Home sweet Home

Final leg...Stavanger, Norway via Frankfurt back to Edmonton in 34 hours and my fall travels have come to a conclusion. 9 weeks, 6 countries, 18 flight segments, 40,000 kms of flying, all 4 seasons, 2 hemispheres.

It has been an amazing journey and the world to me is just a little bit smaller. Had some weather delays in Toronto and arrived to the comfort of home - in minus 27C, winter and a dead battery!

Thanks for following my journey!

Talgje, Norway

After a few busy days, the lack of sleep caught up with me and I developed a chest cold. However, hanging around on the island of Talgje near Stavanger (Rogaland Kommune) was good for a rest. Hoping the antibiotics help as I am on a flight back home in one more day!

I took a walk down to the boat terminal at the end of the island. Talgje is connected by a tunnel (a toll applies each way!) and a boat to ferry islanders to and from Stavanger and neighbouring islands. Fognafjorden divides the islands from the mainland but there are a number of other fjords.

I stopped in at the Talgje church (built in 1150) which sits prominently on one of the highest points on the island. Local farmhouses are well taken care of and are now showing Christmas lights and candles in their windows, some like a menorah. Even in December the grass is green around the farms. While walking past one farm, 8 turkeys came running out 'burbling' a welcome. They don't gobble! There were a few sheep and dogs, crows, a heron and amazing views of the fjord.

Telemark, Norway

After a 38 hour journey from New Delhi, India with 3 flight segments, I arrived in rainy Stavanger and was greeted by my friend Benjamin. It seemed crazy to leave warm +25C weather in India and enter +8C cool humid maritime climate after weeks in the heat! I actually like it, though. It will help me transition to winter back home!

We decided to pack up and head out to Telemark where the Gaski family cabin is located in a remote valley south central Norway. The road was impassable for the final 8kms so we hiked in.

We hiked in as the sun set (3:45pm here!) and made it to the cabin in the dark by headlamp. It was a cozy, rustic cabin on a hill at about 1000 meter elevation, with a stream nearby for running water, no electric power, no internet of course! a warm wood stove, candlelight, comfortable living area and a composting outhouse.

It is quite surreal to walk by headlamp in the wilderness with few people, birds, no animals other than some elusive reindeer. The quiet was only broken by the NW winds that blew the clouds away. Having to get up in the night, I was out in the wind and noticed Orion as well as many stars and a waxing full moon!

We headed out at 7am in the dark as we had a long drive to Kristiansand. The sun rose at 9:30am (we are that far north!) So, I got my wish...snow, cool temperatures and to reconnect with my Norwegian family and a night in a cozy cabin in the woods!

Heading off home in a few days, concluding 62 days, 6 countries and countless memories. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity for adventure!

Rishikesh yoga

Life in the Ashram - vegetarian meals, playful yoga, we are treated to Vishvaji's amazing teaching and practice at 6am, fire puja before breakfast each day, 4pm yoga and early evenings to bed by 9 pm as you need to be up in 8 hours! There is time to do laundry, walk through the busy streets or sit in the sun on the terrace and write what I have learned in the classes.

One night there was a special 'naming ceremony' for the TTP students which I was invited to attend. Vishvaji started with chanting and then invited each one to receive their name and in return students offered a gift, lit a candle and everyone received a carrot sweet after. It was very special.

I have been out to walk the two bridges and taken a trip to Rishikesh proper, which was nothing special. I have found a few more shops near the Ashram that have quality goods. My purchases include 3 white marble eggs for the girls. Still do my coffee meditation every morning.

After 10 days of yoga and life in the Ashram has taken on a regular schedule. I have now connected with Akhanda yoga and it appeals to me, and is similar to my style of yoga. Gentle, playful, blissful and fearless.