Travelling has become something very special to me. I love exploring new spaces, returning to old favorites, and being jolted from structure and routine.
When travelling, things don’t always go as planned. This is when going with the flow can be a game changer. Instead of dwelling on what was supposed to happen, letting that go and opening your mind to what is happening can reveal a whole new view on things.
On my current journey, with my hubby, we’ve made it to the Canadian west coast. There were glitches along the way. But we got here. It’s beautiful and totally worth the effort.
It does rain a lot on the coast. We came prepared. We did a long hike day despite the rain. The pathways through the forest make for great shelter and a refreshing, lush experience.
The day after, the rain was unrelenting. We enjoyed a more chill day eating fish and chips, drinking craft beer, and getting cozy by the fire. On these types of days, I read a lot.
Then, we woke to a bright, sunny day. We crammed in several hikes, explored tide pools, ventured into the rain forest, and even had happy hour by the beach. We ended the day with a viewing of the sunset on the rocks by the shore.
As we watched the surfers at sunset, I was pulled into the ebb and flow of the waves. I realized that the days we have spent out here have felt natural. Going with the flow of nature, the weather, our internal clocks, and letting ourselves be has been wonderful.
I’m reminded that even when I go back home, I need to take time like this to let myself be. To go with ebb and flow of my internal guide.
It all started with a hike up the remote pilgrimage mountain — 
The crowds thinned as we made our way up the longer route. I pushed my pace to a fairly unreasonable rate up the winding staircases when Golden Boy — with his young skin, shirtless ripped torso and blond hair — thought he could pass me. Sorry about your luck. This little girl with pig tails and a back pack can push until her insides scream with the right motivation.
The icing on the cake, the last bit of melting my heart, was the hike away from the crowds, up a deserted path to a peak that looked down upon the bamobo forest and monkey park. We sat on a makeshift bench of logs and relished in the chorus of birds and insects. Nature’s music.
After hiking and meditating in the mountains all day, and taking in the sites, we developed a routine of enjoying the amazing happy hour at our hotel.
At night we explored the rather inique and interesting areas of Gion and Pontocho. By the end of our four days, we had gotten the hang of finding the more authentic restaurants and Japanese whiskey bars. It was truly amazing being the only white people in a joint.
As I sit here on this train, my heart is a little tender. I fell in love with Kyoto. I don’t want to leave. I know I’ll be back.
Just a Girl and a Bike 