Life is a Beach (Second of Two Parts)

Travel and Positivity Buzz

Cool, clear, blue Aegean Sea

There’s a proverbial phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” which embraces positivity and optimism amidst trying times. What can be truer than this than the situation we are all in right now where it feels like our lives have been taken over by the COVID virus, which is nothing more than the common cold virus except that it’s deadlier. I thought this can only happen in the movies, but looks like life is stranger than fiction. Like in the movies, the contagion has resulted to lockdowns where travel and mobility are restricted. Face mask and shield have become so common like underwear that you cannot be caught dead without wearing one. Given that the best way to handle this health crisis is to treat anyone as potential carrier, no matter how hideous and uncomfortable these protective gears are, we just simply have to appreciate these as something we cannot leave our homes without.

Count your blessings

So how do we make lemonade out of this pandemic? There are people who see opportunities out of a crisis (both good and bad ones) and there are those who simply accept the ‘new normal’ (I’m starting to get annoyed with this phrase). For me, it’s the time to count my blessings, to reflect on life with its ups and downs, and how I could see myself as a survivor. Sounds cliche and corny for most, but if you haven’t appreciated those things that you would normally take for granted (such as freedom to move around), then maybe the lockdown can facilitate such realization of how being free is precious yet vulnerable.

My happy place

This is also the time to go back to your happy place. For me, beaches have always been my happy place. Or any body of water for that matter. I’ve always been attracted to bodies of water. Maybe because my feng shui says that I am a water element, so that would probably explain why I would find myself in that blissful state of peace and serenity when I’m near a body of water. Like lemonade, it feels refreshing, that’s why even if summer went by without being able to go to the beach, just the mere thought of it would already alleviate whatever stress this lockdown has brought on our mental and emotional well-being.

Reliving the ghost of summer past

So to keep our sanity and emotional stability in check, let us continue our virtual trip to the different beaches around the world. In the first part of this article, we were able to cover the 3 A’s (Asia, America, and Africa). In this second part, let’s fly to Europe, Middle East, and Oceania, and explore the beaches that I have been to in more than 20 years of travels.

Europe

Praia da Ribeira (Cascais, Portugal)

Europe has always been a fave destination of mine. Aside from its rich history, art treasures, bustling culture, and century old architecture, some places have nice beaches. One such place is Barcelona (Spain). The home of Gaudi, this city is a mix of the old and the new. Modern skyscrapers blending in with the works of Gaudi makes this a very livable city. Not to mention beautiful people. To top it all, it has a beach called Barceloneta on its coastline that is easy reach by car, bicycle, public transportation or even by foot if you happen to be staying in one of the hotels that are lining up the whole stretch of the beach (in my case, I stayed at Pullman Barcelona Skipper which is about 200 meters from the beach). Just like any beach in a city, it gets packed on summers. You don’t need to go far or drive a couple of hours just to get to one. No wonder I fell in love with this city the first time I’ve experienced it. This is one of my top five cities in the world that I would love to live in if given the chance.

(Top left) Hotel rooftop view of the iconic fish art, the marina, and Barceloneta beach; (top right and bottom) Barceloneta beach, promenade, and topless sunbathers (Barcelona, Spain)

Another such place where the old and the new mesh well is Malta. It is the home of the oldest standing structure in the world (called Gigantia, much older than the pyramids of Egypt) in one of the two main islands called Gozo. Valletta, its capital city, is like an open museum with new architecture blending in. The city has pockets of beaches as well, which provide the locals enough space to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the sea. The city is very scenic and the people are nice. Another great place to live in.

View of the city, marina, and beach from my hotel room balcony (Valletta, Malta)

Europe also boasts of beautiful resort towns and islands full of fine beaches along its coastlines. The resort town of Cascais (Portugal) is one such resort town that has a few beaches to choose from. There’s the Praia da Ribeira, a wide stretch of beach that sits along the busy promenade where locals and tourists alike who find the water too cold for swimming (which is common in European beaches even during summers, unlike its Asian counterparts) can sit and enjoy the cool breeze, the sun, and the sights. There’s Praia da Rainha, a secluded beach which you can access thru rows of restos on a cliff, which gives you the option of having a table and order your fave drinks while basking under the sun and enjoying the bird’s eye view of the beach and seascape. You can go down to the beach and take a dip into the cold waters or just do your sunbathing on the fine sands to get that nice tan.

Praia da Rainha (Cascais, Portugal)

Aside from Spain, Malta, and Portugal, Italy and Montenegro also have nice resort towns with fine beaches. I wrote about the resort towns of Positano and Amalfi in Italy in my previous article (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/15/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-2-of-2/) as well as the island of Capri. Montenegro has the resort town Budva, which, just like any other resort towns in Europe, is deliciously beautiful with its old charm mixing well with modern marina and pebbly beaches. You can have lunch by the beach if the water is too cold and can sit through all day people watching as well as appreciating the scenery.

(Top) Beaches of Budva (Montenegro); (bottom) lunch by the beach

Then of course you have the popular isles of Greece. Two of which are Mykonos and Santorini, which I wrote about in my earlier article (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/07/21/greece-of-myths-mediterranean-food-and-beaches-part-2-of-2/). You can do beach hopping in any of these isles, as both have pockets of beaches along its coastline. Just be on a lookout for tourist traps, particularly in Mykonos. You need to be extra cautious in this place. You don’t want to get “robbed” (just like what happened to me as shared in my article) that can potentially ruin an otherwise enjoyable holiday. Tourist traps aside, the beaches tick all the boxes: fair share of sunshine all throughout summers, clear blue or green waters, white to black sands or pebbles from volcanic matter, and cool, light to windy sea breeze (Mykonos at times can be very windy).

Beach hopping in Santorini (Greece) from left (clockwise): Black Beach, White Beach, Red Beach

What is common among these European beaches is that these rest along the shores of the Adriatic, Aegean, and Mediterranean seas. I don’t know what’s with these seas, but there is something mystical and magical every time I’m near these bodies of water. It’s like something’s calling me to be near it, to feel it, to soak in it. Aside from its crystal clear waters that are always enticing (as well as baffling, like how waters along some of these big cities and towns have been kept clean thru centuries), there is something special and dreamy about these seas, like unicorns. If I have to get mythical about it, I may be a descendant of Poseidon or his demigod son Triton. It seems like I’m forever under the spell of these seas, that’s why I always keep on coming back.

Chillin by the Red Beach

The magical spell seems to also make people less inhibited. It’s not uncommon in these beaches that people can do the full monty regardless of age and let it all hang out like it’s nobody’s business. What can be more freeing than that feeling of being one with nature (or in this case, being one with the sea)? I haven’t done that yet, but if I did, it would be the most courageous and liberating act that I could ever do in this lifetime (I could probably consider skinny dipping lol).

Middle East

Nation Riviera Beach Club with the view of the Fairmont Marina (the one that looks like Atlantis The Palm) at Al Kasir Island and the Arabian Gulf (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

The only time that I was in the Middle East (aside from layover in Muscat in one of my long haul flights) was when I availed of the stopover promo of Etihad Airways where I spent a few days in Abu Dhabi (the airline’s main hub). The business class promo comes with accommodations at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi which entitle guest access to the private Nation Riviera Beach Club. The beach can be easily reached from the hotel thru an air-conditioned underground tunnel underneath the Corniche.

View of Arabian Gulf, Al Kasir Island, and Nation Riviera Beach Club from my hotel room (The St. Regis Abu Dhabi)

The beach is large enough and provides a good view of the Fairmont Marina Abu Dhabi (which is the emirate’s version of Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm) in Al Kasir Island. Coupled with turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf and the pristine sands give this beach that chill vibe aside from the exclusivity and luxury attached to these private beach clubs.

(Left) View of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi; (right) enjoying my fave drink while chillin in one of the beach loungers

Since it was the stopover before my flight back to Manila, it was the perfect break from all the flying and walking while on holiday. What better way to rest those tired feet (from walking) and back (from flying intra-Europe) than to lie on one of the beach loungers and sip my fave drink while enjoying the sun, the cool sea breeze, and the nice view.

Oceania

Pinky Beach (Rottnest Island, Australia)

Hopping to the other side of the globe, this region is known not only for its beaches but also for all bodies of water. Starting off with New Zealand, this country is not really known for its beaches but for its fjords, lakes, rivers, and extreme water adventures. But it still has decent beaches on the shores of its cities such as those in Auckland, Devonport, and Wellington and in the coasts of its islands such as Waiheke. The waters and sands in these beaches may not be as pristine as those in Asia and Europe, but these are still good spots to relax especially during summers (take note that summer in this region is between December to March so a good alternative for those living in winter regions or in my case, a good travel option to get out of Manila during December to escape the holiday madness and horrendous traffic).

Mission Bay Beach (Auckland, New Zealand)

Wellington, in particular, has pockets of beaches along its coastline where aside from an enjoyable walk along the long stretch of its promenade, the beaches are bustling with life where Kiwis (locals) that are not sunbathing on the sands are enjoying meals in restos lining up the promenade or having either cold drinks or ice cream from kiosks around the area. I remember going to these different beach spots from my hotel on foot. It was a long walk (about 30 minutes walk one way on my pace, which can be longer if you walk slower), but it didn’t feel like one cause I enjoy the stroll and the sights where not only you pass by shops, bars, restos, museums, a marina and activity center on the way to the beach, but also get a glimpse of Kiwi city life. I enjoyed each trip to the beach, not to mention the calories burnt from walking to keep that slender beach body in check (from all the good food during these holidays).

Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia)

Australia, on the other hand, is a beach country. Every major city across the continent has its own beach, either natural or man-made. I’ve been to this continent a few times, which only speaks of how much I liked this place. Sydney, which is one of my top five cities in the world (along with Barcelona that I mentioned earlier), boasts of several beaches close to the city center, which makes this a very livable city (I would live there if given the chance). A few minutes by car or by public transportation is the popular Bondi Beach. A vast beach with strong currents and fine sands, this is the beach for both surfers and sunbathers alike. A few minutes by ferry from Sydney harbour is Manly Beach. This place exudes resort town vibe, where shops, ice cream and yogurt parlors abound. The beach and the commercial area are teeming with life, which only affirms that Aussies love their beaches. Not far by foot from Manly Beach is Shelly Beach. While Manly has fine sands, Shelly is a pebbly beach. While Manly has strong waves like those in Bondi, Shelly has calm waters as the beach is located in a cove that is sheltered from strong winds. No wonder Shelly Beach is the more suitable beach wedding scene than any other Sydney beaches.

(Top left) Manly Beach; (top right) beach wedding at Shelly Beach (Sydney, Australia). (Bottom) St. Kilda Beach (Melbourne, Australia)

Another Australian city that demonstrates how Aussies mix their eclectic city living with beach culture is Melbourne. Aside from the fact that Melbourne is the cultural hub of the continent (and the most European among all the major cities in Australia), it has some of the spectacular beaches in the region. Not far from the city is St. Kilda, a resort town with a fine beach, promenade, and amusement park. There’s also a weekend market by the beach promenade that sells all kinds of stuff, from organic to art to basic necessities. Of course, Melbourne’s crown jewel is the Great Ocean Road, its coastline similar to Amalfi Coast where pockets of beaches with amazing views of the rock formations abound. A trip to Melbourne won’t be complete without seeing this postcard perfect coastline. This is where Australia’s own version of the 12 Apostles are, which comprised of several rock formations that used to be a dozen when counted but less of that nowadays.

One of the pockets of beaches along the Great Ocean Road (Melbourne, Australia)

But the beach capital of the country (and the region) is neither of these two cities. Gold Coast is where beach buddies, surfers, and sun worshipers go for the waters, the wave, or just for the sun. When I said in the first part of this article that Guam reminds me of Gold Coast, that’s because of the long stretch of beach lined up with international hotel brands and apartments. I haven’t been to Miami, but I’m pretty sure this is how Miami would look like. Not only a shore full of skyscrapers, but also full of sculpted and tanned bodies.

(Clockwise from top left) View of the Surfers Paradise Beach from my hotel room balcony; view of the skyscrapers from the beach; at the main entrance to the beach (Gold Coast, Australia)

Surfers Paradise is the main beach and this looks like the melting pot of summer holidaymakers. It also helps that it has that resort town vibe that makes it more attractive to vacationers all over the world. There’s always entertainment in Cavill Avenue (the heart of Surfers Paradise, which is Aussies’ definition of a mall) amidst the backdrop of shops, bars, and restos. What more can you ask for in a place that has the sun, the waters, the waves, the sands, the shopping, and the entertainment, not to mention beautiful people from all over.

(Top) Glenelg Beach, Adelaide, Australia; (bottom) man-made beach in the heart of Brisbane, Australia

As mentioned earlier, every city in this country seems to have its own beach. Adelaide has Glenelg beach, which looks like the sister of St. Kilda beach, but still maintains its unique old town charm. Brisbane has a man-made beach in the middle of the city, which is a first for me (though this is not the first man-made beach I’ve been to, where Plantation Bay in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines has both fresh and salt water beaches). Perth does not have a beach in the city, but off its coast is Rottnest Island, an unspoilt, raw, and natural island blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to. Stunning would be an understatement to describe Pinky Beach. Reaching the beach from the center of the island reminds me of that same feeling I had the first time I’ve seen Boracay Island White Beach in the 90’s (at the time when it wasn’t the party island that it is today). The sun seems to be kissing the fine sands as it deflects the light (like it’s kissing back) while the seascape is mesmerizing. In the absence of any commercial establishments (except for a few restos and shops in the center of the island) and the cleanliness that has been imposed on the island. it has maintained its beautiful natural state over the years. Talk about sustainable tourism.

Rottnest Island, Australia

Ever wonder where the island got its name? Apparently an explorer in the 17th century discovered this island and thought the quokkas that are endemic to this island are rats. Since there were a lot of these gentle mammals at that time (and even up to this day), he probably thought the island is a nesting place for rats. Nowadays, people and quokkas have learned to co-exist, maintaining that balance as nature has intended it to be.

A quokka foraging for scraps (Rottnest Island, Australia)

So we have reached the end of the road for our virtual beach tour around the world. How did you find the trip, dear readers? Did you get some virtual tan while soaking into the joy and serenity that these beaches had to offer? While on quarantine, I hope this has brought sunshine in a phone or in a laptop, a temporary relief from the new reality that we live in right now. This part of our lifetime may not be the worst of experiences that we have gone thru, but if you are starting to feel like life is a bitch, think of all your blessings and come to the realization that life can also be a beach. This is coming from someone who has to go thru life with his own flaws (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/06/15/ihaveflaws/), personal tragedy, betrayal, pain, struggles, and lessons learned. But what’s life without these to live by and with? As the saying goes, what won’t kill you will only make you stronger.

Sunsets signify the end of day that was and the start of new day that will be

So if life gives you lemons, chill and make plenty of cool, refreshing lemonade. Coz you only live once, and life’s too short to realize you haven’t really lived at all. Smile and start living.

Living life like an island boy

Morocco: A Peek Into My Expat Past Life – Part 1 of 2

Travel Buzz

My first camel ride (Morocco)

This month marks another milestone for the blog. We are celebrating its first year anniversary (yey). Yes readers, it’s been a year already since that fateful morning when I woke up and got up inspired to write again. After getting my own domain and writing a few articles, I launched it in June by messaging friends about it. Never have I imagined that it will now have a global reach, my articles being read in 37 countries and territories (as of this writing) in 5 continents. The latest continent to join us is Africa, so I thought why not feature this beautiful continent as an anniversary special.

Global footprint of columbusbee.blog almost a year since the first article was published (Hey, it’s me)

Africa has a special place in my heart. I have lived in this continent for a short while in two of its most spectacular destinations: Morocco and South Africa. The former I lived as an expat while the latter was a short-term assignment. For this 2-part special, I’ll let you in my past life as an expat in Morocco, where I worked and lived in Casablanca (Morocco’s business, commercial, and cultural capital). I’ll feature South Africa in future articles.

Hassan II Mosque, the 2nd largest mosque in Africa (Casablanca)

I was young in my 20’s, restless, and ambitious when I decided to take the first job opportunity abroad. I always wondered then how it is living in another country so when that opportunity came along, I decided to take it. Little did I know that it will open my eyes to a bigger and much different world than where I live in. That experience heightened my travel senses, even though I have already been travelling but mostly in nearby destinations (such as Hongkong and Singapore).

Casablanca Park

So I packed my bags, bade my folks goodbye, and started a new life outside of my dear Philippines, leaving family and friends behind. It was tough, believe me, but the adventurous and explorer in me made me forget about the possibility of getting homesick. I was looking forward to see what’s out there, what’s in store for me when I tackle that new managerial role, the new life that awaits me and the kind of life that I’ll be living, and new friendships and acquaintances that will develop. My feelings then were more of excitement than fear of the unknown. It was my first, so I was both nervous and excited at the same time (don’t we all feel that way during our “firsts”).

Weekend winter stroll with the pigeons (Casablanca)

I settled in Casablanca towards the tail-end of winter so it was still very cold (7-9 degrees celsius) by my own tropical standard. I have not lived in a place that cold before, so it took a few days to adjust, particularly in the mornings, when it can get even colder and more difficult to get up and hit the shower. But it was perfect. That kind of cold didn’t really bother me much, coz it’s more conducive for my asthma. I could sleep all day during weekends with that weather, like a bear hibernating (lol). I’d rather be under a moderately cold climate than in a hot and humid place.

Celebrating Christmas with Filipino and Moroccan friends (Casablanca)

I have only heard of Casablanca, the movie, but since I also haven’t seen it, I really have no idea what’s in this city. Casablanca, turns out, is a nice and livable city. My apartment is walking distance to her newest skyscraper then that houses a mall, supermarket, and offices. Some of the streets and avenues are lined up with palm trees and there’s a park close by teeming with families during weekends. Mode of transportation is thru cabs, where you share a cab with total strangers (think of it like Grab share). Tea houses or kiosks abound, where you get fresh and hot Moroccan mint tea, which is perfect during cold season. Souks and bazaars are also nearby, where you will be overwhelmed with all kinds of stuff like gold, jewelry, leather, spices, dried fruits and nuts, and whatnot. Then my favorite spot, the Corniche. It’s the esplanade that exudes that Miami vibe, a place to stroll and enjoy the cool sea breeze, with rows of restos to choose from offering local and international cuisines, not to mention some of my favorite fastfood. This is where most of the hotels are in and a mall with cinemas.

With my new puppy Bruno (Tibetan Spaniel)

So yeah, I was pleased. Casablanca is different but somehow close to home. I wasn’t really missing out on anything. It also helped that the locals are very welcoming and friendly and solicitous to foreigners which reminds me of home. Moroccans are predominantly Arabs and they are very gentle people. I haven’t witnessed any form of violence. The worst you can see is a traffic altercation where you’ll hear raised voices and hand gestures but no one throws the first punch. I also sense that they appreciate Asians more than any other foreigners. Every time I’m out to either go to the weekend market or do my grocery, I would always hear total strangers saying hi or hello or “my friend, how are you?” I sometimes get that star or celebrity complex when every time I enter an empty tea or ice cream house, locals start to trickle in and soon gets crowded, like I’m a magnet for customers (no kidding). Well it doesn’t really bother me, on the contrary, I’m flattered with the attention. It feels nice sometimes to be appreciated, particularly in a place where you are starting a new life and loneliness is your (and any other expat’s) worst enemy.

Moroccan kids playing with Bruno

Aside from loneliness, another struggle is the language barrier. Arabic is the mother tongue, while French is the language of business. Moroccans speak and write both, but only a few speak English. So I learned some basic Arabic and French words just to get by, like asking how much for an item or giving the cab driver directions. Or for greetings and just to say thank you. At work, it’s not really a problem coz I have a Moroccan secretary who writes and speaks English and acts as my translator especially during meetings with the local regulators. On hindsight, it was actually fun learning new words, which proved useful for my future travel life.

(Left) My best friend as a pup; (right) as a young adult

Getting homesick after a few months is probably normal (unless you’re really having so much fun all the time that you are already feeling at home in your new environment). So it was no surprise that a couple of months after settling in, I decided to get a puppy. His name was Bruno, a Tibetan spaniel. A few months after I got him, I would walk him at night during weekdays when I get home from work and on weekends would take him to the park. He would get excited every time I would put his harness on, so excited that he would pee before we even get to the door. The attention I’m getting outside has doubled, with Bruno now as the bigger star.

Playing billiards with friends

There were also new stuff that I tried in this past life. I went to the wet market which I haven’t done in the Philippines. I learned how to determine if raw fish is fresh or where to get pork in a country that shies away from it. I learned how to haggle, an art which I have mastered years later. I also learned how to cook where my first few attempts were epic fails. I’m a foodie at heart, so I love eating out more than cooking. I’m more of a connoisseur than a sommelier. One thing I like to do is to go to the fish market and order fish and chips. This is not your typical fish and chips like those in London. This is more like in the Nordics where fresh catch is cooked and served. I was also introduced to Moroccan food and spices, where my favorite is tagine (or tajine). It’s a savory and aromatic dish (similar to a curry) that brings out the best in Moroccan spices. Chicken, fish, or lamb, I love tagine regardless of protein. I started to appreciate wine (I’m not really much of a drinker back home) just because of the cold season. I learned how to play billiards and discovered how much I enjoyed it and I was actually good at it. So I didn’t just learn new words. I actually was living a different life.

(Left): Enjoying the Moroccan coastline; (right) who wanna go fishing with me?

The wanderlust in me also took me to different parts of the country. During long weekends and holidays, I would hie off to places with friends to explore and discover the different faces of Morocco. This country is blessed with a diverse topography, so extreme that the south would have the dry desert sands while the north is covered with snow. No wonder this is a favorite location shoot of some of the memorable Hollywood movies, among which are Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), The Mummy (1999), Alexander (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Sex and the City 2 (2010), Inception (2010), American Sniper (2014), and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015). Hollywood movie studios even have satellite sets in the country. The first city I’ve visited is Tangier where at least a couple of the movies I’ve mentioned were shot. It is a coastal city and the jumping off point for those who would take a ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar to get to Malaga, the southern province of Spain. From Casablanca, we took the midnight train to Tangier where you’ll reach the northern city in the morning. You can spend the day roaming the cobbled streets or alleys or go to the souks and bazaars where a lot of western goods (mostly European) are available. Or just simply enjoy the coastline.

(Left) Entrance to a cave that looks like Morocco map; (right) walking the streets of Tangier

Other parts of the country worth seeing are Agadir, where the snow capped Atlas mountains provide a postcard perfect backdrop or if you really want to experience snow, you can go to Ifrane, This is where I first experienced snow, and I felt like a kid again in winter wonderland. But my fave is Essaouira. For me it’s an exotic place, a port and resort city that used to be a Portuguese fort. I was surprised to see so many tourists, given that it’s not really a familiar or known tourist destination. But I understand why it can become a major tourist spot. Imagine this, a port full of seagulls feeding on any scraps left by fishermen. A formidable and imposing fortress lined up with canons. A medina filled with shops that sell everything that you can buy from souks and bazaars around the country. I can sit all day just people watching while sipping my Moroccan mint tea. Or gaze into the sea while having the fresh catch of the day. For me it’s a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be discovered.

My first snow. Feeling like a kid again at winter wonderland (Ifrane)

My adventure was not only limited within the country. Because of its close proximity to Europe, it was while living in Morocco that I had my first Europe tour. I applied and got my first Schengen visa (valid for a year) which only took a few days even if it was processed in Rabat (capital of Morocco) where most of the embassies and consulates are (unlike in the Philippines where it would take weeks just to set an appointment with the embassy). Flights are short haul rather than long haul, so it’s less tiring and a lot of time saved. Upon returning to Casablanca from the tour, I thought I could already die. I haven’t only fulfilled my dream of living and working abroad, but also seeing Europe. But then again, my first taste of Europe has only expanded my horizon, It made me a lot more curious and thirst for more. Then the rest is history. I could say that it was my life in Morocco that awakened the wanderlust in me.

From top, left (clockwise): Agadir city view from the top of an ancient ruin; Moroccan family in the same ruin; medina of Essaouira; Essaouira coastline and Portuguese fortress

So there you have it my dear readers. A trip down memory lane. An expat life worth reliving as a way to celebrate a milestone. A past life that set the tone on how I lived (and continue to live) my travel life from there on. A first taste of Africa, a continent that continues to amaze me up to this day. A country like Morocco, so diverse and exotic, with stunning landscapes, yet humbled by its gentle people. A second home. A destination like no other. A fitting tribute to travel and to life itself.

Happy 1st anniversary. Cheers.

Up next: Homecoming