However, like always, we found the strength to survive our impending indefinite separation due to the profound love we share for each other.  Love truly conquers all.  What also helped was knowing that this was our last goodbye.  It might be months before Lucas would receive his visa that would allow him to immigrate to the United States of America, but once he did the long-distance would finally come to an end and we could begin our new life side by side.  The other thing that helped were the dogs of La Suite.  We had no way of knowing that they even existed when we decided to stay there.  We are both huge animal lovers and nothing could have cheered us up more than a group of dogs eager to give us their attention and affection when we needed it the most.

I get daily emails from followers of My Beautiful Adventures seeking advice on how to survive a long-distance relationship.  It is no secret that I am an expert when it comes to them, as I have had 3 great loves in my life and all 3 (yes, you read that correctly), were long distance.  One was 1,741 miles, another was 5,275 miles, and finally the other one was 10,355 miles.  At the end of the day, milage is insignificant as being even 1 mile apart from the love of your life is challenging.  Thus, here are some helpful tips for those that are in a long-distance relationship.

Have regular e-dates

Just because you are miles away from each other, does not mean you cannot have dates.  Even though you are not in person, you should still treat your e-date as a real date.  Get dressed up in your best clothes, light some candles, flirt shamelessly.  It is of the utmost important to keep the romance alive.

Start a co-journal

Pick out a journal the next time you are together and then send it back and forth when you are apart.  Do not tell each other what you have written or placed inside  – the element of surprise is half the fun!  It is always the best feeling to come home to a package from your sweetheart.

Communication is essential

One of the perks in being a long-distance relationship is that you are forced to communicate in a very deep and meaningful way, because when you are apart that is all you have to stay connected.  Couples in long-distance relationships probably communicate better than most couples who live in the same house.  Communication also strengthens trust and without it the relationship will fall apart quickly.  Make Skype the third person in the couple immediately.

Become experts in each others cultures

If you are from a different culture than your partner, then there are bound to be a lot of “lost in translation” moments that can be very frustrating.  Sometimes you are just not going to understand each other and that is okay.  Do your best to meet in the middle and you will discover that you will both become better people because of it.  The best way to have less of these moments is to do everything in your power to become acquainted with their culture.  Take language classes, read books on the history of their country, befriend people in your city that are expats from their city through social media or meet-up groups.

Always have another trip together planned

There should always be a date when you will be reunited on the calendar to look forward to.  Being able to count down the days, even if it is 6 months away (Lucas and I went over a year once), makes a world of a difference.  When the date is indefinite the situation seems hopeless.

Treasure every second when you are together

Since your time with your loved one is limited, when you are together make sure that you treat every second as sacred.  Willingly choose to not fight over anything insignificant.  Completely disconnect yourself from the outside world (if work allows for this) and give them 100% of your attention.  Time goes by fast when you are having fun, so make it count.

Endnote:  Thankfully, Lucas and I were rejoined several months later.  In case you missed the post that celebrates our reunion and which I labeled The Most Important Day Of My Life, make sure to check it out, as it is one of my favorites.  Long-distance relationships can seem insurmountable, but if the love is there, never give up.  We celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary in 2 weeks!

 To see the accompanying post click here.

First Impression

My husband and I had both been Rio de Janeiro quite a few times, thus it was not necessary for us to stay in the heart of the city and since we were going to have to say an unthinkable goodbye to each other on the last day of our honeymoon due to immigration issues, seclusiveness was what we were seeking.  La Suite Rio was the perfect choice, as it is perched on top of the Joatinga cliffs, offering complete isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Location

The boutique hotel with a sweeping view is located in the most glamorous part of Rio de Janeiro.  Some consider it to be the “Beverly Hills” of Brasil.  While it is not on the beach, it is only a short taxi ride away.

The Room

There are 7 suites, each assigned a different color and with the most fabulous room key I have ever seen in all of my travels.

While we were not given the pink room, which probably would have been my first choice, we were given the blue room and it could not have been more suited for us.  It had deep, dark masculine walls that appealed to my husband, however there was a gorgeous Andy Warhol print of Marilyn Monroe adjacent to a fuchsia orchid that pulled at my heartstrings.

Another special touch included in the King sized bedroom was an iPod that had thousands of songs already downloaded onto it.

The blue room also happened to have the largest private patio of all of the suites.

The Bathroom

The spacious en suite bathroom was as luxurious as they come, as it was draped in marble that matched the wall color of the bedroom and it contained L’occitane products.

The Extras

Brasilians take their sun worshipping seriously, thus there are 2 pools on the premises.  My favorite was the 66 foot infinity pool with a sheer drop into the Atlantic Ocean.  The surrounding grounds were expertly landscaped with tropical flora.

Breakfast, which is included in the room rate, is served on on the main terrace.  Honestly, I am not sure if the meal or the view was better; they were both unforgettable.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

I could have spent days admiring every single detail found throughout the hotel.  The owners have collected items from their travels around the world, as well as local flee-markets, to create the perfectly balanced ambience.

The detail that most took my breath away though was the Philippe Starck, my favorite designer/architect, Baccarat mirror and chandelier in the lobby of the hotel.  When I saw it, I instantly knew that I was in the right place.

Social Media

• Website
• Facebook

To see the accompanying posts click here and here.

We found it almost impossible to leave our sanctuary Pousada Maravilha.  What we did enjoy thoroughly though was the hotel’s infinity pool and quite possibly too many caipirinhas.

Would you have been able to leave these breathtaking surroundings?  I have no doubt that the rest of Fernando de Noronha would have dazzled us, maybe even changed our lives, but we were cast under our hotel’s magical spell.

My conclusion: sometimes you want to expand your horizons, while other times the most beautiful adventures are best experienced right where you are.  Oh, and here is a secret that I discovered, if you do not do everything you had set out to do in the first place, well, then you have a great reason to return.

To see the accompanying posts click here and here.

First Impression

Our entire honeymoon was planned around visiting Fernando de Noronha and since it was both my husband and I’s ultimate dream destination and such a challenge to get to we knew there was no other choice than to stay at the most luxurious property on the entire island: Pousada Maravilha.  I must extend my gratitude to Kiwi Collection for introducing us to, as its name would suggest, this marvelous place.  As we walked into the lobby we instantly knew we were in trouble.  We had grand plans to explore every inch of the fabled archipelago, however once we saw our surroundings we knew we probably would not leave the hotel for the entire 3 days that we were there.

Location

Fernando de Noronha is an UNESCO World Heritage Site that is fiercely protected by the Brasilian government, which only allows a certain number of visitors per day.  When you arrive, you must pay an environmental preservation fee that is worth every penny.  The 21 islets truly have some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.  Someone from the hotel will be at the airport awaiting your arrival in order to escort you to Pousada Maravilha.

The Room

In all honesty, while Pousada Maravilha is a stunning hotel, one does not visit for the room, rather the pool (scroll down for more information).  Our favorite part of the beautifully decorated room, however, is the spacious balcony with a view to-die-for.

In case you cannot find the energy in the morning to walk to the restaurant, it is possible to have breakfast, which is included in the rate, delivered to the room free of charge.  As honeymooners, we definitely took advantage of this perk every day.

The Bathroom

The large en suite bathroom has a tropical feel to it and there is also an outdoor shower appointed to every room.

The Extras

The hotel’s restaurant is pricey, but the food is so delicious that you quickly forget about the bill.  I had a petit gateau nightly that I daydream about on a regular basis.  In fact, every single meal we had in Fernando de Noronha was there and we would not have had it any other way.  The only thing we consumed outside of the restaurant was our afternoon caipirinhas – those we enjoyed by the nearby pool.

In the lobby are plush couches and tables containing books and games for public use when you need a break from the strong Brasilian sun.  There is also a chic boutique with glamorous clothes and accessories, so that you can look your absolute best amongst your fellow jetsetters.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

I cannot imagine a more perfect pool than the one at Pousada Maravilha.  Not only is the view from it glorious, but the water was always the right temperature and the adjacent sunbeds could not have been more comfortable and inviting.  In my lifetime, besides when I was a competitive swimmer, I have never spent more time in a pool and I still departed wishing that I had spent even more time in it.

Just in case you want to escape the pool, there are other options than returning to your room.

To see the accompanying post click here.

This quiet coastal city is saturated with colorful 18th Century Portuguese architecture, however it still retains a strong Brasilian vibe creating a visual feast for the eyes.  My husband and I decided to bypass any tours and simply got lost inside the village.  We knew if we felt too turned around all we had to do was to look up for the spire of the local cathedral, as no building was permitted to be taller than it and it was located in the center of the city.

I treasured the fact that automobile traffic is forbidden within the city in order to preserve its peaceful ambience.  Despite having a population of 36,000, there was hardly any foot traffic either.  It seemed that no matter where we were in Brasil, we had the entire country to ourselves. . .maybe as a wedding present?  After an entire day of exploration, our bodies needed refueling, and when we heard there was a nearby restaurant that could only be accessed by boat, we knew immediately where we would be dining for the evening.

Kontiki Restaurante is not to be missed if you should find yourself hungry in Parati.  While, it might not be the most memorable meal of your life, the view and sangria make it an unforgettable experience.  Plus, the meaning behind its name is priceless.  Kontiki was the Sun King of the Incas and set off on a wooden raft sailing the Pacific Ocean 15,000 years ago.  Even though he did not quite believe he would find what he was looking for — another continent — he still crossed the dangerous seas in faith.  Today, Kontiki is the inspiration for those on an any kind of adventure.  Kontiki Restaurante believes why cross the world when you can cross a little of the Atlantic near Parati for a culinary adventure surrounded by a gorgeous landscape, as well as the watchful eyes of the enchanting Sun King.

As the sun began to set, we took it as nature’s cue that we should begin the long journey back to our pousada.

Parati has been described as a “virtual museum within a tropical paradise,” and after my brief visit there I could not agree more with that assessment.  This tranquil part of the world should definitely be considered a dream destination on everyone’s list.

To see the accompanying post click here.

To see the accompanying post click here.

In my previous post, I discussed living a life of excitement and that my greatest passion is travel.  Over the past decade, I have traveled solo, with my family, with my friends, and with my ex-lovers.  As I became more comfortable with traveling, I preferred traveling solo.  I know it is not for everyone, however I do believe that everyone should at least try it once in their lives — nothing will teach you more about who you truly are as a person than exploring a foreign land on your own.

My husband and I had traveled together before, but not for more than a couple of days at a time, and never outside of the Americas.  This was due to our unique long-distance relationship.  Just to see each other we had to travel 10,000 miles, thus to then take off on another journey was not what we desired at the time.  We chose to explore each others respective cities instead; his being Buenos Aires and mine being New York City.  This gave us a feeling, albeit temporarily, of having a somewhat “normal relationship.”

Half a year before we got married, I decided that I needed one last solo trip as a single woman.  I wanted it be a place where I could be alone in my thoughts and where I could celebrate the old and new chapters in my book of life.  Thus, I chose Easter Island.  Could there be a more perfect destination for this transformational trip?

That trip will forever remain a special memory for me, however what I did not know then that I know now, is that not only when I said “I do” was I gaining a husband, I was also gaining a lifelong travel partner as well.  I am certain that I will take more solo trips in the future, but they are not necessary for me like they were before.  Now, I prefer to travel with my husband; to share these deep, meaningful experiences and, of course, the excitement of these beautiful adventures with him.

I love knowing that for the rest of my life I have someone to watch pink sunsets with.

Who do you prefer to travel with or do you travel solo?

 To see the accompanying post click here.

Picinguaba is a grand swath of land that is kissed by the sun and blessed with natural beauty.  Expect a tropical paradise of calm, aquamarine waters that are surrounded by hills of jungle striping the earth green as far as the eye can see.

A curious thing happens when you disconnect from technology for a couple of days.  Your mind is filled with thousands of thoughts that  would have never materialized due to the lack of mental space that daily life consumes.  I highly recommend carrying a notebook and pen around with you if you should choose to try this, so that you can capture these thoughts as they occur.

When I confess to someone that I have just met that I am a travel writer/photographer and that I have a blog, usually their first question posed to me is, “How did you get into that?”  I explain to them that it happened completely by accident, that I simply wanted to capture the thing that most excited me in life: travel.  When we pour our energy into the thing that excites us the most, our wildest dreams do come true.  As we wandered around Picinguaba I could literally feel my heart beat faster from the thrill of discovery and I wished in that moment that everyone had something in their life that excited them.

Life has the potential to be awe-inspiring if you let it.  Our lives are ours to design and create.  Every single day we have the opportunity to make decisions that influence our experiences.  Thus, our choices determine whether our paths are exhausting or exciting, mediocre or breathtaking.  I believe you can achieve your dream life by simply doing what excites you whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Remember that your passions may come and go, and what excites you in one moment might not necessarily excite you in the next, however when you make excitement a constant in your existence, life not only becomes more fulfilling, it also becomes more extraordinary as well.  Making travel a priority in my life requires me to make certain sacrifices, although it is a small price to pay to have a life saturated with pleasure, exhilaration, and optimistic anticipation.

Life is way too short to not be excited, so do something today that makes your heart smile.  What excites you in your life?

To see the accompanying post click here.