Category Archives: travel

The Island of Capri

I lived in the Napoli, Italia twice for a total of six years as a young child and young teenager.
So far that has made it the longest place I have lived anywhere on earth in my lifetime.
One of my favourite things about Napoli is the islands off its coast: Capri, Ischia, and Procida.
Today for Travel Thursday I am going to take you on a tour of Capri.

The Island of Capri is one of a few islands off of the bay of Napoli that you can visit. While I also highly recommend Ischia, the bigger island of Capri has so much to offer.

See the island from the the outside on a boat tour that can give you a close and personal look at the infamous Blue Grotto.

The island is quite large and I do not recommend trying to cram it all into a few hours. Spend the whole day at Capri and enjoy it at your leisure taking in all the wonders the island has to share. Buses are also available if your feet get tired from the walking.

There are many passageways and if you do not have a map it can be easy to get a bit turned around. Do not fret if you do. There are a lot of beautiful sights to behold along the journey, like these handmade ceramic street signs. Even the signs for the electric and gas lines were made in the same fashion. How italian.

We went to Capri last time in August and the blooming flowers with their pops of colour in the mass of green were quite pleasing to the eye.

If you decide to forgo transportation you can easily get around on foot. Just be cautious of the mopeds.

We passed a lot of beautiful private gardens on our walk, including this one with a beautiful fountain.

I reccomend earlier in the day making your way to see the infamous Grotto Azzurra, the Blue Grotto. If you get there too late and the tide is is you will not be able to go inside. You get to ride in a little row boat inside the grotto and trust me it is not to be missed!

You can also enjoy a bite to eat and a refreshing drink at the small cafe near the entrance to embarking towards the Grotto. Then walk up the hill and get a view from down below.

Whether you plan to soak up the sun on a boat tour or get in a work out hiking around the island, it is one place you will not forget. As glamorous as life in Capri can be, remember sensible walking shoes, your hat and sun protection.

*All Photographs belong to Bonnie Rose Photography © 2013 All Rights Reserved
** For more information about the photos or for purchase: www.bonnie-rose.co.uk

Paris in Motion: Roller Derby model in Paris

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Oh beautiful Paris. The city of love.

Oh have I fallen for the city’s fashion hub,

amazing food, historical art,

and beautiful sights.

Love.

It is said that it is the people you meet on your journey

that can make the most impacting memory of your travels.

For me and our trip to Paris that was true with meeting the beautiful Orel Kichigai.

Orel is in the roller derby with the Paris RollerGirls, models and is active with photography.

We met up while I was last in Paris to see some of the sights.
I am used to doing a lot of walking on my travels and have rented a bicycle when in Lucca, Italia.

I have yet to skate. Watching Orel maneuver seamlessly through the streets of Paris,
it was hard to not be a little jealous I could not glide as well.

I know for next time to pack my skates. 😉

Featured today is Orel, a french Roller Derby player and model in Paris. — in Paris, Ile-de-France.

Travel Thursday: Be Smart with your Vacation Photos

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Ryan and I on the funicolare in Napoli, Italy taken by my friend and photographer, Liisa Roberts.

I have always considered Napoli, Italia fondly with a special place in my heart. I had the pleasure of living in this historical city twice in my life during my childhood. For a total of six years Napoli, also known as Naples, still holds the ranking title of the longest place I have lived in my lifetime. I begin this travel post in this way to explain quite clearly why ‘I should have known better’. That was a statement I said quite frequently after having my phone stolen. It is pictured here in a newly acquired (but not for long) case from one of the amazing markets in downtown Napoli.

When I go on vacation I travel with my DSLR, which I carry like my baby and protect with my life. However I have not always been as smart with that precious item either. Whether you plan to take photos with your phone, a small point and shoot digital camera, or a higher end DSLR with a range of lenses, these would be my tips for traveling with said items.

Be Smart with your Vacation Photos:

1. Be prepared. Decide which camera/s you will be taking and make sure you bring all the necessary accessories. Depending on what is normally in your camera bag, pack accordingly. Make sure you travel with your battery (and spares), your charger, memory card/s, and a memory card reader. I would also suggest your lens cloth to clean your lens.

2. Be smart. For those with multiple lenses a tip I would share is making sure your lens caps have an elastic attachment so that when you take them off they are still tethered to the lens. Its really easy to lose a cap or look like a target for a thief when you are juggling many items. I’ve nearly dropped and lost a lens cap or two trying to capture a photo in slightly dangerous spot. The less you have to worry about can be the better.

3. Be cautious. Do enjoy your vacation and do not allow negative stimgas to ruin a memory. But with that said remember this ‘everyone is suspicous’. So if you are in a more crowded area, tighter space like a train, or just out in a busy part of a city be aware of your surroundings. I lost my phone while I was holding my DSLR tightly but then snapping a photo of a delicious Neapolitan pizza. My phone was quickly and easily grabbed from my hand and it went on a chase with a thief who jumped on the back of a moped and was gone in a flash. I was too comfortable being ‘home’ and should have really been more cautious. Lesson learned.

4. Less is More. Piggy backing off of the previous tip I have learned that less is more in regards to the digital age. When I lived in Italy before I was taking photos by film and new exactly how many exposures I had left on that roll of film. No I can easily take hundreds of photos in a day with both my phone and my camera. I will use my camera for certain shots and my phone for less conspicuous and more artsy shots with fun filters. I would say rely on one camera for one moment and don’t get so distracted by capturing that you miss out on the moment or let someone take advantage of your touristic endeavors.

5. Keep it safe. Back up at the end of every day when you are on vacation. Clear those photos off your phone and onto your hard drive. Load them online to a drop box, flickr account, etc. Its best to have your photos saved and stored in more than one place. If you do happen to get something stolen or lose a bag, you can rest assured that your photos are safe.

My favourite thing about traveling is being able to reminisce the moments and memories in the years to come and share with my family and friends. I have lost photos from my phone being stolen and from back up cds being lost in a move. Enjoy your travels and be smart when taking and saving your vacation photos.

An extra word of advice: Do not let your photos collect dust inside your computer to not see the light of day. Photographs are getting lost and forgotten in this digital age. If you are going to take the time to capture your experiences, print them and display them in your home.

What advice or lessons have you learned why traveling with your camera? I would love to hear your stories, comment down below.

The Eddie Memorial Surfing Invitational

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My husband was stationed on Oahu, Hawaii from 2007 – 2011 after living in Monterey, California. Really tough assignments right? Though we had hoped to be stationed in Europe, I really cannot complain about where the USAF sent us during his enlistment. When you live somewhere you can pick out the good and bad things about your present location. Hopefully you focus most about the good and just roll with the punches with things out of your control. In retrospect from our time in Hawaii I see the things that I did not like were all military related. Everything I loved was based on Hawaiian culture, the island way of life, and the Aloha spirit.

We sat on the beach and the scene was simple put: serenity.

A perfect example of what ‘Aloha’ has meant to me from my time in Hawaii is the camaraderie between people that is more like bonds between family. I have never felt more accepted and more loved in a community that when I stepped away from the military world and got involved with the photography and fashion circuit. People really do stick out for you when you need help. People come together to make something beautiful, instead of focusing on what is important for one person. Hawaii itself is a huge mixing pot of cultures. What a beautiful world it is when people come together. It made our departure from the island bittersweet to have to leave not just a beautiful location, but a beautiful spirit of people whom I still hold dear as my Ohana.

Greg Long won the Eddie 2009/2010 surfing invitational.

“Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind.” – Lilo & Stitch

People still come together every year for a famous local boy from Maui, Eddie Aikau. Eddie was a famous surfer and lifeguard whose life was ended too short at the age of 31 in 1978. A memorial surfing invitation was begun in his honour in 1985. The Eddie only has happened eight times since its inception due to a need for the wave height of over thirty feet. The last time it was held was in 2009, while we were living on Oahu.

Super excited to say I have seen Kelly Slater surf in person. Awesome.

It was a normal morning where I had just dropped off my oldest son at his preschool. We always listened to Hudson and Scotty B on Star 101.9 on our drive back home to Mililani. On this morning the Eddie had been announced to take place and Hudson was telling us how crowded it was becoming at Waimea Bay. It sounded like we had no chance of finding parking at this rate because the majority of the island was headed to see the epic event. However I decided we should try anyways and my youngest and I made our way towards North Shore. I do not know how to explain to you what we saw when we started getting closer to our destination The best thing I could say it was like watching an exodus happen. For miles cars were parked up the side of the highway with no open spaces for us to find parking. People were walking the long distance on foot in groups towards Waimea Bay. Several times I thought to just try to squeeze in somewhere, but then just kept driving. I knew the closer we got the harder and less likely we would find parking. However I remembered a gem nearby that apparently many other people had forgotten. Otherwise I would not have been so fortunate.

Directly across from the Waimea Bay beach park is the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens., which on this day happened to have ample parking available for a small fee. Having my toddler with me on our improntu drive up I gladly paid the price to park. We also enjoyed a nice lunch afterwards since we did not plan ahead. Remember sometimes the best plans are those that you make. We had a really great time sitting on the beach and watching the surfers. It was my first surfing competition to witness and got to see Kelly Slater in person. It was very chill, laid back, and a typical day at the beach in Hawaii. Children and dogs were playing in the sand and people were talking with their friends. Oh yes…and the epic surfing competition. I am so glad that I was listening to Hudson and Scotty B that morning or I most definitely would have missed out on of the best days and memories I have from living on Oahu.

With my son Maddox at Waimea Bay beach park for the Eddie 2009/2010

My tips if you get to experience the Eddie:

1) Bring plenty of bottled water, snacks, and appropriate items for sun protection.

2) Get there as early and try parking at Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens

3) Make sure to bring your camera with zoom lenses.

4) If you want to get the best surfing shots you do not want to be sitting on the beach. Theres some great look out points on the road up that I would recommend.

The Eddie is sponsored by Quiksilver. http://quiksilverlive.com/eddieaikau/2013/

Romantic Getaway to Paris

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The infamous lock bridge in the Paris, France

Happy Valentines Day to all my readers! To celebrate the day for ‘Travel Thursday’ we will look at a romantic trip to Paris. Having grown up in Europe there are many places that I wish to return to now as an adult. Getting to return to Paris on the arm of my husband was the perfect beginning to a romantic two days in the city of love. While you do not necessarily need a reason to go, we went this past August for our 9th wedding anniversary.

“In French, you don’t really say ‘I miss you.’ ‘You say ‘tu me manques,’
which is closer to ‘you are missing from me.’ I love that. ‘You are missing from me.’
You are a part of me, you are essential to my being.
You are like a limb, or an organ, or blood.
I cannot function without you.”
– unknown

Using the website Airbnb we rented a studio flat in the Belleville, Ile-de-France. This beautiful neighborhood is about a twenty five minute commute by public transport to the Musée du Louvre. We really enjoyed in the parisian flat in lieu of a room at hotel because we felt like we were living in Paris and could not easily spot another tourist in the area. The neighborhood was peaceful and the view from our window was beautiful as it overlooked Parc des Buttes Chaumont. The nearest metro station was minutes away and we were able to purchase fresh bagettes and french cheeses at a nearby shop.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont includes the belvedere of Sybil, which sits atop of the 30 metre peak of the island in the park’s partially surrounded lake. The other sights include several English and Chinese gardens, a grotto with waterfall, and bridges.

We were recommended by the owner of the flat to check out the park at sundown to see the spectacular views from on top of the highest point. We enjoyed a dinner one evening doing just that and having a picnic together on the gentle sloping hill. I would also recommend taking photos at the belvedere of Sybil. It is a Corinthian-style monument, modeled after the ancient Roman Temple of Vestain Tivoli, Italy. I think it makes a beautiful backdrop and so I had my husband model for me.

I brought a pair of heels to wear for our anniversary. But to be fair I knew we would be doing quite a bit of walking on our anniversary and so I opted to wear flats. My husband and I love going out on walks together and walking around Paris taking photographs of the beauty around us was just heavenly.

Also I might add that we went to the famous cemetery in Paris where it seems everyone who is someone is buried. I will blog about this at a later time because I took quite a lot of photographs. It was a short walking distance from our flat.

After our walking tour to see the parisian sights we spent our 9th wedding anniversary having dinner at the Le Pre aux Clercs. I will say this was the most expensive meal we had on our trip but it is Paris and it was a special occasion. Besides the amazing service, nice atmosphere it was the food that won me over. To this day I had one of the best steaks I have ever eaten in Paris, France. It was a perfect place for us.

Le Pre aux Clercs 30 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France

How do you spend your anniversary in Paris fashion? Our answer was to channel Audrey Hepburn and go to a jazz club. We chose Caveau Des Oubliettes which is a jazz club underground in a dungeon. Epic. It was laid back and very chill. Next trip I plan we are definitely coming back. Perhaps a Jazz club hop?

We also made a detour to make sure to check out the Moulin Rouge for our photo album.

How do you end the perfect romantic trip to Paris? Definitely if you see the Eiffel tower during the day, make sure to see it at night time. The best part is when they turn the blinking lights on for the light show. C’est magnifique!

Travel Thursday: Moving Abroad

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Travel Thursday. I love to travel. I also love to move. By ‘move’, I do not mean down the street or across town. I love moving to another country and better yet another continent. It is the norm for me and this nomadic lifestyle has been a major part of my life since I was born in England to my American parents. With the weekend right around the corner, I find Thursdays are the perfect day to start talking ‘travel’. I hope to share to you all my love and passion for being a Wanderlust Third Culture Kid.

“Honestly I feel more at home in an airport and on airplane.” – Bonnie Rose

My Childhood. I grew up on military bases up and down Europe until I was seventeen years old. Unfortunately that meant I would spend my senior year graduating in the USA as well as adopting to the (new to me) USA culture. Every cloud has a silver lining and for me it was getting to spend the summer after graduation in Italy to see my classmates get their diplomas. For the next decade I would spend my life living through out the mainland USA and on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. My nomadic needs were catered to with time spent in Australia, Thailand, and Cambodia between the years of 2002 and 2011. Though I carry an American passport and have an American accent, my goal had always been to use my UK passport and return ‘home’ to Europe.

My friends and I at the Naples American high school graduation – 2011 in Naples, Italy

Moving Abroad. Since Ryan and and I started dating 11 years ago, he has been aware that I would want to live in Europe. Straight out of University we went ahead to achieve that goal through following a path to be missionaries. When that door closed the door to the USAF opened and through it the next six years. While my husband worked as a linguist our dream of being stationed in Europe was not in the military’s goals for us. I will say that the 3ish years in Hawaii living an island wife was not half bad. 😉 In the Summer of 2011 with my husband fresh out of the military, we took the leap and moved to England.

If you have a goal to move to another country, make it a goal and do it! Take your dreams and your wishes and pair it with action. I have talked to a lot of people since the summer of 2011 about why we made such a big move. In response back I have heard frequently the statements of ‘oh I wish I could do that’ or ‘wow, I couldn’t imagine just moving to another country like that’. I will be straight with you. Moving abroad will not be easy, but if you want to do it then figure out a way so it does not become a future regret. I love the mantra that ‘Life is Short, Live every Moment’.

This was our last photograph taken with our sons before we left. They would join us once we were settled.

This was the last photograph taken of us together before our plane left for England.

How We Did It. Moving abroad is not an easy feat. While I thought we were both prepared for our move we did learn a lot along the way. We chose to move to England without either of us having a job lined up, nor a place to stay. That is not the whole story, so please do not go by that strategy to move abroad. You definitely need to do your research and figure out how you can get a visa. A simple tourist visa will not allow you to live and work inside a country and every place has its own rules. Know the restrictions and what you will need before you hop on a plane. The easiest way to move to another country would be with a job that you already have, that will send you to work there. While we tried that with the military, this way did not pan out for us.

Another way to get a visa to live and work is to look at getting a student Visa and attending school. My husband decided to use his GI Bill from the USAF and get his masters in England. We moved abroad with my husband accepted to University of Sussex in Brighton, England and I was traveling under my British passport. OOPS! That is right, we made mistakes along the way. So in a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ fashion, I will repeat that you know the guidelines for acquiring the correct Visa. You will want to confirm with several sources or you will end up like we did. Though we read online that Ryan could apply for his student visa in the country, that ended up being a misprint of bad information on the website. My husband had to leave the country, apply for his visa in the USA, pay to have it expedited and then return to join me. The paperwork and dealing with people can end up in costly mistakes if you are not careful.

At Heathrow airport my husband looks for wifi as we wait for our train.

Navigating our way to Victoria Station with the Underground.

First Arriving into England
Though we did not have any personal contacts in Brighton, we did plan out our journey down to Brighton and reserve a place at a hostel. We did not know at this point how long it would take to find jobs, so living in a hotel would be far out of our means. Hostels however are perfect if you are traveling sans kids and was one of the reasons we chose to leave our kids with family while we figure everything out. Staying in a hostel for us was smart. However traveling with the amount of luggage we brought proved to be a bit challenging and did result in a little heart ache. Anything I knew we needed needed to be in our suitcases I packed. On vacations we pack like pros, but moving to another country changes the game plan a bit. If you do come to Europe, know that there may not be lifts (elevators) like there are back in the USA. We had to take several trips many times up and down different flights of stairs across the train stations all the way to Brighton. Which was not as terrible, as it was that I broke my camera lens trying to shuffle bags.

Another tip of advice. There will be plenty of time for photos. When maneuvering your luggage, keep your camera where it will be safe. 😉

I was so excited to be home in Europe after so many years.
Everyone we met was so polite and helpful and we were smiling the whole way to Brighton.

Outside the Brighton rail station on the coast of England.

Ryan eventually got his marriage visa, went to school, and worked part time. I began work for the next year at a salon and our kids joined us in September to start the school year in England. After all was said and done I am so glad that we decided to just do it. Our family has only come closer together living here and being married to my expat in England is everything for which I had hoped. We have since moved to Bath, as of the end of December 2012 and we currently have no further plans of moving.

Where would you move to if you could go anywhere in the world? Have you or do you currently live abroad from your ‘home’ country? I love to meet other expats and future expats!

* Photographs belong to Bonnie Rose and cannot be used without written consent.

I am a TCK and an Expat

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TCK (Third Culture Kid): A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background. (read more…)

Ex-Pat: An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”). (read more…)

I was born and raised in Oxford, England from 1982-1984.
I went to primary school in Norfolk, England in the early nineties.
Moved back to England with my husband and sons in Brighton from 2011 – 2012.

I lived in Stuttgart, Germany in 1995 – 1998 and attend 7th & 8th grade at Patch American HS.
This photo was taken on my birthday with my friends before we went on a shopping trip.

I lived in Naples, Italy in the 90’s for 4th-6th grade and again for 9th-11th grade.
This group photo was taken at our house with our church family.

In 2002 I spent the entire summer in Australia for a church campaign group from my University
and on a lone backpacking trip up the coast from Sydney to Port Douglas.

The summer of 2004 my husband and I spent in Bangkok, Thailand for a ‘Let’s Start Talking’ campaign to teach english.
I returned to Thailand and Cambodia in 2006 for the Asian Mission Conference.

We lived on Oahu, Hawaii from 2007 – 2010
I worked as a fashion photographer, hairstylist, and airbrush makeup artist.

In December 2012 we moved to Bath, England and currently live here.
Took this photo on a timer during our first snowfall of 2013.