KELLY'S GONE AGAIN
…AND HERE'S WHERE I'M AT.Archive for Beach
#43. Cote d’Azur: The Usual Suspects, Part III
Note to Self:
“Self is no longer in New York City. Self is not riding subway.
Self doesn’t know where it’s going. Remove iPod and pay attention already.”
The plan was this: catch 6:54 a.m. train to Nice, depart Nice at 7:32, arrive in St. Raphael at 8:22, hop on the one St. Raphael morning ferry at 9:30, and be selecting leather sandals by 11 at St. Tropez’s famous Place de Lices market (only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, mind you), before it closed at 1 p.m. But you know what happened. You know I missed my train stop at St. Raphael.
#42. Cote d’Azur: The Usual Suspects, Part II
After visiting Cannes, my hopes were not terribly high. It’s not that I was jaded or struggling to stay optimistic, nothing that serious. I was just a bit…disengaged. A little “sure, whatever.” Overall, neutral.
And then, just like that, I fell into Nice. I don’t know why; I wasn’t on the make. I expected it to be just like the others. But on Avenue de Jean Medicin, walking past buzzing cafes and trendy boutiques and, well, so much life, I felt something. It’s hard not to. Nice has an energy, an easy, poignant, honest, simple sense to it. It isn’t looking for recognition, it isn’t competing for customers, it just is.
#41. Cote d’Azur: The Usual Suspects, Part I
I had such high hopes for Cannes. Having been mesmerized by its reputation, I arrived already intoxicated with possibility. I believed in this city, eagerly anticipated it, and knew I’d fall in love the moment I stepped off of the train on Day 1. So on Day 2, I rationalized, “okay, lukewarm start, no big deal, doesn’t mean sparks won’t fly today.” But, let’s be honest: I usually know on the first date. And I’ve never not known by the second date. There just wasn’t chemistry.
#35. Rijeka: Because Why Not?
I hadn’t exactly planned on hitting up Croatia while visiting Italy. Portugal? Probably. Scotland? Perhaps. But Croatia? Turns out that it was an excellent idea, and a great time, spending our Sunday there.
We left early for our drive out to beautiful, coastal Rijeka via Slovenia, and were on a dive boat by late morning. My friends were diving a spot in the Adriatic Sea. I would’ve loved to go, too, but ended up staying on board due to some lingering congestion and the strong likelihood I might injure my eardrum should I give in and go under. Not that hanging out on a dive boat isn’t one of my favorite activities of all time to date.
#29. Gili Islands: Really? Really.
Over the last 3 days, I’ve spent my waking hours as follows: approximately 1/3 on the beach, another 1/3 in a freshwater pool, and the last 1/3 sitting on the side a wooden diving boat riding across the sea, every now and then actually doing the diving, walking along the ocean floor and gently swimming next to sea turtles.
I mean, really?
I’m on the Gili Islands, northwest of Lombok, Indonesia, undergoing a PADI open water diving certification. The Gilis — each with their own distinct personalities — are my substitute for the original island retreat plan, the famed southern Thai islands, Ko Tao, Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. Being here is, in case you might not have guessed, absolutely brilliant.
#26. Great Barrier Reef: Private Island Paradise (Part II)
As promised, with more after the jump…
The Island
#25. Great Barrier Reef: Private Island Paradise (Part I)
Welcome to The Good Life. *smile* I’m residing this week on a private island in the GBR, off of the coast of Queensland, Australia (north of New South Wales, which houses Sydney). It is, as you might imagine, no joke.
The island is covered heavily in lush rainforest, giving it a tropical jungle feel, with walking trails and sparse, simple beaches. Because a resort operates here, there are also loads of activities — horseback riding, snorkeling, spa treatments, bingo — all the usual suspects. I have little to no interest in the planned program, though. This, instead, is a reflective place for me, removed from any urban sprawl whatsoever (by which I’m so easily, and happily, distracted).
