ROAD TRIP!

Heath and I were ready to make our next move after Ireland. But the question was...where to? The way out of Ireland is just a hop, skip and a flight away from...well, anywhere. Luckily a cheap fare landed us in Paris! 

Heath had never been there before, so I had a chance to be his guide for the next couple days. It was just as magical as I remembered, being there just a few weeks before (3/2-8) with my mom and Karen.

Gangsta at the arch de triumph

View from the top

Louvre

Louvre Pyramid

Notre Dame Cathedral

Catacomb sculls

Now there real fun begins! Not to say fun hasn't already been had because it has, it has! However, I was about to trade in my EuRail pass for a passenger seat in a brand new V-Dub when...Heath rents a car!!! I should say...the fun continues.

On the road from Chamonix into Italy

The trip was a highlight to say the least and allowed us to see Europe from a different perspective. The highways and back roads we drove wind through some of France and Italy's most brilliant landscapes. There were so many moments when I found myself in awe...(literally, jaw dropped and everything :O) in reaction to such beauty.

I put my co-pilot skills to work while Heath drove the whole way...with no Map, no GPS, just good old fashion road signs and using the trusty Sun as our compass.

Geneva

Monaco

Heath after an unlucky run at the Casino- Aix-en-Provence

Life in Nice is nice

It's a sign!

We say goodbye to the VW in Toulouse

Strolling river side in Toulouse

Here is our route: 

On The Road To Chamonix

To kick off our road trip, Heath and I made the necessary stop to get some boarding in. Oh, how I've always dreamed of not only seeing the Alps, but snowboarding down some fresh powder on this magnificent mountain range...yes, that's what I'm talking about. So, where did we go? The oh so charming town of Chamonix. Situated in the heart of the French Alps, not too far away from the boarder of Italy...the Italian and French Alps at there greatest.

Me and Heath at the top

Having a friend is always a good thing. Having a friend with a Chateau in the mountains of Argentier is just plain lucky. See, Heath's Mom skied competitively in Chamonix back in the Day...a Ski Ballerina really. And any team mate of the fabulous Huia Pope, would have her Son over with open arms. Gary and Anna hosted us like their own. Gary! The fact that you have a swing in your living room gives you even more style points that you already had!

The Chateau

Chamonix, France

 We even got a private tour of Mount Blanc by the Pro. He led us over the mountain, through the woods...and over the glacier we go. Yeah, a Glacier! I've never seen one before this and now i get to navigate over one. Awesome!

Take in this view! 

Chair lift to the top of Mt. Blanc

Here is some footage of the day on Chamonix:

I would could have stayed there for days but the road trip must continue...Heath and I set south and zoomed on.

Nine Lives

Can someone please tell me how it is already May? 2011 is flying by at warp speed. I know I'm not the only one in this accelerated time capsule a.k.a. my life, that seems to be gaining speed while I just want to pump the breaks. My dilemma...there is simply just too much to do, see and experience in one life time. I swear I need about 9. 

While I've been living  life in  the fast lane, time has become the most precious commodity and for some...time runs out. I don't mean to be a downer, but today my heart hurts.

Today I got a call from my Mom with some sad news. Last night my Till took a turn for the worst and played her 9th hand in the card game of kitty life. 

Boots aka. TILL
April 1992 - May 9, 2011

For those of you who know me and my family...you have probably met my precious "Till" at some point in our friendship. Boots (her legal name, but rarely called this)  has always managed to leave an impression on everyone she meets. She was the most beautiful Cat on the block, and in her younger days probably the biggest! She was sassy as hell, but that's just because she knows what she wants...and didn't want in a lot of cases (Men and Children. LOL!) She was spoiled rotten, for the household was owned and operated solely for the comfort and convenience of the cat!

The first time I saw Till was on my front porch in a tiny wicker basket with a pink bow around her neck. The door bell rang and there she was...a tiny fluff ball looking for a home. The note on the basket read "Hi, My name's Boots". A gift from my Uncle Jay. This was 19 years ago.

I will remember all of the joy that Boots brought to our family. I remember telling her my deepest darkest secrets when I was 10. How she would jealously hide in the cupboard if there was another animal around. I remember how she would lean all of her body weight into me petting her, but one wrong move and she'll swipe your hand off. haha. And now, recently seeing her on the video Skype sitting and staring at my Mom. So many great memories. Aw Till, I wish I could have been there to say goodbye. I will miss you forever.

R.I.P.

Ireland Or Bust

DUBLIN

Did you know the first St. Patrick's Day celebration was in the US in 1962 and not in Ireland? WTF? I found this out when I tried to make it to the Shamrock island for the celebration. However, after talking to a few Irish peeps...and failing to book a hostel a year in advance, it wasn't going to happen. I went to wish the Irish a Happy St. Patricks day anyway...just a few days later. If there is one thing the Irish know how to do well, it's to drink! They even turned one their Cathedrals into a bar called "The Church" and what a beautiful bar it is.  So, obviously a pub crawl was mandetory when Heath and I got to Dublin. We got our Guinness, I danced all night and the morning was like nails on a chalk board. However, the real reason we made the voyage over the Irish Sea was to pay a visit to Heath's cousin Tony and fam.

My first Guinness

Dublin Castle

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Dublin, Ireland

"The Church"

COUNTY MAYO, BALLINA

Few! I made it from Dublin alive. It was rough. I  think I had Heath worried when I was breaking out in cold sweats and cursing Mr. Patrick himself on the bus ride from Dublin to Ballina. At times like this there's is no place like home (any home) and Heath's Cousin and family welcomed us with open arms.

pics of Ballina

Coast of County Mayo

Cousins!

Target Practice 

Ben sending us off.

BELFAST

Heath described it perfectly. Belfast...a city that looks like it got its heart broken. This is true, but there is much more to Belfast than bullet holes and home to the Titanic.  It's a place that really is a little rough around the edges, but Heath and I joined in on the popin' Uni life in the hip cafes and concert venues. oh, and the famous Crown Bar. Fun! 

There is so much history to take in here and the vibe of a hostile past is very much still alive in everyday life. We made a point to check out the "Peace Wall" which has been standing longer than the Berlin Wall and we made our mark. See...Jayla and Heath were here!

SF was here!

Postin up at Crown Bar

The Murals

Peace Wall

CAUSEWAY COAST

This was the most beautiful of landscapes in Northern Ireland. Especially since you can drive for miles and miles and will always be able to see a house, or a wall, or a farm...just a land that has been trampled over. But the Causeway coast was incredible! Heath and I hopped on a bus in Belfast and barged up to "The Giant's Causeway".  Mother nature surely couldn't be responsible for something so fascinating!

The Giant's Causway

The Organ

Perfect Polygons

Dunluce Castle behind us.

Stop at the Bushmills Distillery 

I was happy we made it to Ireland and was happy to leave. Had a blast as you can see , but it was time to get back to the main land! 

Time to visit Charley...and Belgium!

My travels have picked up some speed, and again...I leave the blog-a-boo in the dust. My bad. In an effort to make up for some lost time I thought I'd recap while on my non-stop bus ride as I'm currently traveling through the state of Bavaria on my journey from Munich to Prague. How I got to this point...it's a long story, but I cant wait to tell.

I last left off telling a bit about the cool city of Amsterdam, but between Amsterdam and Paris I made a pit stop to visit my friend Charley in Belgium. I met Charley last year in San Francisco when he was traveling through the States, so when the opportunity came to go to Belgium...I of course had to pay him a visit. I arrived in Gent which is right outside of Brussels and he and his roommate Joe were kind enough to have me as their house guest for the week. 

Gent was great! The first night I was there Charley and Joe took me out to show me around. The town was glowing. It was a quite Wednesday night, but the medieval city was charming as ever. Look how beautiful...

Riverside at night in Gent, Belgium

Lights of Gent, Belgium

Day time on the River

The history of the city is on every street corner. I spent my days wondering by ancient sites intertwined with modern day living. I never tire of seeing a Castle that I know represents more that what meets they eye...but it's the History behind these old relics that fascinates me. Gent does a wonderful job of explaining its history in the S.T.A.M. This museum traces a chronological pathway from Gents earliest history to now! I kicked it there for a good 4 hours. Whew!

S.T.A.M.

The Gravensteen Castle\

Never know what you will find on a stroll though Gent.

There I am

Graffiti Street

I even took a day trip to beautiful and enchanting Bruges. Unfortunately, I didn't get too much time there because I jumped on the wrong train and ended up on my way to Antwerp. Crap! I made it eventually, but definitely did not do this little gem of a town any justice. I did, however, manage to snap some pics.

The city is a Wold Heritage Site of UNESCO!

Ok, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Belgium? Mmmm, yes...Beer and Chocolate! That's what I thought you were going to say. How could I go to Belgium and not experience what the country is famous for? So i did...with great happiness. 

I got a box here

Joe, Me and Charley...out on the town.

I had a great time during my visit to Gent. It was so bizarre seeing my friend Charley again after so long and now on the other side of the world. I love that  about travel...connecting with people from all over the world and now, thanks to facebook...staying in touch. Charley, thanks for showing me your town!