backpacking Archives • Page 4 of 6 • The Bliss Movement

The Practice of Being Still

The practice of taking moments of being still can be transformative for our mental wellness. I love the sound of silence, the stillness of a lazy morning or the setting of the sun. It feeds the energy in my soul, energizing and rejuvenating it. I come away from stillness feeling refreshed and truly ready to take on whatever the world wants to throw at me. When I lose sight of my intentions for this life of mine, I try to find that space of stillness. Life sweeps you away sometimes, the good and the bad of it tangle you up until you are tumbling around in it. Th[...]

Barbados, Caribbean, Travel

Barbados’ Holetown Festival

Each year in mid-February, Holetown celebrates the anniversary of the first settlement in Barbados by hosting the annual Holetown Festival. A mix-mash of tourists and locals crowd the streets to get a glimpse at all of the local products on offer in a long jumble of tents. As you make your way through you'll pass bands playing local bajan music and can enjoy the tastes and smells of bajan foods like fish cakes, macaroni pie, and lots of barbecue chicken. Warning to the vegetarians attending the festival: it can be difficult to find vegetarian or vegan foods but t[...]

Barbados, Caribbean, Travel

Take a Stroll Through Batts Rock Beach, Barbados

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." - Wyland Just a short stroll away from my dorm is a white, sandy beach with turquoise waters kissing the sand. It's a popular place for snorkeling and picnics but is never too crowded and it's quickly becoming my go-to spot to relax after a hard day at work. I don't believe I can do it justice through my words, so put on your flip-flops and take a walk along the sand for yourself.[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing

What’s In My Carry-On

Deciding what to pack in a carry-on can be a daunting task for the inexperienced traveler, but it doesn't have to be as hard as you think! If you want to walk through security with ease, keep your carry-on baggage to a minimum. Keep jewelry to a minimum and leave most in your checked luggage to avoid setting off the alarm and keep your bag organized so that you can unload what needs to be unloaded quickly and minimizing that flustered feeling of having everything falling out all over the place. I have a few items that are always in my carry-on. 1. Passport - a n[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

9 Ways To Make A Long Flight More Enjoyable

"When you get into an airplane by yourself and take off, you find yourself in this lovely, three-dimensional world where you can go in any direction. There is no feeling any more exciting than that," - Gene Roddenberry The harsh reality of travel (for some) is that it can quite literally take days to arrive at your destination, even by plane. For those on a budget, this is even more of a reality in which you end up having to take a plane, bus, and donkey just to get from one city to another in order to save a couple dollars. Even without all of the transportat[...]

Personal Development, Self-Care, Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

Are You Breathing Just a Little and Calling it a Life?

“Listen—are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?” –Mary Oliver If you live in any of the Western countries you will know all too well the typical route that a life is supposed to take. Graduate, go to college, get a job, get married, buy a house, start a family… not necessarily in that order. But what happens when the idea of all of these things that equal a “successful” life fills you with dread and makes you want to run in the opposite direction? What happens when a university degree is not going to give you what you always wanted? W[...]

Italy

Sorgeto Hot Springs, Ischia

As mentioned in a previous post, Ischia was where I first had the opportunity to soak myself in a volcanic hot spring. Earlier that evening, seven of us had crammed ourselves into a tiny mini van that managed to squeeze itself at a ridiculously fast pace in and out of the narrow alleys. After a huge Italian meal with new friends, we all made our way to Sorgeto Bay at the suggestion of our hostel staff. To reach the beach itself, you need to walk down about 200 steep, stone steps. If you are coming with somebody who cannot make the trek up or down these steps, you[...]

Alberta, Canada

Calgary’s Indoor Tropical Garden At The Core

Nestled up on the fourth floor of Calgary's downtown shopping centre, The Core, is an indoor oasis filled with palm-trees, flowers, ponds and fountains. After spending our morning having brunch at The Coup, mom and I made our way to the mall, Starbucks in hand, and ventured on up to the fourth floor. Before we knew it we had crossed over from bustling shopping centre into a garden filled with the sounds of flowing water and the color green all around. It may have been in my mind, but instantly I even felt warmer, like it was summertime at last! These Devonian[...]

Alberta, Canada

Brunch At The Coup and Meet, Calgary

As is typical for the middle of winter, this last week in Calgary has been bitterly cold with temperatures dropping below -30 C. A summer girl through and through, winter time makes me want to hibernate in my cozy home with the tea flowing, heat up, and a devilishly handsome cat to snuggle with beneath my pile of blankets. With my mom in town for a much needed mother-daughter visit this simply couldn't happen and in our best efforts to make the most of our weekend together, we braved the cold. Only so long as to get from one building to the next, of course. After[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

6 Ways To Enhance Your Airport Experience

I love airports. I mean I really, truly, love them. My longest time in an airport was ten hours but I'm certain I could spend an entire day in one and never get bored of it. Airports are a beautiful place, they're filled with some of my favorite things. Some people are departing on an exciting adventure and I am always curious as to where they're heading and why. Others are returning from a place just as mysterious with a look of mixed feelings -- happy to be home and in the presence of their loved ones, yet sad that their time away is over. Emotions run high no m[...]

Europe, France

Exploring The Notre Dame In Paris

When, after long gropings up the dark perpendicular stair-case which pierces the thick walls of the steeple towers, one emerged at last unexpectedly on to one of the two high platforms inundated with light and air, it was in truth a marvellous picture spread out before you on every side; - Victor Hugo Once upon a time, I stepped into the life of Esmeralda and danced around the towers of the Notre Dame, shaking my tambourine. Just kidding. Nobody can shake a tambourine like Esmeralda, but I did get to wander around the towers of the Notre Dame on a crisp Pari[...]

San Francisco, United States

Baker Beach, San Francisco: A Photo Montage.

"There is magic in the ocean. Be free and dive in." A collection of photos from Baker Beach, San Francisco.[...]