A Wedding in Capri, Italy

On a very windy and blustery day, I visited the island of Capri off the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The boat ride to Capri started smoothly but soon turned rocky. As the swell increased, the waves got progressively larger and larger, crashing onto the sides of the boat. A group of drenched American schoolgirls, who had been sitting at the front of the boat, ran for cover and started to scream at the top of their lungs. Needless to say the boatride didn't bear well on some traveller's stomachs. The worst sign was that at one point even the Italian boatmen looked worried.

Unsurprisingly, the infamous blue grotto was closed that day. It was rather disappointing but  I was just happy to be on solid ground once the boat docked.

A 1.40 euro bus ride takes you from the Piccolo Marina to the town of Capri. The bus narrowly missed scraping other cars and buses on the tight roads uphill towards the town centre.

Despite all the drama, the sun was shining when I arrived in Capri. A crowd had gathered outside the local church and its bells were ringing. A newlywed couple was exiting the church amid grand fanfare of Italian proportions. A marching band was beating drums, singing and encouraging guests, locals and well-wishers to join in the dancing and general merriment. The town square was crowded with amateur wedding photographers, as you can see below.

So whilst the weather may not have been in favour for a visit for the blue grotto, but the sun was more than happy to make an appearance for a fairytale Italian wedding in Capri.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento is a charming town on the Amalfi Coast. Vespas zip down the cobble-stoned streets. Shops sell dangerously strong limoncello and handmade leather sandals. Locals and visitors queue up to sample gelati.

The view above Sorrento's main port stretches all the way to Mount Vesuvius, lurking in the background.

Wanderlust Wednesday - Sunset in Santorini, Greek Islands

Watching sunset from Oia in Santorini is like waiting for a concert or game to start. The air is thick with anticipation. All around you there are people perched in prime positions. Couples are loved up, teenagers are giggling and tourists are eating potato chips. Cameras are constantly clicking or taking video footage.

Despite the hordes of people attracted to Oia due to the guidebooks and hype, the Santorini sunset is still an awe-inspiring sight to be seen with your own eyes.

Paros - The Most Underrated Greek Island

Paros Island is one of the most understated Greek Islands. The island charms you with its relaxed village atmosphere. There are no hordes of tourists. The travellers you meet are reluctant to share too much about the island, in case it gets spoilt.

Naoussa is a traditional fishing village where men untangle their fishing nets on their boats. Octopus hang from the doorways of seafood restaurants, legs dangling in the air.

The main town of Parikia has a maze of shops and restaurants, in between churches.

The village of Lefkes is a settlement up in the hills, with whitewashed houses and draping bougainvillea. 

The beach near Naoussa.

We stayed at Hotel Festos, a budget hotel near the main street. The lovely hotel manager Luzia is happy to help you any way she can. Even when you have to call her during siesta because you got locked out of your room…

Top 5 Things To Do in Mykonos

Mykonos is well-known as a party island in the Cyclades in Greece. Most visitors are only there to party by night and rest their hangovers by the beach in the afternoon. If you do venture into town, there's plenty to see once you break through the veneer of the tourist trade.

On the harbourfront

1. Get lost in the streets in Mykonos Town...and find a great restaurant

There are endless shops and restaurants in Mykonos town. It's incredibly easy to get lost because the streets were designed to be confusing for potential invading pirates. My recommendation for a great dinner is Pasta Fresna Barkia on 15 Kouzi Georgouli street for fresh homemade pasta.

2. See the windmills

These windmills date back to the 16th century and were used to grind wheat. There are 16 on the island but they no longer spin in the seabreeze, having been decommissioned in the 20th century.

3. Swim at the beach topless

Paradise beach is empty in the morning.

On Paradise Beach, bikini tops are optional. The beach is packed during the afternoon with young Europeans wearing colourful bathers and designer sunglasses. Umbrellas and lounges are 12 euro.

4. Drink cocktails during happy hour

Frozen cocktails during happy hour at Paradise Beach Resort & Camping are only 5 euro!

5. Get friendly with the pelicans

Pelicans are a mascot on Mykonos. This doesn't mean they're friendly or want their photo taken.

How to Pack for a Summer in Europe...and Still Feel Fashionable

Packing for a summer in Europe for a 20 something female traveller requires strategic planning. Wardrobe choices in a 55L backpack have to be limited. This means that items of clothing have to do double duty. Dresses have to be able to go beach cover up in Mykonos to being dance-floor appropriate by sundown. 


1. Pack your backpack twice


The first time you pack your backpack is to gauge how heavy it is. Note down the weight. On the second pack, aim to get rid of multiple items and slice away some extra kilos from your backpack. Be ruthless. I had to say farewell to my beloved maxi dress...


2. Pack one classic LBD


If you only bring one dress, make sure it's black. In this case my Little Black Dress can go from smart casual dinner to job interview in London. For others having one classic LBD in your wardrobe helps you feel fashionable in case you're invited to dinner with Carla Bruni. Ensure this LBD is lightweight and easy to wash, preferable of jersey-type material.


3. Separate your clothes by using packing cubes or bags


I bought some great plastic bags from the $2 shop (of all places!) that divides my clothes. At the same time I can use these for keeping my dirty clothes separate or for storing wet bathers.


4. Use a toiletry/cosmetics bag with separate see through compartments


I picked up a Revlon bag with three separate compartments which makes for easy packing. I used mine as a makeup and jewellery holder. The best thing about it is that you can easily see what's inside. To hold necklaces and earrings I've reused the little bags you get from jewellery stores so nothing gets tangled up.


5. Don't forget your chargers!


Of all the things that are easily replaceable, chargers always seem to be the most expensive. Check your chargers and if there's room pack them in your carry on. If your laptop runs out of battery in transit you should be able to find a power outlet in the airport...I saw someone waiting in line to board their flight to Singapore with their iPod stuck into the wall.


I'm about to head on the road, so my future blog posts will soon be straight from Europe. 

Wanderlust Wednesday - Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia

Yesterday, I went for a walk by the beach with my dog. For anyone familiar with Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia, the beach in the above photos is at northern end, past the groyne.


Perth has 19 sandy white beaches stretching along the West coast. In winter they're pretty quiet apart from joggers, dog walkers and die-hard surfers. This may be the last stretch of endless beach I see for awhile as I'm imagining the European beaches I'm about to visit are going to be rather different.


The beach smelt strongly of salt and seaweed. Despite Perth's recent cold snap, it was mild and pleasant. No strong seabreeze. Just gentle waves rolling in from the Indian Ocean. Perfect for some quiet contemplation in my last week in Perth.


That's my beautiful chow chow Ruski standing tall below. He loves the beach, but he's the only dog that prefers the dunes and rocks over the water!

Top 5 Beach Bars in Boracay, Philippines

The beach bars in Boracay are so close to the beach that you have be careful in case the tide comes in. Drinking in Boracay, or "bora" as its affectionally known, is cheap. Cocktails are around $3-4AUD or $15-18 for a pitcher.

All the way down Station 2 is a long line of bars and restaurants, with so many to choose from my best picks are below. 

Chill Out Bar

Yes, the chill out bar is very chilled out. Relax on beanbags on the sand whilst listening to the blues and roots cover-playing guitarist. Nearby barbecue stands offer "beach food" such as BBQ pork on a skewer for only 10 cents. 

Summer Place

Cranking RnB beats in SummaDayze lets you shake it out on the dance floor or jump on the tables instead. The cocktails come in a pitcher and are served in shot glasses. Note: one shot glass does not equal one drink.

Pool Bar at Boracay Regency Resort

The pool bar at Boracay Regency officially opens at 10 am but they opened at 9.30 am just for us. An after breakfast cocktail of choice has to be the Banana Daiquiri. It's an adult version of a banana smoothie.

Charlph's Bar

Charlph's Bar has an old school rock band. The lead singer is a Filipino Steve Tyler who wears a fedora and takes requests. Cocktails for your posse at this bar are served in a metal bucket. No cups. Just 20 straws. $15 for the bucket provided much frivolity, as did creating larger than life straw extensions.

The Bar

Bit hard to forget this bar's name! The Bar is a great bar to cap off a big night in Bora. Luckily you do get cups for your pitchers of punch here. The sand-covered raised platform dance floor is only two metres wide but there's plenty of beach to dance under the moonlight.  

A Breakfast of Crepes and Eggs at Toast, East Perth

Toast was recently lauded by the STM as Perth's best breakfast spot. Always eager to try out a new breakfast menu, I visited Toast on a bright and sunny Thursday morning.


Toast is opposite the Royal Braisserie and has views over Claisebrook Cove. East Perth is a quiet nook, wall to wall with townhouses and apartment buildings and a small strip of shops and restaurants. 


Many patrons were enjoying the sunshine and seated at the outside tables. Funnily enough no one had nabbed the two sundeck lounges nearby the entrance! 


Toast's menu features the usual breakfast options such as big bacon and egg breakfasts, french toast, pancakes but it also specialises in crepes and unique "toasts". 


We sat al fresco and ordered lattes, the corn fritters with poached egg, avocado and hollandaise sauce and the rhubarb and raspberry crepes with almonds. 


Inside the cafe has a distinct retro feel. It's bright and airy with full length windows letting in the light. The counter is choc full of biscuits, cakes and slices - all very tempting and distracting you from what you had decided to order! The waitress accidentally overcharged me $2 but was apologetic enough when I queried this. 


At one of the nearby tables a beagle kept barking at its owner, obviously yearning for his own breakfast dish. Patrons were a mix of business people, tourists and people who had the luxury of having a leisurely breakfast...

The poached eggs were well done with just the right amount of yolk oozing from the centre. There was too much hollandaise sauce on the plate which was a bit overpowering. The fritters also had too much corn inside. Next time I would go for poached eggs on toast, easier to mop up the yolk with.

The crepes though were absolutely divine. They were thin and rolled up and mixed well with the raspberry and rhubarb compote. A dash of greek yoghurt or ice-cream would have complemented the crepes nicely.


Overall I would definitely come back for the crepes at Toast. Attention to detail could be improved but it makes for a nice breakfast spot in an area of Perth that's often under-visited.