Lucas and Cheryl

Here we are near the end of our journey and I am finally getting to a blog. So bare with me as a try and recount the past 5 weeks for you. It clearly won’t be one of my typical travel blogs, but it just didn’t feel right letting this adventure pass us by without documenting for Lucas and I and for all of you. Our adventure began last month when we gathered with the German clan, loaded nine adults, and six kids into four vehicles early in the morning on Saturday October 20th. We were headed for the Top of Europe, Jungfrau in Switzerland, near Grindewald. www.jungfrau.ch Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, at 3454 metres is Europe’s highest altitude railway station. It is a wonderland of snow, ice and rock. We were fortunate to experience ... read more

Today is January 8thand I am trying to stay dry! We are on Bintan Island, Indonesia, but that is for another blog. It feels as though the last three weeks were a whirlwind of activity, adventure and exploration. We experience nearly every mode of transportation available as we explored Australia. After returning home from Cairns, it was time to explore the city of Melbourne by bus, train and trolley! What a beautiful city! Downtown Melbourne is situated on the mouth of the Yarra River. A cruise down the river gave us a ducks-eye-view of this beautiful, cosmopolitan city, including a short visit to historic Williamstown. Melbourne is a city of contrasts. Tall skyscrapers are flanked by historic landmarks and well preserved buildings. There is a vibrant Chinatown and an Italian precinct that is known for it’s ... read more

After our relaxing week on Koh Tao we boarded the ferry, (this time to much calmer seas) for the Koh Samui airport and week two of our Thailand adventure. After an uneventful flight we arrived in Chang Mai in Northern Thailand. Chang Mai is a mid- size, modern city by Thailand standards, surrounded by dense jungle, mountains and rich farmland. The colors are rich, the food is delectable and we found the people warm and friendly. Our time in Chang Mai was filled with temple tours, the company of elephants, wilderness adventures, vast markets filled with silks and handicrafts and delicious and varied foods. Chang Mai is known for its temples. There are as many temples in this small city as there are in Bangkok. The décor is colourful, filled with rich golden Buddha’s and brightly ... read more

Our blog begins in Scottsdale, Arizona. In October we were introduced to Panache Desai, a spiritual master, currently living in Florida. Panache was born in Great Britain of Indian decent. His family enjoyed a long history in the presence of Spiritual Masters. Apparently this too, was his destiny. We joined Panache and 109 people from all over the world, including our good friends Kelly and Jenna Santillo of Maine, for a weekend spent meditating, clearing and enjoying the bliss that comes as a result of abiding as the Self. This was probably one of the most powerful, and transformational weekends of our lives. After blazing the trail home, to the very heart of being… it was time to hit the trail again on planet earth and head south. This time we ended up in Benson, Arizona. ... read more

As our time in Tiruvannamalai draws to an end, it seems appropriate to share more of the spiritual side of this journey with you. Once again, not your typical travel blog! Lucas shares a story which originated with Eckhart Tolle.. It is the story of a great Guru who one day announced to his following that he was finally prepared to share his secret to enlightenment. His disciples came from far and wide to hear their teachers secret. As the day approached, the excitement grew. When the day finally arrived, the Guru’s disciples filled a great hall. The Guru entered and sat in silence for many moments as the anticipation filled the air. At last he uttered the words that all had waited to hear. “I don’t mind.” Lucas and I reread Herman Hesse’s, Sidhartha while ... read more