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Kimberly Eve

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10 Things To Make Every Traveler Love Cambodia

by Kimberly Eve April 2, 2023

The Places, The Faces and the Food of Cambodia

Cambodia is the unique little cousin of Thailand and Vietnam. With a rich and sordid history of its own, the small nation is full of amazing places, beautiful people and some truly delicious food. With so many things to do and places to see, how does one choose?  Here’s a look at some of the things I did and loved:

1. Take a Food Tour

Arriving in a city mid day, with at least 24 hours of travel behind you means you are tired, hungry, and totally out of sorts. So, what does one do?? Join a street food tour of course !!

Now, street food in any country that is not your own should be done with care and caution. No one wants to start a 2 week trip with a potential stomach illness and problematic need for a bathroom more often than not. DO YOUR RESEARCH.

From somewhat endless searching for street food in Cambodia, I came across a few blogs that noted Urban Forage and its Phnom Phen street food tour as being pretty awesome. With a scan of its numerous reviews on Trip Advisor, and here is my review as well, I decided to take the plunge and try this out on my first day.

As my review stated, and even though I was exhausted and not myself, that lemongrass rice noodle soup is still the one meal I remember.  But every stop was filled with the amazing culinary delights, creepy crawlies included, that Cambodia street food had to offer.  (Rice, Noodles, Ribs, Chicken, Sweets and more).

 

 

 

 

2. Take A Tuk-Tuk Tour to Oudong Mountain

I had my first full day free before I needed to meet up with my tour group, so I made a plan to get out of the city and see some things not included on the tour. Narrowing my choices of sites to see, I ended up choosing a tuk-tuk tour to Oudong Mountain. This beautiful mountain is the ancient capital of Cambodia and now the site of a Buddhist Monastery. About 40 kms north of Phnom Phen, my trek here by tuk-tuk with my guide Sophoarn, was a pleasure from start to finish (read here for my review for Sophoarn) 

While I had booked a solo day, my guide asked my permission to join a few of us together beforehand (for a reduced fee) and I gladly accepted because it’s always nice to share experiences with others!!

While the trip by tuk-tuk is a bit more onerous than a car, it’s an experience in itself.

You can tour the beautiful grounds and buildings of the monastery at the bottom of the mountain first as the monks and students living there go about their day.

The walk up Oudong Mountain is not easy, but accessible for most. Remember that Cambodia is hot and humid even in the dry season, so take caution and stay hydrated. The view from the top is more than worth it. 

At the top you can walk around the newer silver pagoda and marvel at the 360 degree views of the valley floor below. As you walk down past the old temples, you learn the history and the beauty of this mountain. Don’t mind the monkeys !! 

Back at the bottom you can wander the food and merchandise stalls of the locals.

Take your time, enjoy the views, and the magic of the site.

3. Tour the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields

No country can exist without the horrors of its past. Cambodia, in many ways, is still recovering from its own horror in the late 1970’s, the Khmer Rouge . This was a country-wide genocide mission that saw a large percentage of its older population murdered, for no real reason outside of the need for power and control.

The genocide museum is in Phnom Phen, the site of what was a jail location for many of the VIP prisoners of the genocide. A tour of this facility will show you quite plainly the horror of prisoner life for many of the “high profile” men and women that were prisoners and ultimately victims of the Khmer Rouge.  Two of the remaining survivors of this prison still work there, selling their books and telling the story of their experience. 

The second part of this tour includes the Killing Fields. The one I visited is one of the many mass burial sites where people were killed and literally dropped in holes.  Wood bridges tour you around this site, where bones and teeth still litter the ground and the near two story tall glass house in the center displays the skulls of some of the victims of this massacre.

Be warned, while this history is hard to learn and to see, the in your face display is an effective way to explain its story.

4. Take a City Tour by Bike (Cyclo Tour)

Take an hour or so off your feet, and explore Phnom Phen in a unique way, being driven by bike.

Sit back and relax and see some of the small parks, temples and boardwalks that can be found throughout the city.  The men with Cambodia Cyclo Association were awesome, and it’s a unique way to get out and explore.

5. See the Killing Caves and The Bat Cave at Battambang

Outside of Battambang, sits a limestone “mountain” housing a golden temple.

On one side of the mountain sits the Killing Cave. This beautiful natural cave down into the mountain became one of the many killing sites of the Khmer Rouge.

 

The temples on Phnom Sampeau offer amazing views of the countryside while teaching of the sobering brutality of Cambodian history.

 

The other side of the mountain, where the village itself sits, there is another amazing natural cave wonder.

Each day as the sun begins to set, the Bat Cave starts to hum. As the sun goes down, millions of bats exit the cave in a unique show of nature, ready for their nightly food hunt. Quite a sound and sight to see.

6. Ride the Bamboo train

Have a sit on a bamboo platform, thrown over a couple sets of wheels and strapped to a small boat motor and take a tour up the railway.

This fun little adventure is great for people of all ages as you sit back or even lie down and watch the countryside pass by. While not a long trip along the railway, this unique tourist attraction makes use of a surviving section of the Cambodian rail network.

 

 

 

 

7. See Angkor Wat at Sunrise

Tourist traps aside, nothing quite compares to watching the sky turn from black, to purple, to pink, to blue, as the sun rises behind the stuccos at its center of the truly impressive Angkor Wat.  It’s like watching the temple come to life before your eyes.

This 12th century Khmer temple, with Hindu and Buddhist histories, is one of the largest in the world. Uniquely it faces west, when all of the other temples of the region face east. This awe inspiring temple even beautifully depicts the elements of nature (earth, air, fire and water) within its walls.

Yes you get up way too early, yes you stumble to the entrance in the dark, and sure you are surrounded by hundreds of people, but some things are just meant to be seen in person and in living color. Angkor Wat is one of those places.

8. Take a walk through Ta Prohm (ie the Tomb Raider Temple)

Arguably, this temple, part of the wide reaching Angkor Wat complex, is more fascinating than the main Angkor Wat temple.

Set a bit into the jungle, and known as the jungle temple, this complex is slowly being returned to nature.

With its awe inspiring tree and root system visible throughout, and crumbling temple stupas and buildings of this temple complex are truly a sight to see. One can certainly feel the magnetic energy that seeps out of every crumbling wall. 

 

9. Take a Floating Village tour

Nothing says unique like sitting on a boat, slowly floating down main street, surrounded by a river, and seeing people living their lives on stilted houses. The Floating Villages on Tonle Sap River are a sight to see. Far removed from the concrete jungle that is known to many in the world, the people of Tonle Sap live their lives on the water on the Tonle Sap River and Lake.

Located about 30 minutes from Siem Reap, you can book a tour for a small price and take a boat up the river to the Lake and marvel at the unique beauty of the region and the stilted homes that house all the villages there. 

 

10. Visit The Islands

Sometimes you just need a couple days away from the constant movement of life in the big city.  Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are two of the better known “tropical islands” of Cambodia. Quiet, simple, and as rustic as you choose it to be, these small tropical islands give you all the quiet enjoyment you can handle. Beaches, palm trees, ocean and solitude.  

The islands off the Southern, western shores of Cambodia are easily accessed by slow or fast ferries from Sihanoukville. 

Numerous tours  and guides can get you to any of these “attractions”. Check out Viator and find your dream tour today. (yes, this is an affiliate link, which means it may induce commission for me)

Don’t miss out on Cambodia. Beyond the obvious Angkor Wat, there is so much to see. Take your time. Stare out the window. Learn about a different way of life. Enrich yourself in something different.

243*60
April 2, 2023 0 comment
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EnergyFeaturedLife

Learning How to Harness Energy to Make Us Powerful

by Kimberly Eve March 19, 2023

Let's Talk Energy

I talk a lot about energy.  The Energy in and of the places I have been, in the places I want to go, and within people I meet and know. 

Energy is a life force. It feeds us, it moves us, it makes us feel seen and heard.

It goes by many names, depending on your belief or your location and even your calling.

Qi, Ki, (pronounced like key), Chi, Prana or Holy Spirit.  

No matter your belief, or lack thereof, each one embodies and means the exact same thing….“Life Force”.

It is an unseen, but widely felt, maybe intangible thing that surrounds us, inside and out. It’s the guiding force that moves us.

It’s in the air, in the water, in the earth and in us. To be quite literal, it’s a force that moves mountains. 

When yogis speak of prana, they mean the energetic force that moves through your body and through your breath.   

Western religions sometimes refer to it as the Holy Spirit. The mean a being or an all powerful “force” or God, that guides your life.

Eastern religions tend to gear towards the Qi or Chi or Ki which in its literal translation means Life Force.

New Age, which is really old age religion, speak of energy quite plainly for what it is, energy. 

Some may even refer to the divine feminine or masculine. More modern versions refer to it as a vibe, a feeling.

All of them are the same idea, looked at in a different way.

I am an earth soul, who feels the energy of the people I know and meet and of the places I go. 

It’s the thing that draws me in and makes me want to explore more or stay away.  It’s an internal knowing that guides me, and connects me to the world.

Energy is the thing that leads me to explore and learn about the things that it can do for us.  

Energy and Reiki 

Reiki EnergyThis is what led me to Reiki years ago when I did a class and got my first level certificate.

This is what led me back to explore Reiki again recently and made me want to explore it in more depth.

Broken down, “Rei” is a Japanese word for universal. Ki means life force. So Reiki is the universal life force. 

Reiki is, at its core, energy healing. It’s a way to channel the energy of the universe for healing and balancing the mind, body and spirit. 

Tracing its history back to ancient Tibetan spiritual practices of using energy to heal, it was “(re)discovered” and brought to the world by Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. 

While many eastern cultures have been aware of, and used life force energy for centuries, an interesting correlation to note – maybe even Jesus himself was a practitioner. Many claim he could heal with his touch. Who’s to say he wasn’t harnessing and using the energy used in Reiki? Thoughts? 

During a session with a Reiki practitioner, they use their hands as the energy “channel” and hold it on or over your body, generally moving from head to foot, stopping to focus the energy on various positions on your body. The energy will always flow to where it’s needed most, regardless of where the practitioner is currently focusing the energy.

Energy, Reiki and the Chakras 

Chakra Energy

Many of the hand positions and stopping points on the body during a reiki session are directly related to the energy centers of the body. 

There are seven main energy centers referred to in many practices today and they are called Chakras. Each chakras has an energy focus for specific aspects of the human mind, body and spirit and each is responsible for specific regions, functions and organs within the body.

The chakras energy points are positioned from the top of the head to the base of the spine. Here is a very simple overview of each.

The Crown Chakra is located at the top of your head, is usually associated with the color white or lavender and is the energy source of spiritual connection. Reiki positions can help alleviate headaches, stress and even help with digestion.

The Third Eye Chakra is located between and just above the eyebrows. Associated with the color purple, this chakra is the center of our intuition or inner knowing. Reiki positions can help with headaches, eye and sinus problems, and general body stress.

The Throat Chakra is associated with the color blue and is located at your throat. This chakra is related to communication and our voice.  Reiki energy can help improve issues with self expression and communication.

The Heart Chakra is located right at our heart and is associated with both green and pink. This chakra energy is connected to love, compassion, wisdom and more. Reiki sessions that touch your heart chakra can help with most internal organs and systems. They can help open you up to feeling compassion, love, joy and forgiveness.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located about diaphragm level. This chakra is yellow in color and associated with our personal power, self esteem and uniqueness.  As with the heart chakra, reiki focusing on this area can help with most internal organs and systems.

The Sacral Chakra, orange in color, is between the belly button and pelvis. This is the core of our sexuality, creativity and intimacy. Again, reiki energy focussed here can help with most internal organs and systems.

The Root Chakra, red in color, is at the base of your spine. It represents our survival mode (flight or fight response) and our feelings of safety and security. Reiki energy focused here can help with reproductive organs and the legs, but also help balance the emotions that fuel our flight or fight response.

My journey on this matter will definitely continue. While I will start a dedicated practice on myself, I want to expand to eventually become a Reiki Master so I can share and be a channel of energy for the people of the world. 

Have you experienced  Reiki? 

DO you want to experience it? 

I would love to know your thoughts!!!

March 19, 2023 0 comment
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LifeNatureStoriesTravel

Tranquility and Peace Within the Beauty of Bowen Island

by Kimberly Eve March 5, 2023

Travel Light, and Travel Local

I am a traveler, so those world lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 made that challenging on a soul level. As much as I would have loved to just get up and go, I was conscious of a need to stay put. I went with soul integrity and let things settle. I didn’t give in to a slightly selfish need to get my nomad fix. 

I know lots of people traveled when and where they could, and no judgment…you do you.

So when things and places started opening up, instead of finding a plane to the nearest open country on a potentially different continent, I took advantage of my ability to explore places near to home. 

If you have read any of my words, you know that the wide open spaces of Canada are my home. British Columbia to be exact. The wild west coast, or wet coast as we lovingly call it.

You can check out my other recent post about my escapades on Salt Spring Island here.

The Search

Ironically, the day the world shut down, I was actually boarding a flight to Costa Rica. I was heading back there for a meet up with a travel buddy I had met previously on a Costa Rica trip with G Adventures  (my go to favorite small group travel company).  We were heading back down to CR to spend a week at a yoga retreat. While I did end up coming home early, it being the 2nd yoga retreat I had been to, the small amount of time still helped grow my appreciation for the beauty and relaxation of retreats. More on that will follow in another post.

So, flash forward 2 years into our new world, and I was on the hunt for something new, something fun, and something local.  Through random searching and scrolling on Instagram and Facebook, I came across an article featuring a local yoga retreat. This was a place I had mentally bookmarked a few years before. 

Bowen Island, situated on territorial Squamish Nation land, is a small island, just a quick 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). Bowen has grown from a small hippie vibe type sanctuary island, to a cozy, slower paced lifestyle home base for artisans, retirees and those looking for a quiet weekend away (or maybe not LOL), west coast style.

The Location

Nectar Yoga sits nestled in a bit of a ravine on a 20 acre parcel of land, near the middle of the island. Having moved locations since I had originally discovered it, this new property boasts 3 single A-frame cabins, 3 larger 2 level cabins and, at the time we went, a new smaller 2 person cabin (which had actually just been moved from the original property).

There are also have a couple of small, individual rooms in the main house that can be booked, although these were still closed when I spent time there.

These Scandinavian inspired cabins (and rooms) are each themed after a specific crystal and vibe.

The small rooms in the Onyx Lodge include The Emerald Room, which has its own bathroom, and the Amber and Turquoise Rooms which have a shared bathroom. While offering the same comforts of the cottages, being placed in the upstairs of the Onyx Lodge, they do lack a bit of privacy and quiet that are enjoyed by the separate cabins.

The 3 A-Frames cabins are these adorable a shaped rooms with large double beds and a covered patio for sitting out and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds them. The interior theme and cabins are named after the Sunstone, Jasper and Opal. These are ideal for one person and share between 2 private/shared bathrooms just across the walkway in the main building, the Onyx Lodge.

The larger Deluxe Cottages are 2 level sanctuaries with private bathrooms, that include these amazing, not to be missed, outdoor showers. The interior theme of these rooms are Amethyst, Jade and Quartz. With a king size bed downstairs (easily converted to 2 twins) and a double bed “upstairs” in the loft area, these lovely rooms can easily work for up to 4 people. Don’t miss the little window seats sanctuaries inside either. 

The last cabin, the Moonstone Forest Cottage, sits a bit more private across from the Deluxe cottages.  With space for 1 or 2 people, this little gem also boasts one of those wonderful outdoor showers!!

The Retreat in all its Glory

Booked in 2 day intervals, this mini retreat includes a daily morning meditation, followed by the morning yoga session. You are treated to an amazing vegan breakfast cooked fresh and served in the Onyx Lodge. After breakfast you are free to stay on the property and relax or head out and explore what the small island has to offer. Each evening you are then welcome to join the optional (at an extra cost) evening yoga session. We booked 4 nights to get in that extra couple of days of relaxation away from the hustle of real life.

After check-in on your first day, there is an afternoon welcome meeting with the group to introduce each person to one another and tell why you are there. The first evening the yoga class is included and then you are free to head into town for dinner or to head to your room to relax for the evening. As the whole space is limited to a maximum of 22 people, your group is guaranteed to stay small, allowing you to get to know each person a little bit better. 

Day 2 starts with your morning meditation session either in the Yoga Dome, or a walking meditation down one of the forest paths on the large property. This is followed by your yoga  session then the amazing breakfast. The balance of your day is left for you to follow your heart.

The yoga retreat offers a few package add-ons that include the afternoon yoga session, massage or even a tarot reading. 

On the typical 2 day and 2 night journey, the morning of day 3 would take you through your meditation session, yoga and breakfast before check out.  While it’s a small amount of time, the beauty and relaxation of the space and retreat is mighty, and worth the visit for the peace it brings.

The Island’s Offerings

Since my mom (my travel companion on this trip) and I booked the 4 days, it allowed us time to get out and about to explore a bit of the island and the few small, but cute shops in town.

When I say small, I do mean small. The main town hub, situated in Snug Cove where the ferry comes in, has only a few shops and restaurants, but each comes with their own special charm.

Although it may be hard to pick, one of my favorite food places was definitely Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar where my mom and I shared and honestly drooled over several tapa dishes. This restaurant is small but mighty and a definite must try!

There are so many other choices like Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant with views of the cove, which boasts a truly lovely clam chowder. Or, you can find some delicious Italian meal choices at Tuscany. 

And, if you are lucky to be there on a day when it’s open, don’t miss out on Branch on Bowen where you will find some truly amazing tacos (vegan and meat choices available, and I tried both and would highly recommend any of them LOL). They also have a pretty nice selection of ice cream, which we, of course, had as an appetizer, while waiting for our tacos to be made.

Bowen Island is a small place, as islands go,  but does offer several things for the outdoor adventurist. While we didn’t try any of the water activities, (kayaking, fishing or whale watching tours, diving etc) there are plenty to choose from.

 As a wild west coast island, it also includes several great small hikes that of course boast some amazing west coast island views. 

While we didn’t get up to Mount Gardner (next time for sure), we did get to explore a couple small trails in Crippen Park on our first day while killing time before our Nectar Yoga check-in. The park is just at Snug Cove so has easy access to the trails from town. 

Another of our days found us walking to Grafton Lake from our retreat, and enjoying the trail that loops around the lake. The trail (while not 100% finished when we were there) was a beautiful nature escape that took us under 2 hours in total, including the walking distance from Nectar Yoga. I would assume it’s finished now, but when we did the loop, the trail cut across a small creek in one place, without a bridge. I had the balance and fortitude to walk across a fallen tree, but my mom being less sturdy, took her shoes off and waded through the creek. Not sure who got the better end of that…..both options were equally good in their own way.

In every sense, Bowen Island, and Nectar Yoga were beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. We were treated to a not so rustic nature getaway, with some great company, great food, great scenery and in the end, simply peace and quiet. 

What brings your soul peace? I’d love to know!

(And YES this post includes an affiliate link to my fav go to travel company 🙂  )

March 5, 2023 0 comment
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MomentsTravel

Drawn to The Energy and The Beauty Of Bali

by Kimberly Eve February 23, 2023

Comparatively Speaking

As a Canadian, I live in a beautiful land. We have endless trees, rivers, mountains, lakes and wild areas to roam.

But it has a different feel to it. One that is noticeably different from other parts of the world. 

It’s grounded  and undeniably earthy. Although the land is just as old, it somehow feels newer. But it’s powerful in a colossal way. 

If you walk through any part of Europe, you can feel the human history that lies there. It’s full of the energy of war, love, and honor.

So when I got to southeast Asia, what did I feel? Peace, calm, and serenity. 

That’s not to say there hasn’t been endless war, death and sadness, but the land flows with the energy of the people and their beliefs. 

A Walk through Bali Paradise

Many cultures of southeast Asia focus on their gods, and the connectivity of family and roots. 

Many of these people never leave their village their entire lives. This builds an energetic root system like no other. And you can feel that energy drawing you in. It envelopes your soul in a surprisingly welcome hug.

I walked into Bali with expectations and I usually always regret  this. The placing of expectations, I mean. I find this always places limits and expectations on experiences, and this can sometimes disappoint. But in the end, Bali cannot disappoint. There is too much magic in the soil, in the people, and even in the air.

I spent a week taking a small group tour of Bali and saw so many beautiful parts of the island over that week. My go-to small group travel company, G Adventures, did not disappoint.  Everywhere I heard the stories of the past, and of the present. Then I walked the steps up a mountain to a shrine in the sky while sidestepping monkeys. 

I even stood at Heaven’s Gate.  

Then I sat still in silence as I was blessed in a ceremony for the gods.  

I walked the busy streets of Ubud and tried to get lost in tiny winding roads full of life. 

I walked unsuspecting down the street and lost my ice cream cone to a brave monkey as I lost it in a fit of laughter.

There are waterfalls, temples and places of offering around any and every corner.

THIS, is Bali.

That lucky, perfect, first time Yoga Retreat 

For my second week, I had booked 4 days at a yoga retreat. This was to be my very first retreat and I was truly excited for the experience. 

I found Blooming Lotus Yoga via endless research (as I love to do). I settled, and by settled, I really mean, fell in love with the pictures and reviews. But honestly, part of it WAS based on the amazingly reasonable budget. But the reviews and undeniably beautiful pictures and setting drew me to it immediately.

You enter Blooming Lotus at the top. The parking lot holds the glimpse of the beauty held behind it. 

I stepped out of the cab and wandered into reception and stared in awe at the view. It was every bit as lovely as the pictures showed it to be. Blooming Lotus yoga retreat truly had me the moment my feet stepped onto the main desk overlooking the ravine that housed it. 

Set atop one side of a large ravine, it sits in tropical jungle paradise. Full of life, sounds, relaxation and teeming with jungle and human life. The top level houses the front office/desk and the main general / communal outdoor gathering and eating space.  

The gathering space sits at the top of the hillside, overlooking the vast ravine below, filled with tropical trees, the sounds of birds, animals, wind, water and “life”.

To one side is a small walkway that leads to the yoga / mediation floor, separated by a small water feature.

All of it is beautifully designed to connect you with the breath, energy and flow of Bali.

The Ease of Retreats

Looking down, you gaze upon the rows of “rooms” with a main staircase down the middle to connect them.  Each row houses a collection of either single and private “rooms/cabins”  or larger spaces with 3 plus rooms. 

Each section has its own small infinity pool to lounge and enjoy. They also each have an outdoor kitchen/communal space to relax, connect, or just lounge away the day.

The bottom level of the resort has a large pool for all to enjoy and the rooms for massage etc.

The retreat itself can be booked for either 4 or 7 days. Those who choose the 7 day option get a special water temple visit with a purification ritual to cleanse the soul after an amazing week of bliss.

As I said, I booked 4 days there….within hours of being there, I had canceled my other nights at a $25 a night room, and booked 3 more nights at Blooming Lotus. While I missed the last day trip to the water temple due to my flight time, I had no regrets with my instant decision to stay longer.

The days at this retreat include 2 vegan meals (breakfast and dinner), morning meditation and yoga practices and then evening restorative yoga. 

The morning yoga (sunrise sequences) teaches you the postures and breathwork that builds on itself each day to give you 2 full asana sequences. 

There are daily workshops and other teachings covering topics from meditation and self love to Ayurveda and healthy diet and life rituals.

After breakfast and the day’s workshop you are free to grab the shuttle into town (Ubud) for a few hours to shop, stroll or just enjoy lunch.

The Connectivity of Humanity 

Each day every participant in my group added calm and strength to their character. As we got to know each other during meals, throughout the classes, and throughout each day, we connected on a spiritual and soul level. 

Everyone who worked at the retreat was open, inviting, caring, and helpful. Our yoga teacher, Lisa,  was this little ball of energy who had given up the corporate life and moved to Bali with her husband…. I am a bit jealous of that still to this day!!!

As a side note, as with many retreats around the world, the teacher is not always the same every week. I feel like my leader was a youthful, gentle, breath of fresh air and her calm and gentle ways made the week that much more amazing.

Bali has an energy of its own. It flows through the land, the trees, the water, the people. 

It’s calming, serene, powerful, happy, joyful, and full of energy and love. Blooming Lotus has gifted each of us in my group with the connection to this energy. It is what ultimately connected me and my retreat mates. 

And that’s a connection you don’t leave behind.

Blooming Lotus strengthened my connection and love for yoga and gave me a need to try a retreat just about everywhere!! 

Have you done a yoga retreat? Where is your fav? 

 

 

 

 

(And YES this post includes an affiliate link to my fav go to travel company 🙂  )

 

 

February 23, 2023 0 comment
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FeaturedLifeMoments

The Holiday Season provides Genuine Moments to Be MOST Grateful

by Kimberly Eve December 24, 2022

The world is full of the good, but also the bad. We have so many moments of happiness, but always have to deal with those that are full of sadness. We cannot get around that.

So this time of year, no matter what faith, religion or practice you follow, is a time when you have to look outside of yourself, see the world for all its glory, its magic, its beauty, and realize that every part of it matters. 

Be grateful for what you have, and even what you do not. 

Smile at every stranger you walk past. 

Hold that door for every soul that walks beside you. 

Take a moment of true patience, and breathe before you proceed on your journey today.

Marvel in all that the world has to offer, even if it’s beyond your reach. There is still magic to be had!

From my family to yours, I wish you the most amazing Holiday Season!

December 24, 2022 0 comment
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FeaturedLifeStoriesTravel

When Life Presents you with Unexpected Naked Discoveries…

by Kimberly Eve October 30, 2022

          Sometimes, when travel across vast spaces of air, land or oceans is not in the cards, exploring places near to you fits the bill. So recently, I took a long weekend and explored one of the islands near my home. 

          I have lived in British Columbia all my life, over several parts of it, but mostly just outside of Vancouver. While I was born on Vancouver Island, and have revisited it many times since I was a child, I have not really experienced any of the smaller islands that lay between it and the mainland (as we call the rest of BC). 

          The West Coast of Canada offers some unique and breathtaking scenery for those with the will and want to get outside and explore. Salt Spring Island is one of those sleepy little islands that offer just that.  The biggest of the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island is kind of a midway between Victoria and Nanaimo, which are the main ferry terminals connecting the Island from Vancouver.

          With a quiet, laid back and almost hippy vibe, it boasts countless artisans and small local businesses.  It’s a place for those who love art, those who love food, and those who love the outdoors, and as a word of caution, or perhaps just as an offer of information, it’s for those who love it natural….

          I rented an AirBnB on the west side of the island in Vesuvius. With ocean views, a bit of local wildlife and an amazing seat to watch the sunset (and a bonus hot tub to view said occasions), it turned out to be a pretty perfect home base to spend a couple of days.

          Although we had separate plans, I had a friend who came over at the same time and we coordinated the ferry and planned our Saturday together. She had actually started planning first, so I kind of latched onto her idea, knowing we would wander on Saturday together, then I would have Sunday and part of Monday to explore on my own.

          We met up on the ferry (as I drove, and she bussed and walked on) and enjoyed the slow sail over to the island. I dropped her off at her hotel in Ganges, the main town and drove myself to the other side of the island to check into my AirBNB. While the largest gulf island, it’s still only a 10-minute drive “across” the island. Top to bottom is more like 30 minutes.

          We met up for dinner at Mobys Pub which is just on the outskirts of Ganges. With great pub food, great atmosphere and a great ocean view, it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. While they do have weekend evening live music, the band had cancelled for that night. 

Saturday’s Splendor    

      Saturday morning had me waking up refreshed and ready for the day. I made some coffee and toast (as nicely provided by my Airbnb hosts) and went out to the back deck to take in the ocean view scenery. There is something just overtly peaceful about watching seabirds dance and play along the calm ocean waters, the occasional seal popping its head up for a breath, and the slowly brightening sky coming alive as the morning grows old.

          The Airbnb sits on the side of a hill/cliff on the east side of the island, so the deck has an access stairway that goes down the hillside to the ocean.

          The hot tub and another deck are much lower below the house, just steps above the ocean level. I had walked down to the lower deck level, coffee in hand, to watch the morning grow old. Having finished my first cup, I headed back upstairs to refill and to get dressed for my day. 

          The day of arrival, I met the Airbnb “host”. He graciously showed me around the property and talked a bit about the island. This particular home is very much shared space with the host and homeowner (who are not the same person but both live in the property) and any guests in the Airbnb rooms. Having travelled enough as a solo traveler within group settings, I have no issue with shared space. I actually find it fun, enlightening and generally a good learning experience to have closer contact with other people and travelers as it contradicts my quieter life at home.

          So, as I made my way back up the stairs, I came to the sliding door that led back into the house. Through the glass doors I could see a man standing near the kitchen, his back facing me, wrapped in a white house coat. I assumed it was the owner of the house as it was not the same man as the day before.  Turns out it was, and standing beside him, in all her natural glory, was his girlfriend, who had clearly spent the night. 

          While mentally I was screaming “OMG what do I do, where do I go, how do I proceed and deal with this moment?”, somehow, I remained calm on the outside. I have been told my face tells a lot, so it’s likely a good thing I was not quite facing them, and they weren’t looking at me. Pretty sure there was a slight look of shocked horror on my face. But being the “fuck it lets go type” I opened the door, and since it was not an especially quiet door, the owner was immediately turning around to face me.  I saw that moment of shock cross his face too, but he, like me, got over it quickly, and with a startled hello, his girlfriend realized that I was standing there in the doorway. She shrieked and ran quickly for the nearby bedroom.

          The owner, John and I, had a quick chat about the island and what my plans were for the weekend. It turned into a conversation I was actually very grateful for, as he let me in on an alternative viewpoint on the mountain trail I wanted to hike the next day.

          Johns’ girlfriend came out of the bedroom, now fully covered in her own housecoat, profusely apologizing for the naked encounter. My lack of prude nature merely had me laughing and confirming that I had no issue with it. It actually still makes me laugh, more so now, as it turned out to be only my first Salt Spring encounter with a naked person.

          Getting ready for the day, I headed back to Ganges to meet my friend at the famous Saturday Market. Since I was early, I ended up meeting her for breakfast (and I got in a bit more protein to prepare for our busy day).

          We lucked out with the weather, as the sun was quickly rising and warming things up. We ate and headed over to explore the market. Wandering down the rows near the waterfront, seeing lots of local artists and their wares, and local farm produce to buy. As markets go, it’s actually really good. A large variety of stalls to pique the interest of many.

          We had thrown around the idea of renting bikes to explore the island a bit, but since we didn’t pre plan very well, and none were to be had, I ended up driving. But every misplaced plan has a reason, and with the distances between the locations we stopped, driving ended up being the best bet.

          So, new plans in place, we made off for our first stop of the day, Ciderworks. Since we arrived a couple minutes before it opened, we stood outside the front door enjoying the peacefulness of the air before the owner opened up. Having read that one of their specialties (besides the great cider) was their apple fritters and having seen them at their morning market stall, I had actually decided to wait and get one at the actual storefront. 

          To my utter disappointment, they had taken all of that day’s baking to the market. My heart sank a little. We even joked with the owner at how disappointed I was, which was trust, and he was perfectly apologetic. Not to be without, we each got a “flight” to sample the large selection of ciders they had to offer. (I took the baby flight while my friend got the full one because I was driving after all!!).

          If you come to enjoy one thing at Ciderworks, besides the cider of course, it must be the amazing view off the back deck. It’s a seriously stunning view of the southern gulf islands and mainland.

After getting our ciders delivered to our table, a random question to the owner turned into a lengthy chat about the farm, growing apples, and the process of making ciders. Being a generally curious person, but an introvert, I usually don’t ask strangers a lot of questions, but something about this day, and this conversation was different. When someone loves what they do, they can speak about it with a passion that is infectious and it helped lead my questions and our conversation.

          This was a truly enlightening experience. As a fun fact, the cidery sits on about 5 acres and has over 400 varieties of apples….ya, I wrote that correctly…it made my jaw drop too. Who knew there were that many types of apples! This ended up being my favorite stop of the day for so many reasons.

          The afternoon journey continued on, and even with our trusty paper map, brought a missed turn or two, which, let’s be honest, is totally ok on a lazy Saturday exploring. 

          Our stops included Salt Spring Cheese and its artisan goat cheese. If you love cheese, these are amazing. With 6 or so flavors to sample with crackers and local jams/spreads to bring out the flavor, it’s a hard choice picking a favorite (although mine may have been the Basil Chevre) They also had ice cream, but neither of us partook…..kinda regret that though LOL. They have a lovely piece of land, and their grounds are a serene place to pass an hour, relax and enjoy an ice cream cone and pet a goat or two!

          A quick stop into Salt Spring Shine where they make small batch spirits, crafting with local honey, had us sampling the offerings. When in Rome as they say!! So I definitely tried a local favorite and best seller, Apple Pie Moonshine. Don’t miss it….try it…it’s kind of amazing!!

      Next up was our most anticipated stop of the day, strategically planned to be midafternoon so we could enjoy their charcuterie board (because WHO doesn’t love that). Salt Spring Wild Cider is set about mid island, with a fabulous outdoor patio with views of the neighboring valley. 

          With nothing but valley views for miles and our food and drink choices in front of us, we sat under the umbrella at our table and watched the families with kids and dogs play around us, while the dragonflies danced through the air above us. Salt Spring Wild Cider has a more modern approach to ciders, which uses various fruit flavors and colors to enhance their apples and ciders (instead of a more classic approach and simple apple blends as at Ciderworks).

          Full of joy and a bit more cider, we made our way back to Ganges and my friends room for her to freshen up for dinner. We then headed back to my bnb for me to do the same as dinner plans included the very much recommended fish and chips at Seaside Restaurant in Vesuvius. While we didn’t have a reservation, so we didn’t get to sit on the oceanside patio, we did have a view out the window. The food is definitely good and worth a visit if you have a craving for fish and chips.

Sunday in All Its Glory

          My Sunday brought my version of church – Nature. After a bit of a search of the trails on Mount Maxwell, ok, a lengthy, repeated search, I headed out with a trail or 2, and a plan in mind. Yes, I search and pre – plan…several times… it’s just how I roll (over researcher here, guilty, and proud of it).

          Side note, but an ironic one…my car has a screen….which when plugged into my phone, allows me to connect with a visual of google maps, meaning my car can tell me where to go….did I use that yesterday while we made our way around the island? Nope…we used a paper map, and while we didn’t get lost, our travels could have been more direct.

          But I digress…today is Sunday, and as of now I have made my way to the parking spot at the bottom of my desired trailhead. This was not up the mountain road to the parking lot at the top, but much lower and in a mostly residential area. As a side note, there are numerous reports and reviews of Mount Maxwell that state the road to the top is not great, ie. narrow, full of potholes and best done in a SUV or high clearance type vehicle) 

          So, car parked, I set off onto trail 4 for a bit before I diverted over to trail 3 which the skirted the edge of the north side of mountain (ie. views for miles) before I would head back up to trail 4 (via trail 8 I believe) and to the “summit” where the parking lot was.

          All alone, but without incident, I made my way up the well-marked trail and diverted over to trail 3 as planned and the views that it both promised and delivered. Nothing ever quite prepares you for the view off the side of a mountain. While it is not the tallest mountain around, or the tallest one I had found myself on, the view was something to behold. 

          After taking some time in the sun, marveling at the sights around me, and taking a moment or two to drink some well-earned water and eat a snack, I started my way back to trail 3, so I could loop back up and over to my main trail.

          This particular part of the trail was much steeper and being a good steep incline up the mountain, I was working up a good sweat.  Having yet to see another human, I was curious if I would find someone else before the top. 

          I got my wish about 2 minutes into my uphill climb. There he was, about 200 feet before me…. A man standing on the forest trail looking away from me. It took me a bit to decipher why I was glad he was still about two hundred feet away. At first, I thought, great, the first sign of life, even if only someone to pass and say a quick hello to…but then…..then I really saw…..it was a sign of life all right….and a very very naked one.

          Now don’t get me wrong….do your thing, be the unique you that you are, BUT naked on a hiking trail? In the middle of the steepest part of that hiking trail? 

          This is NOT the first thing one thinks they will see when they make a plan to hike up a mountain on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. I did stop dead for a moment, thought back to my naked encounter from the day before, wondering for a moment what exactly to do, but then, without missing another beat, I kept going. At this point I figured, well, he’s there, I’m there, and I need to keep going up, so naked or not, off I went.

          I walked towards him on the trail, thankfully behind a beautifully, strategically placed tree blocking our views of each other for a moment.

           When we finally crossed paths, he was politely swathed in a very colorful towel, clothes in one hand, face and chest overly dripping with sweat. He passed by me on the path, as if nothing was off, merely saying in a neutral tone “it’s really hot today.”  He did not actually look me in the eye, although I was staring at his face!

          While my mind replied with so much more colorful language, my mouth merely answered “Yes, it is.” 

          As he made his way down the mountain and I up, something caught my eye. At this point, all I could do was stop in a sort of disbelief, because what I saw made me do a double take.  I had clearly let my gaze fall to the ground, because I saw that he was hiking in white crocs. Yup, THOSE white crocs. Which are clearly hiking attire. Let your mind wander as it will with this situation as a whole, and please, do let me know your thoughts!! Perhaps he was forest bathing….

          I finished my hike up the mountain, made it to the top and marveled at the views. A quick pit stop and I started my way down. With a screen shot of the trails map and the instructions from the bnb host, I started down the trail and found “the” view.

          Pictures on a phone cannot do justice to the marvel that lay before me. With a view of the gulf islands between the mainland and Salt Spring, with Vancouver waving proudly in the distance, it truly is a million-dollar view.

          Back in the car, and after 3 hours plus of hiking it was time for some replenishment. Back to Ciderworks for a pizza, some more cider (again the baby flight) AND I got to sit in wonder at the view with my apple fritter in hand.  

          As a glutton for punishment and not wanting to head back to my room yet, I actually headed down to Ruckle Provincial Park and did the small loop on the south end of the park. With rugged coastline, and a walk through the working farm at the end, it was a quiet and peaceful late afternoon stroll.

Now being too tired to do much more, I grabbed a bagged salad to eat for dinner back at my bnb with a plan to spend the sunset in the hot tub…which is well deserved way to end a day like that!

A Lazy Monday

            Monday morning came a lazy drive around the top of the island to waste time till my ferry home.  I made a pit stop at a recommended coffee shop near the northeast side of the Island Fernwood Road Cafe for a lovely coffee and had an unexpected love session with a 4-month-old puppy and a great random conversation with his owner who lives with her husband on a small working hobby farm type property. THAT kind of got me dreaming of a simpler life for sure.

          After heading back to Ganges, I stopped at The Tree House Cafe for lunch. A cute little outdoor spot that serves great food and location. It even has live music on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. 

          As my time till my ferry was still a bit away, I randomly found a beach access road just outside of Ganges and decided to have a sit for an hour or so before I needed to get to the ferry.

          I parked and walked the path down to the beach, stopping on the short stairwell to take in the view.  And didn’t I just get the view I wasn’t expecting.  To my right, just wading into the water for a swim, was another naked man. Now my first thought of course was, “why do I keep seeing naked people?” but in his defense…..its a beach, and I was actually less shocked to see this. 

          He waded into the water, and I found a log on the beach to sit on. Taking in the quietness of the beach was a great way to end a pretty amazing weekend.

          In the end, the beach encounter helped make it a hat trick weekend. One naked person per day.

          At least it makes a good story, and some pretty good memories as well. Isn’t that what travelling is all about anyway?

October 30, 2022 0 comment
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FeaturedStoriesTravel

The Different Energy of a Traveler

by Kimberly Eve October 16, 2022

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October 16, 2022 0 comment
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Life

A Journey Begins

by Kimberly Eve March 11, 2022

A Journey begins…

Everyone’s journey starts somewhere. This is where mine begins.

You can watch a thousand coaches. You can follow dozens of influencers. 

You can model your “business structure”  after every successful person in your chosen industry. 

You can do their course, and listen to them tell you how to do it because their way is the only way or the best way.  (insert eye roll here!!)

They can give great templates to use. Tell you what  words to speak. What colors to use. 

I know I sure have had my fair share of these “learnings”.

 

But none of those are going to be authentically you….

None of those were authentically me.

This is my journey, and I am going to walk it, to share it, and to make it my own. 

Feel free to follow along with me as I go. I am not going to be afraid to walk my own path.  I might make it a bit different. And I know I am going to make it a bit weird. 

I will give you apologies !!

I cannot fit into your box, and I don’t want to. Neither should you.

Everyone’s journey starts somewhere. Perhaps I can give you some of the tools or inspirations, to start your own journey

Maybe the things I learn and share will be that nudge you need to walk the path you were meant to.

Maybe your path was meant to have a crossroads with my journey. 

Perhaps I am a catalyst for you to discover your purpose. Your meaning in life. Maybe the things I share will be the spark that ignites your flame.

And if not, that’s ok too. I am glad you were here.

March 11, 2022 0 comment
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