"Listen, Do you want to know a secret?"

"Listen, Do you want to know a secret?" My friend David asked me when stroking and massaging my Pomeranians Buddy and Zorro. I smirked "Do I need to promise not to tell?"

David hesitated and said: "It is an Australian best-kept secret." He got my attention even if deep down I knew it was too good to be true. "You may not believe it," he continued, "Till you try it". Will you leave such a comment to fade into the sunset? Exploring the network for hours and skipping two meals we end up with sailing tickets and general information to this spot at the edge of the world.

We are living on a small island, underneath bigger island, at the edge of the world. The populace of the island is about 550 people that almost doubles during peak summer holidays. If you appreciate tranquility, unspoiled hikes, and good food this place is heaven on earth.

We start our paddock to plate journey at Dennes Point in Jetty cafe and art gallery with its breathtaking vistas. Next destination is Berry farm when you can "pick your own" fruit or purchase their sensational berry cake, as well as pancakes filled with strawberries and raspberries. The local favourites are the little gemstone-like berries in sparkling champagne jelly. The recipe of berries kindly borrowed from Jill Mure and Richard Bennett book of Bruny Island.

Place one bottle of champagne and two cups of sugar into a saucepan and bring to boil stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and wait until just warm. Mix six leaves or two tablespoons of gelatin with half a cup of boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add the gelatin to Champagne syrup then add six cups of fruit like blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Pour into glasses. Fill eighty percent allowing room for cream on top.(One cup of runny cream.) Refrigerate to set. Serves six.

Next we head to Bruny Island Cheese Co. The owner  Nick fell in love with the island when visited here as a tourist, bought a place and started laying the foundation for a new genre of artisan cheese. His range of nine cheeses is heaven to the palate. He is an only one in Australia that makes cloth covered cheese from unpasteurised milk in traditional wooden hoops. My favorite cheese called Saint, and it is soft, oozy, and "creamy" best eaten with sourdough baguette directly from their wood fired oven. If you unable to visit the place in the nearest future, you can become their Cheese Club member and purchase the produce online.

Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches. That is why we find ourselves asking directions to Bruny Island Premium Wines. Here Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes enjoy warm summers and long sunlit but crisp autumn days. The slow ripening of the fruit adds to the flavor of the wine as well as oak cask in which the wine matured.

   “Either give me more wine or leave me alone.” said Rumi.

We bought wine that goes well with oysters and "Getshucked" oyster farm is our lunch destination. "Contrary to popular belief, oysters and wine are not always a natural combo. When they are good together, however, they can be very, very good, letting you slip into that glowing envelope of happiness created by great food and wine moments." Rowan Jacobsen.

On this farm, oysters fed and bathed in pristine waters of the Southern Ocean in one of the cleanest environments on earth.

I buy natural and Vietnamese inspired, and I am hooked until the rest of my life. Today was a sensational feast to the senses.

Luckily businesses close at five, and we head to a deserted beach for a peaceful stroll. Views of emerald water with towering above cliffs are incredible. I sing and echo of the waves sweeping my words with them. At night, falling asleep to the sound of whispering trees and arising from sunlight brushing my cheek is more that one can ask.

Landing on Bruny Island was an incredible journey that reminded of how fascinating life is.

"El Colacho"-Jumping over babies

Baby Jumping  (El Colacho) is a long-established Spanish festival.
This celebration is dating back to 1620 to commemorate Catholic feast of Corpus Christi to praise the belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Many other metropolitans have spectacular processions and a variety of other popular means of rejoicing and enjoying themselves, but there is only one Baby Jumping Festival that take place in Castillo de Murcia near Burgos.

Anyone who has an infant conjoining to their clan welcome to bring them along to this festival.During the spectacle, called the "devil's jump" men dressed as devils jump over babies  that were born during the previous twelve months while they  lie on mattresses in the street.

The roots of this established practice are unnoted. It supposed to purify the newborns from immoral action and safeguard the transition
through life  and protect from ill health and vile morale.

Not long ago, Pope Benedict called for Spanish priests to separate themselves from this festival and to de-emphasize its association with Catholic Church. Christening by  water and not by leaping over necessary for baptizing.
At the end of the day, this Spanish folklore seems to be a great fun even if it can be at times  a little scary to watch.

Anyone who has not reaped this guardianship in their childhood can in their adulthood to participate in jumping through fire on midsummer night in the Basque village of Arizkun.The idea is to scare off monsters and evil spirits and encourage fertility.

Tattoo

The word tattoo was brought into English language from Tahitian 'tatau" by Captain James Cook expedition. Many of Cook's  mariners and seafarers came back home with tattoos. Tradition that later on become paired with men of the waves and deep water in the widespread mind of public and journalists.Cook's voyages to the South Pacific  simply imported the Polynesian word because the act of  tattooing was present from the beginnings of "Western society" in Ancient Greece.

Through the history, tattoo had different connotations and association.
In ancient China tattoo considered to be a barbaric practice.
In Egypt, it would tell female status or be as a part of religion, healing or punishment.In India, it represented cultural symbol. In pre-Hispanic Philippine Islands, it was a form of rank and accomplishment, and some even believed that a tattoo had supernatural power.In Japan, tattooing was for sacred, and decorative purposes that  extend back to 10000 BCE.

In Samoan society, the permanent marks left by tattoo would forever celebrate stamina and loyalty to cultural beliefs. The physical suffering was extreme, and the risk of infection high, but to back down was to risk being labeled as a coward. That would forever bring shame upon the family. In New Zealand  tattooing known as "Ta moko" involve face marking because Maori people appraise the head to be the holiest part of the body. Tattoo  often covered the entire face and was a symbol of social status, power, and prestige. In Russia, tattoos are commonly used among criminals to show gang membership.

Tattooing evolved gradually into more socially acceptable over the years.By the 19th century tattooing had expanded to British society but was still  to a great extent associated with sailors and the lower or even criminal class. Tattooing proliferated among the upper classes all over Europe in the late 19th century, especially in Britain where it was estimated in 1898 that one in five members of the aristocracy had tattoos.
Taking their lead from the British Court, Edward VII pursue George V's lead in getting tattooed.  Kaiser Wilhelm II King of Romania, King Frederick IX of Denmark and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia all display tattoos. Many of them intricate an interpretation of the Royal Coat of Arms or the Royal Family Crest.

Tattoo today is often referred as a self-expression through body art or as a way to memorize loved one that passed away.Another trend is to get matching tattoos with another person to express one of a kind link.

Glancing at periodicals, you can witness famous personas tattoos, such as Angelina Jolie,Johny Depp, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Brad Pitt, and Usher to name a few.
 


Tattoos ceased to be slutty and became sexy.They represent self-confidence.Every tattoo has a story and history.They continue to speak the unspoken testament to the true heart and to declare the devotion, sadness, and love.

Rite de passage

I am lying in an awkward position in a pitch darkness and tranquility. How longer should I wait?  Is anybody coming to rescue me? Just yesterday I have heard a male voice saying that I need to start packing my bags.I am uncertain what triggered it, but  I feel a forceful blow in my ribs and likewise follow. My body being pushed powerfully through a compacted corridor and I am determined to get out of this awkward situation.I am having a narrow escape and everything taking off speedily.Exhaustion overpowering, and I decide to close my eyes and take a well-deserved rest. I can hear loud voices "He is not breathing" "Call a code"  so I given a whack on my backside. I acknowledge throbbing sensation that I protest by screaming and all involved sigh in relief while someone else in the room starts sobbing. My first lesson in life is to "wail" full-mouthed if you think somebody bites one's nails because of you.

I had been around barely a few days and already  figured out principles of behaviour.I know that whimper and blubber bringing the food and the ear-splitting wailing will stimulate cuddling and kisses. It is troublesome and is energy depleting to make all this demands.On the other hand, I need to take care of myself.

I know today is a special day because mum dressed me in my best outfit. Smiling clean shaved young man that everybody call "well done David"  told me that I was going to have my "Brit Milah." What is that? I already heard about google but not sure how to use it. I hear appalling doorbell ringing and people appearing and touching each and everyone in their sight. I am on their high priority list, and I learn my next lesson that attention only good in moderation. The person of honour or " Kvater" also known as "Godfather" arrived, and his duty is to bring me to the "Mohel" that is  trained to practice circumcision.

The whole process of cutting my member or more precisely the foreskin takes less than a minute.A blessing and a prayer for my health read over the wine, and I am given a name. After the "Brit" completed a celebratory meal to praise God takes place, and  little Daniel left to his own devices.
Real feast takes place and guests start to compete who can tell the best circumcision joke. The winner was an old kind grandpa, and his jokes go like this:"A Rabbi was late for a golf game and became rather short tempered with several people whose phone calls kept delaying him.
The next day his secretary said:"Rabbi, several members of the congregation were upset with you when you cut them short yesterday."At that point, a man who had been sitting within earshot in the reception room got up and departed hurriedly."Who was that?" asked the Rabbi."Oh, that was Mr. Ruthenberg," she answered. "He wanted to speak to you about a circumcision for his son."

Buddy

My first day of arrival from Tasmania

I like the backyard!

Puppy milk is very tasty...

My outing on a bicycle.

My first trip out of Melbourne,I am in Echuca

St Kilda beach...

After a visit to vet

Amazing country views

I told them I don't like showers.

Traveling Duo

Life is full of unpredictable twists, and innocent occurrence of events resulted in unorthodox relationship to my partner Natali. We been together for two years and never had an opportunity to travel. My life at that stage included full-time studying, and part-time work that left me with nada free days. After my graduation, I hesitated how to seed the hint of "hitting the road" with her. I recollected Natali stories of her travels with her parents, and they usually included comfortable hotel rooms and organized tours. I was first-hand witness to her overwhelmed expression when she was reminiscing about "meltdown" when she went bush walking with friends and had to stay in a tent. I, on the other hand, knew that I possessed wanderlust "gene" as my anatomy professor used to say in his monotonous voice “All the signs and symptoms present. ”I appreciated peaceful pleasures of life like hiking, campfire cooking, sleeping under the stars, sitting on the beach and watching sunset, swimming in the rain and "day dreaming" about exotic countries. Not to mention the constant itch for novelty and new experiences. All this indulgences were usually short and sweet day or overnight trips. Back then I could only afford to be an armchair traveler and keep up longing to witness the beauty of the world with my own eyes.

After a sad event at work, I spilled my awaken desire to travel to exotic countries. Natali reacted antagonistic to my crystal ball reading, and our views of a situation were poles apart. When I was nervous about resourcefulness to travel at a comfortable level and not to get trapped in a foreign country in some unpredictable situation. Her red flag was: "We will be spending so much time together that we may be fed up with each other sooner rather that later.” I tried to look at it philosophically answering: “What meant to be will always find a way, it will undoubtedly test the relationship and not necessarily for worse.”

Both of us were excited to discuss the idea of where, when and for how long. I acutely craved South America, and Natali had thirst for Europe, and at the end of the day, we found ourselves booking tickets to Bangkok.

Humid, hot air is the first thing that struck me on our way out of Bangkok airport. It feels like I dived into the pool without taking my cloth off. I am glancing at my partner that stands flabbergasted with her eyes wide open trying to take in the sights. I still regret that I was unable to capture the moment, the picture that was worth a thousand words indeed. Taxi drivers were screaming and pulling while somebody started pushing us. No breathing space, no time to hesitate and I offer another couple to share a taxi to save money, and we are on our way. I reach to squeeze Natali's clammy hand in reassurance, and she glances back at me with her big green eyes that scream of exhaustion and excitement. We arrive at Khao San and quickly find a place to crash.

On the second day in Bangkok, we used the most common mean of public transport known as "tuk-tuk." The shocking revelation was that it did not take us to agreed-upon destination in addition to overcharging us. I was reaching boiling point for pouring time and money down the drain when Natali calmly said: "There is no point crying over spilled milk. "I admired her peaceful temperament and tried to extract it like a bee sucking the nectar from a flower. One of my resolutions for the journey was to turn over a new leaf in my life and become more tolerant and open minded. Easier said than done. Don’t you agree?

Food fossicking caused us to cross swords like in Les Trois Mousquetaires. In a course of time, we learn to live by their motto "tout pour un, un pour tous" that means "all for one, one for all. "On top of that, our palates got used to spicy food to the level of addiction that made selecting eatery uncomplicated.

We were traveling for months now and learned tricks of the trade. One of them was:" Always buy water for a long journey lying ahead." On this wise, after purchasing bus tickets, choosing seats with a window that theoretically and practically can be opened we left our bags and disembarked. On our return, we discovered that our bags were waiting for us on the floor, and young Vietnamese man was occupying our seats. We bitched about the rudeness of his actions. I can’t recall everything that we said but something along the lines of bad manners, boldness, and disrespect. I was still carrying on when this guy looked at us and in a peaceful manner in almost perfect Russian said: “ Tickets numbered and you were as a matter of fact occupying my chair." Apologising profusely I wished the ground could swallow me. Afterward, we initiated conversation with him and realised that he is local that studied engineering in Moscow. The old saying “Don’t judge the book by its cover” could not be more appropriate to this awkward situation. Subsequently while laughing at our expense my partner said wiping tears “ The bewildered and astonished expression on your face was a pure pleasure to witness.”

When I left home to explore the world I was mainly looking for new experiences and found so much more. The adventure challenged me in so many ways. I discovered new traits about myself, constructed sturdy bond with my better half and together we learned to agree to disagree. Red flags, which preoccupied us at the beginning of the journey became green at the finish line and sweet realization that we were "meant to be" descended gently like first snow.

8 Benefits of traveling as a couple

Getting to know each other better

More time couple spent together, further they know about each other. It is an opportunity to witness partner’s personality that you do not get to see at home.

Make new memories together

When travelling as a couple, you build memories together that you can recollect later on with fondness.

Travel brings you closer

Sharing new situations and weird experiences will create intimacy. When you travel duo there are decisions to be made such as places to go or dine, entertainment, budget, and much more. Traveling as a pair can enrich your togetherness as a couple.

Someone to take care of you

You consistently have your lover to look after you when you are under the weather. Your half will lend an ear when you are upset or in need of emotional support.

More savings

Most of the spending can be split in two like hotel rates and car rentals. If you share the same bank account the numbers, will stay hover longer.

More photos

Ultimately you will have over and above photos because someone is there to take it. Better yet, you are not always solo, and the memories are till death do us part.

Experiences are better shared

There are experiences that better shared with your significant other. Of course, you can write about your experience later on or tell stories about it to your friends. But having someone to share that moment with you is simply priceless.

Safety in numbers

When you are off the beaten track in no-man’s land or stumbling home after the night of wetting the whistle, you need somebody around in case of misadventure to verify you make it  “where the hat is.” It helps that person is your romantic partner and has an absolute interest in your prosperity.

Sharing secrets

The weather forecast promised unwelcoming forty degrees and cloudless sapphire sky spirits away last hope of salvation. Suffocating humid wind is inducing stickiness of the material to flesh. My two Pomeranians which habitually glorify their morning walks, look at me with the bewildered expression of somebody who lost their mind even considering to wend one’s way on this sizzling ground. They were not exposed yet to the brightest star and they both already panting and drooling. Papa’s old joke comes to mind: “Wife is asking her husband to go to the grocery shop to buy some bread. Husband is then answering that it is so hot that even the dog won’t go out. The wife is answering back- then go without a dog.”

I am on my way without a dog to a local fruit and vegetables store to get the watermelon .The wisdom of selecting a perfect one kindly provided to me by my granddaddy. We were at his house when he picked one out of the stock on his balcony and patted it gently like I seen bold men rubbing their heads. Remember he said: “ It must be firm and symmetrical with no lumps or bumps. If you identify any, it means that it subjected to irregular amount of the sunshine or water that cause dryness. Then lift it up, it should be weighty for its size that indicates it is full of water and therefore nice and ripe. Following step is to look at the underside spot that should be yellow and that stipulates that this beauty was sitting and ripening under the sun. “He winks and continues: “Without a doubt, the famous knocking technique, which includes firm rap with your knuckles and listening to the sound is great when mastered. That he wraps up is an unmistakably straightforward system to get it perfect each time you purchase one. This flashback brings an extensive smile to my face, and the colorful fruit and vegetable seems to be grinning back at me.

A loud Greek heavy accent slices the air, and I look in the direction of a commotion.

A middle aged woman tasteless or as some may suggest theatrically dressed standing in front of the refrigerator and speaks to somebody in Greek on the other end of the line. Then she picks up about seven packets of unrecognizable product and kisses it. I tiptoe my way to the fridge only to find out that the kissable object is out of stock. Only the curious have something to find will be my slogan of the day as I rush toward this strange woman. Luckily she does speak English with a heavy Greek accent and explains that she came across fresh vine leaves, that not very common in Australia and now she is going to make dolmades. She says the word as though she is talking about some goddess. The unimpressed look on my face brings an astonishment to hers. She asks me if I tried the homemade dolmades and from my hesitation she comes to her conclusion. She pulls out one packet of fresh vines leaves out of her basket and placing it in my hand while simultaneously reassuring me that it is very simple. Her excitement contagious and I let her pull me into the herbs corner that smell like basil for the sharing of a secret family recipe.

 I buy all the ingredients required for dolmades as per her instructions. I am heading toward my parked car when I hear the Greek accented voice yelling: “Don’t forget the lemons!