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LEAVE THE KIDS | ATLANTIC CROSSING |  FRANCE TO ST BARTH'S

We are currently stuck in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria as we are waiting for a favourable wind to blow, so I´m taking this opportunity to send over a little summary on the journey so far, accompanied by a few photos.

  The morning of Nov 14th saw me taking part in a human chain to load cases containing 120 bottles of wine onto the boat. Once they were safely stowed below deck, we then loaded the less important items (i.e. food and water) and we set sail, with a farewell party of local friends and family to wave us good bye. However, our triumphant departure was short lived - within an hour we were hit by 50 mph winds with waves washing across the deck, topped off by a catastrophic steering malfunction.We quickly pulled down the sails and motored back to Porquerolles where we consoled ourselves by going directly to the Cafe Porquerollais and ordering a few bottles of rose wine.

  The following morning, after the technical issues on the boat had been patched up, we set off again, with a much greater degree of success. The wind was still strong and there was a large swell, which had the uncanny ability to make my face turn first to pale, then to green, after which I promptly emptied my guts of the previous night´s soup de poisson over the side of the boat. The next 24 hours I then lay below deck, trying to sleep it off, and couldn´t eat or drink a thing.

  The next day I felt slightly better, made it back up on deck and had a bit to eat and drink, and cheered up in the evening once we reached Minorca. We had a lovely dinner in a nice restaurant by the docks and a good night sleep,in the morning we had to leave early for Ibiza.

  The route from Minorca to Ibiza took us along the north side of Mallorca, where the cliffs were shrouded in mist, cloud and the occasional downpour. I found the scenery breathtaking. There was no wind, the sea was flat so we had to use the motor- the french crew remained below deck grumbling about the rain and consoling themselves with the aforementioned wine, while I, the good Englishman, felt particularly at home in these conditions and spend all day on watch on deck, making up for shifts I´d missed when I was ill.

  We arrived in Ibiza the next morning at around 6am as the sun was coming up over the old town. We were given a prime berth by the Ibiza Yacht Club (see pic) and had use of their facilities inc a hot shower- I never realised how lucky I was to have one of those at home!!!

  I should introduce the crew at this point as we were all becoming familiar with each other by now.

  The 3 elders:

Our illustrious captain Pierre, who has a very laissez faire attitude but inspires confidence nonetheless, whose philosophical musings on the sea and women keep us all very much entertained.

Le President (of Porquerolles Yacht Club) Sebastian Le Ber - wine maker, food lover, patience player.

Rear Admiral Philippe Bodart - restaurateur by day, experienced sailor and drinking partner by night.

  The 4 (no so) junior officers

Guillaume - fashion agent by day, international man of mischief by night. He is my partner in crime (no previous sailing experience)

Bastien - friendly, hard worker, he is the expertise on board, but has a very fragile temper which can be challenging.

Stefan - bar tender at Cote Port in Porquerolles. He is 47, but acts 17, also a source of some frustration.

Me - the englishman. Hey - at least I don´t have to share my pot of marmite - they all find it repulsive.

After Ibiza we had 3 days at sea - the first day was rough and I had to spend a few hours lying down to avoid sickness, but the next 2 days passed quickly and uneventfully, although rounding the south east corner of Spain was beautiful. I got my first real experience helming the boat, and we also caught a tuna which we part served up as steak that evening, and as sashimi the next day. Delicious! Also worth mentioning we got the sound system working up on deck, which certainly livened things up... Pink Floyd playing just as a huge orange moon appeared on the horizon was especially poignant...

  We were headed for Gibraltar, but with the weather against us once again we had to pull into Malaga. That evening we dined at the Royal Yacht Club which was delicious and the senior officers regaled us with stories of adventures on the high seas with all sort of colourful characters and locations which only whetted my appetite for the journey ahead even more.

  We made the short hop to Gibraltar the following afternoon, pulling into the bay that evening was an unforgettable experience since we had to navigate our way between several colossal tankers and container ships - once which had partially capsized due to not having been loaded properly! Unfortunately the English marinas were full so we had to dock just across the frontier (an airport runway!) in La Linea. My fluency in Spanish once again proved useful as I negotiated our way out of a pickle with the authorities when the insurance documents went missing....

  We had a big celebratory night out in that lasted well into the following morning... fortunately we had the following day to recuperate, buy a few final provisions, before we set sail for the straights of Gibraltar and out into the Atlantic where I got my first taste of real ocean sailing.

  We enjoyed 3 spectacular days at full sail in the sun, with the haze of the Moroccan coast very feint on the horizon on our port side, then the last 24hrs approaching Gran Canaria the wind turned and we were really up against it again - a sleepless night with waves crashing across the deck. We had to put the harnesses to prevent yourself from rolling out of your bunk - otherwise I would have fallen on top of my room mate (which I wouldn't have been too upset about  as that may have put an end to his incredibly loud snoring!). The weather eased slightly that morning and we were able to prepare some hot food (the captain seems to have a taste for lentils while at sea) as we were all starving, and the last few hours into Las Palmas passed uneventfully.1500 miles completed, 2500 miles to go!

  Guillaume, Sebastian and I booked ourselves into a nice hotel across from the marina so we could have hot baths and a good nights sleep, and we´ve now had a slight change of crew which meant I got to move to a better cabin and bigger bed, which I am very pleased about! We had a full day getting everything on board shipshape, which included sending off the main sail for some patching up, and the best part I got to climb to the top of the mast (in a harness of course) to fix a couple of bits n bobs.

  On the whole the experience at sea has been incredibly intense - you are constantly cold, wet, tired, hungry, uncomfortable - the night shifts while at sea are particularly exhausting - and you have to be on constant alert and ready for a physically demanding manoeuvre.

  BUT - the excitement of being at full sail, at the helm, on a cloudless night with the sky simply dazzling with stars and shooting stars, fluorescent micro plankton glowing in your wake as you silently glide through the water... its simply breath taking.

  All in all its been the experience of a lifetime so far and I´m really looking forward to the big crossing and arriving in the Caribbean - it will be wonderful to leave the all weather gear below deck and sail this beautiful boat in just a pair of shorts!

  Tristan Lillingston is a music manager best known for his work with Fight Star. Tristan is God Father to Lazer and has holidayed with Coralie since they were babes in arms... Part deux coming soon!

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EXPLORE | SANTA MONICA WITH KIDS | BOOKS AND COOKIES

Rosie's mum Rachel always had the best recommendations so when Rachel invited us to meet them in Santa Monica I knew we were in for a treat. Books and Cookies place of dreams for kids and parents alike! Floor to ceiling shelves of brightly coloured carefully curated books from around the world are stand tall around the main room. Free wifi, great tea (no coffee!) and snacks, even vegan cookies (great for my son who is allergic to egg and dairy and doesn't know vegan is still a bad word in the UK). This is a truly great place that has been cleverly designed and knows how to have fun. There is a giant indoor climbing frame, a massive library of great books, an onsite bakery, a separate space for classes or events and nice clean toilets. Honestly, we could have stayed all day. (Did I mention free wifi?) I dream of a place like this opening in London. It was reasonably priced and there was parking outside. 

It's worth checking ahead to see if there are any drop in classes suitable for your age group but we just rocked up and had a great time. The walk up to the beach front when we were done was the perfect end to a morning exploring Santa Monica with kids. Mine slept like a baby all the way back to Hollywood :) zzzzz

Books and Cookies, 2230 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: 424-238-5299

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Dear Roman, Remember when...

...you played banjo with a local guy at the service station in Morocco? We rode the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira and we stopped for flatbreads and mint tea at teh petrol station. We had bought you this banjo at the markets in Essaouira and much like your old stars and stripes guitar, you became obsessed with it. You then got down with this old man for five minutes and charmed the whole bus crew!

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To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.

Freya Stark

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Zara has undoubtedly been the biggest high street hero of the last 5 years and while most may clamber for the Celine rip off pieces, my favourite thing to do is travel the world through their design. The Zara Trafaluc collection - usually referred to as the cheaper, teenage line - is almost always comprised of global or ethnic pieces that literally just transport me to my dream destination. I have bought many many MANY Moroccan, Spanish and Latin American influenced outfits from here - floaty white crocheted tops, silky North African-influenced pyjama pants and beaded bags and shoes... and today I saw a bunch of African prints and shapes in my local store! Seeing as Africa has been on our mind a lot lately, it made me jump for joy to see the Zara team exploring further and further afield in their collections. It really has gotten to the point where even if I'm not planning a trip somewhere in particular, if Zara Trafaluc have a theme going on for somewhere I might go, I will buy some pieces to put on ice for when I do book a trip. It really is that good. 

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To the owners of Galapagos Safari Camp: yes we are jealous of your life. When Michael Mesdag and Stephanie Bonham-Carter decided to plant roots after decades of adventurous travel, they decided to do it in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Ecuador, one of the most uninhabited islands in the world. After a long flight to Quito, another short flight to Baltra and then a decent drive to the camp, you'll realise your arduous journey was totally worth it when you enter the breathtaking family-run eco camp. Built to be at harmony with the relatively untouched landscape and comprising of luxury tents, a main lodge and a family suite, this safari camp is ticking all of our boxes with its tasteful design along with a commitment to sustainable tourism. Jasmine and Lawrence, the owners children, were born on the island, so as you can imagine there is a emphasis on child friendly activities and safari with art classes sitting alongside family wildlife watching. 

We cant wait to visit this hotel! Who hasn't dreamed about taking the kids and transplanting them somewhere remote and adventurous!? Definitely on our bucket list of this year!  

http://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/galapagossafaricamp

Rates from $385/night

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"I decided to visit Georgetown, Guyana for the first time, the town where my mother is from. She, herself has not been back for 30 years, 3 years before I was born. I tracked down family members, including my 92 year old grandfather, who I had never met before. In this video you will see our first ever meeting.  The wonderful female vocals on this track are performed by Caroline Polachek from the band "Chairlift". Special thanks to Yulandi, Tyrese Gomes, Samantha Urbani, The Crandons & Adam Bainbridge. This is the first single from my new Blood Orange album titled "Cupid Deluxe". Enjoy." Devonte Hynes

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STAY : ROUND HILL, JAMAICA

Round Hill is our fave hotel in Jamaica and possibly the world right now. The staff, the service, the gardens, the view... Words do not do this place justice. You are going to have to go see it for yourself.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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We met this little kid, Prince, dancing @strdcrd #meetsouthafrica @gotosouthafrica its really really amazing!

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JOHANNESBURG | SOUTH AFRICA | SEPTEMBER 2013 | $

South Africa, along with Australia, is one of those destinations that I had no desire to visit. Racial tension along with a general confusion about what state the country was in meant that I just didn't really care to go. But that's when work trips are at their most useful, taking you to places you would never book yourself, at little cost to you. And my oh my! Never before have I done such a U-Turn on a travel opinion as I have with South Africa. From the minute I arrived it was incredible. The culture, the energy, the warm people, the burgeoning restaurant scene, the excited teens mixing Western and African style, the infectious afro beat house music, the rich side, the poor side, the tribal history... all of it was intoxicating and amazing. Johannesburg has a developing creative energy that I've not really experienced before - that is being there early in a scene that is finding its own voice. I was there courtesy of the British Council with the aim of partnering UK and African creatives via the initiative Connect ZA.  I did a talk and workshop at Street Cred  - a festival uniting urban culture in Africa. So as you can imagine I was in the prime position to see all that energy in one place like a volcano!

Although I was only there for three days, I tried to see and do as much as time would allow. I went sans bebe, but I would take Roman in a heartbeat as its a very child friendly city with plenty to see for families.

GETTING AROUND

I flew South African Airways and all was satisfactory. There isn't a great selection of entertainment and the flight is 11 hours from London, so I do recommend loading your ipad/music player/kindle, with your favourite things. The time difference is only 1 hour, so I didnt have jet lag at all. Pre hire a driver from the airport. Drivers are relatively cheap - about £10/hour - so make arrangements if you don't want to hire a car yourself. As new areas in the city are constantly being redeveloped, make sure you know where you're going as the driver doesn't always. There is a regular train service and not many people cycle. This is definitely a car city. Buses are cheap but slow and packed. Car and driver hire is the way to go.

STAY

We stayed at the Bannister Hotel in the Braamfontein district. It was clean and comfortable and had all the trappings of becoming a hipster hotel but as it was not yet fully finished I cant really post an accurate review. Rooms are cheap and sparse, service is non-existent, but that staff were lovely and friendly and I'm sure in time this hotel will be great. Its big plus point is the location. Walking distance to coffee, clubs, food markets and Nandos. What more could you want?

Well, if you want somewhere a little more luxury but still with cool then 12 Decades, Johannesburgs "Art Hotel" is definitely the place to go. Beautiful rooms individually designed and a prime location in the Maboneng district. Maboneng is a newly developed neighborhood akin to Shoreditch in London or Williamsburg in NYC where artists, restaurants and galleries provide the foundation for loft spaces for creative young professionals.

EAT

The food was so so good! In Braamfontein, Father coffee shop across the road from the hotel was my regular first stop. Recently opened by 4 South African friends, it's simple, stylish and the coffee is excellent.

A minute further down the street and you're at Daleahs, which swiftly became our regular breakfast spot. Pretty much something for everyone, all fresh and quick with great service.

For lunch, Love Food Kitchen was always winning but we often grabbed a sandwich to take to work from Post Breakfast Lunch. There is so much emphasis on fresh, local ingredients in Johannesburg, I was really amazed at the wealth of choice for places to eat. All of this comes together at Neighborgoods Market, every Saturday opposite the Bannister Hotel, where food vendors sell everything from oysters to cupcakes to traditional South African bunny chow. Upstairs you can find vintage clothing and handmade jewellery, but the wealth of food on offer is the real draw. Dont miss this vibrant market!

Over in Maboneng district, we ate traditional African food at House of Baobab, a mix of dishes from all over the continent, the peanut curry and fried fish were particular favourites of mine, all washed down with Bissap juice, a non-alcoholic hibiscus flower drink.

Maboneng hosts so many restaurants you'll be totally spoilt for choice as to what to eat. The whole of Johannesburg is growing and being redeveloped so rapidly that newer places are constantly popping up. Check the areas website for latest restaurants here.

SHOP

The African Market at Rosebank Mall had every single souvenir you could ever want. But be prepared to haggle. Nothing has a price and you are expected to state yours.

EXPLORE

As I was there for the show, I didn't get much free to time see the sights, but in all honesty I just loved being in Johannesburg soaking it all in. The weather was beautiful, the people are so interesting and the expanse of dusty desert and gold hills is incredible to see. A few of the people in my group had to do a fashion shoot in Soweto, so I tagged along for the ride - a road trip I would definitely recommend. I saw a valley with tiny people dressed all in white praying in their outdoor church. I saw a Zulu hostel, where former mineworkers were rehabilitated. I saw a traditional Zulu wedding procession down the street, ladies singing carrying gifts in hand. It was a truly incredible experience. 

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WHERE NEXT?

All i knew about Okinawa were the black and white photographs of battles so when I saw the colour pics of beaches I was curious. Very Curious.

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting of a few dozen, small islands in the southern half of the Nansei Shoto. It looks like something from my dreams, blue blue seas ideal for SCUBA diving and snorkelling... Did someone say island hopping?

I was feeling impulsive and an initial online flight search threw back some surprisingly affordable fares. We got the atlas out. It was getting serious. We compared airport transfers, bullet train routes and hotel rooms. The adventure had begun and I was still sitting at the kitchen table.

Four days in Tokyo then fly to Japan's tropical paradise. I got my credit card out. Then we checked the weather. Next time I will check the weather first.

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POSTCARD: SEVILLE

Dear Coralie and Sharmadean, My husband Mike does hair and I do make up, so every now and then we get to go away somewhere gorgeous on a job together. I was so happy when we got booked to do a wedding on the outskirts of Sevilla, as it’s somewhere I've always wanted to go.

The wedding was held at Hacienda de Rafael   a beautiful oasis  in the middle of nowhere. The drive to the Hacienda reminded me of cowboy country. Dusty, dry and nothing for miles except sunflower, cotton fields and the odd horse.

I'd highly recommend Hacienda de Rafael for a chilled get away with friends or with the kids. The vibe is chilled and feels private yet the service and food is amazing. Hiring a car is a must if you want to doing anything other then relax. Explore Sevilla, Ronda for day trips and Sahara de Lasierra for water sports and the beach (about 40 mins away).

We had a day to ourselves so headed straight for Sevilla. I loved just walking around this city, it's truly a feast for your eyes so much art and culture. The Alcazar is definitely worth a visit. The shopping is great, it's worth checking out the more traditional shops (don't be put off by the grannie shop windows) for good quality shoes, hats and belts that you would pay a fortune for in the UK, I found a pair of leather hand made loafers for 40 euros.

For good tapas head out of the tourist bit. We loved Vineria San Telmo on C.Cruces. Delish food, good wine and cheap. I fell in love with this city and want to take my kids next time.

Road trip next summer?

Love,

Tash

Natasha Devedlaka is a professional make-up artist and mother of two. If (when) I get married it will be Tash and her hubby Michael Price I will call to make me look the part. Hair & Make-up Department, 2 Peoples Hall, 2 Olaf Street LONDON W11 4BE, +44 (0)20 7243 1030.

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RA tells the remarkable story of the South African city's thriving house scene. South Africans are the biggest consumers of house music in the world, and Johannesburg is the beating heart of their scene. If you're looking for proof, there is no need to visit a nightclub. In turning on a television, listening to the radio or walking down the street, it's clear that a 4/4 pulse is the metronome of everyday life. The city's preferred sound—vocal-led, percussive, melodic—is largely at odds with what's popular in other international markets; this coupled with cripplingly slow internet speeds goes someway to explaining SA's absence from the global house music conversation. Visit the feature page on RA: http://www.residentadvisor.net/featur... Subscribe to the RA channel on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/residentadvisor Music in order of appearance:  Culoe De Song- Webaba [Soulistic Music] 2010 Black Motion- The Documentary [Kalawa Jazmee] 2013 TKZee- Palafala (Midnight Lover Mix) [BMG Records Africa] 1998 Vinny da Vinci- We Love House Music [House Afrika Records] 2004 Culoe de Song- Ambush (Culoe De Song's Voyage Dub) [Soulistic Music] 2010 TKZee- Dlala Mapantsula [BMG Records Africa] 2012 Black Motion- Manghoro [Kalawa Jazzmee] 2013 Infinite Boys ft Coco- Teka Teka [Kalawa Jazmee] 2012 Black Coffee- Trip To Lyon [Soulistic Music] 2010 Black Motion- Thrills [Kalawa Jazzmee] 2013 Jullian Gomes ft Bobby- Love Song 28 [Soul Candi Records]2011 DJ Shimza- Never Loved Anyone [Soul Candi Records] 2012 Credits: Producer and Director: Patrick Nation Associate Producer: Ryan Keeling Executive Producer: Paul Clement, Nick Sabine, Ed Williams Editor: Dan Higginson Camera: Sim Higginson, Dan Higginson, Patrick Nation Researcher: Richard Marshall Production Manager: Lisa Telfer Brunton Additional Footage: Sony Music Film Production: Clockwise Media

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WE ARE CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH AFRICA!!! Check out Liya Kebe in Mali, shot by the amazing Mikael Jansson

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POSTCARD : SOUTH AFRICA

Dearest Roman, Mummy is in South Africa! Aunty Grace is here too!  I'm doing a nail workshop at a festival called StreetCred in Johannesburg. This is my first time in Africa and its amazing! The kids here have so much style, there's so much colour and history in the way they dress mixing new Western street and skate brands with their traditional African heritage. Did you know there are 11 "official" languages spoken in South Africa that denote the 11 tribes? Apparently you can just tell by looking at someone's facial features what tribe they are from and then you address them in their language accordingly. It's fascinating. We have eaten at some incredible restaurants. Last night I ate a fish patty which tasted African, West Indian and a bit Latin all in one. And we've also been to some amazing parties including one at a club called Bassline where there was a Rastafarian dancehall rave! I feel incredibly lucky to be able to experience so many cultures from around the world and I hope you feel so too. You know I always try and book us a holiday after I've been away from you and next week we are going to Morocco! I can't wait. Two Africa trips in one week! Love u miss u big kiss Xxx

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POSTCARD : PUERTO RICO

Dear Coco and Sharma,

My beau surprised his son and me with an adventure packed dip to Puerto Rico!!! Adrion is 15 and I couldn't wait for his teenage adventure eagerness to rub off on me!

Day one

We walked down to Condado, a popular area in San Juan. Me and Beau got to leave our phones at the hotel and relish in this rest and relaxation time. Adrion, being a typical teenager entertained himself with his iPhone, listening to music and sending adorable messages to his girlfriend. 

We ended our first day by having a swim in the hotel's infiniti pool, then once el teen was safely in the room, me and Beau went down to the casino. I love casinos!!! I always seem to win too, yay me! I won $74 bucks on the slots machine and $220 at craps. Booooooyaaaaaaaa!!!

After a group google session of all the fun activities we could get into we choose 3 of them we were all  wanting to do. Bring on the adventure… 

Day two

Our first exploration took us to Campo Rico for an ATV tour. Only 10 minutes from our hotel in San Juan, Hacienda Campo Rico is 2,300 acres of breathtaking estate. Adrion being 15 wasn't allowed to drive the ATV but he was allowed to jump on the back of his dads, some great father/son bonding. Our tour guide was awesome and took us thru all kinds of terrain, hills, mud and livestock!

Twice during the tour we stopped our ATV's to get a bit of a nature/history class. Our tour introduced us to Ceiba trees, one of the only trees that has thorns. Incredibly cool! ATV http://www.tropicaltrailrides.com

Day three

I'm a thrill seeker, my Beau likes adventure but we were definitely glad to have a teenager around as he challenged us to go wild with adrenaline. Cue zip lining… I have never zip lined before but had seen it countless times on travel shows and was beyond excited to get involved. 7 ziplines and 7 hanging canopy bridges provide extraordinary bird's eye views across beautiful lagoons and Big Mama, a 1,000 feet long and 200 feet high zipline. This tour is a perfect mix of fast zip lines that get you pumped, some hiking thru the forest and  trekking across 7 hanging canopy bridges. The icing on the cake for us adults was the last zipline that lands in Mojito bar! www.camporicoziplining.com

Day four

All three of us being foodies, we dedicated this day to eating! We found this amazing Guest House on Oceano beach and spoiled our bellies with delicious fish! This whole fried snapper came with plantain risotto. Yum! The Don Q's and coke also really hit the spot. www.numero1guesthouse.com

We spent the rest of the day in and out the water and lounging on this beautiful beach. 

Day five

Our last day waaaaaaaaa :( I saw this fly boarding video a while back and always wanted to try it. When i found out they had one in San Juan i just had to do it. Beau was not into it at all but luckily for me Adrion was so down! IT WAS INCREDIBLE! We were actually flying! Something i dream about all the time. Fly Boarding was exhilarating and exhausting! I had to use my hole core and balance to stay in the air. One wrong move and i would plunge into the sea. I think the photographer only liked the back of me as i have NO photos face on hahaha It gave me immense joy seeing Adrion huge smile during and after. https://www.facebook.com/FlyboardPuertoRico

I recommend Puerto Rico for families as there is so much to do on every level. Beaches, good food, adventure, rum and casinos!

Miss you guys. Love from,

Emily Lightning Rose

@emilyrosetv 

www.emilyrosetv.com

*Emily lives in LA and is living her dream.

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Dear Roman, 

Remember when we went to the LACMA museum in Los Angeles? Well you probably wouldnt because you were 10 months old, but lemme tell you; you loved it!