The Day of Pukboom!

I knew before I moved home from the Asia-Pacific region that I wanted to revisit Thailand. It's relatively close to Australia (only a 9-hour flight!) and is such a beautiful country with the kindest people in the world. I visited briefly in August 2011, and saw Bangkok and Ko Samui. This time, when I decided to return (luckily with my BFF Christian), I set my sights on two new places - Chiang Mai and the Phuket/Ko Phi Phi areas.


Chiang Mai was our first stop. After the 9-hour flight from Sydney to Bangkok, I made my way across the airport (which seemed to be 1 million kilometers wide) and stood in line for hours to pass through a chaotic immigration area to greet Christian for the first time in 6 months and then quickly board our flight to Chiang Mai (only 70 min from Bangkok). Chiang Mai is located in Northern Thailand and was founded in 1296. It was surrounded by a moat and large fortress-like wall (parts of which still remain today) to protect it from Burma. To me, Chiang Mai felt like a very small version of Bangkok with none of the tourist traps and more of an authentic local feel.


We arrived on Saturday night. After a walk around to get our bearings and a dinner across the street, we settled into the charming Tamarind Village boutique hotel for a good night sleep as we had a BIG day ahead the next day.  The next day was truly one of the most memorable of my life. 


Sunday began with a 7am wake-up call and a jaunt across the road for a quick iced latte before hitting the road to head an hour north of Chiang Mai to the Thai Elephant Home. The Home is an "eco-sanctuary" which rescues elephants from poor treatment and raises them in a small area of the jungle and along the river - an area which resembles their natural habitat. I loved this sanctuary as it is rather small compared to the others in the area - only 9 elephants, two of whom are never ridden. All proceeds go into caring for the elephants and improving the jungle surroundings within which they live. We did a lot of research before embarking on the experience to ensure we chose a sanctuary that truly is just that for the animals.

Making friends through banana bribes

We started the day by being welcomed by the friendly faces of Joe and the local mahouts (elephant keepers) and learning about the sanctuary itself. We changed into a sweet baggy denim outfit reminiscent of the....I don't even know what actually....and then met the elephants by feeding them bananas in one of their play areas. (while we were there, a group of volunteers was finishing a new fence to enclose the area and allow for the elephants to roam more freely when at the camp itself.) The cutest part of feeding the elephants was how picky some were. Lulu, who would end up being Christian's elephant, only liked the ripest yellow bananas. She would discard any that weren't to her liking! Once the elephants were comfortable with us, we did a practice ride around the play area so we could get used to sitting on top of them. Let me tell you - it takes some getting used to. They are huge and majestic and peaceful. And huge. Did I say huge?

Our test run

I think I've got the hang of it!

Prayers and offerings to Ganesh

After praying to Ganesh and making an offering of incense and more bananas, we set off on our 5-hour trek through the mountainous jungle and across the river. My elephant's name is Pakboom. (As an aside, that was pretty remarkable given my catchphrase at work is "boom". It was truly a match made in heaven.) There were only 6 of us in the group, and we each had the privilege of riding (bareback) our own elephant all day. As we crossed the river and trekked up the mountain on the back of these wonderful creatures, I was taken by how nimble they were. The trails were tiny, and they certainly knew their way around them and responded instantaneously to their mahout's commands. ("How!" means stop, "Hue!" means go.)


We stopped at the top of the mountain to allow the elephants (and us) to rest. We enjoyed a lunch of pad thai prepared in banana leaves while the elephants cooled off, drank water, rolled in mud and sprayed us with water from their trunks. They really loved it....it was easy to tell how happy they were. It was then our turn to join them in the mud, which is a very rich, dark grey clay that is healthy for their skin. We jumped in the mud pools with them, massaged them with mud and sprayed them with water. I have never been dirtier in my life. Or happier. (It is worth noting that when you are deep in mud, it is impossible to distinguish between mud, clay and elephant poo....if Christian and I walked away without some rare, animal-based communicable disease, we are damn lucky.)

Well, hello there!

Can you spot the massive elephant in the mud!?

Mud is fun!

Full of mud, we climbed back on the elephants and trekked back down the mountain to the river. On the backs of the elephants, we washed and rolled and played in the river together. Lulu lifted me by her trunk on to her back, where I stood and rejoiced! It was amazing. At one point, Pukboom swam (with me on her back) a bit away from the pack. It was just far enough for me to feel completely alone. I took that moment to reflect and feel grateful. Grateful to have this experience in a foreign charming land with one of my best friends in a year full of change and risk and discovery for me. I shouted to Christian "This is pure joy! I am happy." I felt so at peace and happy. 

Feeding Pukboom sugar cane stalks 

An elephant kiss...and it wasn't that gross

Christian and Lulu

On the way back to the sanctuary, we were all quietly enjoying the ride while feeding sugar cane to our new friends. I think all 6 of us knew that the day we'd just had was one we would never forget. I know I won't.


Until next time (and stories of the Chiang Mai Sunday night street markets),
xoxo

The Town of the Queens

I was pretty excited for the second leg of the grand family tour of ANZ. While we were so sad to see my sister Hilary leave, Dad and I were damn excited to head across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. As you may know, New Zealand is comprised of two islands - The North Island and the South Island.  I've been to the North Island (Auckland, specifically) on business but never to the South Island. Many many friends have told me that it is truly spectacular. Every one of them was spot on.


Let me tell you a bit about New Zealand and it's South Island. New Zealand is thought to have been founded by the Dutch in 1642, who beat the French by only 2-3 days in discovering this far away land.  But to be accurate, NZ was actually founded by people from the South Pacific (exact original homeland unknown) who are now known as the Maori. Though the South Island is the larger of the two, only about 25% of NZ's population of 4.2M people live there. In the southwest area of the island, you will find Queenstown, which is built on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes which has magnificent views of nearby mountains.


Dad and I flew in to Christchurch from Sydney, but stayed for only one night. Christchurch was struck by an immensely powerful earthquake just over one year ago, and unfortunately was devastated by the disaster. Many people were killed and the charming city center is now still in ruins. Dad and I drove around but could see nothing but ruins and construction, so we called it an early night and hit the road early the next day to drive to Queenstown. Q'town is about 6 hours southwest of Christchurch and the drive is one of the most beautiful in the world.


A highlight was passing by Lake Tekapo (which the charming, tiny Church of the Good Shepherd) and Lake Pukaki. The turquoise hue of the lakes was truly awe-inspiring. The color is due to the "rock flour", created as the glaciers strip away fine particles from the mountains and grind them into a fine dust. I will never forget the absolute beauty. It was quite windy, as you can see from the photo of Dad below!

Church of the Good Shepherd @ Lake Tekapo 

Dad being blown away at Lake Tekapo

Lake Pukaki and it's magnificent turquoise blue color

We then ventured through the mountains, Gibbston Valley vineyards area and into Queenstown. Q'town is truly the most charming city I have ever visited. I did not want to leave and spent the whole time devising ways to stay!! We had amazing food, met nice people, relaxed and took in beautiful scenery.  A few of the highlights of the trip for me are:


- The bumpy flight in a tiny 8-seater airplane over snow-capped mountains to the majestic Milford Sound, and a cruise to take in the calm, serene beauty of the world's highest mountains that jut straight from the sea. It was COLD, but lovely.
- Tours of vineyards and wineries across Gibbston Valley. Discovering the pinot "blondie" at the Wooing Tree Winery and the "Viper" pinot noir at Chard Hill.
- Delicious eggs benedict and flat whites at Vudu Cafe, hearty bolognese at The Cow (a tiny 7-table restaurant with a wood-burning stove in a building that used to the joint where cows were milked for Q'town proper) and a savory lamb shoulder at the Botswana Butchery
- a gondola ride up to the top of "Bob's Mountain" to see all of Queenstown from up top
- watching the Aussie Open every night until toothpicks were holding our eyes open for us
- experiencing a wonderful town for 3 days for the first time with my Dad.


I think Dad and I will both treasure the time and experiences we shared in Queenstown. We both reflected how fortunate we are to have had this time together and to see new parts of this world with each other. I will forever cherish the memories we made.


Please enjoy just a few of our favorite photos!

Milford Sound 

The sun shining through the mountains @ Milford Sound

Dad and me @ Milford Sound

Dad and our trusty (if rickety) steed

Dad and me

Dad @ Chard Hill Winery

Me - a bit windblown - above Lake Wakatipu

Until next time,
xoxo

La Familia!!

I have lived in Australia for almost a year now, and was fortunate to visit home (the States) twice in my first five months here. Given that I am only living away for one year and have had those two visits home, I wasn't sure if any of my family would be able to pay me a visit down under. However, I am so lucky to have had my dad and one of my sisters, Hilary, visit me in January! We were so busy so I am just able to write about their visit now.


It was really great to be able to show Dad and Hilary around my adopted hometown. In "real life", I live in Washington, DC, a city my whole family knows quite well. So, it was awesome to be able to show them around a new place that both had only dreamed of visiting until now. To see my Dad and Hilary's faces when we first walked to Circular Quay and they saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as the Sydney Opera House was incredible. The sight never gets old for me and I remember how magnificent they were the first time I saw them, so it was great to see it in their reactions as well.  There are so many highlights, but some of my top ones are:


- ferry rides to Taronga Zoo and Manly Beach, and of course meeting Lincoln, the koala bear
- the Bronte-to-Bondi Beach walk and a day with our toes in the sand
- two days of driving on the left on the edge of the earth atop crashing waves (aka the Great Ocean Road)
- descending the Gibson Steps and marveling at the Apostles from the sand
- amazing meals at Cafe Sydney, Sailor Thai, Fratelli Paradiso, Rockpool, Gingerboy and Jimmy Liks
- front-row seats at the Australian Open to watch the Federer v. Tomic and Wozniacki v. Jankovic matches (thanks a million to John T. & Patrick O.)
- discovering wild koalas hanging in eucalyptus trees just feet away from us, either munching or sleeping away (they sleep 20 hours a day!)
- delicious ice cream in Apollo Bay, flat whites in Warrnambool at Wyton and the best-burger-in-the-world (so good we had them twice) at Bottle of Milk in Lorne
- my friends here getting to know my Dad and sister (thanks to Dawn, Devin, Tyler, Carly, Bonner, Nipul, James, JD, Jen, Sam, Niraj, TMac, and Manders!)


We packed a LOT into the week+ that Dad and Hilary had in Australia. My mission was for them to arrive back in the States in utter exhaustion; I think I succeeded! The absolute highlight of the trip was the incredible quality family time and new experiences we were able to share together. I only wish my whole family could have been here, too.


Unfortunately, Hilary had to jet back to NYC after a little over a week here, but Dad stayed for another week and we hightailed it across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. That's the next post, though. :)


Enjoy a few of our favorite snaps (I took over 1000!!).

First time for Dad and Hil at the Opera House!

Dad and me at dinner at Cafe Sydney

Hilary and Dad at the start of the Great Ocean Road!

Dad, Hilary and me at the Twelve Apostles

Hilary & Dad (and Gog) on the beach - Gibson Steps 

One of the wild koalas we happened upon

Our view of the Federer and Tomic match at the Aussie Open 

Hilary and her new best friend, Lincoln

Until next time....xoxo


p.s. I fly home and close off my Aussie adventure (for now) in 20 days. Crazy. It doesn't seem real.

Happy New Year!

Looking back on the past too-many-to-count years, I can vividly remember watching TV on New Years Eve in the States and seeing the Sydney Harbour NYE fireworks show. Magnificent lights exploding in colors over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with what seemed like thousands of sailboats watching from underneath. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to witness it in person. But this New Years Eve, I did!

I was lucky enough to spend New Years Eve with some of my closest friends in Sydney. Tyler and Carly agreed to host us in their flat, which has spot on views of the Sydney Harbour. It was a beautiful and clear summer night - not too hot, no clouds in the sky and 2 balconies from which we watched two fireworks shows. It was a great way to usher in the new year - a full day ahead of the Western world. It was nice to safely report that the world indeed made it to 2012! And as is tradition, I rang my parents at midnight my time to wish them a happy new year. (They were in Atlanta to cheer on my beloved 'Hoos in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl, and I caught them before breakfast their time.)

In the time leading up to a new year, I always find myself in deep reflection. What did I hope the year would bring me? What would I have done differently? What was I happy about from the past year, and what do I hope for the coming year?  It's impossible to capture all my thoughts across the past few weeks, but I can say that the past year was pretty incredible for me. I still can't believe that I packed up a few suitcases and moved halfway around the world! I am so proud of myself that I did! (cue the pat on the back...) What an experience I have had, and what wonderful friends I have made. I have changed for the better (I think), and value what "home" means so much more. In the next year, I want to carry these changes forward, keep my new found sense of adventure, grow my 'global' view of the world and be open to new things/people/experiences.  Ask me in 365 days (well, 366 days given the leap year) how I did!

Here are a few snaps from New Years Eve...the pictures don't do it justice. I could hear all of Sydney count down to midnight and could smell the smoke of the fireworks. An amazing memory indeed.

The Harbour at Sunset on 12.31.2011 

Fireworks!

Bondi Beach 01.01.2012 - view from TMac and Amanda's roof where we had a BBQ

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year!

Until next time....xoxo

p.s. Less than 2 weeks until my Dad and sister Hilary arrive in Sydneytown!

Weird (in a Good Way) Christmas

Christmas this year was weird. Not in a bad way....just weird. Strange, maybe....but only because it was SO different. But, for as weird as it was, it was also fun, relaxing and new.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I have never ben away from home and my family for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I knew I would miss home desperately during the holiday season, but had no idea how very much. BUT, as with many experiences this year, I not only survived the new experience but enjoyed it thoroughly due to my new "family of friends" in Sydney.


The holiday season coincides with my firm's 4th quarter, which is at the same time the most stressful and exciting time of the year. It's when we transact a fair amount of our annual business and where my team members see all their hard work across a calendar year culminate in all kinds of success. I just love it. This was my 14th fourth quarter with my firm, but this one felt different. The energy of my team was the same, but I am used to the days getting shorter and colder as we progress towards the end of the year. This year, we were coming into summer here in Sydney, so the days were exactly the opposite of what I have been used to. I realized how conditioned my body and mind are to associating this time of year with winter. I was all out of sorts. Luckily, I have found a terrific Pilates studio a block from my crib, so that really has saved me and helped keep my body in whack. :) 


This year, my team never gave up, worked their asses off, believed that hard work pays off and saw the fruits of their efforts. I couldn't be happier to have seen their personal pride with the accomplishments they had during our busiest time. It's why I do what I do, and made all the late nights and long days spent in the office while in Sydney pay off for me. My catchphrase for whenever a piece of business comes in is "Boom". Here's a pic of me and some of my "Boom-makers"!

Kate, Carly, Ben, me and Adrien

We've had rain essentially every day for the past 5 weeks. It's the wettest summer in Sydney in 15 years. Where are my weekend days at the beach? Where is my golden tan? Where did I put my sunglasses? These are all important questions I have been asking myself.  For Christmas, I listened non-stop to carols on my iPod and had small decorations in my crib. But otherwise, I actually wanted Christmas to be different than it is at home. My thinking was that if it was totally different, I would feel less sad - to be completely honest - about not being home with my family and Fletcher. The easiest way to make Christmas less familiar is to go the beach (especially given that we had 18 inches of snow last Christmas!). Well, with all the rain, my friends and I watched the weather carefully, day in and day out, for the Christmas Day forecast. We were pretty convinced we'd need a plan B in case it rained Christmas Day. But we didn't! Hooray!


Christmas Eve was spent at the home of my friends' Devin and Dawn. We grilled, had loads of prosecco and (I think) everyone enjoyed my stuffed mushrooms and twice-baked potatoes. We also watched "Elf", which I'd never seen! Christmas Day found us taxi'ing to the Bondi Orphanage (i.e., Muzza's house) for a Christmas Orphan's brunch. I made a pancetta and spinach strata that went quite well with the mimosas we had! Then our group of orphans (Bonner, Dawn, Devin, Tyler, Chris, Carly, Muzza, McKenna, Nips, Nick, Robbie and me) all went to the beach for a glorious day. The evening was spent back at Dawn and Devin's, where we drank wine, watched "Miracle on 34th Street" AND "It's a Wonderful Life" and played a mean game of Sorry.


Reflecting on Christmas and spending it away from home and with my "family of friends" in Sydney, I realized evermore that Christmas is about being with people you love and not at all about gifts and material things. I am very lucky that between the 5 Skype sessions I had with my family across a 36-hour period, I was able to spend the holiday with such wonderful (now lifelong) friends. Thanks Orphans - I adore you all!


Here are a few pictures from Christmas in Sydney:

Muzza, head of the Bondi Orphanage, making mulled wine

Amanda, Tyler and Dawn

We (me, Tyler, Dawn and Carly) had these paper crowns in our Christmas poppers.

Bondi Beach on Christmas Day - the sun was out!!

Until next time....
xoxo


p.s. My heart is with my friend Mary in Chicago.
p.s.s. Here is the requisite Skype picture of Fletcher and my parents from Christmas Eve! 

Giving Thanks

I absolutely love the holiday season. It's my favorite time of year....I love when the weather grows chilly (even cold...I love winter clothes), the leaves change colors and fall, football games, Christmas decorations and carols, and the memories that flood back when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge version, of course) come on TV.  I relish each and every tradition and love the time spent with my family so much.  When I decided to move to Australia, one of the first things I wondered was what the holidays would be like "down under" and whether I would truly miss my version of the holiday season. I do, but am thankful to experience a new one. I'll tell you about it!


So, it's now summertime here. It's rainy but each week, more and more days are filled with clear blue skies and sun. The days are getting longer, and summer clothes and sandals are now on regular rotation from my closet.  That in and of itself is strange - it's December. It should be cold! It gets stranger as more Christmas decorations go up. Without Thanksgiving here, the tinsel and trees were up in mid-November!


Thanksgiving came and went here just like any other day. My Mom asked me if I was at least going out to dinner, but no, I had Pilates and fell asleep without even eating dinner! The next day, while at work on Friday, I skyped with my entire family after they enjoyed my mom's delicious feast. I admit.....I wanted to cry. I just miss them all so much. BUT.....I am damn lucky. I have made such wonderful friends here that I feel as if I have a new "family of friends". And with them, I have now enjoyed two Thanksgivings!


The first was at Amanda's house. There were about 40-50 of us! The beauty of it was that while there were a few Americans there, we also had a token Brit, a lovely South African and about 40 Aussies who have come to love Thanksgiving! We all were meant to bring something, but they don't have the same ingredients here. For example, turkeys are hard to come by. They have to be pre-ordered and are mucho expensivo. And no cornbread, pumpkin pie filling or wild rice! Mom had sent ingredients for her delicious rice dressing but alas, the box was caught in customs so I had to improvise the night before our Thanksgiving. I made a delicious sage/sausage/bread stuffing, my famous stuffed mushrooms, roasted veggies and a horseradish dip. We ate, enjoyed (lots of) beer, played the traditional American college game of beer pong (which more than one Aussie can't help calling "beer ping pong") and watched NFL games via my slingbox. Amanda's turkey was divine, and the day was all-around great fun. Special thanks to Amanda, Dawn, Devin, Nipul, Muzza, Jason, Robbie, RIch and Kath for a great day.

This is Drummer, the dog Amanda is fostering. He's so sweet. 

My sage/sausage/bread stuffing!

My friend Dawn and me! 

Dawn, Nipul and me....with the traditional Thanksgiving jello shot.

Fast forward one more week, and I had another Thanksgiving (yesterday) at my dear dear friends Tim and Amanda's (i.e., TMac and Manders) house. As luck would have it, TMac proposed to Manders the day prior, so we had a lot to celebrate! Amanda made wonderful food (I made the mushrooms and roasted veggies again) and Tim made yummy cranberry margaritas, and gathered a host of folks they know from their time living in London and Sydney. There were Brits, Aussies, Frenchies and Americans. After eating, we all went around and said what we were thankful for. We all agreed that we are thankful for change, and not being too afraid to make it. And we are thankful for our family of friends. Thank you to TMac, Manders, Carly, Ben, Nipul, Kate and James for an awesome day.

TMac and Manders!

It's hard to be away from home, especially during the holidays. But I am so lucky to have met all these great people who will be lifelong friends of mine. I am thankful for the support of my friends and family back home. And of course for Fletcher, because he's awesome.


And thanks to all of you who read my blog! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you are!


Until next time...xoxo


p.s. Hey Bondi Chat - I love you all.

Aerial Yoga. Yes, It's True.

Spring has sprung in Sydney, and while it was never bitterly cold this winter, it's quite nice now to be outside and enjoy all the city has to offer.  As I have mentioned, Sydney is built for its temperate climate. With the cafes, beautiful beaches, and amazing areas to hike and walk, it's certainly the type of place where it's more fun to be outside than inside.


Last weekend, to take advantage of a beautiful Sunday, my friends (Carly and Tyler) and I walked from our neighborhood of Potts Point to Bondi Beach. The walk was great - about 6 km with a few hills. Once we got to the beach, we met up with our friends Tim and Amanda. A big storm was brewing, so we HAD to get frozen yogurt and wait it out. Yummy!


Later, while it thundered and poured rain, I was reading a magazine and came across something completely new to me - aerial or anti-gravity yoga. I googled it, studied up and decided I had to try it. I absolutely love yoga, so this really piqued my interest. And, I am all about stepping outside my comfort zone and trying new things while here (and hopefully when I move home too!). Aerial yoga was founded several years ago by Christopher Harrison, a former professional dancer and performance artist, in NYC. It's essentially a combination of pilates and yoga, with moves done while suspended in the air by a large silk hammock. It uses the benefits of yoga with the compression of gravity to allow your body and its own weight to work for itself.


Until last month, there was only one studio in all of Australia that offered this type of yoga....until last month! As luck would have it, the second studio in the country offering aerial yoga opened in late September in Redfern, a cute village in Sydney only 4 subway stops from my 'hood. I called and signed up for a workshop that took place today at House of Yoga Redfern.


Wow, what a great and cool experience! The studio is just beautiful. It has wide open rooms, overlooks a park and had nice cool breezes flowing through it. The workshop was 2.5 hours long. for the first hour, we learned the core fundamental moves and became acclimated to moving in the hammock. The last 60-90 minutes were spent going through more new moves and an hour long class led by our awesome instructor, Holly. WHAT A WORKOUT! I even surprised myself with what I could do and was instantly hooked. The hammock really allows you to get deep in the movements but also fully supports you while you flip and twist. At the end, you cocoon yourself in the hammock and lay motionless, suspended in the air. Unreal. Here are a few snaps of the studio. Maybe next time I can ask someone to snap a photo of me while I hang upside down!

The aerial yoga studio 

My hammock

I can't wait to go again. I am glad I took the chance to try something new today. It was really fun.


Until next time
xoxo


p.s. The 'Hoos won today! Wahoowa! I hear my eldest nephew Jack went to the game with my parents. So fun....I was sad to not be there with them.


p.s.s. Spring is here - the days are getting longer, the weather warmer and flip flops have replaced my black J Crew flats as my daily footwear for my walk to work. However, since there is no Thanksgiving here, there is no built-in indicator in the calendar to signal when it's acceptable to start focusing on the Christmas holiday. It's in full swing here and it's only early November. Proof is below....I am sure I will get a small tree, but at the same time am buying my absolute favorite flowers (peonies) too, which are only available in the springtime. Seems so strange to me!

Christmas is Coming! This was the new display at my neighborhood florist this weekend.

While it is strange for it be getting warmer while Christmas is approaching, I am taking advantage of peonies, my favorite flower, being available due to the springtime weather.