Venezia

It has been a month since I spent a day in Venice. And until now, I am still pondering how to describe her, although, I’ve been in Italy once before (when in Rome). Going through editing these pictures made me gasp, and beam, and sigh all at the same time thinking to myself – what a wonderful world. Thank You God! 

It’s incredible that I’ve made it here at the most perfect time soaking up the Venetian summer and the rush of people exploring this incredible city. I fell in love with the fact that Venice is surrounded by water – connected by the most rustic little bridges and the movement of Gondolas, waterbuses and water taxis enough to make your heart flutter. Venice does know how to do romance.

We made it to the city as soon as we’ve touched down, which didn’t quite prepare our legs for an intense day of walkathon! Under the sun! I couldn’t help but be in awe and have a grateful heart the moment we reached the Canal Grande. It was a dream! We walked into the city finding all sorts of boutique shops, small restaurants, souvenir shops, local crafts and even your favourite brands. We marched further looking for Piazza San Marco in the hopes of finding a place to eat what Italian’s do best with a glass of Bellini. And it did not disappoint! People and sea gulls flocked to the Piazza as if there was a celebration. I’m glad to have spent my 24 hours with a bunch of lovely (and crazy) crew. Mafia pa! More walking and half a day later, we were looking upon the life of the Canal from the Rialto Bridge - which significance I’ve learned via Wikipedia. In my heart, I’ll be back in Italia soon before I know it. The city was as colourful as it was bustling. And the people, as warm as the Venetian sun could leave a tan.

And as the sun was slowly setting, so did the day end so pleasantly. It was as if this day was made for us. It was indeed a day to celebrate. Grazie Mille Venezia, you are beautiful!

Tak København

No words. Just complete kilig moment when I got CPH off from standby. I was the happiest girl! Copenhagen is a city so close to where I was born. And as it came to me as a surprise, I allowed myself to be more stunned by this beautiful city. We landed on a cold but sunny Jan afternoon, secretly hoping for snow to fall anytime soon. But God had a different idea; He wanted me to see the view right outside my hotel room window as a beautifully painted picture! It was so beautiful; it was like reading out of a Children’s fairytale book. Maybe this is why Hans Christian Andersen was so inspired. I was looking right at the heart of Copenhagen.

My ultimate goal was to reach Nyhavn – an old town situated in a canal bestrewn with restaurants, pubs and colourful Danish houses. Without a map in hand, just a determined heart, my crew and I walked into the city braving the cold winter. I have nothing but admiration for Scandinavians. Forget about them being my passengers. But as people, and a nation, they are well deserving of the ‘Happiest People in the World” title. I am glad for a nation who aren’t just well educated, but friendly, disciplined, but polite, speaks very good English and on top of that – very good looking! 

The following day seemed like a storm was looming, but my heart was happy to witness snow! Again! After so many years… When sunshine finally filled the city, it felt like Christmas morning! I woke up to a Winter Wonderland! I will never forget that stunning oil-based painting from outside my window. God is such an artist! Thank you Copenhagen! You made me the happiest girl!

Write it in your heart, that everyday is the best day of the year. - RW Emerson

Cape Town: The Second Time Around

Make that the Third. I have been flying down to Cape Town more often than I expected I would be. And for the record, got pulled out twice from standby which made me scream and squeak due to flat out excitement! It's always a drum-roll-sort-of moment for crews waiting for the rostering team to pull you out for either a very bad sector or a really good destination. I'm flattered to technically be in Cape Town the whole year round, experiencing the Southern Hemisphere winter season and smashing summer day! It is no secret that the Mother City is very close to my heart from the very beginning, right here. It was love at first sight.

It's a blessing that for the second time around I got to make completely new memories with her, see what I missed and experience what more she has to offer. I'm glad to have tagged along with the rest of the crew and who else could be a better tour guide than someone who used to fly with us and a home grown Cape Townian - Andrew, whom you can follow on instagram and add on facebook for a well-tailored and super friendly tour. Seeing happy feet in Boulders Beach was at the top of our itinerary. You feel gigil by these cute little creatures, with the most delightful backdrop on a beautiful day. And being a waterbaby, I plunged into the most inviting waters to get soaked! Let Cape Point take your breath away and get a panorama of waters, cliffs and mountains as far as your eyes can see. I swear, no other word is gonna come out of your mouth from the cable car ride up until coming back down but... WOW. And if you're keen enough to spot where the Two Oceans meet (Indian and Atlantic ocean), aside from tasting a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc! We drove further to reach the most South Western point of the African continent that is the Cape of Good Hope. I'm just a speck in a million of other specks and to find myself being there was just unbelievable! Unbelievable. It was a truly majestic moment. Full of hope. More to our journey was being half awake passing through the wonderful valley of Noord Hoek below Chapman's Peak where you can have a dreamy horse ride by the shore, driving thru the coast and sight the Lion's Head and Signal Hill while Pompeii by Bastille is playing in the background. Our itinerary ended up at Table Mountain blanketed with a cold fog plus getting a view of Robben Island which holds what used to be Nelson Mandela's cell. And then, capping off the night at the Waterfront. 

This post is more of a photodump than a photo diary and I hope the pictures would speak for themselves. The editing process brought me back to the moment which made me so thankful and happy to finally share this with you all. And if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like you've been here before?

Penguins at Boulders Beach

Cape Point

Cape of Good Hope

Meet the Crew and Andrew!