Travel - Lefkas & Piso Livadi

We arrived in Paros with no itinerary.

Just took some advice from our host and off we go to Lefkas, a village in Paros island and decided to check out Piso Livadi, beach area further down. When we took public bus from the bus station near the port, we bought the bus tickets from Port - Lefkas - Piso Livadi - Port as recommended by the staff at the ticketing counter because there will be no ticketing counter at any of the stops. but of course tickets could be purchased on the bus itself. Total ticket cost for 2 pax was less than 10 euros.

Blue cheery stuff we saw around our apartment.

Arriving at Lefkas, it felt like we took a bus to a neighbourhood area and everything seems so quiet and peaceful. We did nothing except wandering around aimlessly. Beautiful architecture we spotted along our way.

Yes, a very happy me. =)

After wandering for quite awhile, we caught the next bus to Piso Livadi which was beach area and there we settled our lunch.

The lunch the day before set too high a standard that we seriously felt this meal is not fantastic at all. =( Lucky the atmosphere kind of compensate the flaws. =) 

And our 2nd day in Paros ended.

***

I am just 3 more weeks to my departure for SSEAYP and 2 more weeks to pre-departure concert. Yes I am still hanging on.

Purposeful Traveller - It is coming!

Travel - Samos to Syros to Paros

The journey from Samos to Paros was looooooooong.

From Samos, we were supposed to take a ferry to Syros before going to Paros. I still remembered how we thought that the ferry would arrive at Syros at 10pm BUT... it arrived at 2am instead. -_-'''

That's why I said the journey in Greece was pretty uncertain because I really could not figure much out, especially the ferry timings. 

ANYWAY, I was so thankful despite arriving at 2am, my guest house's host waited at the port for us, yes at 2am!! T.T

The next morning we had to catch our ferry to Paros! When I was approaching the ferry, I thought to myself... maybe all these things were to prepare me for something greater and that time I was already thinking about SSEAYP and all those sailing though I was not selected yet.

If you can dream it, you can do it

Many might choose Mykonos over Paros but we did not regret our choice because Paros was so beautiful. I will not forget the warmth from my guest house's host and his recommendation to his friends's restaurant!

Dining by the sea.

Seafood platter for 2 pax, 20euros. Beer... I cannot remember the price but it was cheap lah.

Then we did lots of walking as usual and almost every door, window, trees, flowers blah blah blah were picture worthy. OMG.

The day ended with ice cream and catching sunset.

I guess travelling to me is not about packed-to-the-eyeball kind of sight seeing or activities but really learning to rest, take a look around me and appreciate the beautiful things in life.

SSEAYP kept me very busy for the past 2 months, blogging like this relax me a little and also reminded me to rest, take a look around me and appreciate the beautiful things in life. 

Purposeful Traveller - Do what you love, love what you do. 

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.

Craziest decision ever.

Accomplishing one of my biggest dreams of completing my degree in 2013 and watching Secret Life of Walter Mitty had a profound impact on my life.

(Source: Internet)

Though I was very much inspired, I just felt that I could not do it (the extraordinary travel adventures) because I was bound by responsibilities. I SHOULD be looking for a better paying job with my degree and so I tried to look for jobs which I thought I SHOULD be doing as it is the RIGHT thing to do. I had many open doors but I was NOT happy even when job offers fell onto my lap

(Source: Internet)

I was in a constant struggle, battling between what I SHOULD do and WANT to do. I could not seem to liberate myself from the pool of responsibilities and the pride to live up to everyone's expectations.

Then on the 18th February, after a baking session and a long talk, everything changed.

(Source: Internet)

I realized that the truth behind what was restraining me from doing what I wanted to do, was no one or nothing external but myself. On the 18th February I decided to let go of who I was trying hard to be, the inhibitions and the likes that society attaches to our names with what come responsibilities and the need to fulfill certain expectations. I decided to take that leap of faith to let it all go because I know once I embark on a graduate job, I won't get another moment where I can make such drastic move.

Hence, instead of finding a job that a graduate should be doing, I decided to leave my current job and travel. 

(Source: Internet)

Of course besides travelling, I want to try many other jobs, the kind of jobs where many people may feel a 28 year old graduate should not be doing?

(Source: Internet)

I decided to explore new territories and shed those constraining inhibitions and give more allowance and expressions to my dreams. The day I decided to let go was the same day I decided not to let what others think affect my decision. This is my life and I only live it once. I would rather die trying than live with regrets. 

Of course I still need money to survive, but I have decided to live one day at a time. The moment I decided to let go, I let go of STABILITY.

So, if one day you see me doing some random odd jobs just know that I am saving up for another crazy adventure I have or I am trying out something new in my life! =)

I just want to end this entry with this:

(Source: Internet)

I am on my road to fulfill another crazy dream of mine. May you fulfill your crazy dreams too and if you wish to join me on my journey, follow me on Instagram @sianz1c1013 or this blog. 

Purposeful Traveller - Becoming Purposeful Traveller

2014 Resolution

When we get older, our resolution gets simpler. That is my resolution for 2014, and I believed all things will work towards fulfilling this resolution.

Purposeful Traveller - Travel is my life!