Summer Sprinkles

Monday morning dreaming Florence. Even though it was summer, I still managed to get caught in a little bit of a sprinkle (if you look closely at the photos you can see a few raindrops). So, apparently everyone ducks for cover while I go play in the rain whether I am in Florence, London, Dar es Salaam, Melbourne, or home sweet home in Perth. I guess not many people in the world like the rain. But I do. The smell of rain leaves the perfect scent of freshness, which makes me feel peaceful, and makes me want to twirl, and fall asleep listening to it trickle on my roof. Also, there is hardly anyone ever around so much more room for fun. I guess these pictures don't quite show you the perfect summer sprinkle moment I had in Florence. ♥

Skydiving

So based on my research a Tandem Skydive means free fall for 40 to 60 seconds. But that's not exactly how my experience went. As a smaller framed person of only 32kg at the time (no I have never had a eating disorder nor do I diet) I was pulled like a breath of wind out of the plane firmly connected to a professional parachutist and free falling to learn my journey was becoming something like paragliding at the same time. It was like having two experiences in one resulting in a happy Belle with a beautiful view (not the house burning down though). Would you have ever guessed I would have jumped out of a plane? Well, back on land amongst the soft green grass, watching the video reflecting on the last 5ish mins I couldn't believe I had just jumped out of a plane. I hadn't been nervous and I hadn't been scared. I was more afraid of the thought of my pretty little brown shoes (the only enclosed shoes I had packed) falling off in the sky and hurtling down like a shooting star.  After borrowing a pair of sneakers, everything went smooth sailing and I have an amazing experience to look back on and wonder how I ever did that!

So here's my list of Fab Four Pro's for anyone considering taking on the wind, the sky, a plane, and a bunch of wires.

1. Definitely don't research what can happen on a skydive before you go, let alone watch all those YouTube videos of things going wrong. That isn't going to help one itty little bit! I didn't not because I was afraid of knowing the truth (in my mind I had imagined jumping out of the plane and falling to my death and in reality there was a second or two during my free fall where I thought this was going to happen with the world spinning around out of control) but because that was those people's experiences. I was determined to have my own first experience, and enjoy the ride. Whatever the outcome. Living life to the fullest right? 

2. If your goals it do adventurous and adrenaline type sports and activities be sure to pack a pair of shoes and clothes appropriate enough. For me, I didn't own a pair of sneakers at the time (and still don't except a pair of white Vans for work!) but luckily I packed a t-shirt and tights just for it. It definitely requires some thought in advance if you're like me always wearing sandals, dresses, and skirts daily.

3. This one is for my Crohns and Colitis ninjas - if you're stressing about what's going to happen on the way up and while you're shining bright across the world like a star, don't be. I know I went to the toilet a million times as I had only been in remission for about three weeks (this was the first time since I had been diagnosed) and out of five people I was the fourth one to jump. You can imagine how long the wait was as the company took people up in two's. For me personally though, if I hadn't been in remission I would have tried attempting to skydive anyway. Your body is stronger than you think. And it actually does cooperate at times believe it or not. I have experienced two of my worst Ulcerative Colitis episodes where I have struggled the entire day during two of my teaching practicums and that had the additional stress of assessors, parents, teachers, lesson planning, resourcing materials, achieving lesson goals, and reflecting daily. You'll never know what you can achieve, till you try. So try some skydiving, or if you are keen for more land adventures, and if you are up for a trek and some sightseeing why not try the 'Inspired Adventures CCA Great Wall of China Challenge' and raise some money to support Crohns and Colitis. There are plenty of adventures out there, and starting small is the easiest, one foot at a time till you're flying high above the clouds and skydiving out of plane back to land.

4. If you've always wanted to be able to fly as your secret superpower then this is your chance with a stunning birds eye view over whatever location you choose whether Auckland, Dubai, Hawaii, Interlaken, Sydney, Tyrol or any other place. 

Video coming soon. ♥  

Tirol

Over the centuries meltwater carved deep ravines with vertical rock walls in the mountains make Tirol's beautiful landscape ideal for canyoning. The vast plain with stunning shades of  green surrounded by mountains with the sands of Africa in view make for the perfect place to skydive. Two adventures of a lifetime not to be missed!

Tirol a magical pretty hidden land I could never have imagined. When you think of Austria what do you think of? Do you think of Mozart, the Sound of Music, or a Viennesse Waltz at an exquisite ball? Do you stop to think of and take note of the nature around you wherever in the world you are? Tirol is a maze of green and adventure not to be missed and if you like to try new things definitely make a pitstop here. 

Canyoning is the perfect summer adventure. Over the centuries water and nature has created amazing canyons - a playground for people wanting an adventure. Canyoning usually involves a variety of activities including abseiling through waterfalls, jumping into pools, sliding down water chutes, swimming, wading, and apparently sometimes even diving (but I didn't come across that) - oh also and in my experience lots of fun freezing times which are made up for with the obstacles made by nature and overcome thanks to safety gear. 

When you go canyoning you are provided with thick wetsuits, water shoes, and all the safety equipment required and in some special cases even a waterproof camera or GoPro (but that wasn't my case and so I have no photographic evidence of my very special adventure). It definitely is not an experience to be missed even if you only have a half day free. With one day in Tirol canyoning was my chosen morning activity. I can't wait to try out some other canyons around the world. I know I have my eyes set on a pretty rainforest style canyon in Wollongong and an adventurous canyon into the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. 

Can you guess what my chosen afternoon activity was?

Coming soon ♥  

Best Holiday Bag

"you don't have to carry a designer bag that costs more than a car to look cool" 

anonymous.

I am in love with designer travel bags, but I just can't justify the price of them. Can you?  Bag: It took me some months to find this beautiful strong, bag but I eventually did (thanks to mum's help!) from Fossil. I was looking for something neutral to go with everything and not too frilly so it could be dressed up and down, something to carry the essentials and of course my dsrl. Camera: Did you imagine my dslr was hiding in there? I think this bag did a great job in that regards. Weight: for the most time this bag wasn't heavy at all - only when it came to super duperly hot days and walking around Rome and the Vatican City on foot did it get just that little bit heavy. Price: While this bag is slightly more expensive than your usual everyday bag, it isn't as expensive as your Prada's and Givenchy's. It is made out of a sturdy leather, which will last you for many more holidays to come. Opinion: Definitely a great holiday bag in my opinion!

Happy Bag Shopping! B xx

Postcards from Europe

my sister's idea of a caption:

"i thrw mi hands up in da air symtyms sngng ayooooo"

I'd only ever heard, seen photos and paintings, read books, watched movies and listened to music that was associated with Europe but nothing could have prepared me for seeing things like the streets of Barcelona, the canals of Amsterdam, the beautiful Austrian Alps and Rhine Valley scenery, the Colosseum and Vatican City, the gondolas in Venice, the beautiful little city of Florence, the Eiffel tower in Paris and let's not forget the shopping, gelato and macarons (yes I have a sweet-tooth!) It is so hard not to fall in love with each city I visited had its own special charm. So, if you didn't see my photos on Instagram (@littlebxx) then prepare for quite a few travel posts which is only a fraction of the photographic evidence I have of my trip to Europe. They say a picture is worth a thousand words right? Happy living through my travels. 

Ciao B, xx

Fairy Floss

i love fairy floss and i love paris ♥

I have a few stories to tell you about my adventures traipsing around Europe. I've travelled around the world since I was four but nothing could have prepared me for visiting a tiny part of the world (have you seen those pictures that pop up everywhere that show a numerous amount of European countries fitting into Western Australia - who would have thought!) and experiencing a world of culture. Coming soon ♥

e-u-r-o-p-e

cinque terre ♥

photo by @garypeppergirl

I'm so excited to announce it's official (if you haven't already noticed from my instagram pictures @bellecara) - I have booked my flights to Europe although unfortunately not a one way ticket. I'm so excited and I can't wait to start packing and jetset out of my little Perth.

I have never been to Europe and only truly discovered it 2 years ago but since then I have wanted to go so so so badly. I always knew Europe existed but as silly as this sounds it was just that far out continent that I had no real interest in because I didn't know much about it.

When I was seven I start learning Italian in school and decided I wanted to learn more and take part in the exchange program to Italy when I got to Year 12 (but that didn't happen as I stopped learning Italian when I was 13). Of course, Europe is the foundation of classical music and so I've had about 15 years hearing and learning where composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy, Straus, Haydn, Chopin (the list could go on forever!) come from, died, where they worked, where they travelled, which famous European Kings and Queens they wrote special works for, music written for special locations eg. The Evening in Granada by Debussy or Music for the Royal Fireworks by Handel etc etc etc etc.

So in a nutshell.. I can't believe I will finally get to experience the beautiful European traditions and see buildings which are so old and beautiful and explore a whole new continent altogether. Fingers crossed the time flies till I'm on a plane!! Love B xx