NOTES FROM AFAR

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REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND

The gateway to magical Iceland, also filled with fantastic restaurants and charming little streets.

My top three in Reykjavík:

Strolling the city by foot and admiring the cute little timber houses in a wide array of colours (like a box of crayons) and the work of the amazing independent designers of Iceland.

Beethoven piano concerto recital at the Harpa music hall.

The obligatory visit to the Blue Lagoon (now super commercialised), but it was nice to have a cider in the hot, volcanic springs.

Top food tips: 

Lobster soup at Saegreifinn (Sea griffin), a tiny timber shack near the port

Coffee at Reykjavik Roasters

Breakfast at Bergsson Mathús

Where I stayed: mostly at a cute little Airbnb called The Old Bicycle Shop and as a birthday treat for a few nights, the boutique hotel Kvosin Downtown Hotel

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NEW YORK CITY, USA

Finally had to do my turn in the city of cities, having not visited since I was five years old.

My top three in NYC:

The High Line: located just 3 minutes from my hotel, this wonderful linear park is a great way to see the city, and the ideal place for book reading.

Cycling around the Central Park drive: renting a bike and cycling the 10km drive around the exterior of Central Park twice on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: so much art from all the corners of the globe; too much for one visit, I made a visit on my first and last days in NYC.

Top food tips: Bagels at Murray’s Bagels or Russ and Daughters, Mexican food at Tacombi

Where I stayed: the Jane Hotel

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (August 2017)

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THE OLD WALLS OF CAMPECHE, MEXICO

Built to protect this vulnerable town from frequent pirate attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries

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CHICHEN ITZA, YUCATAN, MEXICO

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EK’BALAM, YUCATAN, MEXICO

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VALLADOLID, YUCATAN, MEXICO

A great little town to use as a base for traveling to the classic Mayan sites on the peninsula; Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Coba. The streetscape is a like an assortment of licorice all sorts, cute little houses in lovely, pastel colours.

My top 3 in Valladolid:

Cycling out of town (okay, in the burning heat; not so nice) to reach beautiful underground cenotes of Xkeken and Dzitnup. Completely underground, the water is aquamarine and icy cool. Just what a pale redhead needed after 45 minutes cycling in the afternoon Mexican sun.

Cycling around town and admiring the beautiful architecture.

The old church and monastery of Templo San Bernardino.

Top food tips:

Cafe Profesores, Calle 37, between Calles 40 and 42: a great spread of mostly vegetarian food, which is healthy and tasty, such as falafel, tabouleh, eggplant fritters.

Yerba Buena del Sol, Calle 54A: healthy and delicious food, almost all vegetarian, with a beautiful back garden to sit in, while you eat your vegetarian lasagna and special fresh juice combination.

Coffee Bike Station, Calle 40, near Casa de los Venados: the best coffee in Valladolid. An iced coffee with ice-cream is just what the doctor ordered after a day in the sun. They also run bike tours around the city.

Where I stayed: a very stylish Airbnb, straight out of the pages of World of Interiors

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TULUM, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO

Perhaps the most dramatically-situated Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is a must do in the area, though of course, it’s very much on the tourist route now. The famous beach right off the ruins is chock full of people even early in the morning. But I wouldn’t change my visit for the world.

My top 3 in Tulum:

The dramatically-perched Mayan ruins on the coast. What they lack in detail and sophistication, they make up for in beautiful siting.

Swimming in the crystal clear and beautifully-cold Gran Cenote outside Tulum.

Cycling from Tulum town down to the resort-beach zone, stopping for hand-made sorbet (frozen on the spot by dry ice) on the way, sneaking into the fancy resort La Posada del Sol and using their beach and checking out their cool shop with lots of great handmade Mexican crafts.

Top food tips:

Los Aguachiles: finger-licking good tacos, in great flavour combinations. Lots of seafood choices too.

Azafran Restaurant: the best breakfast spot in Tulum, with a beautiful back garden to sit in while you enjoy a freshly-made bagel, juice and coffee.

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Making plans! 🇮🇸☺️

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VALLE DE VIÑALES, CUBA

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HAVANA, CUBA

Atmospheric, with its dilapidated architecture and shiny cars, grand buildings, bright colours and lovely cats, Havana is a must-see world city with so much history.

My top 3 in Havana:

Soaking up the atmosphere on the streets - so much to see and photograph

Beautiful architecture across the entire city centre - neo-classcism, art deco, baroque - an architecture enthusiast’s dream

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Cuban Art) - amazing Art from Cuban history up until modern times

Full itinerary:

Day 1: Old Havana, Centro Habana, and lots of grand buildings, old churches and classic cars

Day 2: Revolution Museum, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Cuban Art)

Day 3: walking the grand boulevard, the Malecón

Top food tips:

O’Reilly 304 (now called something different), at 304 O’Reilly Street for tasty food and giant cocktails

Fumero Jacqueline for great breakfast, and views of the lovely square behind Santo Angel Custodio church

Where I stayed: a couple of tiny casas particulares

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TRINIDAD, CUBA

Incredibly charming and well-preserved historical town, with wide variety of bright colours on the cute little houses, and people still riding horses through the town.

My top 3 in Trinidad:

Strolling the cobble streets and admiring brightly-coloured houses

Swims in refreshing mountain streams in Parque Cubano

Museo Historico Municipal, a grand house dating to the 1830s with wonderful period furniture and a great lookout tower

Full itinerary:

Day 1: exploring Trinidad on foot

Day 2: more exploring, hitting museums and historical houses like Museo Historico Municipal, Galeria de Arte, Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos and Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya, and then an afternoon at Playa Ancón for sea, sun and sand

Day 3: horse riding into Parque Cubano, culminating in swimming in mountain-fed rivers and pools fed by waterfalls, walking to the top of the hill that overlooks Trinidad

Top food tips: Chocolate pie at corner restaurant Los Conspiradores, overlooking Plaza Mayor

Where I stayed: a tiny casa paricular, like most people who visit Trinidad

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Making plans for my next adventure: the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and Cuba!

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Feeling like this noble, proud, adventure dog today!

Today my Ashtanga teacher told me that I should move forwards to Kurmasana as my Bhujapisasana was looking pretty good! All the work on rebuilding my Ashtanga practice from Bhujapidasana onward after my wrist injury is starting to pay off. In traditional Ashtanga practice, you wait for your teacher to tell you you are ready to move on and to ‘give you’ the next pose, rather than rushing ahead before you’re ready.

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MACAU

Portuguese remnants in Macau, a Portuguese territory for over 400 years, on the edge of China

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Epic coastal hike, the Tai Long Wan Trail, in the New Territories, Hong Kong

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HONG KONG

Five days in Hong Kong between Christmas and New Year, 2016