I had a swim after I did some shopping at the supermarket and watched TV for the first time since I hit the road. It was really nice.

 

I rented a scooter (8 euro for 24 hours) the following morning and rode towards Fira. The weather wasn't as good and it was quite cold but I felt good in Santorini. The beauty of this island was just so overwhelming. I thought about what happened in the past one year and what my family had to say about my trip. I appreciated what I saw that very moment.

 

When I first told my youngest sister about this trip, she was so supportive. She told me if this is what I wanted to do, I should just go ahead and don't worry about my dad and things at home. I didn't have the guts to tell my dad about this trip and my another sister actually volunteered to do that for me. I was surprised that my dad didn't say much about it and I prayed so hard that everything is going to be alright when I am away.

 

I went to Singapore and stayed over at friend DK's place and he drove me to the airport in the morning. I checked in and then we went for breakfast. CY appeared out of nowhere and that surprised me. He travelled all the way from Boon Lay to the airport to see me off early in the morning, I was touched. I am grateful to have them in my life.

 

I have always wanted to go to Santorini with someone I love to see this romantic place but I still don't have anyone. I am not complaining, of course. I am sure that there are other places worth going with someone special. Getting around Santorini on my own with a scooter was quite fun. I enjoyed the time with myself. I talked to myself and laughed and cried. I felt free.

 

Santorini is just as beautiful and romantic as ever!!

 

I bumped into the girl that I met at the port when I went to see sunset in Oia. We ended up chatted quite a lot and later another guy joined us. It was a good sunset and with decent company. Joy just broke up with her boyfriend 2 months ago and decided to travel on her own for the first time. We shared our experience and laughed so much. At least I didn't feel lonely in this romantic place.

 

I had great time in Santorini eventhough I was alone but I didn't feel lonely.

 

I headed to Mykonos the next.

 

I left my hotel in the morning to catch my ferry to Mykonos only found out that the ferry was cancelled due to the rough sea. It was such a chaos. A lot of people squeezed in a small office trying to figure out what's going on and what to do.

 

I found out that there is not ferry going to Mykonos the following day. If I wanted to be in Mykonos the following day, the only way was to take a ferry to Paros in the afternoon, spend a night day and take another ferry from Paros to Mykonos the next day.

 

I realised I was left with no choice but had to go to Paros. I was a bit upset since my stay in Mykonos was cut short. I was hoping to find a cheap accomodation as soon as I get off the ferry which I did. I saw the sign of Camping Nauossa and I immediately approached the guy (he had a sweet smile on his face!!!). I could stay in a tent for 5 euro a night and I was elated to hear that. George, the owner of the Camping drove me to the camp site. It was a beautiful place.

 

I arrived the camp site in the evening. Since I couldn't write nor read in the tent, I decided to go and find George and chat with him. The camp site was really quiet since it's still the low season. I was invited to be seated in his summer office of which consists two chairs and a small table outdoor. It was so fun. We chatted for hours.

I couldn't bring myself to listen to Wan Fang's song for a long time. Wan Fang is our favourite singer and we shared so many good memories about her songs. We even promised each other that we are going to see her concert one day. Our friendship didn't last that long. This is something both of us never expected.

I feel sad that our friendship ended that way and I have finally found the closure when I was in Istanbul. I was on a ferry, cruising Istanbul and for the first time after so many months, I sang one of Wan Fang's songs. I mourned about our friendship but I know I am going to leave it behind me as from that day.

Travelling on my own always give me time and space to think about stuff. I was reading Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Eat, Pray, Love' when I started the journey. I found the courage to write J a postcard when I was in Corfu and I posted it when I was in Istanbul. That's the first time I ever wrote to her and I hope it gives her a closure too, though it's so many years too late.

Turkey reminds me so much of Morocco and I often think of Hassan when I am here. A guy that I met when I came out from the desert in Zagora. I always think of him very fondly. He gave me so many sweet memories in Morocco and was being really generous to me. Maybe I will go back to Morocco one day to see him and also to visit the town where Echo and Jose lived for a while when they were in Sahara Desert many years ago.

I love Turkey though I doubt very much that I will ever come back here again. Turkish people have been extremely friendly and I really like them a lot. I will be heading to Pamukkale in the evening and spend a couple of days there and then go to Ephesus from there and cross over to Greece.