Leaving our house at 3:30AM on a Saturday to catch our flight to Istanbul, the early start was worthwhile as it is such a fascinating city. Its diversity makes it hard to believe that it's only four hours away from London. It straddles the Asian and European continents, with an extensive waterfront on both sides of the Bosphorus. Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is Turkey's largest covered market offering excellent shopping including beautiful Turkish carpets, meerschaum pipes, and all sorts of other things. The locals shop here as well, lending a welcome dose of authenticity. However, I p [View Full Entry]

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As most of you are aware, David and I are getting married and have likely heard the proposal story through the email announcement of our engagement. So I won’t recount the tale. However, for those who only have the opportunity to find out what’s going on in my life through my blog, I realize I have left out many accounts of how our relationship blossomed. Therefore, this entry attempts to fill in the gaps of my great love affair with David (featuring London and travels). The set-up When I first moved to London I toured through the UK and met Kerry [View Full Entry]

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In setting up this blog site the intention was to try to blog every time I visited a new place because I was sure my life would be so full of travel that I could fill you in frequently. Well I was wrong as I've planted myself in London and ditched my backpack ages ago. However I still could write a blog every day and you would probably be entertained. For now, I do want you all to know I'm still alive and haven't gone AWOL. Allow me to fill you in on the few but major points as I've already [View Full Entry]

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July 13-17th- My big Ibiza holiday of the year finally arrived. I had such an amazing time that I've found it hard to write about and add to the blog because words and photos, which I've already shared with most people, will not do the experience justice. But I'll try for anyone interested. Ibiza is an island east of Spain and forms part of the Balearic Islands. David and I traveled with six others from London. There was an oil spill so we were not able to go into the sea but after a few sangrias on the beach we went [View Full Entry]

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At the end of March my Aunt and Grandma from Edmonton made a few stops in London as part of their European holiday. I also got to see my Aunt and Uncle from Malaysia who were here to see my cousin who is studying in Southampton. It was great catching up with the family and getting to share the buzz of London. Some of the sightlights include Hampton Court, London Bridge and Kew Gardens. Over the May Bank Holiday weekend David and I went to Oxford for the day. The architecture of the colleges gives the city an irrepressible grandeur [View Full Entry]

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I can’t believe it’s already been three months since my last post… it scares me how fast the year is flying!! This blog is dedicated to bringing you the updates of my last three months… The biggest of which is my trip to Ireland over the Feb 16-18 weekend. The time in Dublin was my Christmas gift from David. We went with our friends Chris and Mel, and the weekend getaway was definitely a nice change from my solo, lengthy backpacking trips. Having survived yet another Ryan Air flight we kicked the weekend off in Temple Bar, a cultural quarter that’s [View Full Entry]

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It's true!! It's been 8 months.... 4 days ago, the 19th, marked the 8-month mile-stone and to be completely honest I'd have to say that it's been the fastest months of my life. They say London is a busy, fast city... and has its pace ever quickened my experience. Now that I've lived in London for this long I feel like I'm entitled, as part-Londoner, to fill you all in on a few of the perks and pitfalls of this city. Here are my top five raves for London: 1) Night life- With its theatres, pubs and clubs, the first mention [View Full Entry]

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I arrived safely back in London late(!) Thursday night but before blogging any further I have to record all the great things about Granada before my memory fails on me. Because of the heavy Moroccon influence mixed with the Spanish culture, the city offers a lot. Not to mention, its situated right in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which were recently capped with snow! While still sunny I definitely felt the drop in temperature. Something I was not expecting considering I was in the SOUTH of Spain. I immediatley noticed the backpacker hippies here as well, some of whom live in caves [View Full Entry]

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I finally left Barcelona to go to Valencia. Before leaving Barcelona though I made a day trip to Figueres, the city where Dali was born and the site of his museum. I can only say it was absolultely absurd! Valencia has been the quickest overnight stop so far. I rushed to the Science and Arts museum as I only had 4 hours before it closed. Luckily it was free. Otherwise its 25 Euros! I enjoyed it, and it was a nice brush up of biology from high school. Much better way to learn! The complex is massive though and didn't have [View Full Entry]

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Why call it tourist season if you can't shoot them? (One of the signs hanging outside someone's window...) Ever since my first visit to Barcelona I have been desperate to come back and now I ended up staying longer than planned as there is more than enough to keep me busy, from the innovative architecture of Gaudi, to late night bars and atmospheric Bari Gotic, and city beaches. The combo of warmer weather and not having had enuf time to see much the last time, makes it feel like I'm seeing the city for the first time. But it isn't long [View Full Entry]

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