From door to sand and sea, rows of pastel colored square houses at Capitola Seaside Village brings back child-like curiosity and imagination.
It’s our secret little Santorini, Greece in this surfer beach lover playground of Santa Cruz County California.
So, why spend thousands of dollars on International Travel when you can just drive and pay for gas.
Why travel stressed from origin to destination and repeat because of the pandemic restrictions and its what if’s when we have options for quick relaxing beach escapes .
Why not a day trip or overnight getaway that takes you to another country without the hassle of applying for a passport and proof of COVID-19 vaccination?
We are now at the corner of having COVID-19 in control through vaccination. Why can’t we just wait a bit longer doubling down safety measures until the other half of our fellow Americans gets vaccinated from the more infectious, deadlier variants like the B.1.1.7? What’s a few more weeks or months of patience when it means everyone gets to enjoy visiting other countries where everyone are also vaccinated and protected? We can’t be in this vicious cycle of countries infecting other countries then blaming everyone else except oneself with anger and violence.
61,000 more Americans mostly unvaccinated and at the prime of their lives will die by July 1st as Governors after Governors lift all safety mandates including the effective lifesaver mask wearing. Together with full reopening and mass gatherings, that hopeful corner may turn around towards disaster.
December to January death peak of 3,000-4,000 a day wasn’t that long ago. Unless we are God, we are not certain that this won’t happen again. Pride, ignorance and no protection are what fuels COVID-19 surges. The constant mutations just made it easier to increase hospitalizations. The pattern of surges had been like that and all are preventable.
Global travel now sounds liberating, but experiencing our best years ahead is a better long term investment. We get to have our fun moments again and again and not just only once or twice.
Greece without the passport? Why not.
If we can imagine it, then it’s real enough.
There are a lot of great adventures and destinations from minutes to hours around us. Being a local tourist in my side of California made me discover gems and treasures otherwise I wouldn’t have known if my idea of vacation is flying out somewhere new. It took a pandemic for me to realize the blessings I already have. So Amen to that and wishing all an Easter full of life and lots of happy new adventures.
“Imagination is magic that can take us anywhere.”
This Man's Journey 
I love the view
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The houses that sits by the beach truly is an exciting find.
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Hey 👋
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Hello🙏
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Nice to see you back again. Such beautiful captures.
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Following the dream and no dream is complete without sharing what made it inspiring. Thanks.
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Wishing you and your fam an Easter full of life and Happy New Adventures as well! I agree with the wisdom you shared, that of following one’s own dreams not other people’s and taking pictures not to impress but to conserve memories.
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Thanks. I used to take tons of pics and videos only to miss moments that I can’t go back. Now it’s take some but enjoy fully the rest of the experience.
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Absolutely!
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🙏
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Beautiful pictures! I actually thought they were from a different country at first. Must be so nice to have such beautiful scenery so close by.
Agreed that we need to tough it out a little bit longer. There was footage on social media yesterday of hundreds of people inside one of our malls despite restrictions. Makes me both angry and sad people have such disregard for others that shopping is more of a priority than safety right now!
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Time to live life I refuse to be a hermit crab!
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Totally agree. Last year we didn’t know much about covid and fear of many unknown kept us inside our houses. Now we know what works and outdoors with mask will take us anywhere safely. To great adventures my friend. 🙏
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When I wash windows at work outside I don’t wear a mask and no one cares.
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🙏
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I take a few breathing breaks a work when some take smoking breaks.
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Yeah lots of the younger kids why not put movies I know! Look sorry kids but these are the greatest movies all known. Last time I went on it they added a little scenes from poltergeist and toy story movies wish they kept it.
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My son doesn’t even know the many disney characters which is sad. They were and are the most magical there is. I guess I never outgrew childhood. How can I? Happiest times there was.
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It’s happening in my malls too. Last time I’d been to a mall was one time last Christmas. Other than being vaccinated, it is actually more dangerous now to go inside a store or restaurant knowing about 1 of 5 Americans are infected or been infected. Then there’s the B117 strain that many are ignoring. President Biden, Fauci and CDC were correct on the doubling down infection prevention efforts. It will be too late however for some unvaccinated that are not following mandates. Many Americans are thinking the vaccine will work like magic, even those who refuse to get it. It’s crazy that we are allowing another deadly surge while watching it happen before our eyes. Governors need to be made accountable for the next deaths and survivors who will have long term complications. Yes, I’m angry and sad too, and frustrated. I think everyone who took this pandemic seriously are feeling what we’re feeling. Stay safe always.
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Yah, it’s pretty dangerous over here now too with over third wave. We’re going to surpass the US soon with cases per capita. I think it’s too late to convince those who don’t believe in prevention or the pandemic. And hopefully the vaccination efforts will help curb the cases. Sigh. 🙂
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I try not to be affected by how people are acting now with covid because it can be very frustrating. I know every health worker and frontliner who saw and experience the deaths and suffering of the pandemic will forever remember this tragedy, but those who never took it seriously may find themselves in the hospital bed one day with the more deadlier mutated strains. Some of them may still be in denial down to their last breath. It already happened and will still be happening. For those who believe covid’s dangers and are doing something, they may get to outlive the virus, like they how the world out did the common flu. Stay safe always.
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I can’t even imagine the images and stories you’ve personally witnessed in the frontlines. Our local news ran a story yesterday taking us inside the ICU. It told the story of a Filipina wife whose 75 year old husband has been in ICU for 2 months. And will likely take years to recover. Very heartbreaking.
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We can only try and pray to be safe. My worst concern about covid other than death is having clotting complications like stroke and dementia that I won’t be able to work again. People don’t realize they will be forced to give up there freedom all together by being forced into disability during their life’s peak. People had been warned thousands of times through the heartbreaks of others and in time, defiance and selfishness will collect its due. Covid like flu will stay for years, the vaccine is our kind of hope that we get to outlive the many mutations of the virus. So, for a long time, it’s mask, social distancing and avoiding indoor crowd and gatherings for me and my family. Outdoors are safe as long as it’s not like the swarming beaches in the news like Florida. My son kept saying, “it’s population control dad.” Seems cruel but it is in the next several years if we the surges will be a regular pattern. Thanks Ab. Stay safe. Always a great moment to read your comments. 🙏
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Yah I was reading one of the vaccine manufacturers saying we’ll likely recall annual booster shots. The clotting and dementia and long term effects of getting infected are quite scary to read about. Sadly I do think you are right, life won’t be normal for a long while yet. But always a reason to still stay hopeful. Your cases seem to be going down and in control in the US now. It’s a mess over here in Canada. 🤣
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My wife is freaking out because of the J & J news and she got it. Told her, “relax, it’s 6 out of almost 100,000 who got vaccinated.People don’t realize people actually died after getting either moderna or pfeizer. A friend’s mother in law did. At first I don’t want to believe it but she’s a nurse and very knowledgeable and experienced. It’s not in the news because imagine if it does come out and people will admit they knew someone who died because of the vaccine. For now, we need to vaccinate most, adverse reaction will happen because the vaccine were approved as “emergency” vaccines to stop the surges. Leaders and scientist knew the complications but the risks outweighs the benefits. It’s about choosing the lesser evil. U.S. is averaging 70,000 per day of new cases now from 30,000 per day last month. From what I’m seeing and reading, in a few weeks we will get an average of 100,000 per day and thereafter hospitalizations will surge and healthcare facilities will beg again Americans to help but I’m not sure if it will change the “it’s no more covid,” lifestyle. We were in Santa Crus yesterday, both young and middle aged, no more mask and distancing. We feel out of place because we were the only ones wearing mask. Summer will be an awakening whether so called “ herd immunity,” will happen or were back to 4th mass daily death tragic numbers from the new strains of covid. For now, we try to enjoy life as safely as we can. Nobody should live in fear nor threat. Take care my friend, the battle gets easier when we got troops that support each other. Stay safe. Regards.
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It’s sad to see the misinformation and also the way the media sensationalizes vaccines. We should absolutely be aware of the risks but to your point, 6 out of 100,000 is very low. The pros and benefits outweigh the cons.
I can understand people feeling restless and want to get out and socialize but I just wanna scream sometimes and say, you’re making it all worse for everyone!
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It is unbelievable that after what we been through, after what we witnessed for more than a year, people still do what they do that is promoting the viral spread. The leaders and citizens response is the key to ending covid. We’ve seen it already happened in few countries even without the vaccination just by being disciplined and working hard together. The Culture of every country plays a vital role in how the virus will play out. Some countries will have covid forever others will not, all dependent on people and their choices. The pandemic is very predictable in many ways based on Science and people’s behavior. Take care Ab.
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I wish our continent would’ve taken an approach like Australia and New Zealand. Very aggressive but moving forward together.
Our province made the Washington Post today. And not in a good way. 😂 That’s how bad things are over here.
Hope you take care and stay well this coming week!
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Thanks Ab. Your brave, honest, inspiring share always gives hope and also a sense of connection that we are not alone in this crazy pandemic World. Stay safe too.
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Thank you! On a related note, my hubby and I got our first of two vaccine shots today. Totally unexpected appointment opened up at our pharmacy. It feels surreal! 🙏
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I’m afraid I feel that this is blown out of proportion. For me it’s like it’s real don’t get me wrong but I don’t feel like I should be punished. So I’m living my life yes I am wearing masks as work and stores etc demands it. But after a while I do find it hard to breathe and get hot easily so I’m already done with these fake needed masks.
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It is hard to breath and even harder when we are walking or exercising wearing mask. N95 even worse because it has something in it that makes people with allergies start having nasal congestion and sniffles just less than an hour wearing them. Sorry for what you are going through. I understand. Take care.
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I know i want to be able to exercise without breathing difficulties. I can’t run on the treadmill I want to tell the place… Take off the mask requirements. So that I can breathe.
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It is so hard to exercise with a mask. I actually ended my gym membership last May 2020, because there’s no way I can do the threadmill or elliptical with a mask on, I might passed out. I bought a bow flex max pro 6 payable in a year and converted our storage room into part gym. We bought weights from Walmart and Marshalls. Best investment. Son works out with me now. Awesome Father and Son bonding time. Then there’s the outdoor walks and hiking which brings me closer to my others love… Nature. I learned to do what I enjoy safely away from the crowd and people with covid around. Just have to drive further and reschedule my adventures of weekdays when most are working. Take care my friend. Things will get better. The world will get better and one day, the pandemic is but history. Have a wonderful weekend.
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But when I got outside to do anything like at work or at home I don’t wear a mask.
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🙏
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Why are u angry??? I don’t understand why you are angry when some of us want to live our life. I refuse to let this bring me down. Time to move on.
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I am not angry at those who want to live their life. What I get angry about are people who do so in an irresponsible and selfish way that contributes to others getting sick, dying or making the pandemic worse for the entire community.
We are all sick and fed up of this pandemic and want to move on but the reality is unless the collective community does their part together, this pandemic is not gonna slow down and go away at the rate we would wish for it do so.
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From personal experience, I have a patient who intentional rode a bus full of people knowing she has covid so she can be seen in person because telephone appointment does not work for her while the rest of other patients with covid symptoms does it to keep others safe. That person didn’t think of the people who may get infected in the bus, the lobby and the medical staff who took care of her. She only was thinking of herself. It was fine for her but it was not fine to those who got exposed to the virus because of her. The doctor of course for fear of her life and per infection control policy, still called her in her clinic room and gave all the medications and treatment she needed. Management stepped up and gave her a cab free voucher so she does not infect another bus load of people except the brave heroic cab driver who accepted to take her home knowing he may get covid. It made everyone angry, it was a natural initial response because of frustration and getting in contact to the highly infectious virus. Respecting a person’s anger, loss and frustration is for me an act of kindness and consideration. It is being human. It is being emphatic to someone’s worry or concern. Just like you Ab, I am sick and fed up of this pandemic because I do want to move on but my moving on is affected by the actions of people in my community and my country. Until people unite and willing to sacrifice, the corner between ending the pandemic and the next surge will always be close. The vaccine is not a miracle cure. Herd immunity works when at least 70-80% of the herd will step up and get vaccinated. Antibodies however may only last 6 months or so and that’s not as assuring as many think. Next Winter could get worse than 2020’s as Flu will have its come with its new strains plus newer covid strains. Take care my friend. We do what we can to stay safe and protect our love ones. 🙏
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That is a very powerful story – and sadly, it is a fad too common story.
Our province is now on target to hit 18,000 cases a day by end of May because of government reopened too soon and far too many people are adopting a “let’s move on” attitude, going to shopping malls instead of trying to keep the rest of the community safe. It is incredibly selfish behaviour.
Sigh. Sometimes choosing kindness in response to such bullish behaviour is hard. Haha.
Happy Friday and stay safe!
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Same here. California is doing better compared to the other States on the top 5 new epicenters like Michigan, NY, NJ, Florida. NY & NJ actually are back to being epicenters, similar to Cali last Fall. Resurgence is both a combination of how Governors are responding and treating the pandemic and the people’s choices to do something or not. Honestly, I think it’s better NOT to lockdown anymore because it doesn’t really change the behavior of those who are NOT observing safety guidelines, and just victimize the same group of small business owners and workers. Governors trying to make a difference in this pandemic are being accused as villains while those that do not care about it are being applauded. It’s been crazy senseless, so might as well just open the flood gates. People who will survive will survive this year and the years to come. Those who listened will inherit the land that many where deprived of. Even God allowed it despite of people’s prayers. So, there must be a bigger picture or plan in all this. My son, simply calls it, “population control.” May be its part of the Revelation in the Bible only it’s happening slowly like it’s part of our normalcy. Sounds like conspiracy theories but I still don’t believe the “blame the bat story” when bats had been here for a very long time. The virus is behaving like a genetically engineered rapidly mutating virus meant to outlive people. The vaccines gives some hope but the rest of that hope depend on every living being to work things out as one unified planet. I agree, it is hard to be kind when we are treated the other way around but we could only try. No guarantee nor promises. Take care my friend and stay safe. Happy weekend. It’s family adventure time☀️🙏
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I agree. I think the longer this pandemic goes, the more it’ll rip at the social fabric and decency of our community. It’s very sad to see this persist. But I am still remaining hopeful that this will be behind us one day. It will just take longer because of selfish and idiotic behaviour!
Just look at Australia, New Zealand and Asia for hope that there is life post pandemic!
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Yes, I share your hope too. Life will better, people will get better. 🙏 Take care my friend.
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🙏
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In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy always wanted to go over the rainbow only to discover that there is no place like home. As much as I love traveling I don’t want to be my only source of happiness. We all should step into your backyard, into our local park, onto our neighbourhood streets, and take notice. Whether our roots are planted in soft soil or city concrete, as long as our feet are planted on earth, there is still plenty of wild beauty to be noticed. From the fauna in the forest to the sprouts of grass reaching up from the cracks in the sidewalk, the wild refuses to be tamed and will always find a breakthrough. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend. Aiva 🙂
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At disneyworld there was this ride that had wizard of oz in it. It was the great movie ride and I miss it til this very day. It showed great movies form the ole days of Hollywood. Lithe Hollywood now is well… not so great.
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What? They have that? Wish they kept it, love WiZard of Oz.
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I k it has scenes from that one and alien, and many of the greatest movies.
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The classics are the best.
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True
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So true. Amazing is how we make it. Happiness is all about appreciating what we already have around us.
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Well said. This pandemic has forced us to explore more of what’s in our backyard, and that’s been fun. It’s also forced us to be patient and to just slow down. Hope you had a wonderful Easter. Take care.
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Thanks. The pandemic opened many doors of opportunity to discover things and places that we didn’t consider before. Happy week ahead.
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Wow, those are amazing pics, and I truly appreciate you bringing the world to me during times of the pandemic. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks too. There is still adventures to experience with safety in mind. Just have to drive farther or do them on weekdays.
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Wonderful photos and great post. I agree, whichever country we live in there are gorgeous places to visit without the need to travel abroad just yet. With a bit of patience, we’ll be able to some time soon. I hope our leaders can resist the pressure put upon them to lift restrictions too soon.
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Thanks for the feedback. Discovering what’s closer helped a lot. Not planning to ride a plane yet till next year because there are stories of people knowingly riding planes infected. California Governor did well despite of the pressures from the non-believers of the virus threat, but others States are not that lucky. We are so close but everyone needs to be on board of herd immunity will be a possibility this year. Take care. Have an amazing week.
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Beautiful pictures. Makes me want to travel 🙂
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Thanks
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Doing well
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Thanks
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