Last month, I checked another bucket list destination off my list with a cruise through the Greek Isles. Although I only scratched the surface of the unique beauty of Greece, I didn’t forget to itch another scratch, a dose of Adventure. I always make a point to inject a little adventure into my life and especially while traveling. I believe it allows for you to tap into a different way of seeing things or with new eyes. Having bungee jumped in New Zealand and jumped out of two perfectly good airplanes in Miami, I knew on this particular trip the ship had a rock climbing wall. I had found my next challenging adventure. This time in Greece.

Watching others attempt the Rock Wall climb equipped with harnesses, helmets, and climbing shoes, I thought it would be rather easy. Although it was two hundred feet above sea level and thirty feet high, I was confident in my strength and mental control. I was up for the challenge. With a coach holding the ropes of the harness, I approached the wall all geared up. Following his voice prompts to stay on the yellow course, I didn’t look back.

Harder than I thought…

As you can see from my pictures, it wasn’t as easy as I had first thought. The yellow course was OK at the bottom, but extremely difficult for someone like me, short legs and arms, towards the top. When I approached the last few yards with the end in sight, the wall just suddenly jetted straight out. I stopped in my tracks with my arms and hands trying to give out. I needed to rest, both physically and mentally. The coach lowered me to the deck. I wasn’t going to quit, but learn from the first climbing hiccup. The coach and I agreed that I needed to use more leg strength and push on.

Second try…

After allowing my hands to rest and reapplying chalk, I hit the wall again with only a slight stall at the same place, talking myself through the fear of falling and pushing on ahead. When I had only one last hold to grab, I just went for it, not knowing if I would be successful or not. With a little luck, I grabbed hold and was able to reach and triumphantly ring the bell.

Sweet success

Hearing the bell, I just let go allowing the ropes and coach lower me down to the deck. With adrenaline pumping through my body, I was standing tall, but shaking. I had did it. However, I was in complete awe of those that can do it much faster and with tremendously skill and agility.

Adventure is My Meditation

I walked away from the rock wall taller, excited, and with new eyes. It was just another example of why I say in my book, With New Eyes, that, “Adventure is my meditation.” While I was so focused on not falling, I couldn’t let my mind wander to to do lists or other. That one-track mindset and being mindful allows for a perspective shift. Now adventure doesn’t always have to be something physical, it can be something as simple as renting a car in an unfamiliar city. When you rent a car and try to find your destination, you are focused. So focused that you can’t listen to the radio or talk on the phone.

If you have followed my posts over the last almost eight years, you will enjoy the same signature down-to-earth writing style with a good dose of sassy humor in With New Eyes. With themes ranging from adventure travel to diving into the South Florida dating scene after a divorce, With New Eyes is a thought—provoking story taking you along for an exhilarating ride in the process!

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My next adventure will be a return trip to New Zealand and Australia next month, but just as my bucket list continues to grow so does my list of adventures I would like to try.

What’s your next adventure?

Here’s to more good times and good stories!

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