悠遊自在的魚

趁著短暫的夏天結束之前,我們向學校請假一週,從倫敦開車出發,做了一趟英國鄉間慢旅行。

The Cotswolds. There's no finer place to fulfill my England fantasies. 

第一次來到The Cotswolds 科茨沃爾德,便愛上她的優雅與寧靜。我們花了一整個星期的時間,帶齊了健行地圖,漫步在Cotswolds一連串精巧雅緻的村莊與古色古香的小鎮之間。零星散佈在綿延起伏丘陵地帶的鄉間小鎮,與周遭優美的大自然景色合而為一,有著濃濃的英國氣息,獨俱風情,與歐洲許多國家鄉間比較起來真的很不相同,既典雅又和諧,意外地讓人驚豔,也美得令人屏息。

英國,又再一次讓我傾心。

With glorious honey-coloured villages riddled with thatched cottages, old mansions, and atmospheric churches, the Cotswolds countryside just oozes old-world English charm. Strolling among these idyllic stone little villages, walking slowly around all the tranquil valleys & gentle rolling hills, what a enjoyment !

【 休息 是為了再次出發】

和先生兩人工作多年之後，在轉換工作的空檔，決定送給自己一段長達一年的休息和充電。原本一年一次的歐洲旅行瞬間拉長為一年，長年辛苦工作賺來的“金錢”，和生命中另一項最珍貴的資源“時間”，一定得花在刀口上才行。

【 從倫敦出發 在歐洲四處旅行】

歐洲先進各國環境優雅舒適，文化藝術底蘊深厚而豐富， 其中，倫敦人文薈萃，聚集了從世界各地而來的各色人種，互相包容彼此尊重，多元文化持續互相激盪的結果讓倫敦成為一個充滿魅力和活力的國際一級大都會。每天生活其中仍感到驚奇不斷，教人大開眼界。更棒的是，倫敦不但是前往英國各地的重要交通樞紐，還是歐洲廉價航空的大本營，可以省時省錢又不費力地四處旅行。選擇在倫敦落腳，再出發向英國各地及其他歐洲國家旅行，回頭想想是一個很明智的決定。

【 深刻的在地生活 不只是觀光客】

[[ Apprentice Chef's Diary in Barcelona, Spain  ]] June 2013

Diary # 1 - http://jocelynlin.pixnet.net/blog/post/39292781

Diary # 2 - http://jocelynlin.pixnet.net/blog/post/39460295

Three months’ working / learning in Barcelona as an apprentice chef was an amazing splendid journey. Although I was worn to a frazzle everyday when I went home from work, some times even quite distressed, my exploration in Spain still lives up to all my expectations. Thanks all these new friends for your company and showing me smashing times. Everyday I wake up with smiles and extremely grateful to my beloved husband Richard and my family for everything they have done for me.

[[ Flying back in UK ]] September 2013

霞喀羅古道散步 -  古道東段 [ 新竹縣,尖石鄉,秀巒村,養老部落 ] 

2015, 12月19日更新

Photo by: Richard Cheng

霞喀羅古道是國家級古道,也是著名的賞楓山區,全長約22.5公里。

東端由新竹縣尖石鄉秀巒的養老部落進入。

寫部落格不為別人, 只想老年哪裡都去不了時, 還能清楚記得自己當時的心境和想法, 希望回頭看著還能覺得有趣,  如此而已。

另外, 這次旅行行李極簡輕量化沒帶單眼相機, 部落格中的相片都是以手機隨手拍, 雖然色彩不飽和解析度也差, 但擺脫攝影的牽絆, 卻更能專注在旅行的每一個當下。

Date: May - Aug. 2015 in Florence, Italy

Date: July 20th, 2013

After learning / working and living in Barcelona for almost two months, I’m in the mood to start traveling again. Then I got a chance to visit my friend in a little medieval village Peradallada, located 22 KM east of Girona.

[[ Peradallada, Girona ]]  A Historic-Artistic Picturesque Monument

↑ The venerable 13th century Romanesque church dedicated to Sant Stephen stands outside the village walls of Peradallada.

↑The imposing antiquity main entrance gate.

Date: June 21, 2013 / Barcelona

My dear friends,

It’s been three weeks since I left London for Barcelona on June 1st. From the messages you sent me, I know you are rather worried about me and wondering if everything’s going all right. Some of you even want to accommodate me in London if I am treated improperly in the Barcelona restaurant. Knowing you are the ones I may really count on, I’d take the bold step fearlessly towards my next exploration.

[ 深秋的阿姆斯特丹 Amsterdam in Autumn ]

Date: October 15 – 21, 2012

經過在歐洲一年的休養生息,Richard又再次投入職場忙碌的生活。幾乎每個月都得出差一趟歐洲,雖然很辛苦,但想趁著年輕,多看看這個世界。

[ Openbare Bibliotheek ( Central Library ) Amsterdam 阿姆斯特丹中央圖書館]

The " Openbare Bibliotheek ", Amsterdam Central Library, is an exceptional science and cultural hub where Richard spent most of his leisure time relaxing here. A really tranquil place in the hustle and bustle city.

Date: June 19th - July 1st, 2011

Croatia is one of Europe’s more underrated destination and best-kept secret. The lack of heavy industry has left this country largely free of industrial pollution. Richard and I have been sharing a love of travel and new cultural adventure for years. After two weeks journey in Croatia, this marvelous country becomes one of our favouriates. It is definitely the perfect spot for holidaymaker and the fabulous playground of the hedonists like us.

[ inland countryside ]Both ‘Plitvice Lakes National Park’ and ‘Krka National Park’ feature a dramatic series of cascades and fascinating turquoise lakes.The stunning waterfall ‘Skradinski buk’in Krka NPis considered one of the most beautiful calcium carbonate waterfalls inEurope. To walk through the travertine caves, take the boat up the river and cross the lakes, or mount to the hills, and then jump into the sparkling clear poolwith high waterfalls at one end and cascades at the other, were absolutely the highlights of our trip in Croatia.

[ offshore islands ]  Croatia’s offshore islands are every bit as beautiful as those off the coast of Greece. The untamed natural beauty of these unspoilt islands, Hvar, Korcula, and Mljet, are the perfect vacation destinations for us. With azure Mediterranean sky and crystal clear water, it is the spectacular paradise we’ve been always dreaming for.

[ Unesco World Heritage Sites ]  The Unesco World Heritage Sites, Trogir and Dubrovnik, are both gracious and full of romantic medieval architecture, ancient stone walls, Roman ruins, beautiful churches and fortifications. The thoroughfare in old town centre of Dubrovnik is radiant with the reflection of the paved white marble stones where we were strolling around with great pleasure.

Date: September 10th - 25th, 2011   

Date: May 11, Wednesday 2011 @ Taiwan

[ Before Flying ] Complete Chaos!

雖然預計停留英國倫敦及義大利佛羅倫斯不到一年的時間,但所有台灣帳單,稅單,勞健保轉出,掛號信等等雜事,還是得事先處理安排妥當。奔波了幾趟HSBC匯豐銀行,順利辦妥英鎊帳戶,歐元帳戶及英鎊歐元兩種提款卡,這樣一來,旅居歐陸這一年,便可以暢行歐洲,在任何國家ATM隨時提款,線上結匯(匯率自己決定),不用花半毛手續費。真棒的事。

辦好財務瑣事,再停掉第四台,寬頻網路,手機服務。又將汽車前後兩個車排從車體上拆下,申報停用,繳回監理站。省下的牌照稅,燃料稅,保險費,剛好用來買一張倫敦來回機票,不無小補。是省錢達人一定要做的事。

臨行之前,為了和倫敦的房東啊學校電話連絡,兩人無意間將生理時鐘調成與倫敦同步,快天亮了才睡。就這麼兵荒馬亂地過了好一陣子,原本以為離開台灣前所有大小事大概沒辦法即時完成了。但奇蹟似的,我們竟然在最後一刻,不僅找到倫敦合宜的落腳之處,也順利完成了手邊全部的要事,順利離開台灣飛抵英倫。

[ All about diving ]

一個月前來到墾丁海域潛入美麗繽紛的海洋世界,三天後離開時,便很明顯地感到,無論是所處的這個世界或自己的大小啊輕重都變得跟剛來的時候不一樣了。也回不去原來的樣子了。

回到家的兩星期裡,夜裡大多一直做著悠遊海底的夢。夢裡一樣既刺激又緊張,因為任何動作都要做得適當又安全,每秒都輕忽不得; 但每一刻都得很放鬆,才能氣定神閒地欣賞隨時和我錯身而過的奇妙生物。

[ Weather ]

月底前用不完的15天年休,只能勉強再休一天,剩下的14天沒辦法了。再次出發到墾丁潛水前,跟登山前一樣,我們持續關心氣象局發布的各項天候與海象測報,並撥電話到騏艦海域休閒余俊賢教練那兒,隨時請教並掌握墾丁最新天候與海況。終於,在今年入冬第一道強烈冷氣團前腳剛離開,我們隨即在12/10清晨直奔恆春半島,希望在2010結束前能再有一次愉快的潛水假期。(結果才潛完回到家,另一道更強勁的冷氣團立刻來報到,我們真的好幸運。)