Celebrating Friendship Day

She's got my back, she's always good for a laugh, and sometimes I swear she can read my mind. We've been through ups and downs together as kids, as teenagers, as young adults and as wives and mothers. She knows my history like no other person does. She has been by my side for 50 years. She is the family I have chosen, she is the sister I never had, she is my polar opposite. 

We recognize the individual qualities both of us possess that make us strong and different. We each have our own special energy, and we feed off each other to make us stronger.

They say a friendship between a Cancer and a Leo is one in which both friends could understand and provide for each other. The best aspect of a friendship is their desire to maintain an intense, deep, and earnest relationship. Cancer and Leo complement each other, and could assist each other in several ways. Together they make a wonderful pair, and their common desires and goals call for a harmonious relationship.

With our two vibrant, eclectic, volatile, interesting halves of a friendship, we never get bored. We might be very different, but it only makes our dynamic that much more interesting. The rare days we get to spend together are very special and always a beautiful adventure.

Most importantly, we are always complementary, never in competition... never have been, never will be. The two of us are yin and yang, we rely on each other, and it just works.

The beach is calling...

Early morning swim at Cala Tarida

Cala Comte to see the sun set

Cala Graciò to reach Cala Gracioneta swimming

Cala Tarida without the crowds

Crystal clear waters

Spectacular sunsets

Impressions of an empty Eivissa

Empty alleys leading to Ibiza's Marina

The locals have taken back their town

Closed for business

Handmade local crafts

Something for every taste

Contemporary art?

Colourful flower power fashion

Creative balcony deco

No need for a house number

If windows could talk...

Italian coffee spot

Hues of Ibiza blues

Ibiza's best pizzeria... no queues today!

Wondering what they sell at YES Ibiza?

Only in Ibiza!!!

A deserted Marina during the month of July

Ibiza is World Heritage

Ibiza’s claim to fame is its status as one of Europe’s most lit places to party, but there’s so much more to Ibiza Town, the Balearic Island’s capital, than raves, 24-hour clubs, and study abroad spring breakers. To start, there’s Dalt Vila, a fortified medieval old town perched on a cliff that offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea atop 16th-century battlements. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perched on a small mountain next to the sea and overlooking the town is the fortified old town of Dalt Vila which translates to "Upper Town".

Originally called Ibosim and founded by the Phoenicians, Dalt Vila has been added to by successive occupiers and was once one of the most important coastal cities in the Mediterranean. The last addition was the Renaissance defensive walls that surround it, which Kings Charles I and Philip II of Spain had constructed to defend against the French and the Ottomans.

Walking into the main square, Plaza de Vila, many restaurants, art galleries and shops are closed due to lack of tourists.

The Catalans were the first to penetrate Dalt Vila from within and by doing so, crushed Moorish rule. 

As legend has it, the brother of the Emir that controlled Ibiza was deeply jealous of his sibling and had betrayed him to the Catalan pretenders. He told them the whereabouts of a secret tunnel that came out at a small chapel, which afterwards was named in honour of San Ciriaco, the Patron Saint of Ibiza.

Inside the heart of Villa Dalt where the cost per m2 is anything between 5000 and 10'000.- Euros.

Looking down from the battlements by the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, allows for a  wonderful panoramic view over the city and the harbour.

Santo Domingo church, built in the 17th century, is attached to the Monastery of the same order, and it is the second largest temple in the isle, after the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Ibiza came about after the conquest of Ibiza by Catalan troops in 1235, and it takes up the space that, until then, had been occupied by the town’s mosque.

When the Bishopric of Ibiza was created in 1762, this was only parish on the island. It became a Cathedral and was dedicated to Saint Mary of the Snows.

A simple trip

Until six months ago we used to take a plane like we hopped on a bus. You bought your ticket and off you went. With Covid travelling came to a screeching halt. We had been sitting still for over 16 weeks, most of which we weren't even aloud out of our flat, except for grocery shopping and a some dire-needed exercise.

Beginning of this year I was heading towards a new personal record, spending a total of seven days in Paris over a period of five weeks!! Last Monday, I took a plane after being grounded for 21 weeks. It felt liberating, exhilarating and oh so satisfying. I confess social distancing was difficult at times but the Spaniards were very compliant to the rules and respectful towards each other on my plane from Madrid to Ibiza.

It made me stop and appreciate all the simple things we take for granted when traveling by plane... even a cup of coffee!

Lavazza coffee at 8am in the morning: a welcome sight!

Keeping our distance while boarding the plane

Some chick-lit and a bottle of water... who needs more?

Disembarking one row at a time... never experienced such discipline EVER!

Even the rental car has succumbed to new safety measures.

An island escape

After ten months we are finally back on the island. We were suppose to spend Easter on Ibiza as well as Whitsun but due to Covid remained put in Paris. This week we are in seventh heaven with transparent waters, deserted beaches and the odd jellyfish keeping us company.

The beach all to myself

Boats seem to be multiplying by the hour

Hippie vibes

Waiting for the sunset to start Happy Hour

Es Vedra the magical island rock. Rumour has it the monolithic limestone rock formation is the third most magnetic point in the world.

My office during "télétravail" in Cala Moli

I've been busy

Remember, back in March when we thought the whole Covid-thing would be over by summer? If we could just get through to July and hopefully go on holidays somewhere beyond the borders? As the days went by these possibilities seem to slim down until the Parisians started frantically searching for affordable places to rent in France over the summer. 

I followed the French and Spanish news every day to see when we could skip the border towards the sunshine. June 21st - after a few false alarms - we were finally allowed into the Iberian peninsula.

Since then I have been busy... busy reuniting with my friends, busy catching up with neighbours, busy enjoying the sunshine, busy sipping pink cava, busy with my online fitness classes, busy with paperwork (I never get around the boring stuff), I even managed a quick trip to the Corte Ingles, Spain's one and only iconic department store which survives despite its humongous stocks of every item under the sun!?!

I've celebrated my birthday with friends and family, had reunions and girly get-togethers, all while trying to keep my distance because as my lovely friend paraphrases the Covid situation: "It is not the places we go to it is our behaviour!"

Happy 4th of July

As a half-American, the 4th of July definitely does not go unnoticed and is part of our family tradition each year as so many other celebrations. Italian, Swiss, Spanish, French, British, there is something to celebrate practically every month to a certain extent.

By this month our family is usually already enjoying the Spanish sun as our house household moves to Madrid for the summer. Our July 4th tradition is a shopping trip to Taste of America, the local US grocery store which costs a bomb. Expat girl gets to stock up on American candy and weird coloured cereals while I dive for the Cinnamon bagels and the fun cake decorations. 

The boys of the family don't really get it, they'd much rather stick to their Italian heritage when it come to food... but as they say... you can take a girl out of New York but you cannot take New York out of the girl!

Happy 4th of July!

Celebrating in Madrid