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Author Archives: Eleanor Tan

A Life Well Lived   →  Articles by: Eleanor Tan

Author: Eleanor Tan

The Art of Traveling is more about the Journey than The Destination. I have been bitten by the travel bug since I was a child. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – said, Saint Augustine. Travelling can teach you more than any university course. You learn about the culture of the country you visit. If you talk to locals, you will likely learn about their thinking, habits, traditions, and history as well. If you travel, you will not only learn about foreign cultures but about your own as well. You will notice the cultural differences and will find out what makes your culture unique. After returning from a long journey, you will see your country with new eyes. I am an unapologetic and unrepentant nomad, or shall I call myself "A Citizen of the World?"  

Categories Lifestyle Morocco

THE ART OF DRINKING TEA IN MOROCCO

The art of drinking tea in Morocco is a rich and deeply ingrained tradition. Moroccan tea is often referred to as "Moroccan mint tea." It's an important aspect of Moroccan culture and hospitality. Here's some information about when to drink mint tea and verbena tea in Morocco and the differences between the two: 1. Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay b'nana): When to Drink: Mint tea is commonly consumed throughout the day in Morocco. However, it is particularly associated with hospitality, and it's customary to serve mint tea to guests as a sign of welcome. It's also a popular choice for refreshing…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Morocco Travel Uncategorized

Meknes’ Enigmatic Labyrinth: The Kara Prison’s Subterranean Secrets

PRISON DE KARA, MEKNES (MOROCCO) In the heart of Meknes, Morocco, a city teeming with history and hidden gems, there lies a cryptic relic of the past that has long intrigued historians and travelers alike. The Kara Prison, or Habs Qara in Arabic, is a haunting testament to the enigmatic reign of Sultan Ismail bin Sharif during the early 18th century. What makes this underground prison so remarkable is not its imposing doors or fortified bars, but the profound mystery that shrouds its subterranean depths. A place of confinement like no other, the Kara Prison's very structure is a riddle,…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Holiday Travel

Journey through Time and Tranquility: Exploring Tokyo and Nikko, Japan

Japan is a symphony of natural marvels and cultural treasures, where modernity dances with tradition, and beckons adventurers to explore its contrasting yet harmonious facets. Majestic mountains, like Mount Fuji, touch the heavens while Zen temples exude tranquility. Serene waterfalls cascade through lush forests, whispering ancient secrets. Sakura blooms paint landscapes with ethereal hues. In every corner, nature and architecture harmonize, a testament to Japan's captivating beauty. TOKYO: A DYNAMIC FUSION  Tokyo, a pulsating metropolis, with its innovation and tradition merges seamlessly. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, each a testament to cutting-edge architecture, while the historic district of Asakusa whispers stories…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories The Art of Traveling

Exploring the World Alone: The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Embarking on a solo adventure is a thrilling and transformative experience that every wanderlust-filled soul should embrace at least once in their lifetime. Solo travel holds a myriad of unique advantages that enrich your journey in ways unlike any other. As a seasoned globetrotter, I've uncovered the countless perks that come with exploring the world alone, but I must admit, it's not always a smooth ride. Let's delve into the pros and cons of solo travel, and why I firmly believe we should all strive to be travelers, not mere tourists. THE PROS OF SOLO TRAVEL:  FREEDOM UNLEASHED: The unparalleled…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Morocco Special Interest Tours Travel

MOROCCO: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

MARRAKESH: My first visit to Marrakesh was in October 2019 and I was so impressed but somewhat overwhelmed with this city. It's such an unusual city where the ancient and the modern world exists side by side. Going through the old medinas and the souks, I was imagining Aladdin jumping across from one rooftop to the next in his constant escape from the authorities chasing him from 'roof to roof!' It seems my childhood 'fairy tales' of the 1001 Arabian Nights come to life for me! Morocco is home to more  UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES than any other country on…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Holiday Morocco Special Interest Tours

The Valley of the Roses, Morocco (Vallee des Roses Morocco)

KALAAT M'GOUNA, MOROCCO: A TOWN OF ROSES “A rose is an argument. It proclaims the triumph of beauty over brutality, of gentleness over violence, of the ephemeral over the lasting, and of the universal over the particular. The same rose bursts into bloom on the North Cape and in the Sahara desert.“ Alan Meilland El-Kalaa, M'Gouna Rose Festival The Rose Festival or Moussem of Roses takes place on the second weekend in May and lasts for two days. Kalaat M’gouna means Valley of the Roses and the city itself is named after the nearby Mount Mgoun, The Kelaat M'Gouna Rose…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Holiday Lifestyle The Pursuit of Happiness

The Art of Traveling Right

The journey matters more than the destination. The best adventures in life are not only about the destination but how you get there as well. "The World is a book and if we do not travel, we read only one page." - St Augustine -  It is my desire to share personal travel experiences around the globe with other travelers and also (hopefully) to convert tourists into travelers. There is a marked difference between a traveler and a tourist. Travelers and tourists are both people who travel to different locations. The difference is that they have different connotations and that…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Morocco Special Interest Tours

Volubilis, Morocco (UNESCO): Roman Ruins in North Africa – The Last Roman Frontier

Volubilis near Meknes in Morocco was an ancient Roman city. An impressive well preserved UNESCO-listed site housing extensive ruins dating back to the 1st century BC. I have missed this site during my first visit in October 2019 and I am happy that I have made it on this visit in November 2021. What is Volubilis? The Roman ruins of Volubilis, Morocco, the finest of all the Roman ruins to be found in the country, are at once important for their Roman connections to the region. This crumbling skeleton of a once-flourishing Roman city. This place, called VOLUBILIS by the Romans and Oualili…

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by Eleanor Tan
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Categories Holiday Morocco

All About Saffron – Saffron Harvest in Morocco

Moroccan town of Taliouine is the place to get the world’s most expensive spice! Taliouine, the heart of Morocco’s saffron-producing region, lies south of  Marrakesh, and east of Taroudant. The city itself is small – just under 6,000 people – but produces more saffron than any other place in Africa. Every November, a festival is held at harvest time and people from around the world come to watch and celebrate.  Taliouine is a small village in the heart of the Sirwa, a mountain range known for its dramatic changes in weather conditions. Encompassing vast, rocky valleys that stretch as far…

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by Eleanor Tan
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