Travel - Sunset in Samos

Crossing over to Greece from Turkey is like going from Singapore to Batam.

Goodbye Turkey, till we meet again.

Boarded a ferry from Kusadasi. It is a short drive from Selcuk where we stayed, we paid 40 euros for the transfer and ferry ticket to go to Samos, the gateway to the beautiful Greek Islands.

Arrived at a humble looking immigration custom, I followed my hotel's owner instructions - come out from the port, turn left and walk straight (this was really what the instruction was). We walked for very long, not knowing even if we were right but we met kind souls who told us we were on the right track. =D

So, we walked for a good 20 minutes before arriving at our hotel. I think it was still their off peak season, we were most likely their only guests? 

Hotel we stayed. 40 euros/night.

The awesome view from our balcony.

We wanted to visit Pythagorian town when we settled down but lo and behold, there was no bus service because it was a Sunday. :$ We only knew this when we walked a long way (maybe 30 minutes?) to the bus station.

I was disappointed and nearly want to give up going Pythagorian town, but I was glad we did not give up. We decided to visit it the next day even though it was a public holiday and the bus service was limited but we just made do with what was available. 

On our way back to our hotel (long walk again), we stopped to have a decent lunch.

We went back to our hotel then decided to go to the Gagkou beach nearby.

The building in yellow was our hotel. We just did random hiking after soaking ourselves in water for awhile. Samos actually had quite a lot of hiking places which I only found out when I was there. Sad that I am only staying there for 1 night. =(

The best thing for our first day was watching sunset from our room. 

I was captivated by the sunset I saw. It was so beautiful. Life is so beautiful and it reminded me of God's goodness. =)

As I am blogging this, I am encouraged by the things I saw and experienced. I shall dwell not on the negatives but focus on the positive as I continue this journey. 

I believe.

Purposeful Traveller - Things will work out, somehow.

Thoughts after Hair for Hope

This year after deciding to quit and travel, I signed up for Hair for Hope because I thought I finally can do something I have always wanted to - shaving my head and what's better, for a good cause.

Was I nervous? YES!!!!! But the moment the shaver touched my head, I know there was no turning back. This moment signified the moment I decided to let go of what people will think of me. 

I am grateful for family and friends who supported me. They gave me tremendous courage and to those who have donated, I know God will bless your kindness. =)

While there are people who appreciate what you have done, there are some who don't understand and I am learning to deal with it because while I have already forgotten I am bald, people will remind you that you still are. 

Then I realised the toil of cancer is not just physical, it is mental and emotional as well. May those needing encouragement find comfort in this action of the thousands who shaved their heads.

Hair for Hope is not just an event in my life, it is a journey.

Purposeful Traveller - Be bold, be bald.

Travel - Selcuk, a lovely town

When I arrived at Selcuk, I did think twice why did I book 4 nights staying at this small town, but of course at the end of the 5 days 4 nights, I did not regret my decision. =)

Many come to this town for Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary, so do I. However, I am glad I stayed longer to experience the Saturday local market.

I love how things were arranged so neatly and the fruits, vegetables and stuff were all so colourful that it just brightens your morning! 

Spices anyone?

Little boy helping out at the stall.

The cherries and strawberries were sooooooooooooooooooooo cheap. Less than SGD2 for 500g and they were sooooooooooooooooo good. I swear I was tempted to buy back home if I was not going to Greece after this.

We bought nuts and figs from this stall, the stall holder was so so friendly, he just kept letting us try various nuts. =) I enjoyed this kind of exchange with the locals, especially in this kind of setting. It is just genuine encounter with people. 

And yes, I love this small town.

Our lunch for that day. 

Chillax by the pool in our accomodation.

I am glad besides exploring all that should be explored, I can spend a day leisurely in this lovely town.

Purposeful Traveller - A simple day in Selcuk.

Travel - What's SSEAYP (See-yap)?

SSEAYP stands for Ship for South-east Asian and Japanese Youth Programme.

I was first introduced to SSEAYP by W when we were having a conversation at Doi Suthep, Chiangmai. I noted SSEAYP down and checked out about SSEAYP when I was back in Singapore, however registration was not opened then. It then slipped off my mind until I was in the midst of planning my various travel trips in May and I chanced upon that memo note which I wrote "SSEAYP"

I was so so so close to application deadline and the toughest part of the application was to have a referral letter by someone of social authority (????) who can write in reference to my character and ability to work as a team. The first and only person I can think of is W, and she was so kind to write a don't-choose-me-also-cannot kind of referral letter and gave it to me within 2 days!!! She was the God sent angel.

I received notification of the interview when I was in Turkey! The interview/selection is from 9-5pm with team building activities, group interview and group discussion on a cultural performance which we need to put up at the end of the day. Seriously. -_- I felt like a student, no joke.

I attended the one and only selection when I was back from my travel, the date of selection was perfect (because SSEAYP selection date cannot be changed, if you cannot make it, you are out. -_-)

Team building activities which made me perspire like crazy!

My KIWI team during the selection!

After a week of the selection, a few of my team mates already received notification of being selected! After refreshing my email like every second for entire week. I thought I was most probably out of this and so I worked on my NZ trip and decided to bring it closer to November instead.

And guess what....?

I AM IN.

Dilemma.

I received the email notification TODAY and I literally could not focus at work because my friend has just gotten her air ticket to NZ to join me for a holiday, I felt so so bad that she has to cancel the ticket. T.T

So, what's SSEAYP all about??? 

In short, it will involve about 50 days of sailing on Nippon Maru with youths all over ASEAN countries for cultural exchange and I will share more when I experience more. 

As of now, I know the sailing should start in Japan, then to Brunei, then Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and back to Japan. 

 Wish me good luck.

Credit: http://sseaypsg.tumblr.com/

This opportunity came by because of prayers, help and sacrifices of many people. I am thankful to be selected and given the opportunity to go. 

Purposeful Traveller - Let the sailing begins.