Dilatory Diary of Destinations

Let’s get back to Canada for a minute! 

Last few photos from Greece. Some beaches, the island of Ios, our accommodations in Karterados, the Red Beach in Santorini, and a couple snapshots of Mykonos. 

It made more Sense for Katherine to tag along to Mykonos before heading home, so that we would be able to help her on the mainland. Given everything that she had gone through, she wasn’t the happiest camper, and spent a lot of her time at our little bed and breakfast during the few days we had on the island. 

A few more photos from around Oia, snapped between munching on endless gyros. 

Towards the end of our time on Santorini, something happened that would change our entire trip. We had started in Belgium with Katherine (though I had been in the Netherlands with other friends before), then flown into Istanbul and Greece. Following the islands was going to be a bit of a survey trip through the Balkans. 

We had some activities planned for the day in Santorini (my memory is foggy, but I think there were hot springs involved) and were making our way down steep cobblestone switchbacks to where our day was set to begin, when suddenly, Katherine fell. And it wasn’t a little fall - it was the kind of over the top caricature of a fall that is so comical all you can do is laugh. Erin was laughing, I was laughing, Katherine was laughing - and then Katherine was screaming. And then Katherine was screaming bloody murder. And then all the laughing stopped and it became very clear that something was wrong. 

The unfortunate thing was that we were already 2/3 of the way down the cliff. We needed to get her to the bottom so that she could be taken back up in a lift and then to the local hospital, but she was being incredibly stubborn about the only mode of transport available: donkey. 

At this point we had amassed a bit of a group around us, of tourists and locals alike. Screaming louder every time we tried to lift her up, she eventually lost her say in the matter. It must have been quite the sight - a screaming girl atop a donkey, flanked by tourists and islanders, slowly making their way down the cliff. 

Next up for Greece was some island hopping. We visited Santorini and Mykonos, and while I don’t have many photos of the latter (for reasons to be explained in another post), Santorini truly was stunning. We stayed in Karterados, a small central town from which everything of note was less than twenty minutes away. 

Most of the photos I took were in Oia, though there were many beautiful beaches and other sights around the island. But Oia is the definite standout. At the northernmost point of Santorini, this little town is what you picture when you think of a Greek Island. White buildings with bright blue domes, winding cobblestone cliffs, and incredible ocean views. 

I have been holding off on writing a post about Athens. In 2013, from Turkey, Erin, Katherine, and I made our way to Greece. We planned to do some island-hopping, but our first stop was to be the capital city on the mainland.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from Athens. Of course, we owe so much of our modern knowledge and ideals of today to Ancient Greece, and so to visit is really something - especially for a history nerd! But, it wasn't all that I expected it would be.

Greece has gone through a lot lately. What with their economy in shambles and their political situation strife with white supremacists and extremists, it’s no wonder that that the communities and cities have suffered. The streets were dirty, the people were (frequently, but not always) unkind, and it was a bit off putting. Now I should probably factor in the fact that we had just come from Istanbul, a vibrant city full of incredibly helpful, fun, and happy folks. So perhaps I’m a bit biased! We also met a horrible Canadian (yes, Canadian!) From Ladner who insisted on calling Vancouver “The Couv”, and also insisted that he was from “The Couv” and not Ladner, despite us all being from here and knowing the different towns. Doesn’t seem like much in writing, but he was incredibly irritating. 

A few photos from my very first time in The Netherlands! 2013 I believe. 

A bar inside a former church in Haarlem, and my very first, life-changing bitterballen. Drool!

Exploring the canals of Amsterdam with the lovely Lauren.

Time spent cooking and eating at Lauren’s home in Nieuw Vennep - a small town near Schipol Airport. First, sushi, which is incomparably expensive to eat out in Holland; and then something more traditional, gourmetten! Think raclette - but with meat. 

Quebec City during Carnaval by night. Cold, but stunning!

This festival has deep roots and a rich history within the province of Quebec. From their website:

This was many years ago now, but it was an absolutely magical long weekend in Quebec City with Louis. 

Though I studied in English, my elementary school was a place with a French immersion option. Because of this, we had a lot of exposure even on the English side to Quebecois culture over the years through different events and activities put on by the school. One thing that they did every single year was celebrate Carnaval, with games and food and even a Bonhomme - and ever since then, I always dreamed of visiting Quebec City in February to experience the real deal. 

In 2015, my dream came true! We were in town for the last week of the festival, and it surpassed my expectations in every way. 

As you can see above, we enjoyed ourselves. We got to spend time with a friend of mine from home who was living in the city at the time; we got to meet Bonhomme himself; we got to eat fast food poutine which was still leagues beyond the most expensive dish you could get out west; and we got to explore the city in all of it’s icy glory. 

We took sleigh rides through the Plains of Abraham, where one of the most significant battles in our nation’s history occured; we got to drink caribou and eat fresh tire de neige; we got to sled down the slopes overlooking the Saint Lawrence River; and we got to drown ourselves in the most delectable tortiere and oreilles de criss I have ever (and will ever) experienced. 

Montreal in the fall: An appreciation post!

Autumn is a magical time in Montreal. Honestly, every season is magical in Montreal, but that perfect weather that only happens after the endless humidity of summer and before the eternal snow of winter is a great time to be in the city. 

I was lucky in that while I lived in Ottawa, I got to take an October trip to Montreal every Thanksgiving to be with family. I was usually off in the suburbs, but when I could, I tried to get some time downtown in between it all. Above are some photos of those times!

Between wandering the Old Port in the afternoon, to stumbling around the centre at dusk as the churches begin to light up, Montreal is the kind of place that I can spend hours exploring and always find something new. 

While in Leiden in 2013, it was decided that I had to try my first herring. A Dutch speciality, this snack appears to be a entire raw fish smothered in uncooked onions. The reality - the herring isn’t actually raw, as it goes through a process of salting and chilling before being served. 

Niagara Falls! From the Canadian side, obviously. I’ve been here a few times, and this natural wonder never fails to dazzle. From wandering the kooky and campy town to taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist, the falls are always worth a visit. 

I’m getting closer every day to having this finalized! But I have definitely made some strides in the planning. 

Though I’m flying into Paris, I am hoping to leave as soon as I arrive. I want to stay a night in Troyes, before heading home to my Lyon for a couple of days. 

From here, I am going to meet a friend from Holland in the Riviera for seven days! She’s never been, and I fully fake shop for apartments in Antibes at least once a week, so I can’t wait to show her around and spend some time in the sea. 

My ideas from here on are sketched out, but still only roughly. My plan is to go through Romania and Bulgaria on land (I’ve mostly narrowed down my stops), and then fly to Cyprus. From here, it’s off to Italy to visit another friend if she’s around (if not, I’ll figure something else out) and then back to Paris to fly home.

Pula was the last stop for Erin and I on our 2013 Balkan adventure. From here, we flew back in to Belgium for a few last days with Katherine before heading home.