Oh Bali, I love you.

One of the most enchanting places that I was lucky enough to visit during my travels was the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia.

I’d heard incredible things about Bali before going there, but I didn’t think I’d fall in love with it as much as I did. After flying in to the sweaty hustle and bustle of Denpasar, I was relieved to begin my Bali journey in the much more tranquil, cultural and crafty town of Ubud. Surrounded by Bali’s iconic rice fields, Ubud has so much to offer. As well as viewing the incredible landscapes and simply taking the stunning views in, there’s also plenty to keep you occupied, such as eating at one of Ubud’s healthy organic cafes, visiting the Monkey Forest, visiting the historic temples or checking out the local Art.

One of the best ways to really explore Bali is going on a tour (in a taxi). We booked our driver in Ubud, and as a lover of waterfalls I asked if he would take us to see one (not originally in the set tour). It was a fairly long journey (a couple of hours north) but we finally reached GitGit Twin waterfall, which was absolutely breathtaking. As Agung, our driver, picked us up early, we managed to get to the waterfall when it was completely empty and enjoy some time swimming before other people began to arrive.

There were a few other places that we visited on the tour including some of Bali’s stunning rice fields – I cannot even describe the colours and charm of the scenery as my words just wouldn’t do it justice. We had lunch and coffee overlooking the fields in a little Balinese restaurant and looked out over the stunning views. It was a tranquil bliss that I’ve never experienced before. On our way back to Ubud, we visited our driver, Agung’s home and drank fresh coconuts offered by his Uncle, which were the freshest and sweetest I have ever tasted.

I could write about Bali literally all day. It is the most stunningly beautiful and serene place, especially when you explore a bit deeper away from the more touristy areas.

Peace, love and waterfalls all day long

xxx

HELLO ENGLAND, we meet again.

After 6 absolutely INCREDIBLE months travelling around the world… I am back to reality.

Now, the initial novelty of getting back home, seeing all my friends and family and having a good old fashioned “knees up” is beginning to wear off. My sun-kissed skin is getting less sun-kissed by the day and as I am temporarily without car, I am beginning to get a taste of cabin fever. Coming back from travelling the world and having adventures every single day is quite strange really. I feel as though so much has happened during my travels – I’ve met so many people and done so many crazy things – but now I am back home I feel like no time has passed.

During my time away I visited 8 amazing countries, each offering something unique to my experience. Despite that, I feel like I still haven’t even scratched the surface and am already beginning to get itchy feet for another trip. The countries I visited are as follows: Canada, America, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia (Bali), The Philippines and Thailand.

My favourite country and new home away from home is the GORGEOUS Fiji. (I’m currently plotting how I can move there permanently and unfortunately it is not as straight forward as I’d have hoped!) Before I went away I thought beaches like that only existed in my dreams… but no. It is a real-life paradise offering island life at it’s absolute best. As a backpacker, island hopping in Fiji is fairly easy and best left unplanned and spontaneous in my opinion. Initially staying at Bamboo hostel on the mainland in Nadi, fairly near to the airport, I planned my trip to visit a couple of the islands through my hostel and it turned out to be super cheap and easy! The people in Fiji are also unbelievably friendly and will go out of their way to help you and make sure you feel right at home – which I definitely did!

I shall document more stories of my travels now that I am back at home, trying to re-live every single bit! Now here is a photo of a beach in Fiji for some #wanderlust inspo!

Peace and love and all the beaches x

 

The Grouse Grind and Paolo the Canadian charmer

During our speedboating session, Abe had persuaded me to do the Grouse Grind, the next day. The Grouse Grind is a hike up some rocky stairs to the top of Grouse Mountain, where I was hoping to be greeted by an incredible view after my efforts.

So off I went on a lone adventure, hopping on a free shuttle bus from Waterfront seabus terminal all the way to the bottom of Grouse Mountain. When I hopped off the bus ready to tackle this mountain, I went to the information desk to ask where the trail started and how long it would take. The lady looked at me and told me it’d be about 2 hours and that it’s a very strenuous hike… Emphasis on the word “strenuous” as I looked like a child in a backwards cap and a backpack. I’m pretty sure she was hinting that I got a coffee from the Starbucks next door and got back on my shuttle bus to the hostel. 

I made my way to the beginning of the stairs, feeling pretty empowered that I was doing this alone and immediately got distracted by the number of people in Lycra stretching at the entrance. As I thought to myself “how hard can it be?” I saw a notice board that a few people were reading before embarking on their own personal journeys. I began reading, “If you are doing the Grouse Grind alone, make sure you tell someone where you’re going and what time you’re setting off.” Oh shit. Mistake number 1. Nobody knows I’m here, I wouldn’t even have anyone to tell if I wanted to… OK breathe. I continued reading. “Once you’ve started the Grouse Grind, you can’t turn back – nobody should walk down the stairs for safety reasons.” Oh Shit.theres mistake number 2 in the making. If I can’t do it, I can’t even walk back down! The only way is up. Filled with fear, I began. Passing countless children under the age of 5 on the way up, my fear partially subsided. Partially.

After a tiring hike, and contrary to my belief, I made it to the top. Where it was completely foggy and I could see no view. But I was still beaming with pride. Weirdly, at the top of Grouse Mountain, there is perfect WiFi so obviously I decided to step in to the balcony with the non-view and facetime everyone I knew.

This was me at the top of Grouse Mountain with the view… Oh wait.

 Whilst my facetime was connecting, I got interrupted by a man also on the balcony, who began the conversation with “Are you catching Pokemon?” My answer was no and that I was facetiming, but ignoring that, he continued to chat to me about my trip and asked me if I’d tried the sushi in Vancouver (to which my answer was no). After 10 minutes of polite conversation, he disappeared inside to apparently meet a friend so immediately I began my face timing again. As nobody was answering, I was about to give up and go inside when the man came out to the balcony with his name and number written on a cardboard cup holder. “Let me know if you’d like to go to sushi later on.” He said. Still covered in sweat from the hike, and with my cap backwards (yes it’s my thing now), I questioned Paolo’s taste in women and that night I went for sushi with Danielle, who did the same hike in the afternoon and also got chatted up some keen hiker. Was it Paolo’s pick up hotspot? So if you want a challenging but fun hike, or just to find a date for the evening, I’d suggest you try the Grouse Grind. (Shout out to Paolo the Pokemon catching Canadian). 
Peace and love xxx

Bikes, Speedboats, and turning your cap backwards

The day after the Richmond Night Market, my new friend, Danielle and I went down to breakfast in the hostel. It was Sunday and my plans consisted of a run or cycle around Stanley Park as I hadn’t been to see it yet, whilst Danielle was going to Granville Island on a tour with the hostel. I started chatting to this guy at breakfast who shared my vision of the day and we decided to rent bikes and cycle the Seawall around the edge of Stanley Park. Renting bikes for a couple of hours was fairly inexpensive at about 20 Canadian dollars per person and was definitely worth it! My new pal was called Abe, was English/Vietnamese; a very friendly guy who had just come back from a trip to the notorious Banff, which he definitely made me believe was one of the coolest places ever. If only I had longer! If anyone is planning to go to Canada, 5 days is not enough; although I did enjoy a snapshot of the incredible adventures that it has to offer. 

In the afternoon, Abe had wanted to visit Bowen island so we planned to see how long it’d take us to get there. We went to get some information and the member of staff that helped us said that the best way to see this island in the time that we had (an afternoon) would be to rent a speedboat… so obviously we jumped at the chance. In Canada, to rent a speedboat, you dont need a boat license… You don’t even need a driving license! It was about a 30 minute bus journey to Horseshoe bay from near the Waterfront seabus terminal. To rent the boat cost around 90 Canadian dollars for an hour and a half (split between two) but you could have up to 4 people on the boats. Plus it was worth every penny! 

Abe and I agreed that when you’re driving a speedboat, it’s a backwards cap kind of moment so here’s me trying to look cool and trying not to capsize the boat at the same time… I find it hard trying to look cool at the best of times so this was a difficult task.

Love and Peace, 

Rose xxxx

The Richmond Night Market, whales and a cheese flavoured potato spiral

Vancouver: Part 2 

After my UBC mates had departed and new people moved in to their dorm beds, I began to feel like it was my bedroom and these were my guests… I’d normally ask where they were from and why they were visiting Vancouver but the majority had been on trips to Whistler and Banff (a place I didn’t know much about at the beginning but people RAVED about it… To me it was a mysterious place with a funny name but I acted like I knew more!) Turns out Banff looks and sounds incredible and I wish I went to, so if you are going to Canada, plan better than I did!

That said, I would not change anything about those 5 days apart from I would have extended them! The day of my university crew’s departure I booked myself on to a whale watching tour through the hostel but the weather hadn’t been great so far so was a bit apprehensive about paying $150 for the trip when I didn’t think I’d see any whales (a girl I’d met previously said she saw none). I had also annoyed myself by panic buying the lunch that the whale watching boat provided, rather than being savvy and bringing my own. The guy that worked at the hostel had booked the trip on the phone in front of me and I always make the wrong decisions when rushed, so paid $10 for a rubbish sandwich and a couple of cookies. However, the actual whale watching was incredible. We saw two transient orcas and a humpback whale!! After watching Blackfish on Netflix, and becoming obsessed with Orcas, to see them in the wild literally made my life. 

The night following the departure of my university crew, a new girl moved in to my room from the UK who’d been traveling around the US before coming to Canada. As I’d been pretty unsuccessful trying to get an invitation to go on any adventures with a few of the new girls in my room, feeling a little disheartened assuming I’d be either dining alone or sleeping that evenung, a new girl moved in. She was from the UK, really friendly and invited me to go with her and a friend to the Richmond Night Market, which so far I knew nothing about. (Obviously I accepted the invite.) 

The Richmond Night Market is a weird and wonderful place. It is filled with Asian Food Stalls and other Stalls selling stuff you never knew you needed until you were blinded by the lights of the market. I would definitely recommend a visit but if you buy a spiral potato thing (they are really popular) on a stick, don’t get the cheese flavour. Just trust me on that.

Peace and Love from little Buck 

xxxx

Little buck hits Vancouver

On September 1st 2016, my sister and mum dropped me off at Gatwick airport and waved me off on my 6 month adventure. First stop: Canada!

After being on the verge of a mini meltdown a few times that day, I sucked it up and got on the plane to Vancouver, riding solo, which feels so scary when you are as small as I am. My friend, who was meant to be coming with me, broke her foot last week so has wisely postponed coming out for a week or two. Fortunately, I was seated next to a very friendly and very Bristolian guy named Kyle, who told me I could share his magic stars with him… sharing chocolate goes a long way in my eyes so we were immediately pals for life.

After a wonderful 10 hour friendship with Bristolian Kyle, we parted ways and I headed off to my hostel continuing to talk myself out of my frequent mini meltdowns. As I arrived in the room at my hostel, I sussed out the bed situation and took a top bunk as I had no choice, but that’s fine as I’ve always liked the top bunk so jokes on everyone else as I’m loving life up here. I got talking to a couple of girls (an Australian and a New Zealander) who asked me if I was a student at the University of British Columbia waiting to move in to my uni accommodation, like they were. I told them I was just traveling and continued chatting. After speaking to many more people at the hostel and being asked what I was here to study countless times, I realised that I was basically crashing their fresher’s week. But fortunately, my student pals adopted me and we had some funfilled adventures together (they told me I reminded them of the inbetweeners – brilliant) before they left to move in to their accommodation. As I said bye to my first Vancouver friends I seriously considered making a last minute application to the University. (Shout out to Grace, Roisin and Georgia).

Above is Lynn Canyon Park in Vancouver; a beautiful place I visited with my UBC pals. It rained a lot… Reminded me of home.

Little buck’s adventures to be continued…

Peace and love people xxx

Guess whose back, back again!

After finishing Uni (yay!) I took a little break from blogging, but I miss it so I’m getting things going again with my site. 🙂

I’ve started working at a Food-based supplement company as a marketing assistant, which I really enjoy as I love all the wellness, holistic stuff and I get to write about it every day – so that is ace.

I thought I’d just do a quick lust-list as I’m currently saving to go traveling so I am not allowed to be spending but as always, there’s a million things that I’d like to purchase!! Think of it as a haul… but of the imagination. Mainly following a traveling theme… You can see where my head is at right now I’m sure!!!

1. I am loving these bikinis from River Island. Being not-so-blessed in the chest area, the neckline on the first is a complete winner and I love the design. Only thing is… tan lines. Hmmm, they’d be interesting! The second one I also love – colour is gorgeous and tassels are always flattering. Daydreaming of beach life right now.

   
   (Images taken from riverisland.com)

2. I LOVE SKINNYDIP ❤ These phone cases are literally so cool. I love them. I was absolutely going to treat myself to one that was in the sale and stopped myself the other day so I deserve a pat on the back x10000! They are just cool. No explanation needed.

   
   (Image taken from ASOS.com)

3. AND THIS PASSPORT HOLDER. Just look at it! Skinnydip is just great.

   
   (Image taken from ASOS.com)

Anyway, Happy New Year you babes! Stay tuned 😉 ❤

Peace and Love and silly things.

Rose x

Wednesday spends-day?!?

Just a quick one today… Another item from Merrimaking.co.uk that I absolutely need:

This Touch wood necklace…

(Images taken from Merrimaking.co.uk)

I literally love the design of it – really quirky and would look really cool layered with a few other necklaces, or just on it’s own with a plain T-shirt! Mmmmmmm gimme.

Peace and love and TOUCH WOOD x

Blog re-vamp

Decided to have a little blog “re-vamp” so welcome y’all to peace and fluff.

In celebration of the new name, here is a picture of the fluffiest guy I know loving life… (shout out to Alfie)

Peace and love x

A lovely little lust list

Sorry for not having blogged in a little while, I have been moving home from University in preparation for the real world… well as much as you can class living with my parents “the real world”. But still. I have got a new job lined up as a Marketing Co-ordinator, which I will start on the 15th of July, but until then, I am very much penny-less and lusting over things that I just cannot afford. So, I decided to write a short post on certain things that I’d be spending my money on right now if I wasn’t so poor!
1.  (Image by beautyandrags.co.uk) What I wouldn’t do to have one of these beauties in my life. I want to be part of the Olympus PEN generation! I give it two months at work until I cave and treat myself to this camera. Did I say two months? I meant two weeks.
2. (Image by merrimaking.co.uk) Have you ever seen a happier looking bumbag? I don’t think you have… This is the cutest looking thing and I feel like I need it in my life for festival fun. Found this on Lazy Oaf’s website… absolutely love Lazy Oaf at the moment. I think because it’s summer I want all of my clothes to look fun and crazy… all the time. After getting the image from Merrimaking.co.uk, I then discovered Merrimaking… which lead me on to my next lust item…
3. (Image by Merrimaking.co.uk) The DISCO sweatshirt. I love this. I love disco. That is all. I advise any festival lovers to check out Merrimaking if you haven’t heard of them! Bound to cheer up a drizzly Monday.
4.  (Image by Urban Outfitters.com) In my head I’m imagining a barbecue on a terrace, corks popping, drinks flowing, summer tunes breezing through my (imaginary) swanky flat… You feeling it too? Absolutely love this record player from Urban Outfitters… Now I’ve just got to get my own place and matching furniture and everything… No biggie.
5. (Image by Amazon. com) Now my final thing is a little bit of a cheat as my Mum (who I am currently living with) did actually buy one of these so I do have daily access to one. But this means I know how great it is… and it’s pretty great! I love just throwing in healthy ingredients and making all sorts of crazy looking blends. Man, I’m so wild. But healthiness is the first step to happiness! Or something like that…

Hope you all enjoyed my lust-list and it gives you some summer inspo for spending your money… if you didn’t have enough already!

Peace love and lust-lists xxx