Cuba Libre, Trinidad and Vinales

Beautiful Trinidad

It was finally time to discover colourful Trinidad. We took another overnight bus which left Santiago with an hour delay. Unfortunately, it also broke down early in the morning and we had to wait for 1,5 hours another bus to pick us up. It took us 14 hours to reach our destination and we were simply exhausted when we arrived in our new casa particular.

Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage listed town in central Cuba. It is a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement which brings you back to 1850s with its cobbled streets, and horse carriages. Because of its magnificence, it became very popular among tourists. Therefore, it is definitely more expensive than Santiago. 

Our efforts of finding a cheap restaurant paid off when we met Odiladies and her husband, Airan who run a little paladar (a Cuban term for a family run small restaurant). They were a young couple who took advantage of the new laws in Cuba and opened up their own business. They had great fish for $4 which was quite cheap for Trinidad. We instantly became friends with them and spent great time together. Odiladies also helped us to find a good babalawo (a Saint in Santaria religion) to clear the negative energy Alex was experiencing in the last couple of weeks. Santaria (Way of the Saint) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions. In order to get rid of Alex’s bad luck we were happy to try anything.

Colourful Trinidad

We visited a local babalawo, Dr. Jose Antonio, who is a medical doctor and also a medium. He delivered us some messages from the spirit world and told Alex to do a cleaning ceremony with some fruits. The next day, we did the ceremony in the Caribbean Sea. Believe it or not, Alex felt a sudden shift in her energy and her luck seemed to get better after that. It was amazing.

We spend most of our time visiting this beautiful colonial town and sharing great moments with our newly made friends. We met a friend of Airan, Juan, who was together with Mariana from Argentina. We got along very well and Mariana invited us to visit her when we will be in Argentina.

Our new friends

It was hard to say goodbye to lovely Trinidad, but we needed to make our way to the next city. Cienfuegos is a nice town on the southern coast of Cuba which was originally settled by the French Monarchist when Napoleon lost Louisiana. We were able to visit the entire city in one day. Some of the main attractions we visited include Palacio de Valle, Palacio Azul, the promenade of Cienfuegos, Pedestrian Boulevard, and the Cathedral of Cienfuegos. It was the cleanest city in Cuba and had an attractive French architecture. The only down side for me was a painful ear infection which forced me to pay a visit to an international clinic. After a thorough check up, I received a course of antibiotics and ear drops for the next 7 days.   

Palacio Azul

After one night in Cienfuegos, we made our way to Viñales which was a little, peaceful village with different coloured one storey houses. It is next to one of Cuba’s greatest natural attractions, the UNESCO Heritage listed Viñales Valley.

Bike tour with friends

On the bus to Viñales, we met Rafael from Colombia and his girlfriend, Tania from Croatia. They used to live in London before their trip around the world. Once again, we connected really well with these travellers and went out for dinner together. They introduced us to another couple, Felix from Germany and Natasha from Switzerland. Thanks to Felix’s travel book, we found a little paladar called Nora & Luis, which was quite far away from the village. It was worth the 45 minute walk. For $5 per person, we had lobster, salad, rice, fried bananas. It was fantastic.   

The next day, we rented some bicycles and visited the Viñales Valley with our new friends. The valley had a breathtaking scenery and a peaceful rural life. This part of Cuba is still very virgin and serene. The region is also famous for the production of quality tobacco and best Cuban cigars. 

We finished our tour around 3pm and had lunch in our casa particular. It is a common practice that these places offer meals to their guests to make additional income. It was a perfect way of tasting the local cuisine. After a long lunch, we said goodbye to our friends as they were going back to Havana the next day.

   

Cuban tobacco grower

The following day, we hired some horses and discovered the countryside with a local guide. We visited a cave, a tobacco farm and a spectacular lookout. We were shown how to roll cigars and were offered to try one with a delicious Cuban coffee. It was an experience to taste this freshly made cigar! After the tour, we visited Norma for a last meal before our departure the next day. While we were eating, she told us her life story which was quite emotional. This is what I loved about Cuba. Everybody is so open, welcoming and ready to connect. After dinner, we organised our transport to the Havana Airport for the following day.  

After an incredible month in Cuba, we were on our way to the airport in an old American car. What a closure! It was amazing to see that these 50+ year old cars still run quite well. The journey was a smooth and we made it on time to catch our plane to Ecuador.

We had several unusual experiences while we were in Cuba. We experienced theft, loss, shock, frustration, pain, anger, helplessness, relationship crisis, love, care, laughter, joy, rhythm, dance, friendship. I am grateful for the variety of experiences because they added richness and flavour to our journey, no matter how difficult they might have been at the time. Thank you Cuba!  We will always remember the warm hearts of your people. 

Santiago de Cuba

Streets of Santiago

After 4 challenging days dealing in Havana, we took a 12 hour overnight Viazul bus to Santiago de Cuba. Alex’s brother, Charly and his wife, Damaida, picked us up from the bus terminal. After a cheese&bread breakfast in a local cafe, we visited Damaida’s family, and had a beautiful welcome.

The average salary of a Cuban is around $20 a month. Many families live together as a community because they can’t afford to rent or buy a house. A couple of years ago, it wasn't even possible to buy because everything belonged to the government but now things are changing slowly. People who work with tourists are making a good living in Cuban standards. Charly and Damaida moved to Cuba from France 2 years ago to start a transport business when they finish fixing up their cars.

Charly fixing his Jeep

Cuba definitely takes you back to the 50's. It seems like not much has changed after the revolution done by Fidel Castro (1953-1959). You can still ride the old American cars from that era, visit historical buildings and experience a magical culture. It is a total contrast of a capitalist economy. And that makes Cuba a unique tourist destination. Imagine a country without McDonald’s, Starbucks and Coca-Cola!

During our time in Santiago, I started to take Spanish classes from a lovely lady, Ines. She used to be a Russian teacher before the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1990, she got retrained to become a Spanish teacher as Russian wasn't taught at schools any longer. It was a great pleasure to study with her and it certainly makes a big difference if you speak the language as many Cubans don't speak much English or any other language. Great friendships can be made instantly if you can communicate in Spanish.

El Castillo del Moro

We also visited a couple of beaches around Santiago. It is possible to have a lobster or great fish for a bargain when you hang out with locals and pay the Cuban price. The sea food is very fresh and delicious. We also went to a nearby waterfall and visited the Castillo del Moro.

The nights were vibrant, energising and joyful in live salsa cafes and bars which we visited with our Cuban friends and family. If you are ever in Santiago, you can contact Charly and Damaida through Cubacontigo for an authentic Cuban experience. They can help you with finding accommodation, salsa & Spanish classes and excursions.

Alex kept having more misfortunes in Santiago. She burned her leg on a motorbike exhaust 
when she was coming off it. Due to heat and humidity, her wound got infected and we had to take her to the international clinic for a couple of times.

Our relationship crisis was also escalating and she was thinking about staying with her brother in Cuba for a while rather then continuing the travels. I felt very sad that our journey together might be ending soon. We still loved each other but regular fights were affecting us dramatically.

While the early months of a relationship can feel effortless and exciting, a healthy long-term relationship requires constant work and compromise from both partners. If a couple ignores difficult topics, the relationship can end up in crisis. An interesting article in Psychology Today by Jay Dixit addresses some of most important issues a couple can face.

We all come from different backgrounds and have developed certain patterns during our upbringing. Often, we are not even aware of these internal patterns and can easily get triggered by our partners’ behaviour. Effective communication is essential to shed light on each other’s behaviour patterns which helps us to develop empathy and understanding in a relationship. As for us, the end was not there yet. We decided to work harder to save it.

Our last days in Santiago were full of joy. Damaida's brother, Enriquito, had his 30^th birthday and we were invited to celebrate with them. Wow, what a fiesta. There were around 30 people in the small family house. There was a lot of food, beer and of course Cuban rum. I got offered to try a 15 year old rum by Damaida’s father that was superb. A couple of hours later, most people were quite happy with the flowing drinks while dancing salsa and reggaeton. This great atmosphere lasted until the early morning hours. We thanked Charly, Damaida and her family for the perfect Cuban hospitality during those 2 wonderful weeks in Santiago before heading towards Trinidad.

Enriquito's 30th Birthday Party

Viva la Revolucion: Havana, Cuba

Vibrant Havana

On our way to Havana on the 5^th of August 2013, I felt excited. Cuba definitely has a contagious energy of dance, music, and joy. My first visit to Cuba was in 2004 and I was thrilled to go back and reconnect with this Caribbean pearl. We were picked up by my dear friend and former salsa teacher, Claudio who happened to be on holiday in Cuba at the same time.

The Famous Malecon Street

We drove to Clarita and Orlando’s House, a casa particular in the famous Malecon street. Casa particular is the Cuban concept of a private home stay where you can experience the real culture and hospitality. It is a much better and economical option than staying in a hotel where Cubans are (by law) not allowed in unless they work there. Casa particulars can be found almost anywhere in Cuba with average prices ranging between $15 to $30 per night.

According to Cuban law, casa particulars must be registered by the government for tourism purposes. To avoid bad surprises, make sure to book an official one as it is illegal for tourists to stay in unregistered houses even if you might be staying with some Cuban friends.




A big shock hit us when we arrived at the casa particular. After thoroughly checking her backpack, Alex realised that all of our cash for Cuba and her credit cards were missing. Wow, we both felt sick in our stomachs and Alex had a nervous breakdown. Cuba is not like any country where you can withdraw money from ATMs, in fact there are next to none. To get money you have to go to special banks or Cadecas and pay high fees. So, the best way to travel in Cuba is to bring enough cash to cover your stay. After losing all that money, we weren't quite sure what to do next.

What had happened? We had no idea! When we called Alex's bank in Australia to cancel the cards, it turned out that her cards had already been used in Mexico. We realised that she got mugged somewhere between Holbox Island and Cancun Airport without even noticing it. It was really hard to come to terms with loss like this as we had lost our entire budget for Cuba. Thankfully, Claudio and Clarita were very supportive and helped us to relax a little bit. We went to a police station in Havana to get a report for our travel insurance. However, we were asked to go to the Mexican Embassy to get a report as the crime did not happen in Cuba. Claudio was very kind and invited us for dinner that night.

Streets of Havana

The next day was a day of bureaucracy. We started by going to the Mexican Embassy to get a police report. After long discussions, we couldn't get one as they wanted us to pay for creating it. We were very disappointed and frustrated. Our next stop was the French Embassy, which was not very helpful either. After spending half a day running around embassies without any results, we decided to find a place where we could get some cash using my cards.

We exchanged the last American dollars I had with me. It is not a good idea to bring American dollars to Cuba as they charge an extra 20 percent fee but we had no other option. We also managed to get some cash from a nearby Cadeca after waiting for an hour. So we were good until we get to Santiago where Alex’s brother lives.

At night, we went to "La Casa de la Musica" with Claudio where some of the best Cuban musicians perform. The uplifting music and dance performances from NG La Banda helped us to forget our troubles for a little while. It was a great night of salsa, dance, and joy.

Salsa Band

Cuba is probably the worst country if you need to use the internet or make international calls which we desperately needed at the time to deal with the banks and insurance companies. An hour of internet is $5 and we had to pay $3 per minute for international calls. It was a big hassle to deal with all that which certainly put some extra pressure on our already fragile relationship. We had some more serious fights and I wasn't quite sure if our relation would continue.

I also got quite sick in Havana. I had a burning fever and felt very weak for 2 days which meant bed rest. I felt tired, lost, and concerned about my relationship. One afternoon, I was looking out of the window towards Malecon Street and the Caribbean Sea, a feeling of gratitude came over me to be in Cuba. Although we were going through hard times, people all around were very helpful and supportive. Clarita was trying her best to cheer us up. A random taxi driver who drove us to the Mexican Embassy, refused to take money after hearing our story of mugging. Claudio was there for us when we needed him. These acts of kindness really touched me and it felt so good to have that support. This reminded me, once again, the importance of helping others when they are in need.

It was my first experience of being mugged. It was a challenging experience to deal with and my dominant feelings were anger and helplessness. On the other hand, it provided us with an understanding that no matter what happens, life still goes on and we always get by somehow. There is always a solution or help from unexpected sources. Here, I want to acknowledge the big hearts of Cuban people and thank them for their generosity. They have very little to survive on but they were always ready to help us with our struggles.         

Havana Cathedral

Beaches of Yucatan, Mexico

Tulum

Tulum was our first stop in the Caribbean part of Mexico. It is a small town with gorgeous beaches and stunning Mayan architecture. However, our time did not start very well. We had booked a private room in a hostel called La Cigala through Hostelbookers.com for 4 days before arrival. 

When we arrived, we were told that our room was occupied until the next day but we were upgraded to a bigger room with a kitchen, fantastic! After a quick shower and renting some bicycles from the hostel we visited some spectacular beaches around Tulum. When we came back to our room after a long day, we noticed a couple of cockroaches. We notified the owner, who did not seem to care too much but agreed to provide a pesticide spray. After spraying the whole room with Baygon, we went out for dinner and tried some local street food, yummy! Did you actually know that Mexicans are now the most obese nation in the world? We learned this through a local shop owner who was very proud to show us an article in a magazine and stated that they have finally beat the USA. Well, no comment on this!

Once we got back to our room, we discovered more bugs, unusual spiders, and flies. It was like a zoo. In addition, the bed sheets were not clean either. Unfortunately the reception was closed after 10 pm, so we had a terrible night fighting off different bugs. In the morning, we told that we were checking out and asked for a refund for the next 3 days which was already paid for. It was a big hassle, but we managed to get our money back and moved to another hostel called Casa del Sol.

Mayan ruins in Tulum

During our time in Tulum, we visited the Mayan ruins of Coba, La Reserva and some other beautiful beaches. In the hostel, we met a nice Australian-Canadian couple, Matt and Camille, who were also travelling around the world. We had a short but great time with them. It is amazingly easy to make new friends when you are travelling.       

Ruins of Coba

Tulum, unfortunately, wasn't as authentic as Valladolid. It was a lot more touristy, and we felt that the locals were after the money. However, it was still enjoyable and relaxing to spend a couple of days in those idyllic beaches.

Our next destination was the Holbox Island which is located on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. We took a bus and a boat to get there. It is an amazing little island without any cars. Horse carriages are used for transport. Holbox had a very relaxed vibe and was an ideal place to wind down. We stayed at the Tribu Hostel, which was a good choice.

Swimming with whale sharks

A must do in Holbox is to book a tour to swim with the whale sharks. We organised our tour through the hostel. The boat left around 7am and we were a group of 8. It took 3 hours to get to the site where we got to snorkel with huge whale sharks. It was a very bumpy ride and a lot of people, including Alex, got sea sick. It is definitely a good idea to bring some tablets against sea sickness to prevent surprises. Swimming with these gigantic animals which peacefully eat plankton on the surface of the sea was absolutely a once in a life time experience we would never forget. On the way back, we stopped in a mangrove where we served ceviche (a typical seafood dish in Central and South America) for lunch. The habitat was like a paradise with lots of pelicans, flamingos and some other tropical animals. After the tour we were very joyful but sunburned.

Mangrove

We left the Holbox Island the next day to catch our flight to Havana, Cuba. My emotions in Mexico were joy, freedom, connection with the Pachamama (the Mother Earth), and happiness. When we were leaving this beautiful country, I felt a big wave of gratitude to be able to experience the magnificence of our planet and the wisdom of the Mayan culture. At that time, however, little did we know about the awful surprise that was waiting us in Cuba...

A local shop in Holbox

The Mayan Land: Mexico

We landed in Cancun in the afternoon of July 26th 2013. There was a sudden shift of energy compared to Miami. The ambient and the people seemed much more alive, relaxed and authentic. We felt welcomed in this friendly country from the beginning. Even the immigration and customs officers were  humorous. When we got out of the airport, we were greeted with a vibrant and colourful country.

Cancun is a very touristy town, therefore we took the first bus to Valladolid, a colonial city of Spanish arcades in Yucatan Peninsula. The bus ride (2nd class bus) was our first challenge in Mexico due to a strong smell of urine. Luckily, Alex had some essential oils which were very helpful during the 2 hour ride.

Cathedral San Servacio of Valladolid

We checked into a fantastic hostel called La Candelaria. Jose greeted us at the reception. He was very friendly and had a calming energy. It was a great spot with spacious rooms, nice colours, a lovely garden and a functional kitchen. 

The authentic city of Valladolid (also known as the Sultaness of the East)  was a great start to our Mexican adventure. Yucatan's third largest city offers incredible architecture, colourful buildings, great food and a fantastic ambiance. It is also an excellent hub to visit infamous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and a number of nearby cenotes.  Our fist day came to an end with an excellent dinner at the Conato restaurant.

Cenote

We had an early start the next morning, as we wanted to discover the incredible cenotes of Dzitnup. After renting our bicycles, we were on our way to witness the beautiful wonders of Yucatan. Cenotes are natural sink-holes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. They are incredible formations and it is a unique experience to swim in them. Depending on the popularity, they charge an entrance fee. Apparently, there are around 7,000 cenotes in Yucatan district. For more information on marvellous structures, you can visit Jack and Jill’s travel blog. Visiting 3 cenotes by bicycle took most of our day, and left us with some heat exhaustion and a big smile.   

Upon our return to the hostel, we met a lovely couple, Annalies and Ricardo, who have been travelling in South America for 6 months. They were full of great advices on things to do in this amazing continent. We connected very well with them, and decided to check out the pre-Hispanic city of Chichen Itza the next day.

Pyramid of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is one of the greatest Mayan sacred centres in Yucatan peninsula. It is world 

heritage listed by UNESCO and is the 2^nd most visited archaeological site in Mexico. According to our tour guide from Mayan origin, the area was settled by the Mayan civilization around 455 A.D. Towards the end of the 10^th century, Toltec warriors from central Mexico took over the city. The conquest of the Yucatan region caused a fusion of Mayan-Toltec culture. He mentioned that due to the Toltec influence, there were human sacrifices especially for the Rain God. A colossal pyramid was built for Kukulkan (feathered serpent deity) which still dominates the grounds of this incredible site. According to our guide, a cast system existed in Mayan culture and these grounds were only used by the elite. No one from the lower casts was allowed in. The area was mainly used for astronomy, maths and religious ceremonies.   

Our new friends 

We spent 3 hours on these impressive grounds. It is prohibited to climb the pyramids or any other structure as according to some stories a tourist fell down and unfortunately died a couple of years ago.

Mayan Ruins of Ek Balam

The next day, visited another amazing Mayan site, Ek Balam. On Sundays and Wednesdays, there is a bus organised by the council that goes there directly. The ruins of Ek Balam is definitely smaller than Chichen Itza but you can climb the temples. The view from the top of the tallest structure was just spectacular. I felt more connected with the energy in Ek Balam than in Chichen Itza. The entrance fee was also cheaper and it was definitely less touristy.      

Ek Balam

On our last day in Valladolid, we visited a chocolate factory which produces extraordinary raw chocolate with traditional Mayan recipes. It was established by a French man who extensively researched the Mayan culture to obtain the method.  According to our guide, Mayans were the first people who discovered the chocolate. It was an incredible experience to try different samples of traditional Mayan chocolate. Of course, we couldn't help buying a couple of packets which unfortunately did not last very long. 

Destileria Artesanal de Agave

It would have been a shame to leave this fantastic city without visiting the Destileria Artesanal de Agave where we learned all the processes to make tequila. The tour was naturally followed by a free tasting of their unique brands. They produce 4 different types of tequila aged between 1 day and 5 years. My favourite was the 10 months old one. 

Valladolid was a wonderful introduction to Mayan and Mexican cultures. I felt very connected with this land, its people and the incredible energy, especially in the Mayan ruins. After 4 fantastic days, we were ready to discover the magnificent beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Atlanta and Miami

We flew out of London on the 15^th of July 2013. Our trip to Atlanta via Chicago was long and unpleasant. If you plan to fly with American Airlines, please think twice as they had one of the worst services I have ever experienced. Our flight was delayed, so we missed our connection. More importantly, their staff was very unfriendly and not welcoming at all. Sometimes it is better to pay a little more and fly with a better airline, especially if it is long distance flight.

Catching up with Atinc

In Atlanta, we were picked up by a high school friend of mine, Atinc, who has been living in the U.S. for over 10 years. Now, Atlanta isn't really the touristy city that you would want to visit, however we didn't want to miss a golden opportunity to catch up with good friends. 

Upon our arrival, Atinc's wife, Burcin, found out that she was pregnant. It was wonderful to be with them at that moment when they received this life changing news. Unfortunately, there were some complications with the pregnancy and we spent a lot of time at the hospital. I am very happy that we were there to support them during those difficult times. After 9 complicated months, they have extended their family with two gorgeous little men. I wish them all the best and lots of happiness for the future.

Coca Cola Museum

Besides hospital visits, we checked out CNN Headquarters, the Coca Cola Museum, and the down town area of Atlanta. 

At the weekend, another high school friend, Aycan, joined us from San Francisco for two days and we all had a brilliant time together. Although we see each other once every couple of years, we never lose the deep connection we developed over the time. I consider myself very lucky to be connected with such wonderful people all around the world.   

During one week in Atlanta, I caught up with another dear friend, Rachael, whom I met in Munich more than 8 years ago. She found out through Facebook that I was in town and we managed to see each other for a couple of hours. It was great to witness that both of us have progressed in our spiritual paths and we were able to exchange valuable information to help us move further.

When we meet someone we have not seen for a long time, a great opportunity arises to reflect back on our lives. We can notice our progresses, failures, and accomplishments. When I saw Rachael again after 8 long years, she said that at the time, I was miserable and lacked clear direction in life. She continued by stating “now you made it”. Well, I am not sure if I made it or not. I believe, life is an ongoing journey and we never stop learning and growing till the end. I am still full of fears and anxieties but it is true that I can manage the ups and downs of this human experience better. Very grateful to Rachael for providing me the opportunity to reflect back! 

Dinner with friends

A week in Atlanta passed quickly. It was full of fun, intense emotions, support and love. A big thank you to Atinc and Burcin for their hospitality and friendship. Also many thanks to Aycan who came over to see us during his busy schedule. 

Soon, we found ourselves in the heat of Miami. I have to admit that the U.S. is not the best place to visit if you are on a tight budget. The distances are far too long to walk and we felt very limited by not having a car. I also did not connect with the life style in Miami which seemed superficial. We rented 2 bicycles and visited the South Beach, Ocean Drive, down town and Bay side areas. It was an awkward feeling using bicycles or walking around the city, as the majority of people were in their cars. Nevertheless, we managed to have fun and enjoyed the beaches and the ocean which were luckily free.

My new friend in Miami

During our 4 days there, we met with a good friend of Alex, Boris from Cuba who settled down in Miami many years ago. Boris and his friend showed us great Cuban hospitality and invited us to the best Cuban restaurant in town, Versailles. We had an incredible dinner with an authentic Cuban flair. Another remarkable dinner we had with them was at Flanigan’s SeaFood Bar and Grill. If you like ribs, you need to visit this place.

Dinner with Cuban Friends

Our limited time came to an end in Miami very quickly and it was time for us to check out Central America. Overall, we were happy to leave the U.S. as it is definitely not a country to visit on a limited budget. Well, you can but, you probably won't go very far in South America later on. Even though we couldn't stay long, it was wonderful seeing our dear friends and spending some quality time with them.  

Miami Beach

Vibrant London!

Big Ben

Soon it was time to say goodbye to our family in France and go to the other side of the English Channel. Our trip started at Gare du Nord and in less than 3 hours, we were in the intriguing city of London.

I was excited to be there as it was my first visit to the UK. We booked a room in Kensal Green through Airbnb. It was a typical 2 storey English house with a nice room not too far from the tube (that’s what the Brits call the metro).

After dropping off our luggage and a quick shower, we were ready to conquer this exciting city. Alex lived in London for 2 years before moving to Australia, so I was lucky to have my personal tour guide during the next four days. The first stop was a small coffee shop in Spitalfield where we met some of her old Spanish friends, Miguel and Bea, who live in the UK. It was a short but great catch up.

After a delicious coffee, it was nearly dinner time. I was delighted to meet up with a former high school friend, Aydin, whom I haven’t seen for more than 5 years. He kindly invited us to a nice restaurant in Covent Garden. After dinner, we continued our joyful conversation over a couple of pints in a pub next to the Thames River. I feel very fortunate to have good friends all around the world.

Notting Hill

The next morning started with a fantastic breakfast served by our landlord which included home-made muesli, fruits, yoghurt, orange juice and of course some English tea. After this feast, we had enough energy to visit some of the tourist attractions in London, such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and Hyde Park.

We also caught up with another good friend from Sydney, Siki Daha, who moved to London to promote his insprational music. He combines smooth soulful vocals with organic lounge beats to create the perfect soundtrack for chilling out and intimacy. Feel free to check out his Facebook fan page to get a taste of his art. Together with him, we enjoyed some of the yummy delicatessen offered in Borough Market followed by a great coffee.

Soho by night with Siki and Serge

At night, we checked out the vibrant atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus with Siki and Serge, another friend of Alex, and went to a bar in Soho followed by a groovy dance club. The night life in London is fascinating. After a long night full of dancing and fun, we managed to catch one of the last tubes to get some rest in our typical English house.

Picnic with friends at Hyde Park

We had a slow start to the next morning due to our big night out. Alex organised a picnic to catch up with her friends and former colleagues at Hyde Park. What a great idea! We spent a wonderful afternoon eating delicious tapas and chatting away with lovely people. As for me, it was wonderful to see some old friends and make new ones. 

The next morning, I was invited by Aydin to visit the Windsor Castle while Alex was spending some quality time with her close friends, Swati and Nene. After an hour drive, we arrived at the royal residence in the English county of Berkshire. Apparently, it is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world where the Queen spends her weekends. It was a spectacular visit and if you are in London, it is worth the extra drive to Windsor to check out this fantastic place. A big thank you to Aydin who took the time to show me around in the countryside.

Visiting Windsor Castle with Aydin

Our limited time of 4 days in London came to an end very quickly. London was vibrant, dynamic and fun. It is definitely a city for the young and career oriented people who enjoy a fast paced life-style. I didn't see many children or older people during our stay. There is certainly a lot of stimulation for your senses and you can easily lose track of time in this exhilarating city. It was wonderful to see the beauty of the world which reminded me the saying “Life is not meant to be lived in one place”.

On our last night in London, my wife and I had a serious fight. You might think that it is easy to hold a relation when you are travelling together for a long time. Actually it is pretty challenging. We were almost together 24/7 which got strenuous. We were already experiencing some difficulties in our marriage, and this last fight tipped us over the edge. Marriages are living entities that need continuous nourishment and we seemed to have lost the connection we used to have. After a long discussion, we decided to have a 3 months trial period to find out if we could save our failing relationship. If you like to learn more about building a better relationship with your partner, you can check out the useful information on my blog post "Tips for Happy Relationships". Another interesting article in Psychology Today by Jay Dixit addresses some of most important issues a couple can face.

Tower Bridge