Let The Good Times Roll

Travel is not about where you've been or what you've seen, it's the moments you remember whether they be positive or not - or both!

4am en route Armaçao de Pêra to Hossegor we accidentally take a detour. Amongst our stress of taking the wrong highway exit, we forget the need to stop for petrol.
A sudden choke in the engine reminds us kindly.
In the middle of nowhere, the rain pouring, we imagine the worst.
We climb a hill, but only just; the engine cuts and we begin to roll.
We pass a sign, 2kms till the next petrol station.
We continue to roll.
Minutes later we are still rolling.
Still rolling the station is in sight. Sighs of relief overcome us.
Our momentum comes to an end and we stop literally 1m from the pump. Screams of joy and laughs of amazement fill the van. Luck was definitely on our side.

On this journey I saw a highway, a boring, straight road from the Algarve to Lisbon - negative.
I chatted and listened to music with my closest friend - positive.
And we experienced for the first and hopefully last time an amazing feat.
Unexpected and potentially difficult travel is always exciting!

Stereotypical Drug Customers

Young, blonde traveler - not potential customer.

Sun tanned, facial hair, surfy looking, long hair, cool alternatively dressed and covered in tatts - bingo! potential customer - harass and likely sale of goods. 

Poor Brendos, Crille and Pumps were constantly bugged by Pakistanis coming up and saying 'hashish! hashish!' - 'NO!' 

Concentrate!

Running through my mind.
A continuous jingle.
An unwanted repeat.
The limited lyrics that circle.
STOP.
This is what hinders minds to be aware of each individual’s presence.
Why do we enjoy a catchy tune?
And once it has ‘caught’ you, how do you escape it’s forever repeating insignificant words?
In daily life we have the desire to expand our knowledge however in one way or another it is unfortunately dumbed.
The industry of what is called music includes many talented artists yet the diversity allows repetitive crap to be constantly played on the radio.
I am not saying that I do not enjoy singing along to their catchy tunes.
Nor do I not enjoy dancing to the same songs every time I go out.
It’s the times when you have been captured into the realm of poor lyrics and repetition that the mind is incapable of returning to it’s unique thought process.
Music takes us to a world of rhythm, insignificant to our surrounding, we have the choice to fill our ears with tunes that do not, if chosen, coordinate what the eyes see.

A Treat for Spanish Roadies

Travelling late at night, through the deserted roads that cross Spain flashing lights flicker along the highway. A method of attracting and luring fatigued truckies into what lies within. 'Club Jamaica' remains in our minds the rest were thankfully forgotten. It is said that in Spain for a new town to develop there needs to be a church, a whore house and a bar. We passed many stray 'Clubs' so they could possibly be hoping to start new towns or have their independent business excel in the scarceness.
Onwards we go, Portugal in the distance.

Mundaka & Zarautz with da boiz!

Barcelona

Tapas!! Jodi, Tessa & I

Madrid

Valencia

Dani, Tessa, Nikki & I awaiting our famous Valencian Paella! 

San Sebastian

San Seb is a place that I am glad to have only 1 hour drive from my home in Seignosse. I don't think I appreciated truly the goodness that is there till I travelled to other cities of Spain. Its Basque cuisine and beautiful city architecture located on the beach would have to be one of my favourite places to escape the Hossegor madness to. I have been to Basque tapas bars in Barcelona and Madrid and they don't compare. The small streets that are lined with bars in the old town cater for a fun evening with friends trying a few tapas and having a kalimutxo or sangria and then moving on to the next. It is a great way to spend quality time with friends over a glass of wine accompanied by the best food of the region.

Cooler Magazine August/September Issue - Sri Lanka

University?