Over the last year we’ve sent 5 brilliant bloggers to some of our finest destinations. They visited the likes of Mexico, Mauritius and Cape Verde, and blogged about what they got up to. Here’s our round up of Alison Chino’s blogs…
In October last year we ran a competition to find a handful of expert bloggers who could road-test our holidays and bring you the lowdown on the destinations, excursions and activities. Alison Chino was hand-picked to be part of our Out Of Office blogging team, impressing us with her entry about her adventures in Ireland. We sent her to Cape Verde and Malta to blog about her experiences. Here’s a selection of her holiday highlights…
Touring Cape Verde By 4×4
“The public beach at Santa Maria is the first stop on our 4×4 tour of Sal, and sets the vibe for the whole day – think relaxed and easy. Over drinks at an open-air seaside restaurant, our guide gave us a little overview of what was coming up. He explained that Sal translates as ‘salt’ in Portuguese – and we found out why at Pedra de Lume, an old volcano. It’s now a crater lake that fills with salt water because it’s 7 kilometres lower than sea level. You can float in the lake – just like in the Dead Sea – and the salt is still mined and used on all the islands of Cape Verde.”
“During the tour, I rode up front and asked lots of questions. I learnt lots but there’s one fact the guide told me when I first hopped in the vehicle in the morning that I will remember for years to come…The island of Sal averages 350 days of sunshine a year. That’s really all I need to know to make me want to return.”
Eating Out In Malta
“Malta is a great location for sampling what the sea has to offer. Eating al fresco in bays full of bright fishing boats reminds me that the seafood on the menus was caught that very morning.”
“As we take our seats in a restaurant for lunch, a waitress brings fresh fish from the market out on a platter so we can choose the ones we want. Then we discuss how we would like it prepared. Simply seared with local herbs and olive oil? Yes, please. In the meantime, we snack on bruschetta and an antipasti platter, served with Maltese white wine, soft and fruity. I love the white butter bean dish – called fażola bit-tewm.”
“The fish comes out with a gorgeous platter of prawns, octopus and mussels. Twice in Malta when I was at a table with a group who all ordered seafood, the server suggested sharing platters of house specialties. It was a great idea and I loved getting to try different dishes. The whole experience is the kind of slow, wonderful meal I wish I could eat every day. And while I’m in Malta, that is exactly what I do. Pass the olive oil, please.”
Colour Catching In Mauritius
“If I had to describe Mauritius in one word, it would be colourful. Maybe it’s because I spend most of the year in a town that is pretty grey. But the whole time I was on holiday on this gorgeous island, I was captivated by all the colour. From rainbow parasails to blue seas and green landscapes…”
GLORIOUS GREENS
[Clockwise from top left: Our tour of the island was called “Colourful South,” and it was aptly named. // Our lunchtime view on our tour was all mountain greens. // We had so much fun finding these little friends among all the shades of green. // A green lawn outside the beach bar, which played host to an outdoor barbeque. // Centre: Drinks by the pool – a minty mojito and a passion fruit cocktail.]
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