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Ah, October, among the best months of the 12 months. The month started in Madagascar with a number of days in Nosy Be earlier than flying to Prague, heading to Piemonte for a weekend, and coming again to get pleasure from the remainder of the autumn colours.
I’m thrilled to be having fun with a number of weeks of quiet earlier than I hit the street once more.
Let’s check out the month!
Locations Visited
- Nosy Be, Madagascar
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Alessandria, Asti, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Bra, Alba, Castagnole delle Lanze, Biella, Occhieppo Inferiore, Baveno, Meina, and Arona, Italy
Highlights
Two bonus days in Nosy Be! Nicely, that took place as a result of my flights had been cancelled a 3rd time, and Air Austral couldn’t get me on a flight till 48 hours later. Extra time with my mates, and two extra nights at the most effective resort? Certain!
After experiencing the unrest in Antananarivo, there was lots of uncertainty within the air about what would occur subsequent. I used to be extremely relieved to land on EU soil in Réunion — to not point out getting out 10 days earlier than there was an precise coup.
A weekend journey to Piemonte. Charlie and I went to the Italian area of Piemonte for a protracted weekend. Should you’re in search of precise fall vibes in Italy in October, Piemonte is among the greatest locations you possibly can go.
We spent two nights in Monforte d’Alba and one evening in Biella, driving round and principally exploring the Langhe area of southern Piemonte. We obtained to get pleasure from vineyards streaked with gold, fairly little cities, and copious white truffles on the menu!
I additionally had some wine (my first alcohol since beginning 75 Laborious in June) and…I don’t suppose I like Barolo anymore? That was my favourite!! I believe I’m extra into Barbera d’Alba now.
Both manner, it was so good to be in Italy (our solely go to this 12 months), absorbing the stress-free vibes. Once we weren’t coping with automotive craziness, that’s.
Enjoyable occasions in Prague. Fall is fairly grey right here more often than not, however the temperatures are pretty, and it’s an amazing month for getting out and exploring.
I found two new nice eating places this month. Bistro Habibi is a comfortable little Jordanian restaurant run by Jordanian and Palestinian house owners. The mezze had been large, intense, and scrumptious — and the meat fatteh blew our minds.
(Be aware that there are a number of locations with the identify Habibi in Prague — that is the one on Vratislavova.)
Mexická is a high-end and inventive Mexican restaurant that places their very own spin on lots of dishes. We had lots of uncommon tacos, however the true standout was a dessert: pineapple cooked in caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream.
I’m grateful that there are a handful of nice Mexican eating places in Prague. I nonetheless love Alebrijes for typical Mexican meals, however Mexická is enjoyable for one thing totally different.
Challenges
The electrical automotive follies. Charlie and I had QUITE an journey with our electrical automotive rental in Italy! We had solely rented an electrical automobile for one UK journey so brief that we didn’t even must cost it. And let me say that WE WERE NOT PREPARED.
We landed at Milan Malpensa, and by the point we obtained to town of Alessandria, 75 minutes away, our battery was already two-thirds depleted.
Seems totally different electrical autos deal with freeway driving in another way — and on our Peugeot, it chewed up the battery FAST. So we determined to keep away from the autostrada for the remainder of the journey (unhappy for me, I like the Italian custom of insulting the autostrada machine after it says “arrivederci”).
Now, this was in all probability naive on my half, however I assumed you might discover a charging station, swipe your card, plug your self in, and cost. It was NOT that simple. A lot of the chargers require you to have a longtime account on their very own app, and apps fluctuate.
Moreover, it’s powerful to seek out charging stations in Italy by way of Google Maps, as the data is commonly incorrect. So we signed up for the Plentitude app, which has a superb quantity of charging stations in Piemonte.
Nonetheless, in a basic instance of Italian disorganization, Plentitude at present can’t create new accounts with non-Italian telephone numbers, and it takes about three enterprise days to create a brand new account. (Amazingly, we may name in and communicate to a human who informed us this.)
You know the way a lot I like Italy, however that is the form of stuff that occurs on a regular basis and IT DRIVES ME CRAZY. Only a full lack of effectivity.
So we had been capable of create a visitor account that will tide us over by means of the weekend, however as a result of Apple Pay was “coming quickly,” (come on, Italy, is it REALLY that arduous to implement Apple Pay?!), we needed to manually fill out tons of private and fee data within the app earlier than every cost.
Not one of the chargers charged at a price they marketed — if it had been “as much as 12 kh,” it could cease at round 6-8. Which will have been a problem with our particular automobile mannequin. Moreover, to our consternation, our automobile didn’t have a twine that would accommodate the super-fast chargers.
We survived — and we additionally had a really good weekend! Let’s not neglect that! However I’ve realized lots of issues going ahead that I wish to share with you.
1. Should you’re renting an electrical automotive, have a method to cost it in a single day. Whether or not that’s lodging that has a charger (when you can reserve it, even higher!), or staying in an enormous metropolis with plenty of chargers, it’ll make your life far simpler when you can cost in a single day. Our first two nights had been in a small city with no chargers, which meant we needed to cost by day.
2. Heading someplace busy? Say, Alba for the white truffle truthful? You’re not getting a charger. They are going to ALL be taken. Don’t financial institution on with the ability to cost close to a preferred occasion.
3. Do your analysis on electrical autos and select one that’s suited in your form of driving, particularly when you plan on doing plenty of freeway driving. Then once more — the automotive rental individuals will provide you with what they provide you, so generally you possibly can’t plan for that.
Let me be clear that I’m so grateful that electrical automobiles have turn into well-liked, and they’re much higher than fuel autos in the long term. We hope to get a plug-in hybrid when Charlie is prepared for his subsequent automotive.
However at this cut-off date, the infrastructure isn’t fairly the place it must be in some areas. It is going to be sometime. It isn’t but. Positively not in rural Italy.
Pushing it too arduous with health. My greatest private mistake of the month was leaping again into my traditional power routine, no modifications, after practically a month away.
It felt good within the second. Then I used to be in INCREDIBLE PAIN for about 5 days. Let this be a lesson to you — when you’ve taken a break from power coaching, carry lighter than traditional in your first day again and see how your physique takes it!
I additionally needed to take care of a chilly for a few week of the month. Enjoyable occasions.
Weblog Posts of the Month
The Reality About Visiting Paris in Winter (Good and Dangerous) — Paris is one among my favourite cities to go to within the winter — and now, greater than ever, contemplating that it’s the one time you possibly can have a peaceable surroundings on the Musée d’Orsay.
26+ Enjoyable Issues to Do in San Sebastián, Spain — This little metropolis within the Basque Nation is among the greatest food and drinks locations I’ve ever visited — however even when that isn’t your factor, there’s a lot so that you can get pleasure from!
19+ Cool Issues to Do in Bilbao, Spain — I used to be shocked at how a lot I liked Bilbao, and the way livable I discovered it as a metropolis. Listed here are some nice methods to spend your time right here.
Most Common Reel on Instagram
I went to Mauritius for a three-day taster journey — and I’m completely tremendous if I by no means return. Is {that a} signal of a foul journey? In no way — I believe my journey was an enormous success.
You’ll be able to see this video on Instagram or on TikTok about what occurs whenever you understand a sure vacation spot is NOT for you.
Vogue Second of the Month
I don’t suppose I’ve shared my beloved raincoat right here earlier than — and I’m sporting it rather a lot these days as a result of, nicely, Prague in October.
This raincoat is from Rainsisters, a small firm run by three sisters in Latvia. They take advantage of stunning raincoats you’ve ever seen.
I received’t mislead you, they’re expensive. However sporting this superb, purple flower-covered coat brightens my days SO a lot, and I’ve had it for greater than a 12 months and the price per put on is all the way down to $7.24, and I do know it has a minimum of a number of extra years of wear and tear forward of it!
Just a few of my mates have requested if they need to get one, and I’ve informed all of them the identical factor: get one in a cool sample. Don’t get a plain black coat that goes with the whole lot. The cool patterns are what make these coats head-turners.
And as a Latvian American, I’m completely happy to assist a small enterprise in Latvia!
What I Watched This Month
Platonic Season 2! I like this Apple TV present a lot and I really feel like so few individuals watch it or discuss it! It is a comedy starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne about two greatest mates of their 40s and the varied hijinks they stand up to.
This is among the funniest comedy sequence on the market, and I like how there may be ABSOLUTELY ZERO romantic rigidity between the 2 leads. Simply taking that fully off the desk opens it up for extra plot strains.
Additionally having fun with Nice British Bake Off this time round. Although I want there weren’t such an apparent front-runner. It’s extra enjoyable when it might be anybody.
What I Listened To This Month
I’m listening to all 500 of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Best Albums of All Time, which I’m having fun with immensely. I’m loving discovering new artists and listening to albums I’ve by some means missed my whole life till now!
In October, I listened to a smaller quantity than traditional — albums 227-210. Listed here are the highlights:
Favourite Discovery: Ray of Gentle by Madonna. It appears odd to incorporate it right here as a discovery as a result of it got here out after I was in highschool and I can sing together with three or 4 songs.
However listening to the album in full for the primary time, I admire it so deeply. Each tune has this underwater/digital feeling, and these are among the greatest vocals she’s ever recorded. It’s a very nice mixture. It made me want I had really picked this up in highschool.
Whereas going by means of this problem, I’ve come to understand a small collections of albums that sound completely from a particular second in time, but additionally are so timeless they might be from as we speak. Ray of Gentle is a type of, together with The Diary of Alicia Keys, Rihanna’s ANTI, Mary J. Blige’s What’s the 411?, Daft Punk’s Random Entry Recollections, and Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1841.
Different Favourite Discoveries: “Layla and Different Assorted Love Songs” by Derek and the Dominos, “Positively Possibly” by Oasis, “Wild is the Wild” by Nina Simone.
Favourite Revisited Album: The primary album I ever purchased for myself was TLC’s CrazySexyCool. I used to be 10 years previous. And I’m so happy with my musical style as a 10-year-old, as a result of it’s quantity 218 on the highest 500 albums as we speak!
And whereas this album may sound just a little bit dated as we speak, it’s an unimaginable power. These ladies had been absolute magic collectively, and this album paired them with the most effective producers that made them such an enormous a part of the 90s. A fantastic mixture of R&B and hip-hop. I’ll always remember the bizarre “Attractive” interlude.
RIP, Left-Eye. I can’t think about what she would have given us in music if she hadn’t died so younger.
Favourite Songs: “Stay Ceaselessly” by Oasis; “Why Does Love Acquired to Be So Unhappy?” by Derek and the Dominos; “Glaciers of Ice” by Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Masta Killa; “Pal of the Satan” by Grateful Useless; “Oh Yoko!” by John Lennon; “That’s All I Ask” by Nina Simone.
Get the playlist: I’m making a playlist of my favourite songs from the five hundred albums — most one per album — on Spotify. You’ll be able to take heed to it right here.
Lowlight of the Month: I’ve talked a number of occasions about how New Wave is the style that simply irritates me each time I hear it. And one of many bands I get pleasure from least within the style is Pleasure Division (together with again once they had been New Order). This month I listened to their album Unknown Pleasures and it gave me…completely nothing. It’s uncommon for an album to offer me nothing.
Additionally, I like Ray Charles and admire his affect, however placing on a 53-song compilation album on this checklist and it doesn’t even embrace “Hit the Street, Jack” or “Georgia on my Thoughts”? Come on!
Random Music Ideas: This month I listened to John Lennon’s Think about on October 9 — what would have been his eighty fifth birthday. What a coincidence. I had no concept till I noticed Paul McCartney publish about it on Threads.
Different nice music this month: This month a brand new album got here out that blew me away: Lily Allen’s West Finish Woman. THIS ALBUM IS FUCKING STUPENDOUS. I’ve been yelling at everybody I do know to take heed to it.
It’s a chronology of the whole lot that occurred after she caught her husband cheated, and it’s so weak, so uncooked, one thing that so many ladies can relate to — but the songs are ABSOLUTE BOPS. Simply a lot enjoyable and a pleasure to take heed to.
Give this album a pay attention. It’s SO good.
Coming Up in November and December 2025
This month, it will get thrilling!! Charlie and I spending the primary few weeks of the month at house, then making a fast weekend journey to London to see his household and hopefully a few of our mates, too.
And on the finish of November, we shall be off for a month — beginning with 4 weeks within the Caribbean! Charlie has a tricky time with the darkish days of December, and advised we spend the month someplace sunny.
We’re flying into Curaçao for a number of days, then heading to Barbados for a number of extra.
Subsequent up we’re doing a weeklong small ship cruise with Star Clippers, who’re internet hosting us. I’m not a big ship cruise particular person, however I’ve liked the small ship expeditions I’ve completed to Antarctica and Japanese Canada, so I’ve been desperate to attempt a small ship within the Caribbean.
That is a tremendous little ship that may sail with actual sails — and you may even climb as much as the crow’s nest! And the most effective factor about small ship cruises within the Caribbean is you can go to the less-visited ports that aren’t sufficiently big to accommodate megaships.
Our cruise itinerary begins in Barbados and visits Tobago Keys and some random islands within the Grenadines; St. George’s, Grenada; Kingstown and Bequia, St. Vincent; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Marigot Bay and Soufrière, St. Lucia, earlier than returning to Barbados.
After the cruise, we are going to fly to Dominica for six days, adopted by St. Martin (the French facet) for 3 days earlier than catching a flight house to Boston for Christmas. We’ll be spending time with my household and mates in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
All the Caribbean locations are new to me besides St. Martin (and even then, I solely noticed the Dutch half of the island on a quick shore tour years in the past). Nations quantity 92-96 shall be Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica. Closing in on 100!
I’m fairly certain that I shall be skipping the November recap resulting from my busy schedule, and as a substitute doing a joint November-December recap, so don’t count on to see it till January. Identical with the “better of the 12 months” posts this 12 months.
And naturally, since it is a lengthy journey, our beloved cat sitter shall be returning to stay at our condominium and deal with Lewis and Murray. All three of them adore one another.
Have an amazing vacation season!
What are you planning for November and December? Share away!
