Plitviče Lakes, Croatia

This was one hell of a hiking trip and possible my favourite day in Croatia. We booked a 7am bus to Plitvice because we wanted a headstart on a full day in this gem of nature. There were several hiking routes to choose but we went for the full 20km - and I can say with 100% conviction - NO RAGRETS.

Stunning doesn't even begin to describe the national park. Water bodies were aplenty with the boldest aquamarine waters I had ever seen. The colours were so vibrant I suspected they were almost opaque so I dipped my hand in for good measure - but what I cupped in my hands was clear and pristine.

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Working on a french farm part II

I fondly recall little flutters of joy whenever we were called in for breaks or to finish up our tasks for the day. When we weren't working, we would be sitting in the kitchen flipping through Louisa's cookbooks, playing with the animals, jumping on the outdoor trampoline (to compensate for our trampoline-deprived childhoods) or taking strolls through the nearby plains.

The small town life was very idyllic - and also very quiet. The closest thing we had to shopping was the Monday market held at the town centre a long drive away. The area is rather inaccessible without a car, so we hired the "village taxi". It was basically a school bus going around different estates and picking up passengers who had called in advanced. It was the cutest thing, seeing these little old french ladies with their dainty purses and straw hats getting onto the bus to do their weekly grocery shopping - obviously quite bewildered to see two young Asian girls in the back row.

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Working on a french farm

Last summer I spent some time on a farm in Gers, one of the most rural parts of France. It took one plane ride to Paris, two different train journeys to and from Toulouse, a long bus ride to the village of Mirande and one final truck drive in to get to the farm, Enjouanisson. When I look back on it now, I can safely say that working on the farm was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I thank my lucky stars that I had the opportunity to partake in something so eye-opening and enriching. It's a little difficult to put into words what the entire thing was like but I'll try.

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