Travelling Starfish

Thundering roar of the winter falls

Growing up in Toronto, Canada I was fortunate enough to only be an hour away from Niagara Falls.  Over the years, I’ve visited the Falls on a number of occasions.

I know that I’ve spoken about the Falls before but I was thinking back to a time when I was at the Falls close to the winter period and remembered how miraculous they were.  As the weather starts to get warmer (yeye!), thinking of colder temperatures doesn’t feel so bad.

In November 2005, I headed over to the Falls from Toronto and stayed overnight.  One of my favourite hotels in the area is the Embassy Suites Fallsview.  We were looking for a nice hotel at a decent price and we were lucky to find just that.  For $100, we got a massive suite overlooking the Falls (with a jacuzzi), full breakfast and a happy hour with free drinks and snacks.  It couldn’t be beat and the views were spectacular.

Even though it was only one night, it was a great overnight stay that I’ll never forget.  After indulging in a meal at The Keg, we woke up and decided to venture out to the Falls for a site that I’ve never seen before – the Falls in the wintertime.

With it being November, Niagara Falls had its first taste of winter – it wasn’t snowing but it was chilly.  Winter was on its way.  Although not a lover of the cold, I bundled up and thought that I’d give it a go for a change.  As soon as we set our eyes on those Falls, I knew that I’d made the right decision.

As much as the Falls are lovely in the heart of the summer, there is something even more picturesque and special in the cold.  Maybe it’s the glimmer in the water that almost looks like ice or the fact that there aren’t as many tourists around.  I’m not sure but I do know it was a lovely experience that I would even do again.

Me at the falls - a bit chilly

I’ll tell people time and again that, unless they love the cold, that they should only visit Canada when the temperatures start to improve in the spring-time.  However, I have to say that a visit around the winter time is a different experience and a visit to the Falls at this time is very special indeed.

Since this visit I’ve been back a few times.  I have a lot of fond memories there that I hold close to my heart – lots of laughs with friends & family.  Sometimes I look back on some of the things I’ve seen in my 32 years and I realize how fortunate I am.  Hopefully my next visit to the Falls will be just as glamorous.  Hey, they didn’t make a Marilyn Monroe movie in Niagara for nothing, did they?

Bye for now, Miriam

Jersey CI

Travelling isn’t only about exploring, sunning yourself on the beach & backpacking.  Some of my greatest travelling moments have been working – yes, working.

As a Commonwealth citizen, I have been very fortunate to be able to take advantage of the working holiday maker scheme (now called Youth Mobility Scheme).

The Working Holidaymaker Scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 (in some areas 35) can come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. You can work for up to 12 months of your holiday, but the holiday should be the main reason for your stay, not the work.

Aussie bound

There are other schemes in other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.  All are unique to their own country and worth a Google search.

When I first came to Jersey, I came over on the Working Holidaymaker scheme.  I was quite lucky to arrive and find a job almost straight away.  I temped at a bank on the island for about 5 months and then switched to another financial institution after where I stayed for just about 2.5 years after moving to work permit status.

I’ve also applied for an Australian working holiday visa (twice actually) although I never actually went over on it.  The process for Oz was extremely easy – I was able to apply online and I got notified almost within a day following that my application had been accepted.  For Oz, once you get accepted, you have 1 year to travel over and upon entering, 1 year to work and travel in Australia.  Now that I’m 32 (yikes )I am over the age limit to go to Australia but could still apply for one in New Zealand if I ever got the urge.

Me, Israel

Not only does doing a working holidaymaker give you the chance to travel longer (as you’re earning and don’t have to live off of your savings), you also get to have a totally different experience.  By working in offices, fields or elesewhere you get to interact with the local community and adapt to what it feels like to work in the place you are visiting.  It was my first exposure to working abroad and I truly have never looked back.

Taking the step to be a working holidaymaker gave me the confidence to work elsewhere in the world – as I have in Israel too.  By taking that step, experiencing new corporate cultures and ways of life, I’ve really grown as an individual.  I highly encourage anyone travelling for an extensive period of time to find out if the country supports a working holiday scheme.  You never know – you may just find your future home.

Enjoy,

Miriam

Gorgeous architecture

A few weeks ago I headed into London and did a bit of sightseeing.  I have been in and out of London a number of times, but I rarely go to museums or tourist attractions.  I don’t know why, but over the years, I’ve just lost interest a bit and like most people who live in a country, you often get used to a routine and don’t see what the city or area has to offer.

When friends of mine asked if I’d join them at the Natural History Museum to see an annual photo competition, I said yes.  I’ve been interested in doing things outside of the norm and thought it was a great way to spend a Saturday.  I also have never visited this particular museum and really enjoy learning about history and nature.

The photo exhibition itself is an annual event.  The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the most prestigious competitions of its kind, attracting entries from professional and amateur photographers of all ages worldwide. The competition promotes the discovery, understanding, responsibility and enjoyment of the natural world.  There are photographers from all over the world – from Europe to North America and even Israel.

My dad was an amateur photographer for years and he always enjoyed taking photos of scenery and nature.  It is incredible to catch acts of nature through photographs.  If you think about how much time a photographer needs to invest in catching the scene at the right moment, it is very impressive and makes you realize that it is truly an art onto itself.

The Hall of the Museum

The competition ended in March 2011 but will begin again at the end of 2011 and usually last a few months.

After we spent a couple of hours looking at all the photos, we moved on to visiting the actual museum.  As you’d expect, the museums hoses artefact’s relating to history and nature.  The dinosaur exhibit is my favourite – brings me back to being a kid.  It is a really fun day out, however I think that I know for next time to avoid going on a Saturday.  Since the museum is free (bar the entry fee to the photo exhibit) it is a perfect place for families to spend the day – especially a rainy one.  Can get a bit hectic to be honest.

The museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 – 17:50 and is free to get in.  The only days it closes are for the Christmas period from 24th – 26th December.

The website says that the museums vision is “to advance knowledge of the natural world, inspiring better care for the planet”.

To achieve this vision, the museums seeks to maintain and develop their collections and use them to promote the discovery, understanding, responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world.

Even after only being at the museum for a few hours, I felt like I wanted to go back.  It somewhat changed my mind about spending time in tourist attractions.  Maybe next time I’m in London I’ll do a bit more sightseeing to continue to develop my understanding of what this city has to offer.

Taking a day or a night at the museum is well worth it!

Open Evening

A few weeks ago I had the lucky break to be in Winchester for an open evening.  Basically I believe these open evenings happen across the UK.  Most sites will have one a couple of times a year and they offer free entry into the site.

This night it was free entry to the Winchester Cathedral.  When I told people I was going to Winchester, almost everyone told me to make the effort to see this Cathedral.  The only other thing people said to me about Winchester Cathedral was that it was mentioned in a song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

When I found out about the open evening I was VERY excited.  Winchester Cathedral is such an iconic structure – even just taking a look at it from the outside a few days before, you see the beauty, time and precision that took place in building it. Over the past few years, and after touring so many in Italy, I’m not one to visit cathedrals but I’m definitely glad I did.

The Beauty of the Cathedral

I think it is a treat that this free visit is in the evening too – there is something elegant about it and it feels like we are back in olden times when the Kings and Queens roamed through Old England.

As soon as I get in, I’m welcomed by a representative from the tourism board who guides me towards the start of the self-guided tour.  There is also a guided tour (which I’m amazed at, considering it is free).  I have some cookies and tea while I contemplate which I should choose – without too much thought I realize its the guided tour all the way!

I meet up with my guide, Ian Case, and I think I made the right choice!  He is such a lovely man and very knowledgeable about the cathedral.  I’ve added a video I took below – apologies I took this the wrong way but you can get the idea of how incredible it is inside.

This cathedral houses the throne (or ‘cathedra’) of the Bishop of Winchester and has its origins in the seventh century, when a Christian Church was first built on the site. Since then it has played a fundamental part in the life of this ancient city.

Begun in 1079 in the Romanesque style, this Cathedral is at the heart of Alfred’s Wessex and a diocese which once stretched from London’s Thames to the Channel Islands.

The Cathedral was also the church of the community of Benedictine monks from its earliest days.  Elements of the monastic buildings may still be traced through the Cathedral Close.

Ian tells us all about what it was like to be in the cathedral back in olden times.  He walks us through the entire cathedral from start to finish and highlights the level of detail throughout.  The ornate designs on the walls and the beauty of the ceilings.  This is something I’ve always loved when seeing European architecture – oh the al frescos!

The Lady Chapel

A central theme to my visit is that my camera is taking the most awful photos.  I’m trying so hard to get some good shots but the lighting is all off in getting that right shot of the beauty that surrounds me – hence why I took a video.

Our final stop is the Lady Chapel and as soon as we approach, I am in awe.  I don’t know why but I instantly fall in love with this chapel room.  The ceiling is gorgeous, the room is petite (but full of beauty) and there is an elegance here that I haven’t seen much in most other cathedrals I’ve been to.

I’m not a religious woman, but if I was a member of the Church of England, I’d want to pray here!

The open evening has really motivated me to go back to the cathedral another time.  It’s given me a taste but not enough.  I think the next time I have a chance I’ll be going back to see more of what this cathedral is all about.

There are a number of tours you can take and I just have one thing to say – sign me up!

Bye for now, Miriam x

Another day, another moment where the weather man got it wrong!  I am in England at the moment – Winchester, Hampshire to be exact – and was planning a day of walking and scouting around for all that this town has to offer.

Now that it’s pissing it down (to speak as the English would) I have to resort to taking in a bit of the sites in order to save myself from getting drenched.  I’ve learned over my years in the UK, that you can never trust the weather man and that most of time you need to bring both your sunglasses and your umbrella.  Luckily, I have both with me as I set out on my day in this beautiful town.

It’s a Sunday so that is always a challenge but I notice that some of the sites are definitely open to the public.  After grabbing a cup of coffee at my favourite UK coffee chain, Caffe Nero, I head up the High Street to the Castle which includes the Great Hall and the infamous Round Table (more on that in a minute).

A bit of Civil War action!

Surprisingly on my way I see that there is a troop of people dressed up like they are from a different time.  I stop to ask what is going on and they tell me that there is a civil war reenactment going on today (of course there is!) and that I should keep an eye open for it.  The reenactment starts right in the Castle grounds and has a number of individuals dressed up in authentic gear.  I am quite impressed that even with the awful weather they are still so eager and enthusiastic about this job.  It’s great to see actually.

After the excitement of the show and as the rain comes pounding down, we head for cover in the Great Hall – and great it is.  Situated just by the High Street is the Great Hall and it and the Sally Port are the only surviving parts of Winchester Castle and are owned and maintained by Hampshire County Council.

It is a site to see that’s for sure.  As I go through the rigmarole of drying off from the rain, I almost miss the initial first impression of this incredible site.

Money shot - the infamous Round Table in the Great Hall

After a bit of an ah-ha moment, I walk around and read some of the information on the Hall.  The Great Hall was one of the largest and finest in England and is certainly the finest of that period to have survived today. It’s history stretches from the reign of William the Conqueror (1066-1087) through to alterations and improvements at the peak of military and domestic development during the reigns of Henry III (1216-1272) and Edward I (1272-1307) up until it was last used as a court between 1938 and 1974.

Around the Great Hall are beautiful stained glass windows all with various crests and writing of pivotal royalty.  As you can see my photo below Queen Elizabeth has made her stamp here and the detail of the glass is impecable.  The Hall also features a judges’ gallery, garden and wrought steel gates that were installed in 1983 to commemorate the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer (or simply Diana as we all know her today).

One of the central features in the Great Hall is the greatest symbol of medieval mythology, King Arthur’s Round Table.  Although now known to have been constructed in the late 13th Century and painted to the way it looks right now for King Henry VIII it is still an amazing piece of history.  By the way, this is the King who has quite the scandalous history, having had six wives (Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr) and his popular image suggests that he also had many mistresses.  Wow – he was quite the ladies man considering he only lived until the age of 57!!!  That racey past aside he is an important part of history and I guess without him we may never have this amazing piece of history to see.

Stained glass is all over the building

The table is one of the main tourist attractions in Winchester and is known as the mysterious table of the ‘Once and Future King’ Arthur.  The table is 5.5 metres in diameter, weighing 1200kg (wow that’s heavy!) and is constructed from English oak.  As the myths go, the first mention of the Round Table is in Robert Wace’s Roman de Brut (1155), which says that Arthur seated his knights at a round table so that all should be equal.  The inscription round the centre (which is quite hard to see from this angle I must say) of the table reads:

“This is the rownde table of kyng Arthur w(ith) xxiiii of his namyde knyattes.”

Pretty straightforward I think – don’t you?  lol.  As much as I joke, when you take a step back and think about what you are looking at – the history, the preservation and the thousands of people who’ve come before you to see this site (and table) it is truly incredible.

I urge everyone to come to Winchester on your next trip to England and to visit the Great Hall when you do.  Entry is free, donations are appreciated and it is open most days of the year (except for holidays). Check out the website to find out more.

I’ll be writing a couple of more posts about Winchester – and a side-trip to Southampton – so stay tuned.