Julie, Author at Julie Stephenson

Jun 16

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

I rode a horse for the first time in Mongolia!!… and I slept under the clear Mongolian sky…

Two boys on their horses scampered jerkily – sort of sideways; into our camp. I was so ignorant of the type of ‘running’ the horses were doing. It seemed so different from any way I had seen a horse move before. The horses didn’t really seem to be compliant and kept flicking their heads up and down with their neck arched and sporadic low kicks from their rear legs. Anyway… they came over and the youngest boy handed me the reins. Well.. perhaps I looked like a seasoned rider – but I had to gesture to him that I had never ridden a horse before… and we both laughed. I had looked a few months ago into a horse back adventure riding through Mongolia – so I thought now was as good a time as any to get on this smallish horse. Usually I would feel a little tentative; even patting a horse. This time I just tucked up my skirt and popped my left foot in the stirrup and up and on I went! There I was… my first riding horse experience ever – and it was in Mongolia!! (technically it probably was a ‘being-led-on-a-horse experience’…. Lol) … […]

Jun 16

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Say goodbye to the Peoples Republic of China… Mongolia here we come!

Last day in China…. 7:05 time stamped and off we go… One can never be quite certain how border crossings will go. Our exit from China seemed to be relatively seamless. “Drivers in one line, passengers in the other.” “Passengers sorry… this line”…… “No…wait… passengers merge back into that line.” It was fine. A bit of a wait, so a browse through the duty free shop where I wasn’t going to pay $10 for a small block of chocolate… and it wasn’t long before Penny and Max came around the corner after being with the Chinese ‘official car inspectors’… and then we were in ‘no man’s land’ with the wind from the north picking up the sand and dust; preparing us for the Gobi desert in Mongolia. We were issued an orange satchel with information from Nomads tours for our week journey through Mongolia. Passports handed over … portraits scrutinised …. and once again Penny was off toward the west where the plains which were covered with a short grass which had become quite a luminescent green after recent rain; were dotted with white circular yurts and horses, goats, cows and dromedary camels. There were fewer trucks […]

Jun 14

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

A wonderfully diverse day…. Datong to Erenhot

Time control check out at 7:05 today from the hotel lobby where I passed my little blue book with a little gadget which records the times we either arrive or leave a ‘Time Control” point…. then off we went toward Erenhot. Disemboweled apartment blocks stood clumped across the landscape. Wide roads seemed empty. Where had everyone gone? Had people ever lived there? We drove through such a varied and at times perplexing landscape where time was not evident. Just emptiness. Extensive motorways had been built yet the entrances to the on-ramps had been blocked off and some of the sides of the barrier rails had turned to rubble. Had they been completed?? Or had they become redundant because the people had not been funneled into these huge cities that were built with such regimentation it was hard for me – admittedly as a voyeur; to gauge the life within it. The sky darkened and the windscreen splatted with huge drops. We decided to pop on the roof and we were so glad we did. As much as we don’t like having the roof on… we were snug and warm. Penny’s motor sung sweetly and at times […]

Jun 14

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

We have started for ‘real’ this time… leaving the Great Wall and on our way to Paris.

The sounds of various tunes and bells and rings, for many; was not only an hour that they only thought was only in the afternoon but was also the signal to hop out of bed; quickly scurry to breakfast; and head for the Great Wall of China to commence the ‘real’ part of this epic journey. “ShangriLa Hotel Zero trip at exit gate P005 N39.94242 E116.30112” ….. that was out first ‘tulip’ in our route book. We were finally on our way to the ‘official’ starting line at the Great Wall of China!. Musicians wearing flowing red pants, white sleeveless tops and red draped headwear, with their drums and cymbals; created an atmosphere fit for celebrating the start of this endurance rally. I just wanted to dance. Drums do it every time for me! LOL. I felt like whirling around and lifting my feet and legs to the pounding of the large wooden dowels on the skin of a rotund, red standing drum; as the Great Wall of China supervised, in the background. The well wishes and ceremony continues as the lion-dogs leapt and twirled playfully; their red and yellow fur flicking and flouncing with […]

Jun 12

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Beijing To the Great Wall of China! …..

The first busload of rally participants excitedly meandered around a warehouse in Beijing searching for our faithful mechanical companions – and there she was. Penny was in the front row waiting for us. Max and I both exclaimed… “There she is!” We both were so happy to see her and it became far more real that we were about to embark on a 15,000km journey across 11 countries to Paris. I clutched the sheets with the ‘tulip’s’ indicating the route back to the hotel in my nervous hands, and called out distances and descriptions of the symbols to Max while we drove in the hot humid smog of Beijing. I did need a bit of assistance from Max in a couple of spots as he had done the drive before; and we were one of the early cars to arrive back to the hotel. I didn’t get us lost! First challenge passed! 🙂 The small hail storm didn’t dampen the spirits of the competitors who continued to examine and in some cases repair and fine tune parts on their vehicles. The atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation. There are some very seasoned participants and there is a vast proportion […]

Jun 09

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Three Golden Rules for driving in China!….

Here we are…. in the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing and we have just completed our first briefing for the rally. The room bulged with rally shirts and weary travellers; many of whom were reunited with hugs and vigorous pats on the back after previous adventures, camaraderie and often intense rivalry. We were advised on the road traffic rules in China. I just wanted the route book so I could do my preparation and highlight any distances under 1km for each day!!! That will have to wait until Saturday’s briefing I think though. So todays official event was the delivery of the specific road rules for China. Red lights, amber lights, green lights were all covered; and what to do if we encounter them. We also covered which side of the road to drive on and the minimum speed for driving in each lane of a motorway depending upon how many lanes were there. We also covered what speed to travel in the case of any adverse weather event and if it raining to make the distance between the vehicle in front 100mts. I don’t think the Chinese quite have embraced that rule quite yet. Oh… and driving backwards or going the […]

Jun 09

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” ― Laura Gilpin

On our way to Paris in Penny - and our journey has begun!
The Brisbane river brushed past the small clump of high rise buildings of the CBD, and as we flew over on our way to Singapore I thought about how beautiful the Brisbane River was, on it's meandering route to Moreton Bay.
Water - like major arteries and finer capillaries, spread through the earth beneath me as we flew to Beijing to commence the epic endurance car rally from Peking to Paris. The image out of the double glazed window at 34,000 feet belied the movement and life which flowed across the earth below. The muted flowing marks were deceptive in their stillness. Time seemed to be suspended. The rivers curves were feminine and dynamic. I felt a sense of freedom watching the route taken by the water to the sea.
Rivers have

May 31

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Peking to Paris… The Route…

We will be driving 35 days through China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Poland,Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and France. We will be passing through the town where we stayed in Switzerland when we took the boys on their first overseas holiday when James was about 4 and Lawrence was 6. I think both of the boys adventurous and worldly streaks started young! I’m navigating and this time it is the real-deal because it isn’t just a touring rally; and I’m a little daunted about making sure I don’t get us lost. “Trust the navigator” is the mantra which floats through the dust en-route… and I hope I can ensure we get in every night and manage to complete the timed events with navigated accuracy. Here’s hoping! Below is the route. We will have a tracking link so you can keep an eye on our progress across the world. I will send it when we get to Beijing and we have it activated. @idoamazingthings #pekingtoparis

May 31

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Not many more sleeps to go now!!!… Peking to Paris Endurance Rally…

Not many more sleeps to go now before Max and I embark on our next adventure; driving Penny in the renowned Peking to Paris car rally run by The Endurance Rally Association. (Pop to their website for more information). This is an endurance rally. Tough days starting at 7.05am… because Penny is car number 5. There are timed events; dusty roads; long days; exceptional scenery and wonderful camaraderie and competitiveness!! Penny was cared for after our journey thorugh India, Bhutan and Myanmar last November and December; by Max and I with not as much to repair this time. The diff and the gearbox were the main components which needed quite a bit of looove… and a few welds and a good oil and grease…. the obligatory nuts, bolts and screw checks…. and she was off on her way to the shipping agent on April 20th. She should be snug in the shipping companies warehouse now in Beijing.. waiting for our collection on June 10th and for an early send off on Sunday morning 12th June from the Great Wall of China. We will be driving 35 days through China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Poland,Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and France. […]

May 31

by Julie in Inspirations, Wisdom and Inspiration 0 comments

Not taking notice of what is right in front of you… Loss of experience

Taking notice…. This image taken in Morocco in the Atlas mountains reminded me that if we don’t take notice of what is right in front of us; then so many opportunities for experience are lost. I took notice. I saw and felt what was there and I was willing to go there to find out and experience more. We were driving along a dirt road and I saw everything. The men. The child. The donkey. The large round wood. The pole. The rocks. The power line. The door. The building. The path. I saw in front of me the whole story yet it was just in my imagination. I had to stop and walk the landscape to truly experience and feel. We walked up and with warm smiles we were shown how the olive press worked. I experienced far more than if I had just sat in my car and thought about how all the pieces of what I saw would fit together. How many times have you not taken notice; and experienced only loss because you weren’t willing to truly see and experience what was right in front of you?

May 31

by Julie in Inspirations, Wisdom and Inspiration 0 comments

She watches the seasons….

"She witnesses the seasons
and within her she can feel her strength emerging
to be revealed as
the leaves fall
to expose her beauty more clearly."
Julie Stephenson
This is an image from Capitol Reef on a journey to the US in 2011. I learn so much about myself when I am in nature and even after my experiences, I reflect on my photographs and more is revealed to me about where I'm at even now.

May 29

by Julie in About Me 0 comments

Her Soul sparkled with light and was too…

"Her soul sparkled with light and was too vibrant, passionate, playful and deep for those too afraid to leave the shore." Julie Stephenson.

I had an amazing day skinny dipping in the ocean at a local beach and felt the freedom to experience myself playfully in the surging waves.
I realised some qualities I love about myself and how I have embraced living... and also reflected on fear and how that has limited me. Come on everyone... life is far too short to be fearful. Come with me diving deep into life!

May 23

by Julie in Inspirations, Wisdom and Inspiration 0 comments

If I take away….

If I take away my smile and expression. If I take away my features and identity. What am I left looking at? Who am I really? Who are YOU really?

May 18

by Julie in Uncategorized 0 comments

Time for change ceremony :) …. smoke… warriors… and ocean

I am celebrating. Last week I felt amazing – for the first time in a long time. My family and friends know of my personal journey recently and I’ve connected deeply with myself; grieved and now come to a place of acceptance. I realised that acceptance in something; means that there is nothing for me to fight for any more. I have accepted it – and it is time for me to move on to celebrating my life again and I marked that with a beautiful ceremony (and skinny dip) on a deserted beach last week. I connected with recognising that I will always keep repeating cycles if I keep the same foundation of my behaviours. I don’t need to live in the past; but I did need to revisit it so that I could determine where i wasn’t honouring myself. I needed to change the ‘soil’ upon which I was to grow. I revisited circumstances in my mind where I made choices which did not honour myself; choices in which I allowed spears to be thrown at me and for me to be enshrouded in black smoke – and I changed those choices in my mind so now I have an […]

Apr 21

by Julie in Inspirations 0 comments

I looked at the trees and heard.. “Julie, dive into language”….

I've been really enjoying walking through the bush early as the sun rises and having a quiet meditation. Today I saw markings on so many trees… and I heard “Julie, dive into language”, over and over again. Here is an excerpt from my blog post..."I love words; speaking, writing, taking photographs; the language of my body moving by running, dancing, wildly making love. I realised that when I am creative and open, my language comes from a place of innateness ....

Apr 09

by Julie in Antarctica, Fine Art Photography, poetry, Words 0 comments

She Glides…

With delicate grace
exposing in rawness her strength and beauty
exquisite beneath,
she glides in the stillness
yet she was not truly seen.

Those moments of glimpses are now passed
into memories
and melt
into time.

Mar 28

by Julie in Peking to Paris 2016 0 comments

Preparing Penny for Peking to Paris in June

It has been some time since I've posted an update. I have returned from my incredible adventures and experiences in South America with new enthusiasm for many projects which I'm excited about... and now preparing for our next Adventure in Penny... from Peking to Paris. Click to see Enduro Rally Website. I'm following up on Seth Resnick's advice ....

Mar 24

by Julie in Motivation & Inspiration 0 comments

One Step at a time

Mar 06

by Julie in Antarctica 0 comments

Getting to Antarctica – by plane then ship…. Not at all easy… and Nature calls the game!

I'm back to Australia now after an incredible journey to South America to climb Volcan Osorno and travel once again to Antarctica. These have been incredibly privileged experiences..and ones which have enriched my life; and I feel I have returned in some ways quite changed. Nature called the game for us this time and due to fog and lack of visibility on the runway at Frei Station, our planned departure was delayed for two days because we couldn't land. Every few hours we all gathered in the function room to be advised of the current weather conditions and the pilots decision whether we had a window to land ..... or not...

Mar 03

by Julie in South America and Antarctica 0 comments

I was the recipient of loving generosity and kindness…

I have just been the recipient of such beautiful, kind generosity. I was checking out of the Holiday Inn at Santiago Airport and I said to the lady - "Es una Muy lindo pulsera" (that is a beautiful bracelet) and after I had checked out she came around to me and popped it on my wrist. I was overwhelmed. I had a tough night ...

Mar 02

by Julie in Antarctica 0 comments

Just a few photos of Antarctica whilst waiting for my flight

Thought I would start to share some photographs whilst I am in limbo waiting for my flight home. More to come over the coming weeks. 🙂

Feb 18

by Julie in Chile 2016 1 comments

I made it !!!! Volcan Osorno… she invited us to be part of her day – and I reached the sky!!!

I MADE IT!!!

Pop to this gallery to see Photos..

Oh my goodness… I honestly can’t believe I did it!!!!! After just a couple of hours sleep I heard my alarm go off whilst I was awake at 4 am…. excited about the opportunity to feel what it was like to experience myself in this challenge. When my gentle tinkering alarm sound played… and in the month’s prior; I had absolutely no idea how difficult both physically and emotionally this experience was going to be for me! The Teski hut at the base of Volcan Osorno was snug and homely. The wooden floorboards spoke as we walked gently with our hard soled walking and snow boots; in the dark, early morning. Breakfast was

Feb 14

by Julie in Earth and Sea, South America and Antarctica 0 comments

Beauty in abandonment – Rejected by the ocean; sand creatures on the west coast of Chiloe in Chile

Feb 09

by Julie in South America and Antarctica 0 comments

Made it to South America… Puerto Montt in Chile…. the journey continues !!

First part of my journey to South America… Yeh!!! I’m here at Puerto Montt; after flying from Brisbane to Sydney.. then to Santiago…. then to Puerto Montt..then hiring a car and driving for an our in peak holiday traffic in one way streets on the opposite side of the road than to which I am accustomed.. I am now here in Puerto Montt and a few hours in the morning I will be driving six hours to Chiloe – an area of beautiful islands, where I will be staying in a B&B on Lemuy Island - a small remote rural island where I will acclimatise myself to the time zone shift – in preparation for my Osorno climb on the week-end. It has been some time since I have posted – so I thought I would update everyone on my journey right now… I’m in Chile to climb Osorno volcano and then on to Antarctica. I feel so incredibly privileged to ...

Feb 07

by Julie in About Me, South America and Antarctica 0 comments

Not many sleeps to go now… Osorno Volcano climb and I am ready !

Today I am excited to be leaving for another incredible adventure. With gratitude I find myself having more opportunities to experience myself and that which is far greater than me; when I trek and climb the incredible landscape of the Osorno Volcano in Chile on my 54^th birthday in less than a week – on 13^th Feb; and then journey to Antarctica for a second time. For this trip to Antarctica my companion is a very fun Chilean girlfriend; whilst Max is skiing with our boys and their friends across the US and Canada. What a privilege to be able to experience these sacred places. I feel prepared and will give it my best shot! The Osorno volcano climb in Chile is one ...

Feb 07

by Julie in Antarctica 0 comments

“The Shape of Cold” – Antarctica Book

I have had this project on the back burners for 2 years… and recently I made a commitment to see if I could actually achieve any goals that I had set myself; and endeavoured to complete a book of my experiences in Antarctica in 2014 – before my next trip to Antarctica…which is today !!!! and I have self published my book “The Shape of Cold”. I am really excited about this collection of images and how my experience has translated into this beautiful compilation and artwork in the form of a book. I am feeling quite excited for when I return in a month – to be able to hold my first sample copies in my gentle hands. I will post some images of the books after they arrive.

Feb 02

by Julie in Uncategorized 0 comments

Bhutan book – “With the Roof Off”…. on it’s way !!!

Yeh!!!! Self-published my book of my wonderful journey through India, Bhutan and Myanmar with Max and Penny- or 1923 Vauxhall. “With the Roof Off” is being printed at the moment… and I will have some sample copies when I return from my next adventure from walking the incredible Osorno Volcano in Chile and my second adventure to Antarctica. 🙂 It is with humble gratitude I embrace being able to experience such amazing places and meet such a diversity of beautiful, open-hearted people; and have the opportunity to learn about myself – and that which is far greater than myself.

Feb 01

by Julie in Books 0 comments

Subscribe to be notified of Book releases

I have some beautiful publications of my photographs and journeys around the world. Pop your name on my list and be the to be notified of my new releases of both e-books and publications in print. As you exit this page with your tooltip – a popup should slide in. Pop your details in there. :-)… and if for some reason your slide-ins are blocked… just over on the right in the sidebar there is a box where you can enter your details. 🙂

Jan 23

by Julie in Healing 0 comments

Shamanic Healing

I have a deep connection with the Natural world have been recognised by respected Shaman around the world as one of their peers. I am a gifted Healer and Seer. I am called a master healer or shaman, yet it is not I who does the healing. It is ultimately yourself who is the healer. I am the facilitator for your healing and through my gifts in a sacred space, create the opportunity where energies within your body are realigned in harmony and balance. Healing results – simple as that. I use Kahuna massage/bodywork

Jan 23

by Julie in Healing 0 comments

Healing and Bodywork

Jan 22

by Julie in Earth and Sea, Shamanism 0 comments

Something ‘unseen’ but ‘felt’ within the land…. Dead Horse Gap walk Mt Kosciuszko

I have walked a lot of this amazing planet... and I can FEEL the energy of much of the landscape. Read on to find out about my journey through this landscape...

Jan 22

by Julie in About Me, Things I just do! 0 comments

Walk to Mt Kosciuszko summit – highest point in Australia !

Absolutely incredible walking to the highest part of Australia to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko! The landscape was spectacular ! As was the wind !!! Check out the sound of the wind and how windy it was. I was nearly blown off the track several times!!! A most powerful land where I walked observing my own challenges with an increasing awareness of the bigger picture of time and what is far greater than the singular of just one person. A profound day .

Jan 18

by Julie in About Me 0 comments

The day I ‘broke-up’ with normal….. hehehe

Had such a giggle when I saw this image from a feed from Nicole Cody today. Image by Col McGunnical. LOL... Max is off today to the US skiing and turf conferences with the boys for the next 6 weeks and suggested to me to have a think about climbing Kosciuszko this week couple of times in training for my climb to the summit of Osorno Volcano in Chile in a few weeks. 'Crazy' - I thought to myself... and within half an hour I had booked Frequent Flyer seats to Canberra and Air-B&B accommodation..and climbing Kosciuszko on Wednesday and Friday!! Yes crazy!! and definitely NOT normal!

I have nearly finished my book on our Bhutan journey (cover is the last thing to do).. and in the introduction I acknowledge that I 'DO' crazy! In my latest blog post I recognise to be honest and true to myself I need to accept who I am in

Jan 17

by Julie in About Me 0 comments

Waking up and feeling ‘different’… a new ‘good’… a new ‘better’!!!

Have you ever woken up and FELT different than the day before? A REAL DIFFERENT… where the world seemed brighter and that something had changed for the good? I Did. Last Monday morning. I woke up with this feeling that I had recognised that I won’t repeat the same mistakes as I have done before.. and that I will not cause myself harm by disrespect or dishonouring – by myself or others. Read on to find out how i have dealt with my own personal grief....

Dec 22

by Julie in India and Bhutan in Penny, Shamanism 0 comments

A prayer flag flutters in the wind. Which is it that moves? ..

A Tibetan puzzle. A prayer flag flutters in the wind.
Which is it that moves, the flag or the wind?
Answer: Neither. The Spirit moves them both.
Acknowledgement of the Unseen... of Spirit ... the foundation of a society where the unseen is acknowledged with reverence.
Spirit is that which moves through everything, and that by which everything moves.

Dec 22

by Julie in Shamanism 0 comments

The Unseen… Shamanism, Healing… in a modern contemporary world…

Today I am commencing a series of writing about the unseen – which ironically has been the fundamental core of what IS seen of people, societies and cultures since man walked the earth. How humans make sense of the world and their place in it, has been the catalyst and embryo of belief, religious thought, and ways of living since man took breath.
Todays post is and introduction... setting the scene..

Dec 19

by Julie in About Me 0 comments

Shamanism….Animism… Celestial bodies … Alignment…. and more

I am beginning my series in the next few days on Shamanism....Animism... Celestial bodies ... Alignment.... and more ..... so if you are a subscriber keep watching in your Inbox for my broadcast... and if you aren't a subscriber - you can easily pop your name on my list so you never miss out SUBSCRIBE EASILY BY CLICKING HERE
In this series of fascinating articles, I will be investigating Shamanism, Animism and what the connection with the earth and celestial bodies has to do with healing, ritual and society; culturally over the millennia and into the present day; and my own personal experience of this through my travels and my own experience as a Shaman.

Dec 15

by Julie in Uncategorized 0 comments

2015… Loss and Grief… and honesty…

Not many days left in 2015 .... what a year it has been! I have not only experienced many joys but also incredible deep grief and loss this year. After returning from an extended period travelling overseas, it is time for me to re-group, re-ground and distill what is important for me in my life... and see how my life will unfold from here. I started the year with passion and commitment and dedication to a project that sadly didn't eventuate. I had the best birthday ever!!! and turning

Dec 12

by Julie in Uncategorized 0 comments

There is just something about storms and rain…

Yesterday I ran the gauntlet before a late afternoon storm... and managed to go up NgunNgun whilst I could see the storm clouds approaching... and then went up NgunNgun a second time because I could see that the storm wasn't as fierce as was predicted. I was treated with beautiful light... silhouetted mountains and a time to reflect quietly - as there were very few people climbing the mountain. I think the storm warning scared them off. For those of you who know me ..I don't scare that easily... and I don't shy away from adventure... nor challenges. I am facing a challenge at the moment,....

Dec 07

by Julie in India and Bhutan in Penny 0 comments

A change of Plans.. I missed the clouds in the sky…south instead of north

Walking up the steps to the Golden rock, Max and I looked at each other and realized that sitting in a car for 6 weeks had taken a huge toll on our fitness and our muscles had wasted a lot. That wouldn’t normally be an issue, but we both need to be fairly fit for our next adventures … and didn’t realise we would become so unfit so quickly on this trip. Max had said to me in the past couple of days that he was ready for home and he could easily head South at Mae Sot rather than north to Chiang Mai … and at that point walking up the steps to the Golden rock, we both realized that we really needed to head south straight to Bangkok instead of north. On the drive east we discussed and checked in with each other, and we both knew it was the best decision to make…seeing we had a couple of days prior realized that we didn’t really have enough time to drive through Laos as we had originally intended to. We sat peacefully next to the river for a beautiful lunch at Hpa An where we […]

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