Vietnam: Ninh Binh

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Ninh Binh, AKA: Tam Coc, was a favourite destination of mine whilst in Vietnam. When tourists say they are staying in “Ninh Binh”, they’re actually residing in Tam Coc, which is a small town situated within the city of Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh itself is run down and doesn’t have much to offer so when booking accommodation, be careful you don’t choose a place within the city and miles away from Tam Coc. There are plentiful places to stay within Tam Coc, again we simpley arrived and shopped around for best price when bartering with hotel owners. There was one particular owner whose hotel we liked but was fully booked up. Not wanting to lose customers he asked us if we minded staying in his second hotel which so brand new, he hasn’t finished it yet and didn’t have regular staff either. We said yes for a bargain price which included breakfast and it turned out to be a beautiful hotel too. Motorbike rental was also offered.

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Vietnam: Cat Ba Island

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Cat Ba Island was one of the highlights of our Vietnam/Cambodia trip. It was another place we discussed possibilities of living, me as a TEFL and Yoga teacher and Jon running adventure photography tours. We were in Cat Ba during the low season so the downside to this place during the high season is the night life. This is a party island for young backpackers. This island has everything a fun loving backpacker needs: cheap accommodation like hostels, adventure activities during the day and clubbing by night.

There was much to do during the day on this island and because it was the low season, thankfully the evenings were quiet! I was still getting over my cold from Hanoi the day before so spent most of the first day in our hotel room whilst Jon booked himself on a day trek through the national park- Cat Ba’s beautiful national park is home to 32 types of mammal, including most of the world’s 65 remaining golden-headed langur, the world’s most endangered primate. There are some good hiking trails here .

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Full Wolf Moon Manifestations

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It is now the Full Wolf Moon. What does this mean? Every full moon of each month has a name based on specific folkloric traditions that the people from times gone by used to navigate their livlihood throughout the year.

For example: I was born between the Harvest Moon which is pregant around 24th September and the Hunter’s Moon which is full around the 24th October. The Harvest moon is a time when farmers harvested their crops in preparation for hard winter days ahead. This is a time for pickling, making jams and even knitting. The Hunters full moon is a time of slaughtering livestock before winter hit to save on resources and store meat for bone broths, hot pots and fur for clothing and blankets.

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Vietnam: Hanoi

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We landed in Hanoi after a short flight from Siem Reap in Cambodia, only due to a change in climate (its very warm in Cambodia and the North of Vietnam in December is colder), I got sick, it was a normal cold that hit me like a tonne of bricks so I spent a full day in bed being watched over by our lovely receptionist who kept coming to my room to make me lemon tea. Jon went out on a walking tour as I didn’t want him to miss out. For this part of our trip we were only in Hanoi for a day because we were to head out to Cat Ba island for a few days and then onwards to Ninh Bình for Christmas eve, Christmas day and two days after then Sa Pa as the grand finale. We were to finish our Vietnam trip back in Hanoi for two days before flying home. So essentially me being ill during this one day pitstop in Hanoi didn’t really matter because I knew we’d be coming back anyway.

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Vietnam: Caibe and the Meekong

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After a few days wandering around Ho Chi Minh city and getting over any jetlag. We booked a day tour along the Meekong to cross the boarders into Cambodia. It was off season when we did this but its pretty easy to book and most hotels in Vietam are also set up as tour companies too, all varying in price so I advise you shop around and barter for a price you are happy with.

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Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

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Ho Chi Minh or Saigon as it is also known was our first destination in Vietnam. Our over all plan was to travel up from the South of Vietnam, hop over to Cambodia and from Cambodia fly to the North of Vietnam to end our trip. The reason being was because during our time out there, the middle of Vietnam was flooded and it was monsoon season plus I really wanted to see parts of Cambodia. We were in Ho Chi Mihn for two days before heading out to the Meekong.

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Cambodia: Angkor Wat

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On our Vietnam mega trip we took a diversion to visit Cambodia for 6 days. The first day involved crossing the boarder via boat on the Meekong river and these tours are widely available once you settle in Vietnam. On the second day we took a day trip to Phnom Penh which is usually most travelers first Cambodian destination once they’ve crossed the boarder, some opt to stay over night however alongside 4 new backpacker friends we all hitched a taxi ride straight to Siem Reap, this journey took just under 5 hours and during the journey we booked our hotel!

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Cambodia:Phnom Penh

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 A great city to visit as a pitstop onwards to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

Phnom Penh geta a bad rep in travel guides and travel blogs because in all honesty there isn’t much to do and see; but there is enough activities for a day trip or as a pitstop on your way to Angkor Wat situated in Siem Reap. Especially if you have crossed the boarder from Vietnam into Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a welcome relief from the exhaustion of travel. It enabled us to stretch our legs and give us our first taster of Cambodia.

We had less than a day here as our main focus was to see the Angkor Wat temples and our coach wasn’t to leave until early evening. With hours to spare we leisurely ventured to a few temples and a Christian church situated in the heart of Phnom Penh to utlize our time there.

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Photoshoot with Jean Manuel Photography

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Jean Mauel Photography
As part of the Women’s circle facilitator training we experienced a very healing and powerful photography shoot. As women, throughout our entire lives we experience mixed signals from society and those around us in regards to how we should and shouldn’t behave, dress, live life, eat and even speak. From my own personal experiance as both model and victim of verbal abuse, I understand very well how confusing it can be just to be, as a I am, as a woman.

When I used to model for professional photographers I was praised for my beauty and at the same time I’d be criticised for it too. Told by individuals my beauty should be covered up, told that I’m vain, told that my self worth is based on money and material posessions. I’ve experianced jealousy, bullying and isolation simply for being me.
I know what it feels like to be silenced and unheard- only there to make the room look pretty I suppose, how can someone good looking also have a brain? I know what it feels like to be around insecure men, treating women like their posession.
I know what it feels like to wear a mask and live with fear, to smile at the camera and be an object for the viewer. Directed where and how to pose, who to be, what to wear and when to smile. Continue reading →

The Selkie finds her Sealskin

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After nearly 7 years living in Plymouth I have left that city….
I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with mermaids and selkies which is why I chose this picture taken by a lovely friend. This image was a complete fluke but it makes me look like a mermaid on the rocks and it fits with the symbolism of such creatures.
Selkies are seal women, similar to mermaids. They can take off their sealskin to walk on land as humans and they do take humans as partners but at a price. They can only remain on land for 7 years before the sea calls back to them. In Jungian psychology the sealskin represents the wild spirit left behind to experience domestic life. In all honesty I’ve grown tired of the life I’ve had in Plymouth, I’ve felt held back, misunderstood, stifled and restrained from evolving into the woman I want to be- the woman I SHOULD be. I’ve always had a wild spirit, I don’t feel I could ever be “a domestic goddess” or someone subservient to “the way things are”. I’m not very good at “knowing my place”. I take after my mother- strong willed, defiant and at times formidable. Some people in the past have tried to tame me, some have attempted to break that spirit, others told me its wrong to be this way and that being “feral” is not to be considered a good thing?- but I think its one of my greatest strengths- I’ll always be called back to the sea or the wild- meaning I’ll never be caged.
I’ve had some good times whilst living in Plymouth though and I’ve made some wonderful memories and friends who I take with me in my heart. Plymouth in many ways is a nice place but its not for me- I’ve never felt fully settled or happy in this city. So what are my plans? Continue reading →