The African Queen Travels

21/05/2026

A truly lovely luncheon, marked by impeccable taste and the celebrated sophistication of 𝐋𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐋, Marrakech, hosted by 𝐌𝐨𝐤𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐤, 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢, at the elegant rooftop of the Fasano Hotel Sao Paulo Itaim.

It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and raise a toast to those who couldn't come.

It was so special to see you all and, if only for a little while, be transported back to the magic of La Mamounia. Shukran for the special menu for me...

12/05/2026

You have seen me 'around the world in more than 80 days'. It's time for more safari in Africa. "𝐀 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬" is an adage that perfectly fits the "𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧" in the 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢 (Tanzania) and in the 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚 [double 'aa', please] (Kenya). It is generally estimated to involve as many as 1.3 million wildebeest. But in reality, around 600,000 animals might move between the two national parks each year, according to recent satellite imagery.
Some remain behind protecting their territory, while others give birth to approximately 500,000 wildebeest (also called gnu) in the Serengeti between January and February. The highest calving rate is in February, when approximately 8,000 calves are born each day!
The Great Migration involves wildebeest, zebra and other antelopes, moving between feeding and breeding grounds in Kenya and Tanzania, while also trying to dodge predators including lions, crocodiles and hyenas. It is quite an operation! It is quite a spectacle. One of the greatest mammal shows on earth. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨> 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐞!
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐘 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄!

antilopes

Photo credits: my apologies, from my various archives, from my various trips, from my various studies.

09/05/2026

SATURDAY IS SOMETIMES VIOLET/PURPLE, OTHER TIMES ORANGE/SALMON. Today it's orange. The colour orange is highly energetic, cheerful, and warm, boosting enthusiasm and stimulating mental activity. It combines the physical energy of red with the happiness of yellow, creating a friendly and vibrant, yet not overly aggressive, visual experience. Deserts at their very early sunrise or sunset. The warmth of a fire or a romantic sunset. It is also linked to confidence, creative thought, and adventurousness. Adventurousness? Me??? No... Well... maybe a bit...
Delicious Moroccan tajines. The elegant Oryx. The splenderous La Mamounia et son Petit Orange. The Sahara. The Namib. The House Of Dreams.
# dromedaires

08/05/2026

My Friday is pink. Yet, today, it is a far more important day than a Friday: 𝐒𝐈𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇. We, mere mortals, write about, celebrate, and thank the life of the great, the humbly powerful, outstanding human being.
Sir Attenborough, human words cannot possibly express what you are; only Nature herself can. As a traveller, you will understand that I would like to add my loyal travel and life companions to the festivities. My pink bandanas and I are extremely grateful to have met you.
𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐁𝐂'𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-9h_hGpn8
#100

100 years of Sir David Attenborough"I’ve been lucky enough to live through the golden age of natural history filmmaking. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it."Hap...

08/05/2026

"Blue Skies, smiling at me, nothing but Blue Skies do I see..."
And I could go on and on and on, plus Blue Oceans and the 7 Seas... and all things blue.
YES, THURSDAY IS BLUE! Once again, in Brazil, blue is cool, positive, and all things beautiful. Yet today I'm writing about one special person in one special place: Mike Varndell & Malawi. I met Mike during the black plague, on the online WAA 2020. And I knew it from the beginning: He's Our Man in Malawi! 6 years later, he's now a man, a beautiful woman (his amazing wife Lotte, with the happiest smile and soul ever) and their incredible staff! Yes, Mike is smart, brave, intelligent, sharp, accurate, super hard-working, very knowledgeable, and indefatigable. BUT, ABOVE ALL, HE'S VERY GENEROUS! He takes care of his people, my people, all people.
I was privileged to be their official and personal guest last December in Malawi, Marvellous Malawi and her Marvellous People.
Will (Shakespeare again) was so right when he wrote: "I speak of Africa and golden joys".
Thank you so very much, Mike, Lotte & Crafted Africa friends. See you very soon,
Marta
The African Queen truly, deeply salutes you and wishes you another great personal year!

06/05/2026

GREEN IS HOPE! One great, HUGE advantage of being 1/2 raised in the Brazilian culture: GREEN IS HOPE.
Will (that would be Shakespeare), I love you, you know I do, yet that green would become popularly associated with your "Othello's "green-eyed monster" of jealousy deeply saddens me... I know, though, and I give you that: jealousy poisons a person.
I loooooooooooove green. Obviously, "my dear Watson". Green is deeply connected to NATURE, feelings of calm, health, and revitalisation. Scientifically, it relaxes the eyes, reduces stress, and boosts mood with feelings of safety and stability. Green represents growth and, psychologically, provides a sense of balance, harmony, and renewal. Green it is, then! Today.

05/05/2026

I wear a lot of "red". Not because it depicts passion, love, energy, or attracts attention. NO. MARS IS RED! And with such protection, and a little help from some friends, a few privileges come:
The privilege of being at the Churchill's Suite at the magnificent La Mamounia Hotel! And Happy Houring at the El Fenn Rooftop, my favourite in Marrakesh.
I was born on a Tuesday (Tiwesdæg or Tiw’s day, -God of War, Justice and Law -, Planet Mars Day, Dies Martis, Mardi, Martedi, Martes, Dienstag, Tirsdag.) The Norse who came to the present UK made a deal with the then Romans to change the name.

04/05/2026

Today is a splendid, sunny, "grey day". Very few, but REALLY very few people know I wear specific colours for each day of the week. Monday is Black, White or Grey. Grey is frequently underestimated as a bland or dull colour, yet it is highly versatile, sophisticated, and neutral, serving as a powerful, calming backdrop in design and fashion. It acts as a stabiliser that balances brighter hues and adds structure, functioning as a "timeless" choice that can enhance other colours. I wear grey. Elephants are grey. Rhinos are grey. Vervet Monkeys are grey. Blue Wildebeests are grey. And, I'd naturally have a grey bandana.

14/02/2026

𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 #𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 as I celebrated yesterday, 12 February, Charles Darwin's birthday. Q> 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲? A> One of my latest firsts: July 2025. Navigating unknown waters (a semi-metaphor here) with other 30 unknown sailors (yes, it was aboard a tall ship) for 10+ days. Route: Portugal to England. Mode of travel: aboard the glorious Dutch tall ship "Oosterschelde".
When I received the confirmation I’d been accepted onto the crew of this great voyage - The Victory Leg of the Darwin200 project - I was euphoric, yet not without some apprehension as I realised I was committed to a task of going 10+ days without any internet. Sod it! I left everything and everybody behind to embark 5 days later to Lisbon, then Horta, then hop onto the Oosterschelde! Result = friends for life; memories for life; learning for life.

29/08/2025

Who's in London? Well, I am... Anybody for tea or something stronger?
With Stuart McPherson, a British conservationist, award-winning author, and documentary presenter who co-founded the project . He serves as both the co-founder and the project leader, having conceived of the initiative to create a transformative experience for young environmental leaders in the spirit of Charles Darwin's voyage.

09/07/2025

I am sailing! Back to roots! See you when I see you. Off-grid.
Following Darwin. Yes, Charles Darwin.
The one and only.