Category Archives: TRAVEL

Land of God

Posted on May 2, 2012 | 1 Comment


~ Marrakech ~

Marrakech, known also as the Red City because of its dusty terracotta architecture, is the most important touristic destination in Morocco. Its name is derived from the Berber words, “mur (n) akush” meaning “Land of God”, a proper title for an imperial metropolis with a rich and glorious past, situated within reach of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the white-sand beaches of Essaouira.

The old city of Marrakech (the medina), part of the UNESCO patrimony, is home to winding, narrow alleys, numerous mosques (among which the largest one is Koutoubia), the El Badi Palace (a Saadian imperial residence) , the fresh  Menara gardens, the Ben Youssef Madrasah (disputably the most beautiful building in the area and a perfect example of Islāmic architecture), and last, but not least, Marrakech houses Djemaa El Fna, the largest and most chaotic square on the continent, stamping ground for a vibrant mass of dancers, musicians, magicians, snake charmers, and countless booths selling delicious food.

I grew up reading and enjoying Scheherazade’s one thousand and one stories and after looking at photos from the area for more than a week, I believe that Marrakech would make the perfect place to visit in order to start believing in magic.

Stay: Kasbah Bab Ourika (to counterbalance the sensory overload of the city); Heure Bleue Palais (when in Essaouira)

Eat: harira (lamb, lentil and chickpea soup), kefta (spicy minced lamb), kebabs and merguez (spicy sausage), sweetened mint tea at Mamounia, Café des Livres, Al Fassia or Djemaa El Fna food stalls

See: Koutoubia, El Badi Palace, Menara gardens, Djemaa El Fna, Ben Youssef Madrasah, Essaouira, Ouzoud waterfall

~ Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech ~


~ El Badi Palace, Marrakech ~

~ Menara Gardens, Marrakech ~

~ Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech ~

~ Colorful Spices, Marrakech ~

~ Ben Youssef Madrasah, Marrakech ~

~ Kasbah Bab Ourika ~

~ Essaouira ~

~ Erg Chebbi ~ 

Until next time,

Bodhi.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, 10

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Venice of the North

Posted on April 25, 2012 | 3 Comments

~Molen van Rolde ~

Depending on whom you ask, Amsterdam is the principal city in Netherlands, the capital of cannabis tourism or the cultural heart of Holland. Built by fishermen in the early days of the twelfth century, Amsterdam was converted from a marshy stretch of land into a beautiful metropolis where old structures are juxtaposed with modern architecture and a maze of pedestrian bridges crisscross a host of canals. Visitors are fascinated by its multiple faces: the Amsterdam of the windmills, tulips and bike rides, the Amsterdam of festivals, concerts and street performances, the Amsterdam of the coffee shops and nightlife and, the Amsterdam of the Golden Age, modern or contemporary art venues.

Irrespective of affinities, Amsterdam has something to offer to each of its guests, which is why it is high on my list of places that I would like to revisit.

Stay: The Dylan Amsterdam

Eat: La Oliva, De Kas, Vis aan de Schelde, Razmataz; traditional restaurants carry the sign “Neerlands Say”

See: Architecture (medieval wooden houses – Begijnhof, Magere Brug), windmills (De Gooyer, Molen van Slotten), tulips, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum, Hortus Botanicus

~ Hortus Botanicus ~ 

~ Begijnhof ~

~  De Gooyer ~

~ Rijksmuseum ~

~ Van Gogh museum ~

~ Magere Brug ~

~ Tulips ~

Until next time,

Bodhi.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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Earthly Paradise

Posted on April 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

~Blue Lagoon , Fiji~

I mentioned last week my long list of places that still require a first visit and the 300 plus islands in the South Pacific archipelago of Fiji are part of that inventory.

Ever since I watched Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins in “The Blue Lagoon”, I have been harboring shipwreck fantasies that involve virgin, white sand beaches and sapphire, transparent waters. Fiji possesses all these and more: alluring sunsets, unspoiled coral reefs, a critical collection of marine biodiversity, volcanic mountains (Vanua Levu and Viti Levu being the major ones), emerald-green rain forests, and last, but not least, hospitable and genuinely sincere residents.

Life on these islands appears calm and relaxed, its rhythms being paced by the tides and the tropical sun. I cannot think of a location that is closer to the idea of an earthly paradise than this nation situated halfway between Australia and Tahiti, at the dividing line between Melanesia and Polynesia, and at the forefront of the New Year celebration due to its unique position in relation to the International Date Line.

Stay: Yasawa Island Resort

Eat: Nadina Authentic Fijian Restaurant for “kokoda” (spicy fish marinated in lime juice and served with fresh vegetables), “kovu walu” (Spanish mackerel steamed with coconut milk in banana leaves), “rourou” (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream with various spices) and “duruka” (asparagus-like delicacy cooked in coconut cream)

See: Blue Lagoon caves, at least one local village (visit with a chief), colorful fish, coral reefs.

~ Village, Fiji ~

~ Rain forest, Fiji ~

~ Yasawa Beach, Fiji ~

~ Swimming freely, Fiji ~

~ Red coral, Fiji ~

~Anemone fish, Fiji ~

Until next time,

Bodhi.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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