Tu es merveilleuse...

Dear Reader,

How are you today? 🌞 

...Do you feel the light of the sun in your soul?  

I invite you to take a moment to reflect on what it is you really feel, right now.

*

I am surrounded by lush flora and fauna here. When I'm on the treadmill, the same little red bird cheers me on each time. Heck, I made human acquaintances the last couple of weeks, by joining yoga classes and even a local Braai 🇿🇦

Thanks to Fred, Jackie and Zander 💛

But I didn't spend so much time near water as I feel I should recently... And the weather this week has made the beach less appealing. That and the mild sexism I encounter when I walk down the street without the protection of my friend... 💋

Maybe it's not that. Perhaps it is the ripples of time interweaving, as my subconscious mind takes me back to things I was sure I had forgotten. Things I wish had stayed locked away. 

There's that cycle again... 

The firm breeze here reflects my anger. The rainfall at night releases my anguish. And the smiles on the faces of the people I meet, the warmth that I choose to accept, shows me that in spite of the nightmares, the revelations are beautiful. 

A whole life ago 

Wherever our past lies, our present moment is all that matters. Life is so short. So precious ✨ 

We can actively focus on the now. But sometimes, our subconscious and even our body, has other plans. 

And in those moments, I urge you to sit with it. Close your eyes and allow your mind to guide you where it wants to go. Watch the images unfold and feel whatever comes up 🪷 

And when you're done, arrive back, to the now.

Whatever decisions were made, were not the wrong ones at all, but in fact what you needed to find where you are today. 

Balance...

*

If you're powering it out in the gym all week, then you find yourself eating a brownie the size of your face for breakfast, that's okay. 

As is being unable to open your eyes fully in photos when you visit the island's rum distillery. 

*

And guess what? When you go to your fromagerie and are inundated with tasters and end up spending 10x what you were supposed to, because the staff are just so nice and they brought their adorable baby to work that day... That's okay too. 

^^ me speaking to myself... I think you, Dear Reader, may have some kind words to say to yourself as well? 

🩵

I believe there is a lot of love for me in Mauritius. And all around the world, where my favourite people reside. But I am closed these past few days, focusing my attention elsewhere. 

...Like the delicate frangipanis which lie on the path, endlessly drifting towards the perfect moment...

I must open again and allow myself to receive the love which is offered. I deserve it.

Thank you for reminders, Shael 🌷 and Stéphane 🌹

And you, Dear Reader...

Did you know that you are amazing?... 

*

*Photos de Stéphane 🌻

Fellow Wanderer - Protect Yourself

Hello my Fellow Wanderers,

It has been a long time since I left my travel tips for you... 

Perhaps you've been on some adventures since then... If so I'd love to hear from you ☺️

Mauritius is treating me very well, but I never forget that it is only with many trade offs that I can learn to enjoy myself...

Photo de Stéphane ❤️

So here is a small entry, as a reminder for those who are taking a trip soon, whilst flights are cheaper and weather is milder... 

Protect Yourself:

⭐Smile with caution🙂

A smile is a wonderful way to feed some joy into someone's day. A way to extend a greeting without saying a word. 

But for some Travelers, particularly solo females who find themselves in certain parts of the world, a smile can mean an invitation that you may not wish to extend. 

So if you find yourself inviting unwarranted attention, even if you are simply trying to spread some love, or you are unconsciously smiling to someone who takes too much meaning from it, just keep your calm, politely decline any unwanted attention or offer, and proceed with your day. 

Being firm is not being rude. Hold your shoulders back, look confident and walk quickly. 

In many situations you are probably very safe, but until this is guaranteed, take it from someone who has made the mistakes before: smile cautiously 😁

 ⭐ Share your location 🌏

Yes yes yes, I'm a hypocrite. 

But as my wonderful host here checked on me one evening when I was out late, living life to the full, I had my lightbulb moment 💡 

It's not so hard. There is an option to share your ride trajectory on Uber, share your live location on Google Maps. Whatever you're doing, let someone know. Even if they are a friend on the other side of the world. 

This is not to say your date will kidnap you, or the friends you meet on the road have bad intentions. This could also help in case your car breaks down, you get caught in a storm or some crazy 127 hours sh*t goes down... 

Let someone know where you are 🙏

⭐Never sacrifice safety for money 💲

In all my travels, this is one of the most important and toughest lessons I ever had to learn. 

Backstory: I am Irish (worse, I'm Northern Irish). We are hagglers by nature. Always looking for the best price or bargain. So naturally I extend this when I'm abroad. 

I am not known for my planning when it comes to travel, but one thing I am meticulous about is my finances.

I will never go somewhere if I don't have the means to fly back Belfast, if I don't have a safe place to stay. 

But this should extend to everything you do when you travel. If you're doing water sports or adventuring, pay more to ensure you have good equipment and professionals guiding you. 

Don't buy food that looks dodgy because it will likely result in you spending the rest of your holiday in the bathroom.

Don't accept lifts from people or hitchhike if the vibes are off. Hire a car and plan your journey to make the most of it. Enquire about the public transport options. 

Don't trust that everyone around you will be as innocent as you hope they are 😔

Obviously there are many more things to consider when to globetrotting, in order to keep safe... But these three will serve as an excellent foundation...

Protect yourself, Fellow Wanderer, so you may continue to wander as long as you wish 🤎

Seeds of the Pomegranate

Dear Reader,

I come to you from the white sand...

Not the soft beiges of my Little Slice of Heaven, but a firm and crisp glaze of ivory, that lines Ile de Maurice 🩵

The gentle taps of my favourite ocean along the shore takes me back some weeks to Crete, and my peaceful moments with Meditation sea. 

The playful breeze helps to cushion the hum of nearby traffic. 

Only the occasional tropical bird can be heard adding to the blissful serenity of the waves 🌊 

Much like the calm I felt last week during my week of réunionnais magic 🪄

My lava bed 

My last few days on Reunion were as magical as the first. Beautiful forests, waterfalls, ocean and whales 🐳 

A new age. 

A reconnection to nature and the things which matter most.

Customary basic b**ch pose

I was sad to say goodbye, but was comforted in knowing that I will return one day, to a place where I can be at ease. 

And where courgettes could kill a man with one blow 

Mauritius. 

Mauritians 😏

So entranced by me when they learn that I speak French or when they learn that I speak English. 

So different to what I expected. 

This is not an English country. It is a Creole island with a massive preference for French 🥖 

Yes.

I am well suited here... 

I followed a loving scent...

I joined a gym, I made friends, I learned new yoga poses. 

And I haven't even explored the island yet. So much to come. Perhaps I will stay longer here... 

Reflecting. 

It's Autumn in the Northern hemisphere (for those who celebrate 4 seasons), but down here, it's Spring 🌱 

...Well, technically it's still Winter, but as I basque in the 26 degree morning sunshine, I will allow myself some poetic licence... 

It is also Spring again in my life 🌺 

And you, Dear Reader, in which season do you find yourself? 

Are you planting the seeds for something to grow? 🪴 

Are you healing and holding yourself in the wake of pain? 💗 

Perhaps you are in full bloom, taking each day in your stride ☀️

Me, I'm watching the "fair maids stand in the snow"...

🤍

...Saying goodbye to Hades for another while until the wheel turns once again. 

Thanks for the seeds...

Losing balance forces us to reconnect 

💘 

Wherever you find yourself, close your eyes, enjoy your connection with the earth today. Feel the gift of life in your lungs, running through your veins, and in your spine, holding you strong ✨