Paradero Hotel
There is something to be said about being off the grid. Cell service is shaky, forcing you to disconnect. Staying in a remote location making you appreciate the amenities that surround you. And with no vehicle to get around, you really have to appreciate everything! Such was the case on my recent visit to Baja California by ways of both Todos Santos and San Jose Del Cabo. My first two nights in beautiful Baja California; where the desert meets the ocean, was at Paradero Hotel. A luxurious hotel that boosts itself on its experiences it offers for its guest. I honestly wish the experiences they offered were on a daily basis and not sporadic but, there in lies the joy of disconnecting. The hotel did a great job of offering a brutalist design in the desert oasis. The curvature of the buildings seemed harmonious with the mountains in the backdrop. Upon entering, I was surprised at how quiet the hotel was! Definitely not something you would experience if you were staying in Los Cabos. I checked in and quickly settled in after having a delicious mezcalita upon arrival. I indulged my palate with soft shell crab tacos, the freshest daily fish one could ever experience and even fresher juices in the morning. And of course, I had to enjoy the wine from Valle De Guadalupe . My experiences included a morning hike that lead to ocean views on one day and outdoor yoga. I remained lazy at the hotel, enjoying a book at the pool that overlooked the desert, here and hanging out on rooftop deck of my room that offered a sneak peak of the Pacific Ocean, there. It was nice to be able to seize the opportunity and stay at Paradero. The perfect reset when one is necessary.
OAXACA
When one thinks of Oaxaca; food, festivals, mezcal…mezcal and food, all come to mind!
I visited Oaxaca for the second time, the first being January 2022 when the streets were relatively quiet due to COVID. This time around, the city was alive and thriving! Weddings were being had and celebrations took over Zocalo square. The cobblestone streets were filled with both locals and tourists alike. You felt the exuberance of this magical place, which is the many reasons why I’ve come to love Oaxaca!
I checked in once again to the beautiful Casa Antonieta, where a temporary stay feels more like home. The hospitatlity warm and welcoming. The service above and beyond. Muss cafe is a great way to start your day in Oaxaca while Ama is the perfect wind down before heading out to the many delicious restaurants Oaxaca has to offer. From rooftop restaurants such as Casa Oaxaca to local eats found throughout Mercado de 20 Noviembre or dining in beautiful outdoor gardens like Criollo or my personal favorite Alfonsina…the options are limitless.
If venturing out of Oaxaca Centro, there are options. From visiting Hierve De Agua (which I was told it is truly beautiful during the rainy season) or visiting the local artisans in Teotitlan de Valle, it makes for a wonderful day trip. I took the time to visit a local mezcal distillery that I learned about from research. Woman owned. Family owned and most importantly, supported by the local community as well! Mezcal Desde la Eternidad is a great place to visit if you want to learn about the orgins of mezcal as well as taste and support the local distilleries.
Being one of the smaller cities in Mexico, I find that I discover something new during my visits to Oaxaca by just walking around. Beautiful clothing boutiques, amazing cafes…Oaxaca is truly a gem!
Jamaica
Jamaica wasn’t my original plans when it came to my next vacation. Oh no! I had plans of traversing through the streets of Paris and Barcelona. Challenging myself to speak languages that I’m familiar with but, still not well versed in.
But as the months continued to pass and my workload became more than I had anticipated, I craved nothing more than a vacation of nothingness. A vacation where days were not planned but rather lived for in those moments. I’ve always wanted to visit Jamaica. To step my feet into its warm waters and turquoise blue lagoons. To set my tastebuds on fire with delicious jerk chicken and cool it down with a refreshing rum cocktail.
Not one for a resort style hotel; which pretty much is what you may come across when traveling to Jamaica, and AirBNB’s seemed a bit questionable for this solo excursion. I suddenly came across a gem in the form of seclusion. A gem that I had seen pop up here and there but, was never tagged so with deeper research, I discovered GoldenEye. Tucked away two hours outside of Montego Bay where only the guest are in the know.
I paid little mind to the fact that I was the only solo guest and allowed myself to breathe, to rest and to detox my mind. I appreciated the relax culture I opted for in choosing to travel to Jamaica. I appreciated how I could slow down. And I look forward to my next visit to Jamaica.
Colombia
I have often been ask why I chose to visit Colombia to which I want to respond, “why not!” But no, I always had a desire to visit Colombia, primarily the Caribbean city of Cartagena. But during 2020, my urge to visit Colombia became stronger as times spent at home during the pandemic had me watching telenovelas based in Colombia as well as listening to an abundance of Colombian musicians! I wanted to see this city in its purest form! I wanted to visit “The City of Eternal Springs” aka Medellin. I wanted to get lost in history, flavor and culture in Cartagena. I wanted to learn more of the history of Colombia beyond the history of what we have come to know what Colombia has been known for! With only a week to visit this country, I had a heavy itinerary to knock most things off my list. I flew into Bogota with a connecting flight into Medellin. I see Medellin becoming a richer city as the years pass but for now, the options for hotel accommodations are still slim. I booked a stay at El Cielo Hotel located in Medellin’s El Poblado neighborhood. The hotel was pristine and modern and I loved the idea of walking into a restaurant as opposed to a lobby that is typical of most hotels. Plus, it was filled with plants and various vegetation, giving it a full richness of color. Days in Medellin were spent exploring the culture. A quick visit to Plaza Botero to take in the works of Fernando Botero, an artist known for depicting people and figures in an exaggerated form. Another day, I booked a tour through AirBnB experience to explore Comuna 13 and so grateful for the tour to learn the true history of this community! Gaining insight about Comuna 13 as it is a community rebuilding themselves due to guerrilla warfare. Nights in Medellin were spent eating and drinking at the following restaurants Carmen, El Cielo, Alambique.
After two short yet sweet days in Medellin, it was time to head to Cartagena.
El Cielo Hotel
Plaza Botero
Comuna 13
Cartagena was everything I expected it to be…lively, colorful, humid! And while there was much to be seen; which you can find in full detail on my Cartagena Guide, it was a trip to the town of San Basilo De Palenque that had me in such awe! A trip that I was second guessing whether I wanted to visit or not but, I’m glad I did. The Afro Latin culture in Colombia is very apparent and learning more about its history opened my eyes. The history of the music and how the drums were used as a guide and warning sounds for the people in the mountains. Once the use drums were caught on by the masters, women would braid their hair and use that as a map. It was so great to meet the local artist of Palenque such as Kombilesa Mi, using nothing but drums and sounds for their music and introducing the world to the sounds of Palenque! And while Palanque was not the first freetown, their history is rich. A culture that is strong. And a culture that is thriving!
This amazing tour would not have been made possible without Black Legacy Experiences.
With only a few hours left of my time in Colombia, I decided to end it with a long layover so to speak in Bogota, checking into a hotel in the Zona G neighborhood. My time was limited in Bogota and there was no exploring but, I managed to book a reservation at El Chato which happened to be by far the best meal I had in Colombia in terms of fine dining experiences.
I am eager to revisit Colombia in the future! I want to visit the fincas where coffee is grown. To dive deeper into the culture. To to eat more traditional Colombian food that was missed during my first visit. To dance to the rhythm and soul of Latin music. Until next time, Colombia.
Mexico City
I feel like nowadays, there isn’t a soul who hasn’t visited Mexico City; like Paris and London, it is a city to be discovered. But when I first visited CDMX in 2017, that was not the case. It was a city still filled with mystery and discovery. It hadn’t been over exposed to the way it is now. But exposure aside, Mexico City has become one of my favorite cities to visit! I love getting lost and becoming found when I stumble across a place I have never visited before during previous visits. I love revisiting the places that I have become accustomed to. And if the opportunity presented itself, I would move to Mexico City with no hesitations.
Flying into Mexico City, where the sky is wrapped in smog and you can see peaks of famous museums such as Museo Soumaya peaking through the skyline. There is so much to take in when visiting Mexico City…its glorious culinary scene which ranges from upscale dining to street food. There’s art to immerse yourself in. There is the richness of culture and the history that is easily told through the facades of old buildings in the neighborhoods to the rich pyramids a drive outside of the city. Each neighborhood is connected in some way, making it easy to navigate and see all or, most of all that the city has to offer.
Morocco
It all begins with an idea.
My idea of Morocco was filled with exoticism; exotic spices, exotic music, exotic nights under the North African stars and while most of it held true, it wasn't my time spent in Fes nor my time spent in Chefchaouen or even Marrakech rather, it wasn't until my departure for the Sahara desert that my soul was completly awaken in regards to what Morocco is about. Our driver picked us up at 8AM on Tuesday to embark on our journey from Fes to Marrakech, a journey that would be filled with camping in the desert as well as unknown cities along the way. The long car ride gave me a bit of anxiety plus the idea of having no cell service whatsoever but all of that quickly changed once we left the city of Fes and made our way on the highway. The roads constantly twist and turned but the scenery was breath taking; our driver comparing the rocking cliffs and mountains to those of the Colorado Rockies...I couldn't agree more!
I was grateful to be disconnected on this trip, learning about the areas and Moroccan culture from my driver. Learning about the Nomads or what some may know as Berbers that lived throughout different regions of Morocco. Finally, we arrived to the desert, a gust of wind gently blowing sand in my direction and with a quick change, I was on my way for my first ever camel ride excursion to take in the sunset but, the sunset did not happen. Rain clouds greeted us instead but I was comforted by our guide who opened my eyes in words that can not be described. He was humble and which seems to be taken for granted here in the states. We sat, surrounded by nothing but sand dunes and the peace of the wind and the following day was the same as we woke early to see the sunrise, sitting on the perch of the sandy hills, watching the sun slowly rise to awaken one side of the world!
I left the desert saddened but deeply grateful for the people I met along the way. The music that was played for us during the nights. Laying underneath the desert stars. Arising to the morning light. Feeling the glory of prayer calls throughout certain parts. The beautiful babies. The delicious food. The smiles. Putting things into perspective with the hopes that I can keep this feeling forever...
Morocco, I cherish you and as I write with tears filling up my eyes, I hope that I will soon be back to bask once again in all that you have to offer.
Sincerely yours
Portugal
It all begins with an idea.
Portugal is an absolutely beautiful place to visit; with coastal views and hilly city terrain, there is quite a lot to take in when it comes to this majestic country! But what stood out the most for me during my visit to Portugal was the culinary scene. Having done some research prior to my visit, I was impressed by both the restaurants and wineries that resided in Portugal and of course with a full word of mouth list and knowing I wasn't going to be able to tackle every restaurant in the amount of time during my visit, I was definitely going to try my best to do so! Below are the highlights to my Portuguese food guide...Bon Appetite!
Highlight: Local, Alma, Combi Coffee, Food Tour
Now for that bonus round, if you are looking for a truly remarkable place to stay while in Porto that is in the heart of everything with a staff that goes above and beyond to make your home away from home (because thats truly what it felt like) feel like home, I'd recommend Torel 1884 Suites and Apartments. I really lucked up on this search, a new boutique hotel that offers both suites in their establishment and offsite apartment style rooms. This was a treat considering how most European style hotels offer twin beds only that are pretty close proximity to one another so, being able to retreat to your own separate room but having a living room and a kitchen to share...I did not want to leave!
FOOD
Pedro Dos Frangos (the fast food of Portugal according to our guide)
DRINKS
Cinco Lounge (beautifully well crafted drinks in the most intimate of environments although if cigarette smoking is not your thing...you've been warned)
Costa Rica
It all begins with an idea.
It's amazing what solo travel can do for a person and I highly recommend all to travel solo; not meeting up with a group of friends or knowing someone in the destination you are traveling to but, just pure solo travel. Regardless of age or where your mindset is, just go for the experience! This year for my birthday, I travelled to Puerto Viejo Costa Rica, a country that I heard so many pleasurable memories about and wanted to experience it for myself. I stayed at the Samasati Rainforest Retreat and Sanctuary and I'm not going to lie, upon my arrival, I was ready for my trip to be over! I was overwhelmed with fear as I made the steep, bumpy ride up the hill to the rainforest sanctuary and while the ride was a fun filled Indiana Jones adventure, when I was taken to my guesthouse and the door to my room opened I said, "Fuck, what did I just sign myself up for!" The noises of the rainforest kept me up most of the night and the humidity had me tossing and turning but on my second day, I was able to venture off into town and really explore the culture, and boy did I love what I seen. Fruit vendors peddling plantains and pineapple, small children climbing on top of tables, the salty smell of the ocean and flavorful sounds of reggae and cumbia music filled the air...I was finally understanding the meaning of "Pura Vida". When I arrived back to Samasati, I just sat in the dining area, overlooking the rainforest with views of the ocean in the distant and it finally hit me, I had to become disconnected in this sanctuary in order to reconnect with myself! And while I won't go into depth of what that means to me (another post perhaps) I appreciated it and would highly recommend staying at Samasati if you are looking for that same reconnection because it is a remarkable place for peace, cultivating new relationships with other people that may be on the same journey as you are as well as gaining clarity. And if you do go, be sure to take a yoga class because let me tell you, you haven't experienced yoga until you have taken it in the rainforest with nothing but nature sounds and Howler Monkeys as your guide. Costa Rica was truly a treat for me, I loved eating the fresh fish and drinking a freshly made fruit juice everyday, I loved exploring the town; bike riding from one beach to the next with Bob Marley and Seu Jorge as my background music as well as ziplining in the jungle! I appreciated the different way of life and fully understanding the meaning of Pura Vida, a saying that I will definitely adopt and incorporate in my day to day life! Costa Rica, thank you for opening my eyes and my heart!
