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Life is too short to wait. Every moment is an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow. Don’t let fear hold you back from the adventures that could change your life
I have made two work-related trips to Brazil, and though I never got to explore the country on my terms, I was fortunate enough to
Being Greece’s largest island and a tourist hotspot for decades, Crete has numerous top all-inclusive resorts, beaches and attractions. What accommodation you opt for depends
It`s easy to blow the budget at @afrohairandbeautylive, and I did!
I`m looking forward to trying my moisture cream hair butter from Inspirational Young Entrepreneur @thatgoodhairuk
LOVE my new choker from @proud2bafricanwoman
A 🔥 suit from @ankarastyles - loving handmade tribal fusion.
All things natural from @dicksonsnaturalbeauty
Cards that represent from @allshadescards.It was lovely to see you. Keep doing great things.💖
And just as I was leaving because I had spent too much, I couldn`t resist a bargain bomber from @ethnicityclothing - wrapped in culture.
Workshops, goodie bags, discounted hairdos, fashion shows, the beautiful @estelledarlings doing a meet and greet 👑 - a celebration of black excellence. It`s always a pleasure to support.
#afrohairandbeauty #london #afrohair #naturalista #afrohairandbeautylive #blackownedbusinesses #africanstyle #dontforgetwhoyouare #blackexcellence✊🏾
The adventures of Reyna, sponsored by raki (thanks, Lianne) 😆🤪
I went from having a 💩 time to having a great time.
The weather was abysmal for the first few days, and what made it worse is that it was hotter in the UK, but life is not always sunshine and roses, so it made me see the beauty on offer, come rain or shine.
Though the weather was initially inclement, the people of Koutouloufari Village warmed me with their friendliness. They were a vibe, kind, welcoming, and always giving me something free - dessert, Cretan wine, and raki.
By the end of the trip, I was thinking I should have booked to stay an extra day, and then lo and behold, my flight got cancelled, and I had another day in the sun and continued to eat and drink my way through the village. The power of the mind is real!
Koutouloufari is definitely for those who are too old and/or sophisticated (first pic is my sophisticated pose 😆) for the strip in Hersonissos town and who want to experience Crete and Greece in its authenticity.
Though Crete has several beaches, I don`t think that was ever going to be the main draw for me after strolling the beaches in Boipeba, aka Paraiso. However, I did want to visit Elafonisi in Chania, the north of the island, but the inclement weather hampered that, so it could be an excuse to visit again.
Oh, and I`ve added a new word to my vocabulary - Malakas 😆
Yamas 🥂
The power of the mind! ✨️
Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.
My manifestation game is strong of late.
I sat here yesterday thinking I should have stayed another day, but it may be too expensive or not possible to change my flight.
Then, piff paff poof - my flight gets cancelled. My flight will be refunded and I will get compensation.
So, another day to eat and drink my way through the beautiful village of Koutouloufari.
Happy Bank Holiday! 🇬🇷 💙
The sun shines 🌞
The wind blows 💨 🚢
And the fro fro`s (where is the afro emoji?!) 👑
27° in London. Meanwhile, in Crete ... 🌧 😆🤷🏾♀️
#crete #greece #whatkindoffuckeryisthis🤔
I feel like I`ve been grounded for a while. Life has been lifing, and to be honest, Brasil humbled me. It was like the type of trip of a lifetime - stretching the comfort zone, culturally rich, wholesome, and transformative.
I`m now in Crete, which was booked before I went to Brasil. I don`t think I`ve ever been so unenthusiastic about a holiday. To the point that I didn’t even pack my case until a few hours before my flight.
To top it off, it`s currently hotter in England than it is here. Fulljoy the sunshine 🌞 people.
So far, the most heat I`ve felt here has been at the spa in the sauna and steam room.
PMA - It`s only day one, and I will make the most of it. I`m celebrating me and the positive shift that has taken place over the past year, taking me to the next level in the becoming of ReyRey. Currently sipping on a large glass of Cretan rosé.
Have you visited Crete before? Recommendations welcome.
You`ve got until 5 May to see @mickalenethomas` All About Love.
An exhibition `rooted in self-discovery, celebration, joy, sensuality, and a need to see positive images of Black women in the world`.
Bold, vibrant, empowering portraits of Black women that celebrate love, radical repose, and reclaim space and representation in art history.
My heart is full! An excellent and much needed exhibition - Black Women taking up space. Highly recommended 🖤
#mickalenethomas #blackwoman #expression #exhibition #art #southbankcentre #londonexhibitions #artlovers #blackgirlmagic✨ #queenonajourney
I`m missing Brazil, so I returned to @akara.london
I love this restaurant. Have you been?
Try the reimagined version of West African Akara packed with the flavour of Brazilian Acaraje.
Cocktail 🍸
Kojo
Snack 🥞
Sinasir Rice Pancake & black-eyed bean hummus
Akara
BBQ prawn Akara
Crab KuliKuli Akara
Dessert 🍨
Guava sorbet and yoghurt meringue
All delicious and perfectly executed! Who`s coming with me next time?
#akara #acarajé #africa #brasil #londonrestaurants #blackownedrestaurants #londondining #foodie
Because I love the way the melanin pops! 💕🤍
Spring in my step!✨️
BTW - I still have two legs 😆
Desert island vibes. 🏝 🐚 🌴🍸🌞
It felt like I was shipwrecked on the most idyllic island.
Hearing nothing but the chime of seashells.
#boipeba #paradise #paradiseisland #shipwrecked #seashells🐚 #chime #bahia #brasil #brazil #wanderlust #travelmemories #travelblog #solofemaletraveller #queenonajourney
The paradisiacal island of Boipeba.
A faff to get to, but well worth the journey.
Laidback Bahian living! 🏝🌴🌞💛 🇧🇷 ✨️
I`ve got the cheek to buy another plant after falling on my last one when I returned home from Notting Hill Carnival rummed up.
I still feel the pain physically and emotionally from losing my cactus (RIP Prick James).
I`m turning into a serial (plant) killer, but I`m going to try again. I`ve bought a ZZ plant this time.
Pun names welcome 😊🪴 ✨️
Mentally, I`m still here!
Bahia is where Brasil started yet is often overlooked on the tourist itinerary, or Salvador visited for a few days.
Salvador, Bahia, is Brasil`s first capital and the heart of the country’s Afro-Brasilian community. It`s the most African city outside of Africa, and somewhere I`ve wanted to visit for a long time.
I spent my whole trip in Bahia, and I wish I could have stayed longer.
Part of my stay was based in Salvador, just outside the historic centre - Pelourinho.
Other neighbourhoods visited:
Barra
Rio Vermelho
Liberdade
I did an Afro-Brasilian heritage tour, a Samba de Roda class, and attended a Candomblé ceremony.
Islands visited
Boipeba 💚🌴🌞🇧🇷✨️
Morro de São Paulo
The drums pulsating through the cobbles of Pelourinho in Salvador will forever be etched in my memory and heart, and the laidback Bahian living in Boipeba - paradise. I didn’t want to leave!
The energy of Pelourinho has been transformed since the days of its grim past and the spirit of our ancestors live on through the beat of the drum in the many afro blocos, capoeira, Candomblé and samba that against the odds have become cultural staples of Brasil.
It was hard work at times with my limited Portuguese, but I got by and at other times just hoped I was going in the right direction 😆
The only thing I wish I did different is book a flexible flight and extend my stay. 💚🇧🇷✨️
#bahia #salvador #afrobrasil #africanculture #afrobrazilianculture #barra #riovermelho #boipeba #paradise #beaches #morrodesaopaulo #solofemaletravel #wanderlust #Brasil #brazil #travelblog #queenonajourney
I love the simple living in Boipeba. I want this to be my new beachfront apartment 😆😊💚🇧🇷✨️
Wishing you all an abundantly fruitful 2025.
May you manifest all your heart`s desires #axé 💖💡 ✨️🪶
Acarajé is a hugely popular street food traditionally found Bahia, particularly in Salvador and sold by Baianas.
It`s a black-eyed bean fritter, which originated from West Africa (where it`s known as Akara) and was carried by enslaved Africans to Brasil.
Acarajé also serves as a religious offering in Candomblé.
It is made with black-eyed peas or cowpeas that`s made into a batter, formed into a ball, deep-fried in dendé palm oil, split in half, then stuffed with flavourful, pastes made from numerous ingredients such as okra, cashews, palm oil, and topped with green tomatoes and shrimp.
You won`t miss the numerous Baianas selling Acarajé and I ate loads during my trip. They`re delicious. 😋
Salvador, Bahia is famous for its blocos.
Samba-reggae was first played publicly by an Afro Bloco called Ilê Aiyê in the early 70s and then by Olodum and numerous since. Both Olodum and Ile Aiye and all Afro Blocos are known for their protest songs.
Afro blocos are neighbourhood based communities that encourage racial awareness, self-esteem, education, and general wellness of the neighbourhood.
It`s common to hear drumming in Pelourinho, and my ears would follow the direction it was coming from.
Drums are present in every facet of Afro-Brasilian culture.They are used in the religious ceremonies of Candomblé, Samba-Reggae, and during Capoeira.
I saw a few blocos while in Salvador and I loved them all but the feminine energy of @didabandafeminina , the first Brazilian female afro percussion band (here with an honorary male) stood out as one of my favourites. 🥁🪘🇧🇷💚✨️
#bloco #blocoafro #salvador #bahia #salvadorbahia #sambareggae #percussion #dida #feminina #music #afrobrazilianculture #afrobrasil #travel #culture #solofemaletravel #travelblog #traveldiary #queenonajourney
I only stayed one night in Morro de São Paulo as I was having difficulty getting a transfer from Boipeba to Salvador on Sunday. Transfers are more frequent from Morro.
Morro de São Paulo is the neighbouring island to Boipeba and is known as the party island.
It`s far busier than Boipeba, as it`s easier to get to and is popular for day trips.
The island is more built up and much more touristy. I hadn`t heard a British accent during my trip until I reached Morro 🙄😆. I also had the worst meal of my trip here.
Again, the island is small, and no cars are permitted. Goods are moved almost exclusively by wheelbarrow through the narrow main street, including your luggage! Most shops, restaurants, and pousadas are also located off this main street.
If you`re looking for nightlife, more activities as well as beautiful beaches, then Morro de Sao Paulo is for you.
The island has five beaches, and the quieter ones are fourth and fifth.
Don`t get me wrong, it`s a beautiful island, and I probably would have loved it here had I visited the island prior to visiting Boipeba. However, Boipeba has captured heart, I didn`t want to leave, and I`m already planning a return.
Boas festas para todos!
Fulljoy the break however you plan to spend it. ✨️
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