And Then There was Heaven

It seems like it was years ago, a long blurry memory of perfect beaches, sunsets and sunrises, not thinking simply because I could and organizing my day based on the beach I would go to and the sandwich I would eat. It is almost impossible to put into words what I felt the moment I stepped on to Formentera's land and let go, literally, of everything I had left in the city.

It all started with a long and cold ride on a big ferry. We met up Friday evening and positioned ourselves for the long 9hour ferry ride that would eventually take us 12. People had warned me about it, told me to be prepared, it was rough...They weren't kidding. It's the ferry that stops at Ibiza so you can imagine the array of passengers. Then, they blast the air conditioning at full speed and you literally freeze, thinking only of the warm beaches you will soon be on. We also fought to reserve more than one seat so we could stretch out and sleep since it was an overnight trip. But we will not go into detail about this because I am here to give you a little piece of paradise. And so let the magic begin...

Just so you get an idea, the very small Balareic Island stretches out to a mere 14km and there absolutely nothing to do but go to the beaches and drink mojitos at night and then go to sleep to repeat the same thing again. But that is okay because they are the most incredible beaches I have ever seen in my life. And I have seen a lot of beaches in my life. The people are "Hippy Chic" or bohemian and friendly and very slow in pace. In August, precisely when we went, the prices double and the island is invaded by Italians who have saved up all year to come to Formentera. It is surreal. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like off season. The terrain is dry, desert like and rocky but that only adds to the magical atmosphere. Fig trees being held by sun cracked wooden poles, scooters scoot scooting everywhere and cove after cove after endless cove of crystal blue water.


And so the first night we celebrated by dressing in white and going to get mojitos at a well known beach bar to watch the sunset. Being on the East coast, I couldn't remember the last time I had seen the sun set and suddenly I was hypnotized and thrilled to be there, watching the shadows, the colors of glowing reds, blazing oranges and gas blue glow and change.


People danced and laughed around me and I thought, "I am finally here." Since having watched Sex and Lucia (if you haven't seen it, do it!) I had fantasized about coming to this island and suddenly I found myself right there, in the middle of it all.


Ana, Idoia, Sandra and I didn't do much other than lay in the sun, talk, sleep, photograph and search for the perfect sunset. The very first day I arrived I fell asleep on the beach for two hours and that's where I left all my worries and qualms with the world.
Mojito in hand and some very sexy booties, we simply fell into the life of Formentera in August.


By the third day, I officially checked out. I found it difficult to speak and to think about the everyday things. I felt my bones releasing and my body falling in love with the place I was standing at. Each day surprised me with a new beach and I couldn't help imagining what it would be like to give it all up and stay right there, where my feet were planted. On the fourth day we went to a beautiful beach called Cala Saona, way overcrowded, but beautiful. The water was crystal clear and midday we decided to swim way out and ended up on another smaller cove with just a few people and a lot of red clay.




Later we went to have an iced coffee break and I decided to go off for a walk by myself and photograph. It was a moment of surveyance, where I found myself delicately placed on the line of tranquility, my shadows, footsteps and me. The crunch below my feet reminded me that I was alive and that I had brought myself here.


The world, this moment had suddenly become mine and I can't begin to express to you how this feels. But I do suggest that from time to time you try to disconnect and do this, to find the feeling that you are in full control of that second and that second alone. A second where you have a view of the world from above.