The journey begins
To mitigate the COVID-19 lockdown, we have decided to take our readers (hopefully we will have some) on a travel adventure. Maria and I are avid travellers currently facing the prospect, like all of you, of being locked into a confined space for the foreseeable future. All we have are our memories, imagination, and future travel plans. However I warn you, when we travel together, all sorts of misadventures arise, which I firmly place at Maria’s door. Join us….
Alex and Maria
Italy Guide: Episode 1 – Does Italy Exist?
“The name of Italy has magic in its very syllables.” Mary Shelly Let’s start with the obvious, Italy does not exist. Yes, yes, I know you can find it on a map, and I have a passport issued by the Repubblica Italiana and even the dictionary has a definition for it. The Collins dictionary states:…
Marrakesh
A solo trip to Marrakesh.. James Bond, and a candelabra balanced on the head.
The Isle of Wight and the lost trousers
A catalogue of disasters on a simple weekend break and a symphony of “lost”….from lost trousers (while I was wearing them), lost reservations, lost the car, parking fines, lost camera battery, and obviously Maria got lost in Canary Wharf which is what kicked it all off….
St. Petersburg: the scale of magnifiscence
The sheer scale of the magnificence is mesmerising, and as in a long weekend, taking it all in is near impossible, with Russian efficiency, the tour guides have you jogging to keep up. We are still in recovery three years later.
St. Petersburg the treacherous preparation
Preparing to travel to St. Petersburg feels somewhat like a spy movie. A story of visas, passport control, sleek black cars and praying Maria would not be arrested.
Mauritius – the reunion
We join forces in leisure, cocktails, food, and kayaking. Maria almost kills me again and near piracy is averted.
Mauritius two routes to one destination
A trip of two halves…. and the long suffering boyfriend joins us. I assure you no more harm came to him than he was already accustomed to. I also confirm he is now out of therapy.
Foxhill Manor and then there were none
A retreat into utter escapism, dubious footwear and a near miss on unintentional nudism
The Cotswolds (A green escape from the city)
A cocktail of sheep, dry stone walls, “singing” and forests with trees. The magic of the Cotswolds (if you are able to pronounce it) awaits.
From Oman to London with a “sweet” dilemma
We leave Oman behind, plunge car first into a sweet shop (almost), get stuck between two borders and navigate Dubai with no map… What can go wrong?
A few days in heaven – Nizwa
A few days on the edge of heaven, relaxing with precarious yoga (a new practice soon to be the rage).
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort “I am Princess Diana”
Nirvana… and Princess Diana….
Time to say: “Arrivederci Muscat”
Onwards and literally upwards…to the mountains we go (cars can’t fly).
Muscat – unsurprisingly stunning
Muscat, frankincense, spices, the hijab and a tight spot.
Food at the Shangri-La Al Husn
A food induced near death experience…….
The Shangri-La Al Husn
The relaxation of a blissful beach and a near drowning.
The long road to Oman (very long)
The scenic drive from Dubai to Oman, the little blue dot and Maria’ s gentle respiratory lullaby as she sleeps the entire journey.
Oman – the airport
Maria’s view: I couldn’t believe that the time had come and my excitement was duplicated , one, because I was going to visit a completely unknown country for me (Oman) and two, because for the first time in my life , and probably the last, I was going to fly in B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S C-L-A-S-S, Alex, my…
This will be the most boring rollercoaster ride in ages
Welcome to our blog which aims to help us survive the COVID-19 lockdown. We will take you on a journey, albeit an insane one, to counteract the withdrawl symptoms caused by the travel restricitons. Armchair tourism, here we come……
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
The Lockdown Travel Guide 