explore. I decided to come to Australia for a bunch a reasons: there was a cheap flight from Bali, I wanted to have a positive Australian experience etc etc.....
So.... HERE I AM NOW in Perth learning how to surf running along the beautiful seawall and chilling out with good people!
Let the journey continue... not sure where I will end up but I know that I have never felt this sense of happiness in my life!
Sarah Gayda gave me a journal when I graduated high school and on it's cover it said "Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you've imagined." So that is what I am going to do... Live the life I have imagined - an amazing life!!!
So much love to you all,
Love,
C.
When we arrived in Ubud the boys went to work to find a place and Giules and I sat at the bar with the bags and drank a "bintang." The boys found us an incredible place for something like $15 a day. The Ubud Lesari was a little piece of heaven. Ubud is a vibrant city with beautiful food and people. One of the days I was there I wandered into a mans yard thinking that it was a temple - honestly it was incredibly well kept, he was quite proud of his home and welcomed us in. I also manned up at went on a motorbike to tour the rice fields around Ubud which are incredible! Giules and I were motorbike superstars - well to be honest I just sat at the back of the motorbike while she drove but still. We stopped at one spot and played soccer with a group of kids - you can have the most amazing experiences in the most unexpected places. You just have to be willing to allow yourself be open to whatever comes.
After Ubud, Giules and I headed to Lombok with the boys - this was probably the most important thing for me. The boys reason for heading to Lombok was to climb the Volcano, Rinjani. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew that I had to have this experience. Initially, I was worried that I would not be fit enough to keep up with the boys, but I figured that regardless this was going to be something for me. On the first day up the mountain, I knew I was going to be okay. I stuck to the front of the group with Shaun - and in the end I managed to beat all of the guys up the mountain - granted Shaun hurt his knee the first day so I will give him that :P We hiked for 9 hours that day in the hot heat, so literally we ate dinner and went to sleep but that was not after experiencing the most incredible sunset and being able to see the stars so clearly you can see the Milky way. We woke up at 6 the next morning to continue on our hike up to the Summit. We hit the rim around an hour later it was incredible, we could see the cone of the volcano and also the route that we would have to climb to get to the summit... at this point I was still feeling good about it! We continued to hike but this time we had to hike downhill for us to get to the lake and the hot springs! It was a nice walk down and the hot springs were a nice treat when we got there. After we finished lunch at the hot springs we headed out for a hard 3 hour trek uphill - like grouse grind style but not as well maintained up to basecamp 2! I am not sure what happened to me that day but I definitely overcame a lot! I decided to walk ahead of the group there was this fire inside of me and I wanted to let it out! I hiked up to the top in 2 1/2 hours really fast considering how long it takes most people and got to the top and felt this huge sense of pride. I knew that I was going to make it up to the top of Rinjani tomorrow and I was going to celebrate this huge achievement! Once again absolutely exhausted from the 10 hours of trekking we all headed off to bed early. Shaun, Matty and I all woke up early for the trek to the summit. Giules wasn't feeling well and so she decided to opt out. We started our trek up in the pitch black it was really scary, but I figured if I could reach the summit then I could get through anything in my life! The hike to the summit takes 3 hours and after the first hour I was freezing cold and really scared but I kept on going - at about the 2 hour mark and literally climbing up the mountain side that has a path 4 feet wide and step deathly cliffs on either side Jannis - one of the german guys in our group just about fell off the edge and I freaked out. I started to panic and held on to a rock and just cried. I honestly thought I was going to die - I was really scared and alone and my flashlight went out and was not working. Nathan, another guy in our group, grabbed my hand and told me we were going to do this and I followed him up the mountain to the top and once at the top I let out a gut wrenching scream - I had done this and NO ONE could take this away from me. The pride and sense of accomplishment that I felt that day will be something I will remember forever... that and that amazing sunrise and view I got to see!
People.... I am BACK finally after all I have been through the many tears and months of sadness I am back.
After Rinjani, we headed to Sengiggi, a cute little holidaying town and rested for a couple of days before heading to the beautiful GILI islands! Janene told me before I left that this was here favourite place in Asia and I could see why. It was a little piece of heaven. WAter that you can see for miles in and beautiful beaches with a great night life. We hung out there for 6 days - lounging, eating and drinking! When we left the Gili's I was really sad because I knew that this meant that after two and a half weeks with our group we were all going our separate ways. The boys were going to Java and Giules to Thailand.
I decided that my trip had to be extended because my new sense of self and happiness was something that I needed to continue to explore. I decided to come to Australia for a bunch a reasons: there was a cheap flight from Bali, I wanted to have a positive Australian experience etc etc.....
So.... HERE I AM NOW in Perth learning how to surf running along the beautiful seawall and chilling out with good people!
Let the journey continue... not sure where I will end up but I know that I have never felt this sense of happiness in my life!
Sarah Gayda gave me a journal when I graduated high school and on it's cover it said "Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you've imagined." So that is what I am going to do... Live the life I have imagined - an amazing life!!!
So much love to you all,
Love,
C.
April 26, 2011
Full Moon #2 and Koh Phangan
Hi there folks,
I know I have not really been up to date with this thing but honestly can you blame me? When you are in an incredible place the last thing you want to do is sit on a computer and brag to others abot its beauty when you can just be outside enjoying it yourself... ok, that was kind of rubbing it in so I will just continue!
Full Moon Party #2 was not as eventful as the first one for me - only beacuse I could literally not breath because of my cold... I probably should not have attended at all.. but when in Thailand... you must attend the Full Moon Party! Well I paid the ultimate price and was sick in bed for days and had a high fever and had to have Bovy and Saah give me Thai massage while putting cold compresses all over my body (Okay I will say it I am SPOILED)!!! During this time I met a wonderful German Family. Gabi, Thomas, Nova, Vita and Yeisha! The three girls were absolutely adorable - every morning when I came for breakfast they would jump up from the table and yell chantelle mama chantelle and then run and give me a huge hug! So, I know I am softy but who would love them - I offered to babysit them so that Gabi and Thomas could go out and enjoy the day - I think only me would do that on their vacation/journey but then again it is my journey so I can do as I please!!! Gabi also took me to Yoga with here which was such a beautiful experience!! I am really sad to have left Bovy, she has been an incredible friend to me and if I am ever in Thailand I will definitely come and visit her!!!
So, After a boat 2 mini buses and a public bus (YES a PUBLIC BUS) I made it to SATUN where I will take a ferry to Langkawi tomorrow. I am so happy to have met my Doctor Friend May! She seriously saved the day for me - No one down here speaks english she got us a hotel room to share, diagnosed my cough as bonchitis and got us a cheap taxi to the pier tomorrow! Man I love this girl!!!
I am seriously starting to miss home but I think once I am better I will be living life again!!!
Miss you all,
Love,
Chantelle xo
April 15, 2011
Amzing Temples in Angkor Wat, Thai New Year in Chiang Mai, and Wonderful Waterfalls in Koh Samui.... Life is GOOD (Stratch that... GREAT)!
Sorry that it has been so long since I have last updated my blog, but I have literally gone none stop for the last couple of weeks!!! I will try to recap as much as possible about my trip but it will be hard given that I have done so much in such a short amount of time it is easy to forget all that I have done!
So, my trip up to Siem reap was awful. It was a 6 hour bus ride that took 8 hours because I swear Cambodian people have to pee all of the time - it is nuts! When I finally arrived to Siem reap I hopped in a taxi back to the guesthouse I was staying at. When I arrived it was definitely a different scene than what I had in Phnom Pehn. I seriously think that I was the only one staying there. It was in a nice location but not that much action given that there was no one to have a beer with or no one to even go to Agkor wat with but I was going to make the most of it! I went to the market that evening and did some shopping - Cambodia is the place to buy everything. It is even cheaper than Thailand, and if you dont mind being hounded by people saying "Hey Lady" then it is GREAT! I managed to pick up a few gifts and then headed out for dinner on "Pub" street! I knew that the next day was going to be a long one so I headed home early so that I was at least somewhat rested for my 4:30 am wake up call!
Yup you heard it correctly, I had to wake up at 4:30 so that I was able to be ready to see the sunrise. When I got up I headed down to the lobby to find my Tuk Tuk driver ready but there was pouring rain so he suggested that I head back to bed because there was no point to go out in this weather. I agreed - and we decided to meet back in the lobby at 8:30 so that I was still able to have a full day at the temples! The temples were incredible! They were unlike anything I had ever seen - There was one that was built with faces in it and there was another that had trees wrapped around the stone! There were so many more that I saw but it is much better if you see the pictures than me tell you about them! When I finished for the day I had a little sleep and then headed out for dinner and drinks on the town. Yup, I did it alone - and it was amazing. I decided to go and ask a group of girls if they minded if I sat next to them - they were awesome! We drank and eventually I met up with the group of British "frat" boys and we all headed out to the bars! It was a great night - probably too late of a night considering that I was volunteering at the orphanage the next day but I think that is what travelling is all about!
The day before I went out and bought all of the kids at the orphanage stickers, pencils, crayons, colouring books, and note pads - it was the best $20 I have spent this whole trip! The kids were so cute and so excited to see me there! One of the girls just wanted me to talk with her in English and teach her things. Most of the kids wanted to just sit with me. Of course in Chantelle style, I played daycamp games with them, sang and helped the kids colour write stories and draw. I am not kidding the kids coloured for 4 hours - how could you not love them. One of the little boys Srom made me a picture that said "I love you Chantelle." I honestly cried it was so amazing and if I had more time I would have loved the opportunity to work with the kids for a couple of weeks!
The next day I was headed for Chiang Mai! I had no idea what the week was going to entail other than there was going to be a massive water fight on the street! When I arrived I went straight to the hotel to have a shower then I grabbed a quick dinner on the street (which is the best way to eat in Thailand) and we were headed for the night clubs! Tup's friends and I - once again the only girl - all went out to a local bar where we danced most of the night. The next morning was waterfight time! Adam and I headed out on the streets - it was probably one of the best experiences of my travels so far. It was unbelieveable! We were having the time of our lives literally soaking anyone or anything that walked past us.
... I will have to continue with the rest of my update later... I am off to a party in Koh Samui.
April 8, 2011
Crazy Cambodia!!!!
After loading on the plane I was ready for new adventure in Cambodia! I knew it was going to be an entirely different experience than Thailand,not only because I am now literally travelling on my own but also from others I had heard that the culture was very different. When I walked off the plane I could tell this was a new country! People hounded you for a tuk tuk and followed you! I was lucky to have my hotel provide that service for me so I didn't have to worry about it:) the streets were crowded with thousands of motorbikes waaaayyyy more than in Thailand and my driver warned me to keep my purse close or someone might grab my bag from their motorbike! I was a little scared at that point but as soon as I checked into my hostel life was a breeze! First off I met my friend jelly, a 28 yearold guy from the Netherlands. He had been travelling for a couple of months so he was an old pro!! I went out for dinner and then headed back to the hostel where jelly and the " boys" were hanging out chatting andlistening to some good tunes! For whatever reason this hostel was filled with boys and a couple of "ichy" girls- so I stuck with the boys who were crazy!!!! I retired pretty early because that morning I was up at 4 am going to see tup's little bro in monk training camp!
The next Sam ( a guy from Britain, jelly and I all went to the killing fields. It was pretty horrible seeing a place where so many innocent lives were taken, it definitely makes me grateful for living in Canada. After that we went to see the national museum, the silver pagoda, and the royal palace! Then jelly and I went shopping for watches for him! We ate some street food which was delicious and then I retired to bed where I fell asleep while reading.
Today was a full travel day! I finally arrived a siem reap and now am sitting at an Internet cafe eating!! Hope all is well with everyone! Love you all xo chantelle
The next Sam ( a guy from Britain, jelly and I all went to the killing fields. It was pretty horrible seeing a place where so many innocent lives were taken, it definitely makes me grateful for living in Canada. After that we went to see the national museum, the silver pagoda, and the royal palace! Then jelly and I went shopping for watches for him! We ate some street food which was delicious and then I retired to bed where I fell asleep while reading.
Today was a full travel day! I finally arrived a siem reap and now am sitting at an Internet cafe eating!! Hope all is well with everyone! Love you all xo chantelle
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