Showing posts with label Morocco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morocco. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Safely home...

SAFELY HOME...
A little cold, a little jet-lagged, but other than that happy to be home and its been quite an exciting holiday. This is just a small kine preview. I'll be working on the website hopefully this weekend.

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9 Flights
6 New passport stamps
6 Buses
A Ferry
and an overnight train....

I'm still recovering as I only slept 3 hours last night.

A lot of "first time" from this trip...
...meeting my nephew
...in Portugal
...going to Africa
...surfing in another country
...surfing in a wet suit
...riding a camel

not to mention, catching my biggest wave ever...

9 flights
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camel
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Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

iBook Drama, Tattoo, Surfcamp?

IBOOK DRAMA
I woke up Saturday and there you were flashing in different colors, I knew what had to be done. As I pressed the power button for the last time, 3.5 years flashed before my eyes. To my old apartment in Kawaiahao St., our first trip to Australia 3 years ago to driving around San Diego looking for free WiFi because the address was saved in an email. I knew something was wrong, majorly wrong. After taking it to the Apple Store, good news is it wasn't my hard drive or the screen, the bad news is that it was my logic board (for PC users = motherboard). My iBook was out of warranty as I've had it more than 3 years and the logic board was gong to cost $600. Fortunately, Apple has a great program, they will fix whatever is wrong with your laptop for a flat fee of $280 (plus taxes, of course). I'm pretty happy that my iBook will be up and running soon. :)

TATTOO
My tattoo is infected. Actually, its not so bad as it sounds. Only 1 tattoo is infected and only in 1 part, the one on my hip. I assume it just rubs a lot on my pants and hasn't had time to heal properly. The doctor was able to get me some topical anti-biotic, so hopefully I'll be up and running soon enough.

SURFCAMP?
I am debating on booking a surfcamp in Morocco. This sounds like a great deal.

Surf camp Morocco is located in the calm surf village of Tamraght, 19km north of Agadir and 4 km outside of Taghazoute, at the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The atmosphere here is very tranquil and relaxed, but only a short taxi drive away you can go clubbing in the busy resort of Agadir.

Morocco is an exciting country famous for its Berber culture and renowned cuisine. Open-air markets throughout the country are piled high with rugs, woodwork, jewellery and leather - said to be the softest in the world. The local people are very friendly and the country has an exciting oriental atmosphere.

Located at the Atlantic coast, northwest of the great Sahara desert, Morocco has excellent conditions for surfing. The coastline is blessed with big Atlantic swell and hot offshore winds coming from the desert. The surfing in Morocco is well suited for both beginners and experienced surfers. The surf school is completely mobile, meaning that classes are held in different beaches depending on the surf conditions of the day. For the more experienced surfing crowd, Morocco has a lot of challenging surfing to offer. Join a surfari and you will be transported to great uncrowded breaks every day.

The area around Agadir has a nice micro-climate, meaning that it seldom rains and average day temperatures vary between 22 °C (72°F) in winter (November – February) and 28°C (82°F) in summer (May – August).

The surf school usually holds classes at lovely Banana beach, located very close to the surf camp. But the surf school is also completely mobile, meaning that lessons can be hold at the most suitable beginner wave up or down the coast. Depending on your level of surfing, the surf instructors will guide and help you to improve your surfing skills.

We guarantee that after one week of surf school the complete beginner will be able to surf and the experienced surfer will have improved greatly.

The following is included for students attending the surf school:

* Pick up/ drop off at Agadir airport
* Accommodation – standard or upgraded
* 5 hours Surf school, every day of your stay
* All surf equipment needed
* Breakfast, lunch and dinner
* Video service, so you can check out your moves

If you have arranged your own acommodation, you can also book surfschool only. This includes 5 hours of surflessons per day, pick up from your hotel in the Agadir area, all equipment needed and lunch.

The accommodation we offer is located on a hill 4km outside of the surf village of Taghazoute. A nice patio, perfect for barbecue parties, offers a great view of the banana beach and nearby surf breaks of Anchor point and Devils rock.

Depending on your preferences we can offer you two different types of accommodation, standard or upgraded.

Standard accommodation means that you will share a fully equipped surf villa with other surfers. The villa contains of several twin and triple bedrooms, meaning that if you are traveling alone you will probably share a room with other surfers but if you are traveling in group of two or three people you can get your own room. You will also share a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, living room etc. with the other guests at the surf camp. This is a great opportunity to meet different surfers from all over the world, to share experiences and have a good time.

The upgraded accommodation is located on the same premises as the standard accommodation but offers more privacy, ideal for couples. If you book upgraded accommodation you will get a cosy double room with private bathroom, a small private kitchen and TV.

Guests at the surf camp never go hungry. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included for all the guests that has booked surfschool or surfari package (breakfast is also included in "accommodation only"). Evening meals typically consist of the best local ingredients, including fresh fish, meat and vegetables. These can be prepared and cooked in a variety of ways including BBQ or "Tajine" (traditional earthenware pot used to cook in), and blended with local Moroccan spices. Vegetarian options are also available on request.

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Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Anxious

ANXIOUS
I am having such a hard time sleeping. I am 100% completely anxious. About what you say? Well, I will be heading to Portugal, Spain and Morocco in September (and possibly southern France-if time allows) I have no idea what I will be doing in Portugal, or where I will staying in Morocco or even how I am getting there, I just have my plane ticket to Lisbon and that's all that matters. That and my passport. Its pretty crazy, I haven't been to Europe in ages! I'm really excited to go, from HNL>LAX>LHR>LIS. Yes, plenty of layovers, but no biggie, I have ZERO problem sleeping on the plane, sleeping before hand though.. another story.

I'm planning to book a hostel in Lisbon for my 2 days there to battle jet lag and to ask the locals how to get to Morocco. Its pretty exciting, I am going during Ramadan, so no eating during sunlight. I had planned to stay a week, but I'm playing it by ear, I could possibly be over not eating in a couple of days.

I also want to try to visit Alicante Spain, where my friend Francisco lives. Well he lives in Murcia, but there's nothing really there, so he better meet me in Alicante. If time permits, I want to also see Southern France. I have met a Frenchman here via hospitalityclub and he's really stoked to show me around to return the favor. Stop by there for 2-3 days or so, then a quick stop in Porto and back to Lisbon...

Then back to Reality...

Sounds like a great plan!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions

DECISIONS
You know, its times like these where I think about how blessed I am. There has definitely been a lot of rough patches in my life, but now, life is pretty great.

What is this post about? Decisions.

Normally, there are a lot of decisions to be made in my life. Some minor, some... life altering, but I am now at the point in my life where my hardest decision is... "Where am I going on vacation?" I know it sounds stupid, but hey its my blog... so hear me out...

I currently have a round trip ticket to Portugal, which I really would like to go, but the Euro is really kicking our a$$ at the moment. I do plan to spend most of my time in Morocco if I decide to go.

My other options are...

I am also thinking of going to the Philippines for a week, which would be really inexpensive except for the plane ticket. You know visit the outer islands, get pampered for super cheap!

Go to Maui for a week. It has been almost a year since I've been and it would be great to just relax, take the super ferry over and just cruise, surf, and hang out with friends.

Or finally a week in Australia, yes I've been there 8-9 times, but hey, its a great place to be with good friends, decent exchange rates, and cute guys...

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

Portugal
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Morocco
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Philippines
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Australia
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Hawai'i
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Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.