Hello and good afternoon :) Hope you guys are doing well! Posting here the second part of our trip to Balearic islands, here's a bit more of Ibiza (literally the last two days) and beautiful Formentera island. Btw, there will also be a little part of Bermuda, particularly the unique pink sand that we found in Formentera... makes me miss Bermuda even more!.. <3

My sad face when leaving Ibiza, and Dalt Vila from the ferry on the way to Formentera

So we decided to stay nearby, listen to the music and check out another sunset that Balearic islands have in abundance and that are so sparse in our home in Tenerife :)

Next morning selfie with scratched arm from Atlantis (see previous post); beach time; and fantastic lunch we had at a beach restaurant =)

After that little nostalgic moment we walked back to our scooter and drove to the Barbaria lighthouse (El faro de Cap de Barbaria), 'Modern beacon at the [southern] tip of an isolated bluff, known for its panoramic sunset views.' (source here). It was nice to walk there and back, we saw yet another gorgeous sunset, Edu took some great photos with his film camera, but then my lower back started to hurt so badly that I thought we'll never make it to the hotel!.. I guess my accident at Atlantis pools was making itself known...

Next morning we went to the town for breakfast and a little paseo. I was falling in love with Formentera for its cute little streets, fresh coffee and croissants smell, nice morning sea breeze, small town busy life and the proximity to water from any part of the island, - everything kept reminding me of Bermuda... I was happy to remember how to drive one of those scooters as well hehe, took me a few hours though, poor Edu)))

Then we went to the beach where spent practically the rest of the day (G-d how I love vacations..!)), and I posed for Edu a little bit when the sun was setting down... 

And although it was very sad leaving Balearic, we knew we're going to be in Barcelona for two more days, meeting with friends and having good laughs and walks with them, eating delicious food and enjoying overall, so that thought helped not to be too sad about Formentera. Besides, we'll be back anyway I know it, and there's so much more to discover (for me) as I have never been either to Menorca or Mallorca, and they're definitely on the list!!. But for now, bye-bye Formentera & Ibiza, and Helloooo Barcelona (in my next post) ! 

Lots of love as always xxx

Hey guys!! Hope you are all healthy and doing well (this phrase is becoming a tradition lately..). I've finally found the time and inspiration to post our Ibiza photos. We went back in June-July through Barcelona where we'd stayed for two more days after Ibiza and Formentera islands. Here's a small diary from that trip, starting from a silly, happy selfie (of course..!) on the plane to Barcelona from Tenerife :)

The place must look really nice and more inviting when it's sunny I'm sure, but on that particular day we were just not too impressed :) Apparently you can also drive there by a car but it looked like it was only-residents allowed.. 

Ok coming back to the airport-test-check drama.. We took test each of us in Tenerife before flying to Barcelona/ Baleares; both negative; I 'saved' it (as I thought) in my Files folder in iPhone, and forgot about it. Also threw away the little piece of paper from the hospital where they give you a unique number to check results online.. So imagine we're at Ibiza airport after Tenerife-Barcelona-Ibiza flights, received our luggage, filled out ridiculous and needless (imo) forms that everyone is obliged to do, came out and when we were supposed to show those forms where we indicated that Yes, we have negative Covid test results etc, I can not find mine!!! Went through ALL possible folders on my phone (trust me, nothing was left unchecked including some weird, semi-hidden folders that I didn't even know existed lol), - the file was gone. And I didn't take a screenshot. And the piece of paper to go online and check results was in a trash bin back in Tenerife.. So long story short, after long time of swearing and sweating they gave us an email address where to send negative test results, and the next morning I just called the hospital and successfully retrieved the data... but I think this little issue gave me some grey hair for sure hehehe

Next day we decided to go to the old fortified town in the capital of Ibiza and check Dalt Villa, which was a good idea in the end as the weather was perfect for that.

Then we came back to the North, had fantastic dinner at Thai restaurant and went to the hotel practically exhausted... which is a good thing as helps you to sleep even better!! ;)

The next morning our plan was to go visit another 'mindblowing' (as per Edu's brother words) place called Atlantis natural pools, which turned out to be fun but a bit disastrous... But first breakfast & coffee at a hotel and one nice pic of me before I looked like I came back from a war...))

The place is hard-to-get-to, hard-to-park, hard-to-walk, and in general I should've listened to my tiny voice of subconsciousness right from the beginning... You need to drive a few km's by car/ scooter then to park (only possible in the morning hours), to walk on flat for like 1-2km's - which is the nicest part perhaps!! - then to almost climb down some very steep natural steps with lots of rolling little stones that make each step even harder and more dangerous (elderly & unfit people should stay away from it I think); then you start walking on sand dunes which is also fun / dangerous as it's steep downhill; then when you're finally there, you need to figure out how the f...k you'll access the pools, so even more few steps, no less dangerous at all!.. And, when you're FINALLY there, you hardly find a free spot as it's almost always busy with crowds of crazy youngsters. No shade at all provided either btw. What a delight eh!?.

So anyways, as you can see I'm a bad swimmer and also not a wise person as it happened to me already a few times before (well, similar thing anyway, with the sea and waves..) but I thought I'm brave and all, so I can do it. The pool on the above picture is connected with the sea that was quite rough on that day; I was slowly coming down aka sliding on my back and ass when a few strong and big (no exaggeration!) waves started to come and just washed me down like a small ant against a garden hose with full water pressure on!!)) Thanks to Edu who dragged me out of it back to that black rocky wall, I was not paralized with fear any more and just sat on top where no waves could reach me, completely shattered with shock but laughing hysterically without feeling any pain, yet))). The result: those scratches on my elbows are still visible although almost healed (only different color now), the rest of wounds& scratches is gone. And - most importantly! - another lesson learned. Never play with the sea / nature in general, that's a fact ;)

After the incident we climbed back up, took the car, went to buy some food and two little cava bottles in order to come back, slightly different way (towards Es Vedra), and celebrate the fact that I'm still alive   another gorgeous sunset that Mediterranean is so generous with. It was very nice. 

The rest of Ibiza holidays were obviously not so fun for me as those scratches started to hurt like hell, so we just kinda moved slowly around the island by car, went to some beautiful beaches and witnessed some more breathtaking sunsets, that I'm missing right now a lot... The morning we left to Formentera was super stormy and rainy btw, so at least with that we got lucky, and not the whole Ibiza holidays were screwed up for us))))

Next part: Formentera and Barcelona, stay tuned and have a great week guys! xxx

*The above image is taken from here. 

Today, 19 years ago, one of the most shocking human tragedies has happened, that people also associate with terrorists attacks (me - not, and you'll see why a bit below), that marked the beginning of the 21st century. I remember being at work in Moscow, finishing the day, switching off desk computer, when my colleagues started talking about attacks in New York City. They put on TV and said that there's something absolutely horrible  happening in New York at that exact moment (it was 7 or 8 hours difference between Moscow and NYC at that time, can't remember exactly, so when we were finishing work, people in the US were just starting their normal day and leaving for work...). 

We were - all of us, myself and colleagues, - glued to the screen in a total disbelief and shock, I remember. And then the second attack happened... 

*The above images were taken from Wikipedia.

At that time and on that day I didn't know that a few years later I will be working for a US company in Bermuda and will be travelling to NYC quite a lot; that I will meet some nice people who will become my friends - some of them right until now - and they will be saying that the 11th day of September is something they will never be able to erase from their memories, no matter how much they'd try. 

World Trade Center, October 2019 (shot on iPhone)

And here's why I actually believe this was more than just a terrorists attack: Dylan Avery's documental 'Loose Change', that you can watch for free (strange they didn't remove it so hurry up before they do..) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKO5t3rcIZU  (Russian version HERE ).

I know there will be at least half of people who's reading this, saying I'm wrong, but watch the documentary. And, if you're not an idiot, you'll agree that the authors' version DEFINITELY deserves the right to exist. 

9/11 Memorial, photo from November 2019. Black square in the middle of the fountain is where they switch on the blue lights, every year, up in the sky, - a very beautiful and important tribute to the fallen lives. 

I won't say more. There's no need to say more, apart from expressing my deepest condolences to the families of all innocent victims of that tragedy, and a hope this will never happen again. Rest in peace those 2977 souls who lost their lives there, you will never be forgotten. X

*The above image is taken from Pinterest.

**My heart also goes for the innocent people who were killed on the 4 aircrafts and inside Pentagon buildings, even although the latter were mostly military who are / should be prepared to give their live(s) for their country, - it is still a terrible tragedy of course. 

***Check out more images here: https://mia-photos.com/usa 

Hey guys, last weekend we were in Lanzarote again, but this time we had a friend of ours / of Edu since his university, - Lorena, - who came straight from Madrid and stayed for a week (we were there for a bit shorter time sadly..). We had super luck to stay in Caleta de Famara on the first line on the coast, and above photos just show the beauty that opened to our eyes the next morning, since we arrived late at night to check in...

We woke up, wow-ed the views and immediately decided to go breakfast hunting & for a paseo around Famara village =) 

Here's a link to the place if you're in the area (will open in a new window): https://beach-food-las-bajas.negocio.site/

Finally after almost an hour waiting and sipping on beers on empty stomaches, we've got a table and ordered our gluttonous fiest lunch (obv there were more dishes added lately..)))

We drove with Lorena who had to catch an earlier flight than us, we checked the luggage and went for a walk in a COMPLETELY abandoned Arrecife, (the capital of Lanzarote), lost and fished (!!), thanks to a lonely Moroccan guy, my face mask that flew away and fell into the water, then we had coffee and non-alcoholic beer, and then (3 hours later..))) have finally crawled because of my bad knee   jumped on the plane that brought us back home to our most beautiful, loving and spoiled cats, who we love just as how we'd love our own kids, I think, - that was one of the good things about coming back to Tenerife. 

I'm wishing you ALL a good weekend, to stay strong and healthy, and to respect each other no matter what skin color or nation you are. I am very touched by what is happening now both in the USA and in Russia / Belarussia where people get hurt and yet do NOT give up on their civil & HUMAN rights. I support them with all my heart and energy. I follow the news every day (Edu sometimes says it's too much)) and I do whatever I can from here in order to be even a slightest part of the big change that is OUGHT to happen, and my hope and prayers to the universe are that this change will happen NOW. What a time we're living in. What a crazy year it is {so far...}. 

We must stay together no matter what, because #BlackLivesMatter and because #AllLivesMatter .

#ЖывеБеларусь #АлексейЖиви #ВернитеФургала #путинВыпейЧаю #ПтнПнх #putinGoAWAY 

#ФБК #РоссияБудушего #Навальный #NavalnyLIVE 

That's it for today :) If you are in Canary Islands I strongly encourage you to travel around the islands to support local businesses but with all safety and common sense measures please (keep the distance and the mask on when inside of spaces), but please also be reasonable and DON't panic - it's not as bad as they tell you on TV, really. What is more sad and dangerous is that some people including yours truly loose big part of their jobs, local businesses have to shut down, and there are almost no tourists at all - the main source of income for ca. 80% of local economy.. Everyone suffers, hence it is SO important to stay calm and keep moving on. 

And if you are not in Canary islands or Spain, be safe and be wise. 

I have a very talented boyfriend who takes amazing pictures, you know.. Sometimes of me, too =) 

Check out his works: https://eduardoacaso.com/ (his new fancy website that I helped him with since it's all in Russian)) and IG https://www.instagram.com/eduacaso/ (as his diary), both links should open in a new window..

And give him some love - he's just now getting into a full process' film photography where he can control from the moment of taking a photo up till developing film and printing it on paper.. Super proud of him <3 

Hello and welcome back everyone!!))) So I decided to give it another try before completely abandoning this soon-to-be a boggy &mossy blog of mine.. And if you miss the freedom of CHOICE (whether it's just about putting a face mask at your local shop, or flying somewhere far, far away..) - this post is for you. 

This time last year we were at NOS-Alive music festival in Lisbon, discovering new bands, wandering the city streets daytime and getting acquainted with Lisbon' nightlife through delicious cuisine and Portuguese people - that city never sleeps when it's summer! Follow these memories with us below, from the first day as we took a bus from Madrid to Lisbon, and till the tacky airplane window shot on the way back to Spain..

We arrived to Lisbon late at night, left suitcases and went out for dinner; both were shocked when saw crowds of people on streets 'minding their own business', so to say..)) Next morning was about discovering Alfama - Lisbon' area where we stayed those 3 days. So beautiful!! We walked up- and down its streets, ate in fish restos, drunk way too many coffees and 'vinhos verdes' wherever possible, then went back to our apmt for a goooood nap before the festival, as we knew it's gonna be a long night..))) We were incredibly lucky to see and listen to lots of crazy good bands (Bon Iver, Thom Yorke, The Smashing Pumpkins, Vetusta Morla to name a few!!), but our main goal and excitement was about the Chemical Brothers... What. A. Gig. ! Here's a tiny little piece of the concert from Edu's insta if you're curious: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4O31nhjWB/ , and here's a YouTube official video from festival creators: 

...After the festival, we decided not to wait in a queue for official taxis (wrong decision!!)) and take one on the road, but before that happened, we had to walk around 12km, - a normal distance for two more or less experienced runners, but a killing one after hours and hours of dancing and standing on feet in leather boots.... 

The next morning we obviously didn't bother waking up with sunrise (came back home around 4am and stayed up until 6.00am talking on our small, cozy balcony discussing the experience and sharing emotions with a bit more booze..)))). Then it was breakfast hunting time so we went out and accidentally spent the whole day out (never thought these old, noisy trams are so much fun!).

Incredible memories, oh how I miss those times now while living in all the pandemic sh*t, - please excuse my French, - new restrictions and silly, meaningless rules, created with whatever purpose.. but I aint no going any further with this now. :-/ 

Back to Lisbon streets guys!! Quite unique and full of character ;)

Now looking at these photos, remembering the big road, all the airport hassle, packing/unpacking suitcases and visiting friends, family and places, - it all just seems SO SURREAL right now doesn't it?! If I only knew what was ahead of us at that time... I think we wouldn't spend any of our free time at home, but would've travelled somehow every day. Coulda-woulda-shoulda... 

Next: some of our local adventures around Tenerife when the lockdown was sort of over (..do you believe in rumors about the second pandemic wave coming around fall time btw??.), and we were too eager to be outside on the beach, camping and doing whatever... Stay tuned :) and healthy! Xx

P.S. If you liked this post and its vibes. here's a NOS Alive RADIO for ya (should open in a new window): https://nosalive.com/en/radio/