Seasons are changing...

So... It never occurred to me that unless I go back to south east Asia, or somewhere alike, it does not stay summer forever! Silly me :p Anyways, so it is now autumn in Europe and quite rainy here in Milano. Which, to my surprise I do not mind - I have always preferred winter fashion (although I do love the sun and am a sucker for the ocean!) Everyone is rocking cut off boots, stylish trainers, oversized jackets and of course lovely accessories such as knits and umbrellas.

The past few days I have been roaming the streets of Piazza di Duomo and Brera areas. There are lots of mind blowing shops, aperitivo spots and restaurants which I have myself been spending most of my time (and money) at! As I write this in fact, I am at Brera Bar sipping a prosecco a la fragola and people watching (my favorite).

(Prosecco a la fragola and chips at Brera Bar)

Yesterday I did a bit of a cultural day and visited the Museo di Novecento. It is a 20th century art museum with works of some of my favorite artists like Picasso, Braque and Mattisse. However, as it got more and more modern and closer to the end of the century, it interested me less. The kind of art I can appreciate I personally prefer less. Although I still would recommend the museum just to go and have a look. 

(Mirror selfie in one of the artworks. It was a girl painted on the side of a mirror and the captain is 'Girl Fleeing').

(Below some of my favorite artists: Braque, Mattisse and Picasso. Absolutely incredible feeling to be able to see such influential artists work in the flesh).

After my cultural adventure through 350 artworks from the 20th century, it was time for lunch and dessert :D (my favorite time of the day!) I found a lovely restaurant in a side road near to the Duomo and decided to sit there. I was meant to start a diet as I've been eating pasta and carbs all dy every day, but I decided Italy is not the place for this silliness haha. I had lasagne and a dry white wine - my two favorite things.

Finally I went to Laduree - a famous macaroon shop I have always wanted to visit! It really is beautiful, think cupcake colors and pretty pastels everywhere. I was very curious to know how it would be because it's been such a build up to try Laduree. I got 4 different types (naughty I know!) Chocolate di Venezuela, chocolate, coconut and marshmallow, caramel with salted butter and finally I asked the guy to recommend me one which was rose, usually not my favorite but I took it. Well, they blew my mind! It was like a tongue-gasm. My favorite was the Venezuelan chocolate and the caramel with salted butter, the others will still good too though!

(Pastels everywhere in Laduree)

 Later on, I went for dinner in Brera again - surprise surprise. I went with a friend I met here in Milano. We ate way too much - amazing seafood and really good wine then ended off with dessert and cocktails at a cute little bar. 

(Chocolate cup with all the finishes!!)

(The glasses had cool quotes on them and this one is my favorite. I absolutely love this and it's what I live by! I swear, my next tattoo;) ).

As you can see, I pretty much just eat all day every day, and spend money, and so amongst my shopping yesterday I bought a new gym top! Haha. Which I plan on using at some stage. But yes, I can't keep spending money and eating, at some stage I have to be a bit proactive. But after how hard I worked in Mykonos, it's been amazing to just relax. I think I am leaving Milano next week to go to Thessaloniki in Greece anyways, so I might as well enjoy! 

Kisses, 

The Adventure Seeker

X

Amo Milano!!

So, I thought I was in love with Milano, but now I am even more! Last night me and my amazing friend I'm staying with, Romain, went to an area called Brera. It is a very trendy area where you can find all the famous designer stores, local boutiques, the Armani Café and gorgeous restaurants. There were such fashionable, famous looking people and glamorous places, I felt like I was walking around in a movie!

We had to pop into the Armani Café for the famous Italian aperitivo (usually 18.00 - 20.00 - a predinner drinks, usually cocktails or wine, that comes with Italian snacks or buffet). Romain had Armani spritz and I had the Armani Red - really good cocktails, and of course some snacks that came with.

(Armani Cafe in Brera ahead)

(Armani Spritz, left, Armani Red, right, and the delicious snacks that came with)

We then went to a small stylish restaurant  in one of the side cobbled streets called Fiori Chiari Plates which I really recommend! We started with a cheese board with fried bread accompanied with a bottle of rosé. We then had pasta Norma which was penne with aubegine, Parmesan and basil. Afterwards, even though I had probably consumed enough calories for a week and I was so full, we had to have gelato. And so we went to Amorino... And we had 3 flavors each! Ahaha. The best ice cream I've ever had in my life - salted caramel, Nutella and chocolate. I can't explain in words what amazing food we consumed last night!!!

(I didn't get any pictures of dinner but he's the cheese platter and wine)

(Amorino Gelateria in Brera)

Finally, we walked around a bit before we went home in hopes of digesting a little. Walking around anywhere here is so beautiful as the architecture is so detailed and distinct. 

(Galleria Vittorio Emanuele)

I have decided I will probably leave Milano next week - sadly - and go travel a bit in Italy before I depart. I will probably go to Rome and Naples to see some friends and then after, back to Greece to work for a while and stay with a friend. I then plan to go to Amsterdam, Paris and London! Hehe. But we will see :D

Anyways!

Lots of kisses, 

The Adventure Seeker

X

Riccione getaway

Today I left Milano, but only for 2 nights, to spend some time by the beloved sea again! I am staying in Riccione, a town north of Italy by the sea. The reason I know of this place is because, my boss while I was working in Bangkok, and friend, manages a hotel here. 

It is a very beautiful hotel called Hotel De La Ville. So I am staying here in such a gorgeous and big room with 2 balconies and view of the pool! Like I always say, it's not what you know, it's who you know ;) Anyways, it's very nice to get away from the big city (even though I love Milano!) I mow have a bit of time to relax and discover a new place and most importantly think about my next move! 

I have been playing with various ideas and trying to decide if I want to stay and work in Italy or just travel a bit within this stunning country and then move on to work else where.. Any ideas would be appreciated! Hehe. Without a doubt I want to visit Paris, Switzerland and maybe end up working in London. I also have to consider my finances :p In a perfect world - it wouldn't matter. But at some stage, I have to find a job! Alas, I will leave that to a later stage and enjoy my time here right now.

Lots of love,

The Adventure Seeker

X

(In my hotel room)

(Penne Aribiata at Canasta! Delish)

(Sending kisses..)

Lake Como

Yesterday I visited the beautiful village of Bellagio. It is about an hour and 20 minutes from Milano, and quite a beautiful drive with lots to see on the way. The village is situated on Lake Como. We arrived in Bellagio, and went about exploring the tiny cobbled streets, the weather slightly breezy but very sunny. We had coffee overlooking the lake and then booked tickets for a boat to Lenno, another village not far. 

Lenno was very beautiful - we had the best gelato ever!! Hehe. We then visited the villa from Casino Royale (at the end you see Daniel Craig in a wheel chair on a big terrace - that's the one). It blew my mind! The whole day was spent in such beautiful places I practically used up all my memory taking pictures on my phone. We tracked our steps on my friends app to see how much we did and all in all we walked 11kms! Haha. (Then we had pizza for dinner!) I would really recommend Lake Como and any villages that are on the lake as they are all very picturesque and have a lot of character. Bellagio is for me a must! 

Today, I don't really have any plans other than a meeting at 18.30 at a very well renowned club called Just Cavalli! As I am typing this I am sitting in my gym clothes as I was going to force myself to go for a run. But now to my utter embarrassment I have changed my mind. I got lost the other day in Milano and I had to call my friend to come fetch me so that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! :P

Baci,

the Adventure Seeker

X

(Just arrived in Bellagio)

(Lake Como from the villa in Lenno)

(La Fabbrica Del Gelato - lemon and chocolate flavor)

(The cobbled streets in Bellagio)

(Villa del Balbianello in Lenno)

(Lenno)

Milano

Good morning from Milano! 

I arrived last night so don't have too much to say just yet. But I am already in love. After a wholes day of traveling just from Athens, after both my flights were delayed due to bad weather, they left my luggage in Rome! Haha. But it's ok - cause I'm in Milano!

Anyways I went to the main plaza and saw the Duomo which is so beautiful. We then had dinner above a mall overlooking the Duomo which was amazing. First meal in Italy of course had to be pasta and good wine, which are two of my favorite things so was perfect. 

Today I will firstly get my luggage back, then we plan to visit a market which should be good. I want also start working out a bit so thinking of joining a gym.. Haha as if. Anyways I will keep you posted!

Ciao,

The adventure seeker 

X

 

(Me in front of the beautiful Duomo)

(First dinner in Italia: ravioli and lasagne with wine)

(View of the Duomo from the rooftop restaurant we ate at)

Mykonos

Good morning beautiful people! I am feeling so fresh after a good nights sleep - very much needed, especially in my own bed. I have not posted since I left for Mykonos and sad to say I have left that crazy island but I am back in Athens. The reason for this is that I was working super hard in Mykonos - every day 10am till midnight sometimes. I worked at Super Paradise, a gorgeous beach with a restaurant, boutique and bar which after 4.30pm turned into a party. 

I waitressed which was no joke. Mykonos is a touristic island and people don't mess around, they work super hard!! I am used to South Africa when it comes to waitresses - there's so many in a restaurant and often stand around as they don't have a table. Well, let me tell you. When I arrived there was 5 waitresses for the entire beach and bar, and slowly a few left so in my last week there was me and two others. There was no messing around. Every day we were running at work, on the beach during the day and then in a club environment at the bar at night. Not without a few dropped trays - on my first day I held a tray for the first time and took two steps with it and dropped an entire tray of beers haha. Fortunately I had the worlds greatest boss!! 

The Super Paradise joke when I started working (and stuck) was my accent when speaking Greek and that I always smile haha. (Apparently it's not a very Mykonian thing and people new right away I was not from there). I wish I could give loads of insight on what to do and where to go in Mykonos but my lot is limited I must admit. I worked so much I only had time to go out after midnight. Fortunately I visited Mykonos for one week in July with some girlfriends, so I have visited a few places.

Beaches: my favorite and the best for sure - Super Paradise! Hehe. Psarou beach, well known for its restaurant and bar called Nammos is also great. I went to Paraga once which was very beautiful and nice to chill out and then Paradise beach which was nice but didn't make an impression.

Bars: my favorite is called Queen, it's a champagne and cocktail bar in town. Has the best music - deep house, and very cool atmosphere. Another few good ones are Caprice bar, Semeli, Scarpa, Agyra, Astra, Moni and I can't remember the rest haha. But those are all really cool - very nice vibe, good music and a definite have to when visiting the town of Mykonos. 

There are some really beautiful areas with restaurants and bars near to the beach but the most common place to go is the town. It's so pretty - little pebbled roads which aren't simetrical so you often find yourself lost in the streets of Mykonos, white houses with blue or red shutters, and of course the famous mind mills. 

If you haven't been to Mykonos, I would really recommend it. It's got a bit of everything - beaches, parties, lovely bars pnand restaurants and it's very beautiful too.

(First day at work)

(The famous wind mills)

(Paraga beach)

(Super Paradise beach with my ladies)

(Another day at work - loving my job)

(Paradise Club - showing some support for Bob Sinclair. Amazing guy!)

(Kuzina in Ornos - stunning restaurant by the sea. Went with my room mate for dinner last Friday. Wine, sushi and risotto with mushroom, Parmesan and truffles. Wow!)

Back in Athens now and guess where next?! Milano TOMORROW :D I am so excited! Will try update as often as I can.

The Adventure seeker,

Filakia 

X

365 days of Summer

My year in a nutshell:

So, this year as you know, I am chasing summer. I started the year in Thailand, which was the colder season in the country but being a South East Asian country, it is warm all year round. I lived and worked in Bangkok with a very close friend (like a sister) for 6 months with a two week holiday in April. We went in a group to Koh Tao, Nang Yuan Koh Phi Phi and finally Krabi.

I left on 22 June for Greece. Which proved to be rather eventful to say the least. I hadnt realized how much one collects and buys over 6 months but lets just say I had a lot of luggage. I had 3 bags for hand luggage alone, one of them being my toiletries bag as they refused to stow it on the plane as my main suitcase was already a lot overweight. 

Because of this, I had most of my newly purchased toiletries and cosmetics confiscated (I had treated myself days before I left for Greece, eager to see my family after 6 months). I then got pulled aside and managed to get myself out of an over stayed visa I hadn't realized had expired. After this, someone ran up to me and kindly informed me I was about to miss my flight. Running through Bangkok airport with 3 bags, ankle boots, a floppy hat and leather jacket (yes, I wanted to look like a "chic" traveller haha), I managed to make it 2 minutes before take off! Not without the whole airplane giving me dirty looks as I tried very hard not to bash everyone over the head with all my bags as I walked through the undersized passage to my seat.

Finally, hours later I arrived in Germany, as I had a connecting flight. I was yet again, pulled over and asked to remove my shoes, hat, jacket etc and taken aside for full body searching. They made me stretch my arms and legs, and then sit down after and lift my legs while they scanned the bottoms of my feet. Needless to say, I don't think they had seen such an overdressed traveller before (thank goodness I was wearing tights!)

The first week went as such: 5 nights in athens, 2 nights in Theologo and 1 night in Nafpaktos. Following this, the next week was spent on a yacht, we chartered, part of a flotilla. We hit up a few islands in the Ionian area such as Meganisi and Kefalonia. This was so much fun, a lot of good food, sun, swimming and catching up with the family.

The next week was the highlight for me (other than of course seeing my family). My sister and I, and 2 of our best friends went to the one and only Mykonos. I will not say too much as I will be doing an entire post of each of the places I have visited, but it was phenomenal. Wow, think beautiful beaches, white and blue houses, insane parties and beautiful people everywhere. The next leg with all the girls and my family was a week in Rethymno, Crete. A stunning way to recover and unwind after Mykonos!

As of the 24 July, my family and friends have left me. Which didn't turn out too bad :p I have been sailing on a motor yacht around the Ionian islands and roadtripping between Patra and Lefkada. Good food, great company, lots of sun, GREECE - what's more to want? 

But now, I must be turning the page of The International Travel Diary. Tomorrow I go back to Athens to unwind for 2 nights and then Monday I start work. A girls gotta earn some money! So.. Onward to Mykonos!! Yes that's where I will be working. But, I will give you more details in the next post.

Filakia.

Stay tuned,

Adventure seeker 

X

 (Bangkok - me with blonde hair and my roommate/BFF/big sis)

(Koh Tao - most beautiful sunset)

(Nang Yuan - on the way to breakfast)

(Maya Bay, Phi Phi island - on my birthday we hired a long boat for the day)

(Phi Phi island - beach bats on the beach)

(Railay beach, Krabi - beach for the day)

(Bangkok - back with the girls for shenanigans)

  

(Sakhorn Nakorn - small town north of Bangkok for a 'Red Riding Hood' themed shoot)

(Athens - some sightseeing at the Acropolis museum)

(A small beach somewhere near to Meganisi - a week of sailing nearby)

(Athens again - reunited with the girls!)

(Mykonos! - super paradise beach)

(Mykonos - Paradise club. Partying it up with Bob Sinclaire :p)

(Rethymno, Crete - my mermaid dress)

(Ithaki - back on the seas! Jumping off the front of the motor yacht)

(Patra - walking along the marina)