"Listen to your inner child and go with the flow" so says C. JoyBell C.

When last did you indulge your inner child? When last did you literarily and figuratively let your hair down and go with the flow? When next will your inner child come out to play?

I missed one week of storytelling, right? I know and I am sorry. I promise to do better going forward, am I forgiven?

Right, still on my tourist behaviour in London September 2024, catch up here. Well, one of my stops was the Paradox Museum, I was glad my brother decided to explore this attraction with me. We had so much fun, uuuuhhing and ahhhing at the illusions. There was a particular illusion, I didn’t quite understand, but my brother got it immediately. The funny part was him asking me if I had gotten it. I didn’t till we left, despite several attempts to understand it. Oh well, we win some, we lose some.

We partook in so many illusions, I’ll describe some. There was this one, where I sat on all the seats at a dinner table, another, I stood and it seemed I was upside-down, the head on a platter illusion, my neck in a triangle illusion, half of my body hidden, half reflecting in the mirror illusion, walking across a dangling bridge illusion, pictures of our poses printed in silhouette on the wall and my personal favorite, the zero gravity room.

Another fun fact bout this attraction, it is located opposite Harrods. So, you can either window shop or let your shopping inhibitions run wild and free, pick your flavor. We went into Harrods briefly before heading for the museum. It was time well spent, can you guess my flavor.

So, Travel Lover, when last did you listen to our inner child? When last did you go with your childlike flow? Will paradox Museum feature in your bucket list of London attractions? Let’s see your responses in the comments section

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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“I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream”. This is a famous quote by Vincent Van Gogh and it is one that resonated with me as I got immersed in the Van Gogh London Exhibit: The Immersive Experience; his dream came alive in the vivid colors and the art on display.

Do you like art? Do you like to paint? Do you doubt your artistic side? Van Gogh says “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”. I have seen several voices silenced at our Ajalaress Paint & Sip events, so this rings true and very true😊

Let me start from the beginning, immediately I saw this activity, I was hooked, intrigued and I couldn’t wait to visit. It was one of the high points of my vacation. My brother and I got our tickets online a few days before we visited (almost always cheaper to do this).

When we arrived, it was an unassuming building, but the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” turned out to be true. We were informed there was a slight problem with the immersive exhibit - one of the walls going blank during transmission - and asked if we wanted to reschedule or get a refund. I had activities booked till my return so I couldn’t reschedule, we just hoped for the best as that was the main attraction.

Then, we ascended the staircase to be immersed, you can see my childlike wonder and laughter as I get drenched in art and the works of Van Gogh. First, we admired the paintings displayed on the walls, then we explored the recreated version of his bedroom in Arles. We could touch this art, we sat on the chair, laid on the bed, and poured imaginary water from the jug. We took loads of pictures and met two nice ladies on vacation. This post is a reminder to say hello to them. Then, there was another room where you could draw or paint, sadly we didn’t have time to indulge here.

Finally, we went into the main attraction, the immersive room. It was beyond breathtaking, there was “live art” and relaxing music on all sides, with benches and lounge chairs to take in the art and be immersed. We sat on a bench at first and graduated to the lounge chairs. Honestly time stood still as we lounged. When we checked the time after a seemingly short while, we couldn’t believe how long we had sat, watched and felt art. Thankfully, by the time the slight problem reared its head, we were ready to leave.

As we were about to leave though, we remembered there was also a VR (Virtual Reality) experience, this was at an additional cost. We got immersed in this experience too, hey, Art is Life! While leaving, I couldn’t help giving myself an invisible pat on the back for ticking this amazing attraction off my bucket list.

So Travel Lover, Do you like art? Do you like to paint? Would you like to visit an Immersive experience? Let us see your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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Welcome to the month of LOVE!!!

“If you never miss a plane, you’re spending too much time at the airport.” – George Stigler

I stumbled on the quote above and several thoughts crossed my mind, I have heard stories of those who were at the airport early, checked-in, sat at their boarding gate, yet missed their flight. I have also heard stories of those who went to the wrong gate and it was too late to head to the actual gate.

What hilarious, missed flight tales do you have to share with us? Have you ever missed a flight? What did you do?

I have so many missed flight tales (Local & International), I’m spoilt for choice at the particular tale to share. The memories have me giggling, shaking my head, sighing and asking myself, how did you miss your flight AGAIN?

I had shared two tales previously, catch up here and here. One would think I had learnt my lesson, but this, still happened. Here goes….

My flight was scheduled to depart Lagos at 11am, I had planned to leave for the airport at 8:30am, but my adviser, let’s call her Ms. Kay, thought it would be too early and I would fall prey to George Stigler’s quote – spend too much time at the airport, she suggested leaving at 9:20am. I agreed and decided to chill with my extra minutes, then she had another bright idea – food – which I now believe was the main culprit of this story.

I’m sure you get the gist already, I missed my flight!!! I missed my flight because, I didn’t leave for the airport early enough and I waited for food. After rebooking my ticket for the next day at an extortionist amount, I couldn’t help thinking about the choices that depleted my reserves

So, Travel Lover, do you think you spend too much at the airport (when you arrive early)? Have you ever missed your flight? What did you do? Let us know your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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“It’s such a happiness when good people get together” - Jane Austen. I agree with this quote 100% and it kind of summarizes this week’s read. Do you agree with Jane Austen?

I wrote an article on Ferris wheel in 2021, catch up here and made a promise to myself that the next Ferris wheel on my bucket list would be the London Eye. I didn’t understand why as a tourist I hadn’t seen London in thirty minutes on the “eye”

Fast-forward to 2024, I was finally going to London after my self-imposed hiatus and one of my to-dos was a visit to the London Eye, DEFINITELY.

Now, my friend Endee, was to be in London at about the time my vacation was to end, we however had an overlap day and decided to meet up at the London Eye. She also hadn’t been and thought it would be nice we tick it off our bucket list together, so we purchased our tickets.

Then, my friends, AK and AD were also going to be in London the same time as Endee. We decided to meet up and I asked if they had been on the London Eye, they hadn’t as well. I gave the time and date and they got their tickets

Finally, I saw my friend, Doc, post a picture which looked like she was in Scotland. I buzzed her and mentioned we were almost neighbors as I was in London, she mentioned she was in London too and I asked my now favorite question, have you been on the London Eye? She hadn’t. I told her a group of us had planned to meet there and she asked for time and date and got her ticket.

The meet-up day was interesting, Doc was first to arrive, closely followed by AK and AD, and then I arrived with my brother and finally Endee made an appearance. Let me state here that these ladies were meeting each other for the first time, and it was all good vibes, fun and laughter right from the introductions.

We took pictures and videos, while meandering to get on the London Eye, then inside the Eye it was laughter, pictures, more laughter, and more pictures. I honestly don’t think we focused on the iconic landmarks while we were up there. We were such a boisterous crowd, we drew the attention of the other tourists that shared the pod with us.

The highpoint for me after we got off the London Eye was the 360 street dance on our way home, we asked the operator for Nigerian music and danced away. Some other tourists made videos and took pictures as we danced. I’m sure we are trending somewhere, lol!

So, Travel Lover, do you agree with Jane Austen? Can you remember a time you met with a friend or friends while on vacation? Have you been on the London Eye? Let us know your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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A quote by Robert Burns says, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. Do you agree? Has this happened to you? What is your next course of action in an awry situation?

Hurghada…. Bestie and I went straight to our hotel from the airport. The hotel was all we thought it would be and more. I can still picture bestie walking to the terrace to take in the view of the Red Sea, yes, we were that close to it. I knew, without a doubt, I had done well with the hotel choice and location.

Our plan in Hurghada was quite simple, we had booked one activity and intended to make the most of it. It was to be a restful pampering session, seeing as we had been all over Cairo the day before. We were to be joined by my friend in Hurghada for the activity. The best-laid plans….

A plethora of idioms come to mind at this time, “the taste of the pudding is in the eating”, “do not judge a book by its cover” and my personal favorite, “not all that glitters is gold”. Before settling for this activity, I had done some research, looked at pictures, read reviews and I was sure it would be the perfect activity for the day.

This Moroccan bath was a miss in almost everything, I reminisce on my bubble massage in Turkey, (catch up here) and I wonder, why this wasn’t as beautiful an experience as that. This was highly commercialized and not restful in the least. We however made the most of it, the best part being the company and the laughter we shared. In retrospect, I should have planned another activity and used the spa at the hotel.

We went back to our hotel and had a sumptuous dinner, sadly, I didn’t take pictures. Egyptian food is really tasty, and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Bestie, however, wished we had more time in Hurghada to explore.

So, Travel Lover, have you planned an activity which was a miss rather than a hit in a new destination? What was your reaction? Would Hurghada make it to your bucket list? Looking forward to your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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H.u.r.g.h.a.d.a!!! I didn't know of its existence until I decided to visit Egypt with bestie. It is a coastal city and stretches along the Red Sea. It is also a tourist's haven for scuba diving. Now, I had a friend who lived in Hurghada so visiting was a done deal.

After our very long day in Cairo, bestie and I left with the first flight for Hurghada the next day. catch up below

The airport scene was all shades of funny. There was a fellow traveller, who for some reason, felt she had missed the flight. I can still hear her cries of Hurghada, Hurghada! as she ran from counter to counter in her lovely pink gown and swishing black hair. When she realised it was our counter, she wanted to "jump the queue" and go ahead of me. I calmly informed her I was headed for the same destination.

That didn't calm her though, after baggage drop off, she sprinted off like she was in a 100metres marathon. I remember bestie and I thinking we had missed something with her theatrics and all, lol!

When she passed security and saw people sitting pretty and waiting, she eventually calmed down and shared a laugh with her travel partner. She was one of those who got on the plane last. My opinion, she was definitely replacing lost energy after the voice cries and marathon sprint, what do you think?

Back to bestie, she kept on saying she didn't understand how Hurghada crept into our travel plans, what would it have to offer and grateful it was a short stay. Bestie is “travel size” window seat, when we started our descent to Hurghada, all I could hear from her was oh my goodness! oh my goodness!! oh my goodness!!! The sight from above mesmerized her. I was equally pleasantly surprised and couldn't wait to explore what the land had to offer.

So Travel Lover, have you learnt something new? Did you laugh just a little? Are you looking forward to reading the concluding adventures of our stay in Hurghada? Let us know your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh
Ajalaress

Please like, comment and share if you enjoyed the article, thank you loads.

A quote by an unknown author says "Don’t be afraid to try something new. It might be the best thing you ever do.”

When last did you try something new? How did you feel? Are you inspired to try something new?

We are concluding the adventures of our frequent reader…here goes

After a restful and relaxing night in my “dome-shaped-roof-room”, I had breakfast fit for champions to start my day. It consisted of Egyptian style pancake served with molasses, cheese, honey, hummus and of course a pot of hot tea. Then it was time to explore….

I had planned a tour for Day 2, the tour was a visit to Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan (a UNESCO protected area) According to Google, “a wadi is a watercourse that has a dry bed except when it rains and often forms oasis”. This wadi had two lakes, a waterfall and mobile sand dunes. There were also findings of sea creatures which includes the longest complete skeleton of a whale, as well as swamp life findings, bones of animals and wildlife.

I did the full tour paying $5 to gain entrance into the wadi, then $10 to see the museum. Firstly, it was worth every penny as the sights and sounds was all I thought it would be and more. Imagine seeing the magic lake that changes its color several times a day depending on the amount of sunlight it receives or the waterfall with a depth of over 100 feet below sea level. Secondly, my step count that day was more than 10,000 steps….whew, what a way to burn calories.

When I got back from the wadi, I took a walk to the pottery shops and tried my hand on been a potter for a day. (Boy, is it hard work…sigh). I was taught how to use the pottery table, rotating it anti-clockwise with my feet while working with my hands. My first pot was made with the help of the potter, the second, I made myself, this I could keep. The cost of this activity was $5, you make your item and come back the next day to paint it.

Next, it was meal time, I had potato chips and liver sauce with lemon mint drink (Ajalaress can testify, this is a refreshing drink) at the resort, the service was exceptional and the waiters were very cordial.

On my final day in Fayoum, I had one thought as I woke up, paint my pot! This took 10 minutes as my pot was sun dried the day before. I was shown how to draw and paint on it. The downside however, was that they had just two colors - blue and green. It still turned out pretty in my opinion.

So Travel Lover, when last did you try something new? Would you be creating your pottery masterpiece soon? Did the wadi make it to your bucket list? Let us know in the comments section

Till next week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

Yeah, I took off again, forgive me….

A frequent reader and contributor decided to share her adventures with us, maybe, just maybe, it will give me the push I need to share my own stories again.

So, here goes...In her words

Have you ever wondered what it's like to switch off (from noise, distractions, data abundance) and just ruminate?

Well, one weekend I decided to take a break before I shut down too.

I was certain three days (weekend inclusive) would give me what I need to rejuvenate and drove down to Fayoum.

Fayoum is a small part of Tunis in Egypt known for beautiful hand made pottery and carpets.

On the first day, I got in at about 1pm and decided to explore. First, I explored my quintessential hotel with its small nooks and canny for reading, relaxing and just taking in fresh unadulterated air. Then a walk down the streets (interestingly they have about 3) to the shops. On my way, I found a gem, the Caricature museum, and I had the museum all to myself

This museum which contains caricature drawings by several artists is almost 40yrs old. It costs $5 to go in for foreigners. It’s full of history, pain, sufferings, triumphs and struggles for Egypt and other African countries all done in caricature, it was one of a kind and should interest those who love arts.

Then it was meal time, my choice was stuffed pigeon with vegetables , it was delicious and small portioned as I wanted more “proteins” after the meal, sigh

Finally, it was time to retire for the day, I forgot to mention earlier, my room had colored glass stained roof and was concavely shaped, thus ensuring it was always cool and a beautiful night’s rest is guaranteed.

Day 1 ended on this high note....Intrigued about my other adventures, stay tuned for Day 2 and 3 next week.

So Travel Lover, has your interest been piqued by Fayoum as described by our frequent reader? Would you like to experience the concave-shaped roof room and visit the Caricature museum? Do you crave stuffed pigeon?

Let us know in the comments section.

Till Next Time

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

It’s been soooo long, did you miss me? I missed me too, ooops, I missed you too. I wish I had an explanation for the long silence. Can I just chalk it to the four-letter word, L.I.F.E, yeah life happened, but it’s good to be back.

So, where did we stop? Yeah Cairo, I’m sure you are as lost as I am, please refresh your memory here.

After visiting the Papyrus Institute and the Oils & Essence factory, we made our way to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, it is noteworthy that at this point, bestie was wondering why we included this location in our itinerary. She was almost reluctant to go in, lol.

Then we go in, visit the royal mummies, all 22 of them, unfortunately we couldn’t take pictures. We saw some mummies with braids and couldn’t help wondering if the braids had stayed that way for centuries. We also saw lots of items invented by the Egyptians, like surgical instruments, make-up, medicine, calendar, paper and ink and a host of other items. You can see bestie mesmerized, wink wink.

After taking in the sights and sounds of the museum, we go for lunch at a local restaurant, here bestie and I decided we LOVED Egyptian food, unfortunately, I was too hungry to capture the meal, but we had this refreshing lemonade goodness which I took seconds of.

Earlier in the day, our guide had taught us how to use katosh to form letters, whilst eating we noticed his neckpiece had katosh lettering but it didn’t spell his name. When we asked whose name was on his neck, he said it was his ex-girlfriend. This was hilarious and the high point of our meal.

Energy level back up, we head to the market where we got souvenir T-shirts and did a little window shopping. By this time, we were ready to return to our hotel. Back in the hotel, we rested a while and decided to go to the other side of town for dinner. Our guide had earlier suggested Sky Rim, we made our reservation and zoomed out to the restaurant. The cocktails were not the best I’d had but the meal again scored 10/10 with us.

Finally beat, we dragged ourselves back to the hotel for a much-deserved night rest as we had an early start the next morning. Whew…. What a day!!!

So, Travel Lover, did we do too much in one day? Would you like to visit Cairo and experience all we did? Is Egypt on your bucketlist?

Till next week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

P.S - Remember to comment, like and share if you enjoyed the article.

Do you sometimes feel like a day is made up of more than twenty-four hours?  This day made it seem so to me. I still can't believe all we have achieved in one day, amazing!!!!!!

So, Pyramids seen, bucket list checked, we see the Sphinx and head on to our next destination.  Egypt indeed is a tourist's haven, and it is packed with knowledge.

Have you heard of papyrus? It is a material invented by the ancient Egyptians from the pith of the papyrus plant. it was used for writing. You can think of it as their writing material or their paper.

We stopped at the Misr Papyrus Institute and had the pleasure of seeing how papyrus was made. We also saw some beautiful glow-in-the-dark paintings displayed on them.

It was an eye-opener for me. We were served free hibiscus tea while taking in all the amazing artwork that was on display in this institute. We came home with our Papyrus, a little bit of Egypt, right?

The next stop was Cleopatra stores-Oils and Essence Factory, where we listened to and saw on a photo album a reel of famous people that had visited the store, we felt famous ourselves.

Our friend and the owner, Magda, gave us the insider scoop on his oils in a conspirational tone. It was one of the highlights of our trip. The names of the oils and essences were particularly interesting. There was Nefertiti, Queen of Egypt, Sandalwood, to mention a few. He also gave us gifts with our oil purchases.

Do you know that coffee beans can act as a palate cleanser for the nose? One of the lessons I learned that day in between sniffing several fragrances. We were again offered tea, I took a lovely cup of mint tea and bestie stuck with hibiscus tea. The generosity of the Egyptians.

I initially liked how they made their hibiscus tea so light, compared to the thick frothy goodness in Nigeria. II'm however back to thick and frothy hibiscus drink. I digress🤭🤭🤭

On our way to the next stop, we came across this really cool view of the Pyramids,  I guess one can never get tired of the view. It is worth looking at, again and again, if I say so myself.  I'll continue our Cairo sojourn next week😊

So Travel Lover,  do you agree there are more than 24 hours in one day? Has Egypt sneaked into your bucket list? Would you visit the Papyrus Institute and Oils & Essence Factory when in Cairo?

Till Next Week
Live, Love, Laugh
Ajalaress

Ps: Kindly like, comment, and share if you enjoyed the article. Thank you

Little wonder when bestie and I decided to visit in 2023, the pyramids were the first attraction we saw. Being the planner that I am, we had a packed day in Cairo. I doubt one post can showcase all we achieved in a day.

We started the day with an amazing power breakfast from the Haven cafe located in our hotel. While the sandwiches were the real show stopper, the mango & peach smoothie and the orange juice were to die for. The taste, so fresh and juicy it definitely had something to do with the Nile😉😉 (Sadly food was long gone before I remembered pictures🤭😪)

Our tour guide took us to a shop to buy "authentic cotton" scarfs as the sun is rather unforgiving at the Pyramids. Tummy full, scarfs purchased, we head to the pyramids of Giza. 

The magnificence of the three pyramids….un-be-liev-able!!! There was this proud moment of finally seeing the Pyramids upclose and listening to the history of it, how the Pyramids was built as tombs for three Pharaohs - Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure over 4,000 years ago.

We took loads of pictures. In one picture, I felt like a cyclops look-alike🤭🤣. Then, we had a photo shoot session at this picturesque part close to the Pyramids. We had two options, either to go by camel ride or a horse driven cart, we chose the latter, even that wasn't as safe as we thought. We, however, arrived in one piece🤣🥴. We saw a couple doing their pre marital photo shoot there too, I just love love😍😍

Our tour guide Michael was a wealth of information, I didn't expect any less anyway. He was reeling facts and figures, and I discovered that bestie was also quite vast with Egyptian history….interesting 😁😁😁

There was so much to see and do, I'll stop here and continue next week.

So, Travel Lover, has Egypt made it to your bucket list? Are you intrigued by the magnificence of the Pyramids? Would you consider visiting? Let us see your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh
Ajalaress

PS: Kindly like, comment and share if you enjoyed the article.

Let's embark on an adventure and rediscover our youthful spirit! This sentiment holds true in my story for the week.

I'm relatively new to golfing, yet I've developed a profound appreciation for the sport and its valuable lessons. There are moments of frustration, like when I jokingly tell my caddy (the one who assists me with my clubs and locating my balls), "Maybe golf isn't my calling; I think I'd rather be a spectator." But then, almost magically, my subsequent shots prove to be surprisingly proficient, leading me to exclaim, "Ah, the allure of this game!"

During my recent journey to the US, my sister introduced me to the joys of mini-golf. We went on a school day when it wasn't crowded😉😉. Initially skeptical, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience. Mini-golf, played with a putter and featuring obstacles akin to a regular golf course, offered a delightful challenge. I particularly relished navigating through holes with open and closed faces.

I'm thrilled to report my inaugural "hole in one" at the mini-golf course, igniting a desire to replicate this achievement on a traditional golf course. Our 18-hole excursion culminated in hearty laughter and good-natured competition on the challenging 18th hole.

Amidst the camaraderie, we captured countless moments of joy, fostering cherished memories. Mini-golf emerged as a delightful pastime, perfect for both lighthearted fun and relaxation, suitable for families and enthusiasts alike.

So Travel Lover, when last did you connect with your inner child? When last were you care free and child like? Would you visit a mini golf course if the opportunity presented itself? Awaiting your responses in the comments section.

Till Next week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

Ps: Kindly like, comment and share if you enjoyed the article, thank youuuu

"There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place" – J.K. Rowling. This quote aptly describes my wish to transport you to the places I've visited, twenty-one countries by my last count🤯 still a lot more countries to tick off. I digress…

Do you like being transported physically or virtually to another place? I actually started virtually via books and movies, now it's such an adventure visiting physically.

Did you follow mom and I in Gozo ...Part 1 last week?

Imagine strolling through the ancient streets of Gozo ( Quick Geography 😉😉 Gozo is the second largest island in the Republic of Malta, Malta obviously is the largest), where every corner holds a secret waiting to be uncovered.

As we explored the Citadel, our senses were tantalized by the memory of the aroma of freshly baked pastries beckoning from a quaint shop on our way up. With hearts full of curiosity, after leaving the Citadel, we indulged in the famous Maltese delicacy, "Pastizz," each bite a culinary delight. It is either filled with cheese or peas (spot it at the bottom right😁)

But the adventure didn't stop there. Our next destination was the awe-inspiring Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu. Stepping into this majestic sanctuary, we were enveloped by a sense of reverence as whispers of miracles echoed through its hallowed halls. The mosaic-covered square provided the perfect backdrop for reflection and prayer, a serene oasis amidst the bustling world outside.

As we captured the beauty of the shrine through our lenses, time seemed to stand still, every moment etched in memory. And just like that, our time in Gozo came to an end, but not without leaving an indelible mark on our souls.

To return to Malta, we embarked on a thrilling ride aboard the fast ferry, slicing through the azure waters with the wind in our hair and rainbows dancing at our feet. It was a sight to behold, a symphony of colors painting the sky as we raced towards our next adventure.

So, Travel Lover, have my words transported you to the enchanting island of Gozo? Has it sparked a fire in your heart to add this gem to your bucket list? And as you embark on your own journey, inspired by tales untold, remember to share your adventures with us in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

PS: Kindly like, comment and share if you enjoyed the article. Thank you.

A quote by Ibn Battuta says “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

Do you agree? Has this ever happened to you? Does this bring back any special memories?

I’ve been speechless at so many turns during my travels so I can’t help but agree.

I remember when Mom and I visited Malta in 2023 and a trip to Gozo sneaked into our itinerary. It was a welcome surprise obviously, thanks to my ‘brother’ in Malta. Curious? Catch up here .

That morning, we had our breakfast for champions, and got ready to begin our adventure for the day. Phones fully charged, power-bank packed, some light refreshments handy, we headed out.

The trip to Gozo would be by Ferry. The queue was amazingly long and the sun, scorching hot. We however, made the most of our wait time by taking pictures. Then, the queue started moving at an alarming speed which meant the Ferry had arrived and it was time to get on. We hurriedly took more pictures🤭🫣

The ride was peaceful and the waters so blue, it seemed dreamy. We took more pictures and my mom made a new friend. They chatted about their children, grand-children and of course travel.

Finally, it was time to explore Gozo. We took an extra long bus ride to the environs of The Citadel, then we did the hike/walk to the top. It was kinda slippery, excited we made it to the top in one piece. Then we saw the Cathedral of the Assumption, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Gozo. We sat at the steps to rest our obviously tired limps and of course took pictures. After which we continued exploring the Citadel.

The next place we happened upon, took our breath away. The views were amazing and the air so fresh and breezy. What a story teller I’m becoming, Travelling….I’ll tell the concluding part of our Gozo adventures next week.

So Travel Lover, is Malta on your bucketlist? Does traveling make you speechless? Do you become a storyteller?

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

Ps: Kindly like, comment and share if you enjoyed the article….Thank YOU

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, traveling is an education!!!

Do you believe this? Did you learn something new recently? Are you open to learning?

I love to learn, I love to grow, I love to experience new things, and that’s definitely why I love to travel

During a recent trip to the United States, while taking a leisurely walk down this picturesque street after a heavenly meal with my sister, I saw a little box. The box piqued my interest, I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I decided to quiz my sister what it was all about. You should have seen her face light up like a thousand bulbs as she went on to tell me about it being a free library where you either give or take books.

The box had the title “Little Free Library”, and there was the inscription, “take a book or return a book”. We took one book each and I tried taking a selfie while my sister took a picture of me with the little box. The box had different kinds of books, it was indeed a little library.

It’s such a beautiful initiative and one that I’m immediately looking to replicate at home. On a side note, I wonder how many of you would have picked a book like I did.

So Travel Lover, have you seen a little library before? Did you take or drop a book? Does the concept intrigue you? Looking forward to your responses.

Till Next Time

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

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Welcome to the adventures that 2024 holds for us! Have you pondered your travel aspirations for the year? As for me, the planning has begun, and the anticipation is already building.

In case you missed it, I shared an escapade involving rabbit stew saga. Check it out here . It was a daring attempt at something new, and despite the lunchtime letdown, the day took a delightful turn when my mom and I decided to explore the hotel's restaurant that evening.

Our choice, Water Biscuit, seamlessly blended elegance with coziness. Commencing our culinary journey with cocktails—mom sipping on a Pina Colada, and I, venturing into a customized off-menu colorful concoction, the name of which eludes me, but the taste lingered marvelously.

To combat the chilly weather, we savored mushroom and leek soup, a remedy that worked wonders. Seeking to replace the memory of the lackluster afternoon, mom opted for perfectly grilled salmon fillets, while I indulged in the flavors of Grilled Lamb Chop. The meal was a feast for the senses, each bite unraveling the day's events. Mom's salmon and my lamb chops were grilled to perfection, leaving us with a delectable experience.

As we bid adieu, we expressed our gratitude to the chef for accommodating our requests, turning a long day into an enjoyable memory. It was indeed a perfect conclusion to an extended day of exploration.

So Travel Lover, what are your travel goals for this year? Will you venture into new territories and embrace novel experiences? Perhaps, Water Biscuit in Malta should find its place on your ever-growing bucket list.

Looking forward to our next rendezvous,

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

P.S. Share your own travel tales and recommendations!

It’s been a long minute….

You know how I like to plan before any trip….but even the best laid plans….Anyways, Lest I digress…

Do you plan sightseeing in advance before your trip? Do you arrive at your destination before the planning starts? Do you just leave everything to chance?

Before travelling to Winnipeg this year, I had three things I wanted to experience. Raise up your hand like 🙌🏾 if you are a Harry Porter fan. There is this historical monument of a hotel. Such an imposing structure, it gives Harry-Porter-like vibes. The name -Fort Garry- made it all the more intriguing. I had already booked my hotel, when I saw this however, I had to stay there. It was a beautiful stay and an experience I’m glad I had this year. Make that number 1.

Widely known for its wicked winters, Winnipeg is one place where you’ll learn to appreciate a little warmth when it’s cold. This is what the Skywalk offers pedestrians in Downtown Winnipeg. You can connect different places via the Sleek, See-through, Skywalk, away from the cold. It helped several times during my trip, though I got lost a few times but hey who is counting, I was warmly lost🫣🤪

Finally, my number three is the Esplanade Riel. This is a famous footbridge that connects Downtown Winnipeg with St. Boniface. I particularly liked the time I saw it with the River below being totally frozen. I saw some extraordinary humans walking on the frozen River,🤭🥵. I had to check Google to see what the River looks like when it wasn’t frozen.

I like that I ticked all three places on my Winnipeg list. There’s surely that “been there, done that” satisfaction that comes with the three ticks.

So Travel Lover, Are you a planner and executioner🤭? Do you arrive at your destination before the planning starts? Do you simply leave things to chance and go with the flow? Let us know which type you are in the comments section, and if you’ll change your stance after reading this article.

Till Next Time

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress♥️

Ps: Kindly like, comment and share if you enjoyed this article, Thank you

Michael Jordan once said, "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." So, spill the beans – are you the architect of your adventures or just an audience member in the theater of life?

Picture this: My lifelong affair with hot air balloons would finally have its moment in the sun during my 2022 Turkish escapade, or so I thought. Maybe not just yet. Fast forward to 2023, and Egypt beckoned with its own airborne spectacle in Luxor. The joy was palpable, and Luxor secured its spot on my travel card.

Now, let's talk about a little scheduling snafu. The organizers asked if I'd switch my balloon departure time from a sleep-inducing 4:30 am to a more reasonable 6:30 am. My response? A resounding "No." The beautiful Sunrise and I had a date with destiny.

D-day arrived, and at 4:30am sharp, we embarked on our pre-dawn odyssey. Safety briefings was done before we went across the River Nile, and this set the stage for the big reveal – the inflation of our vibrantly chosen balloon. Cue the magic as others soared into the sky while we impatiently waited our turn.

Finally airborne, we discovered the "hot" in hot air balloons – the burner threatening our hair more than a stylist on a bad day🤣. Armed with an extra thick scarf for the cold, I was ready for anything, or so I thought. Later, I found out that it wasn't necessary.

Reality check: We didn't ascend as high as planned, missed some sights, and the landing? Let's just say it wasn't as dramatic as I expected.

But here's the plot twist – despite the hiccups, ticking off this experience was a major highlight of the year. Next on the agenda? Try out a similar experience at another location so I can compare notes.

So, Travel Lover, are you dreaming, wishing, or out there making your travel tales happen? Is Egypt and a hot air balloon ride on your bucket list? Stay tuned for more tales from the trail!

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress ✈️

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A quote by Michelle Obama says “Just try new things. Don't be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?” I loved the quote immediately I saw it, because it defines me. I love trying new things, I love new experiences, I want to continually soar😁🤭.

So when last did you step out of your comfort zone and try something new?

I love traveling to New places, this is a no brainer . Every new place tells a different story and that’s the beauty of Travel. This year, when I visited Winnipeg, I believed I’d tick “walking in the snow” off my bucket list and finally I did( read about it here) .

But guess what, the main attraction to Winnipeg wasn’t the snow, it was the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. I saw a friend’s picture when she visited the museum, I got interested and intrigued and I couldn’t resist asking for name and location. Before she could answer, my curiosity led me to the almighty Google Lens. Voila! The name and location of the museum were revealed. I love Google lens, by the way….lost? Let’s find you in the comments section…lol.

Let’s get back to my experience at the museum. With an exterior that showcases a compelling design it draws visitors in with its grandiosity. The museum's architectural aesthetics are captivating, creating an immediate desire to explore its interior. When you sight the structure from a distance you can’t help wanting to see and touch up close.

Sitting on eight floors and looking imposing from the outside I found that the Inside was equally amazing. I got my entry ticket and began my walk down history lane. There was so much to absorb, so much to see, so much to do at every turn.

Here’s a quick rundown (or maybe even run up 😉) of what’s on offer across the eight floors:

Introduction and Orientation: Overview of the museum's mission and purpose. Introduction to the concept of human rights.

Historical Foundations: Exhibits on the historical development of human rights.

Key events and milestones in the human rights movement.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Exploration of diverse cultures, identities, and inclusivity. Exhibits on the importance of recognizing and respecting differences.

Human Rights in Canada:

Focus on Canada's human rights history and contributions.Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

Global Perspectives:

International human rights issues and stories.

Exhibits on global efforts and challenges.

Contemporary Issues:

Current human rights challenges.

Interactive displays on ongoing social justice issues.

Interactive and Participatory Spaces:

Engagement areas, such as the "join the conversation" wall. These activities encourage visitors to reflect and share their thoughts. There were colored pencils and paper for visitors to articulate their thoughts and join the conversation.

Culmination and Reflection:

Conclusion of the museum journey.

Spaces for reflection and contemplation

Reminiscing on that unforgettable experience, I can attest that walking through that museum was therapeutic as well as healthy. I was among the last people to leave as it was a new experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So Travel Lover, when last did you try something new? When last did you step out of your comfort zone? What new things would you attempt after this article? P.S- I’m already planning my next destination.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

Ps: If you enjoyed this article, kindly like, comment and share 😁 Thank you.

Amy Poehler says “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life."

Do you believe these words? Do you like making new friends? Do you enjoy team bonding activities?

I believe my colleagues have changed my life significantly. I love making new friends, no secret there🤭and my favorite team bonding activity definitely has to include travelling.

In 2022, during my mini Euro tour, the final city I visited was Zurich. It was all I had read it to be and more. On the cab ride to my hotel, I saw a Museum named WOW, and the lettering was really fancy. I checked it out on Google and saw it was a tourist attraction.

While giving myself an invisible pat on the back for the hotel location, I made a mental note to visit WOW. As the deal goes with most hotels, Check in late, Check out early. The check in time at my hotel was 3pm. Unfortunately, I arrived earlier and there was no room ready. Itching for some action, I decided to make a quick stop to the WOW museum seeing that it was a walking distance from my hotel.

I did a super fast access fee payment at the museum entrance and immediately starting looking at what fun activity I could do. A quick glance at my phone jolted me to reality…with a 7% battery level, this will be a waste with no moments or memories to capture. I hurried back to the hotel and grabbed my charger, hurray for “fast charge”. On my way back, it was a slow unhurried leisurely walk. I just wanted to take things easy.

At WOW, I spotted this lovely lego board where I stopped and spelt the first three letters of my name, then I took loads of selfies, either with extra long legs or super short legs. Some I saw multiples of myself. Some I didn’t understand what the illusion was.

I had been seeing a group of people walk together and chatter happily. The lovely Celine was a member of this group, new friend alert…. I asked if she could take some photos and she happily obliged.

There was this part of the museum that had a lot going on(picture from Google below). It was one of those illusions I was trying to figure out what exactly it was, then, Celine’s boisterous group comes in and started taking position. I really wish I whipped out my phone fast enough because before I knew it, one of the gentlemen was upside down the horizontal pole, hanging by his knees. Then the funniest thing happened, all the coins in his pocket tumbled out. It is one moment that is etched in my memory forever.

Afterwards, I met Celine and she mentioned her team came in from Lausanne for Team bonding at WOW Museum and the guy who stayed upside down in the photo was her boss. We exchanged numbers took this gorgeous selfie and till date we chat once in a while

So Travel Lover, do your colleagues challenge and inspire you? Do you like making new friends? Do you enjoy team bonding activities? Awaiting your responses in the comments section.

Till Next Week

Live, Love, Laugh

Ajalaress

PS: Like, comment and share if you enjoyed this article….Thank YOU