Travelling alone


Travelling alone is a no no for some of us, and years ago I am sure I would never have had the balls to do it either.
But there are many benefits and very few draw backs, especially with smart phones, (as long as you dont swim with them) as you always know exactly where you are and are always contactable.


On my phone I have maps me, tracker finder for my kids peace of mind, Uber for the cheapest taxis which is hugely handy when you have no idea where you are and to get a ball park figure of how long it takes to get places and how much it costs.
Then you have my spanish apps, music, messaging, it really is a piece of cake compared to the last time I did this, when the only communication happened through email.


But take the phone out the equation and things change.
My daily spanish lessons stopped, which was a big miss, keeping the language in my head over and over has been brilliant.
No maps, fine in the Galapagos but a totall pain in the ass getting back into Quito and finding my way around. No idea about this city, where to go, how long it takes, blah, blah, blah.

I got on a trole bus yesterday on a mission to buy a phone, managed to ask for the centro de la ciudad and headed into the every large city centre, jammed in with another 3000 peeps swinging and holding on for dear life.
I had no idea where to get off, but when I had been on for about 45 mins and I started to see a lot of shops, I just got off. Found the nearest hostel, cranked up my lap top to make sense of where I was. So much easier if you have your phone.
I can understand what people say now if it is in context, but I a completely isolated by the language here, the speed they talk and the accents, it's an interesting experience.

I am glad I took the lap top but obviously is not ideal on the bus, or airport, or street corner.
I had to find wifi, then hope it would connect, then try and remember details or write them in my notepad, very old school and a pain in the ass.
No music or meditations when I am on bus or plane, and no way to send my nieces stupid photos of my trip.

I love the freedom, where will I go today, what time, where am I headed, there is a real excitement getting up and wondering what amazingly, beautiful place to go to next.

I am going to write a separate blog on the Galapaogos, but as I became phoneless there it was in interesting experience.
The hostels there and a few places on mainland have no kitchens and private bedrooms more like a hotel, which may sound nice, and is occasionally, but not if you want to socialise.
For me, travelling alone, the main way you meet people is in the bostels, sharing dorms or eating in the kitchen.
So I had a few days where I really spoke to no one, and having no phone I was not talking to any of my friends or family around the World. When I could get online the internet was not strong or fast enough for me to really communicate happily in any way, but there were positives too.
With regards to my Spanish it has hugely improved but only to ask for things and understand directions etc, not have meaningful get to know you, what are you all about converstations.

Kind of like a silent retreat as I joked to my sister, but it was an interesting experience.
For a kick off I made huge inroads into a project I am working on. Got right back into reading and ordered 3 new books which I have not done to a while. Had time to reflect on what I truly want to do.
Still not sure btw except I know I love the travelling life and thanks to another couple of apps, I can volunteer, learn new skills, meet new people and pay practically nothing to be here.
The internet has truly opened us up as a Global community and I love it.

But my obsession continues

My mind is still obsessed with healing.
How can we bring the latest, scientifically proven techniques to the Scottish and Maltese communities? I care about everyone else but these 2 places are my backyard, were I will be living and visiting, where my heart is.
How can we change the terrifying language that is currently used, and create an environment of love and hope, with access to the latest info on how people defied the odds, as thousands are doing.
How can we create a Global support network for those on the healing path, to ensure that no one feels cutt off , terrified and alone, and can access the good stuff? The data as my darling friend Sondra Barret would say.

I even met and chatted to a Scottish lady who has lived here for 21 years, who had a radical remission!

I am working on a mission, travel gives me time to plan, meditate, release, visualise and ask for guidance and support.

I have met so many interesting people on route, most travellers have got a great story and a fascinating attitude. They have moved out of the system for a few months, years and that is invaluable for your soul. Nobody is judging you on your past, you only need to share what you want, and you can really be yourcellf.

I am amazed at how many really young girls are travelling alone, 18 and up, wow have they got some courage and strength.
With the work I do, the new undestanding of totally changing your external environment has been a real insight to me.
Most of us are living in the past, dragging it around, projecting it into the future, and depressing our immune system with it and running out of energy in the process.
Most of us feel liberated and refreshed when we go on holiday, then its back, we even call it back to the grind.
Does it have to be that way?
Since I moved to Malta my life is much more holiday vibe than grind and I know a lot of my friends there find that too.
I know living in the sun is not for everyone, but I think its powerful to look around and see if you can find your place.

I met a girl who had come from Mexico and she said it was her place. She felt it there, its an interesting thing, we know, not with the 5 senses, but with the heart.

I get that.
I am having a ball travelling through all these places, seeing this incredible Planet but as yet I know for now this is not "my place". I knew Malta was the minute I arrived there.


Finding your place helps you align with greater everything.
If you are unbappy or just living for the weekends, maybe you need to find a new place.
Doesnt have to be in a different Country, it might not be your home it could be your job.


Stress and wishing things were different are simply a sign that something needs to change.
Its your boot up the arse, come on, release the fear and see what else you could be doing that could make your heart sing.


I am a traveller, I have known that since I was a kid, always dreamt of sunny places, being on the sea, meeting all different cultures.
Now thanks to the internet we can travel pretty much forever if we want.
I am also driven from something I do not understand, to help create a better "health and happiness" picture in my 2 beloved Countries.
Sometimes I get downhearted thinking it is too big a job, and people do not want to change. Then I kick my own ass. Where is the hope in that thinking?
​Hope.
That makes my heart sing.

Casa De Sirena


When I left to come to South America on my own, I had no idea really where I would go, what I would do and how I would pass my days.
Seems crazy, but I just did not think about it.


I flew into Bogota and had a lot of fun meeting other travellers in hostels, sightseeing, chatting and moving on to the next fascinating place.


I decided I wanted to stay put for a while, so went onto the HelpX website to find somewhere to volunteer. I wanted to learn about living out here, give back and immerse mycellf in one of the villages.


At this point my Spanish was nada and this is important, I could understand Jack shit.
I saw this American woman had moved to this fishing village and set up her dream home, and was looking for volunteers. I messaged her, she facetimed me, and a few weeks later I arrived here.


I was blown away by the house. It is still a work in progress but for me it is like a dream from a kid.
I always dreamt of living on a forest or a raft? Go figure, the nomad has been in my since forever.


I had no idea what I was going to be doing either lol.
There were already 4 others here helping when I arrived. 2 were curing the bamboo and varnishing, 2 were doing something downstairs with wood and seemed to be able to fix things, which I clearly could not be part of, so I got a brush and started curing and varnishing.
I did not bring old clothes, so note to cellf, be a bit more prepared.
Turns out it was so hot that I was in my bikini or swimsuit anyway, so it was all good.
And strangely rewarding.
Sirena is a character of monumental proportions, I just loved her, we hit it off immediately.
The fact that she moved Continent at 50 is so inspiring to me, most of us never move out our town. It is a huge thing to do, especially when you do not know the language, or the culture.
She had seen this place in a dream when she was 21 and has been here for 12 years.
There is another story behind it, but that is hers to tell. It has not been easy, and she ran out of money, but not Spirit and drive.


So the workaway and helpx sites have allowed her to utilise this incredible space to further her dream and give people like me an opportunity to live her for next to nothing.


Mompiche is a step back in time, where literally no one speaks English. The fishing boats go out, but stay in sight of shore, they bring in enough food for today.


There is good surf here too with a large safe beach, and that is the thing that I believe will blow this place up, tourists are finding it, and it will inevitably change, as everywhere does.
My friends have recently been to Costa Rica, beautiful, but full of expats and tourists, everyone speaking English, its a different experience.


I have been going along to help at some English classes which is fun, some of the locals, plus a 70 year old tuc tuc driver who want to communicate with the tourists and understand how valuable that will be for them.

I have even had my own private yoga studio!


I have helped Sirena with a website, blog, some marketing ideas and I suppose refreshed her enthusiasm of the vision for this magnificent Tree House.


She knows everyone and has a friend, the local Tarzan and jungle expert Ramone who will take you on an amazingly education and inspriational tour for only $12.
Her cooking is delicious, breakfast and dinners can be part of the deal, I highly recommend you take this up, you will be fed fresh, delicious and nutritious meals.
I have spent nearly 3 weeks here and already feel a bit sad about leaving.
I 100% recommend coming here if you are open minded, love nature and want to experience this form of Glamping.
I loved it.

I have been in Casa de Sirena, this incredible tree house for a few days and settling into life in this awesome little fishing/surf village.
It is rustic and cool, fairly untouched by the outside World, although I doubt that will last when people really discover it.
There is no bank, the nearest one is 2 hours away, you can buy a pair of flip flops (still smarting ove the loss of mine) but thats about it, kit wise.
There are restaurants, cafes and hostels dotted around, a couple of surf shops, fruit juice bars and that's about it.
It is very laid back, you can get ignored for a good half hour when you go in a place, could be annoying if you let it, but there is no rush to make money or create a good impression, which is refreshing in a way.


The other 4 Volunteers have all left so it is just me and Mermaid Sirena.
She was given that name by the locals because she body surfs with one fin, not seen that yet but sounds pretty cool.
She has created this incredible house through a fair amount of adversity and challenge, but she has persevered and her vision gets closer.
She was never destined to have children, so she wants to leave this mansion as a place in the Village for education, inspiration and Community.
She has an amazing vision for this fabulous space.
She was 50 when she decided to opt out the rat race, move to another Continent and live a completely different way of life from the Californian one.


She sees a place where people can come to the Village, learn, have fun, hang out, eat the amazing food, all fresh, organic, all Mother Natures way.
It is a simple, non consumer way to live that steeps you in Nature and a full blown Zen experience.

I so a few light chores here like curing the bamboo, varnishing and general cleaning up. The leaves and dust are daily due to the open plan of the house.

I went for a walk to Playa Negro, that famous black beach that some people were intent on destroying for the monetary value, and thankfully the locals managed to stop them, a big step against the machine, but one they won.
I never took any water so when I was walking back in the intense heat I stopped at a little bar for water. They didnt have any, only beer, so I sat with an ice cold beer and just enjoyed the vista.
There were 3 local guys shooting the breeze, laughing and also drinking beer. They smiled and waved over, and eventually one came over to chat. He had no English, my Spanish is getting better, but my ears arent.

I showed them my Babbel app on my phone, they were intrigued and tried to fill in the missing phrases and got it wrong every time.
This amused me, they don't speak or spell the way this app does, I have no idea what level of education they have.
The young boy was brilliant with me, he talked slowly, knew a few words in English, and listened intently.
He was so tiny behind the bar, but so switched on. Except I had given him 2 columbian coins and he was too polite to say!

Then an old English man appeared, started chatting, came over and joined us, me, Fabrizio and the 11 year old barman.
He told me not to trust them, great people but dont trust them.
That seemed like an oxymoron to me?
I avoid people I dont trust, so how does that work I asked him?
He just kept repeating the same thing, great, great people but dont trust them.
I decided to ignore it.

Are there more thieves here % wise, I have no idea, but I know enough about quantum physics to focus on the good.

There was a young girl (turns out she was 16) breast feeding her baby, standing by the guy who was sitting with the 2 others also enjoying a beer. He completely ignored her, and she just stood, the baby feeding, and I watched.
He had to be the father, boy I could feel for her, just a bit of attention, love, thought?
When the baby falls of her nipple I went over and gestured could I take her for a cuddle. She handed mye the gorgeous little girl and ran to the water for a swim.


The babies uncle Fabrizio managed to communicate to me that the baby always cried unless she was with her mum.
Fabrizio is my new Mompiche friend. He is very cute, super smiley, great surfer and keen to learn English, and it is his brothers child.
He is 18. He seems to have a very happy disposition.
So I walked the baby around for maybe 30-40 mins until she started griping again. The dad was watching me, I have no idea what he was thinking, but he started interacting with the mum, they laughed and clowned around and she seemed happier.

I handed her back, no words were exchanged.
Having little language is interesting, because you are guessing a lot of the time, what they are thinking and communicating.
Then before she left she came to me, held the baby out for a kiss, then she kissed me. I knew what she was saying, she appreciated the time.

It seems like you have gone back a hundred or so years here.
The women do the housework, get pregnant and that is their destiny.
They all have huge televisions, but I have no idea how much education that brings. It is defo a mans World here, the way it is in most places even to this day.
Lucky the Rise of the Divine Feminine is on.