Memories of the Atlantic Ocean - a place I’ll never forget

Here I am, sitting indoors with a cup of warm tea. The rain and fog outside make everything feel colder, and nothing seems to warm me up enough. So, I decided to dig out my hard drive and look at some old photos to bring back a bit of warmth. 😊

As I scrolled through, I suddenly remembered...I needed to see photos of the sea. And then, I found them, photos of the Atlantic Ocean. It hit me how amazing it is that I actually swam in the Atlantic Ocean. Honestly, I never thought I’d ever do something like that, but I did! Now I can say, yeaaah, I’ve swum in the ocean. 😊

Why is this such a big deal to me? I live in a part of the country with no sea. Sure, if you drive through Slovenia or Croatia, you’ll see the sea. Beautiful seas, no doubt. But they’re not the ocean. There’s just something special about the vastness and power of the ocean that leaves me in awe.

These photos bring back such fond memories. To see the ocean, I have to board a plane and travel far away. Unfortunately, I can’t always do that because of work, health issues, and other reasons. Maybe some of you live near the ocean and don’t think it’s anything special. But for me, it’s unforgettable and breathtaking every single time.

Where were these photos taken? In Portugal—Madeira. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. I’m 100% sure I’ll go back someday. To be honest, I can’t remember the names of most of the towns we visited, except one—Funchal.

Madeira is unlike where I live. My home is flat, but Madeira? It’s all hills. Going to a store five minutes away felt like a workout because of the steep slopes. Up and down, puffing and huffing, but still worth it. If I had stayed there for more than two months, I’m sure I’d have gotten in amazing shape.

I’m not a fan of hiking or climbing hills. Once, I asked a friend who hikes every weekend why she never invited me. She laughed and said, "I’ve known you for 25 years, and every time there’s a hill, you complain and barely survive after half a kilometer. Do you really think I want to hear that?" I couldn’t even be mad, because, yeah, she knows me too well! 😉

Madeira tested my strength with all its hills, but I didn’t give up. I complained a lot, sure, but I kept going. If you want to see Madeira properly, you have to walk those hills. Even with bicycles, my rule was simple...there must be a cable car to take me up, so I only have to ride downhill. Maybe someday I’ll get an electric bike. Anyway, that’s not the main point of this story. I tend to ramble when I start writing. 😉

The real point? The photos. Photos of Madeira and the Atlantic Ocean. Let me show you how beautiful they are. Even just looking at them warms my heart.

“You will love the ocean. It makes you feel small, but not in a bad way. Small because you realize you’re part of something bigger.” –Lauren Myracle

With love, @tinabrezpike ❤️