One life, live it! The Big Moroccan Adventure!

One Life, Live it!

3 weeks later, thousands of miles later, I am back from my overland adventure from London to Morocco, using all modes of transport - except planes.

How was it? Brilliant.

Myself, Smita, my son Parus (who is 4 going on 14) and my daughter Aashima who is 11 months (and the very reason we went by land!) are exhausted physically (well myself and Smita are), but mentally relaxed and have a treasure trove of memories. After all, at the end of the day, it is our memories that count.

So where did we go?

Surrey-Portsmouth-Bilbao-Valdepenas-Estepona-Algeciras-Tangiers- Meknes-Fes-Marrakech-Tangiers-Algeciras-Seville-Salamanca-Bilbao-Portsmouth-Surrey

How did we go?

We took our car on the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao ( a 30 hour crossing) - my least favourite part of the trip. I realised early on the ship that cruising is not for me, stuck on a ship, with nowhere to go, is not my idea of fun, so future overland trips will have as little ship travel as possible.

We drove through Spain, left out car in Algeciras, took the short ferry to Tangiers and Morocco was covered via train....pretty good trains indeed (including the sleeper)

Key Highlights

There are so many to mention, but they include:

1. The chav's on the ferry who go on a 60 hour cruise - Portsmouth to Bilbao return for a £99 mini cruise and get stinkingly drunk, a really interesting part of British culture
2. Delicious Tapas in Valdepenas (Wine region of Spain)
3. Club Sandwiches by the pool after a long 7 hour drive
4.Arrival into Tangiers via ferry, and getting hassled for taxi's. i love their front
5. The roof terrace on La Tangerina hotel in tangiers - with amazing views of Tangiers (makes me feel like Jason Bourne in the Bourne Ultimatum!)
6. The chicken heads being chopped off in various Souks
7. The medieval city of Fes - a different world
8. Riad 9 - in Fes, our favourite riad we stayed at - and the wonderful Attika for putting up with us- check out the website
9.Shopping for carpets in Fes (yes we did buy some!) and the haggling!
10. The arrival in Marrakech to see other family members join us for a few days
11. Seeing Jardin Majorelle again
12. The hammam at La Maison Arabe.....very cool indeed
13. The train journey overnight from Marrakech to tangiers
14. Finding our car in Algerciras in one piece and in tact
15. Seville, my favourite Spanish city, my 6th visit there!
16. The prettiness of Salamanca
17. The amazing Guggenheim museum in Bilbao...simply stunning and interesting
18. Reaching home to see my dad and to sleep in my bed!

Plus a few hundred more experiences, which will stay with me forever, most importantly spending this time with my loved ones!

Watch out for my next overland trip....

The Adventure Starts Here

Today i am off on a true adventure with my family. My little daughter cannot fly due to health reasons, but that won't stop the Mehra family with their travels and adventures. 2 adults (well kind of, Smita and I) and two young kids, one four year old and one 10 month year old. Call us insane or adventurous, one thing for sure, this will be very exciting!

Travel is in my blood, having done a lot of travelling in my earlier years. Travel broadens the mind, and has taught me much about my life and existence. Anyway my philosophy is for another day.

We are heading to Morocco via land. We are taking the following route:

Portsmouth to Bilbao (2 nights on the boat)

Then we drive through Spain with our car over a 2 night period down to Algeciras,

We leave the car in Algeciras, and then grab a boat to Tangier.

Then via Moroccan trains, we travel to Fes, Meknes and Marrakech....

and then we do it all again on our return!

I cannot wait to go on this adventure, we don't really have a destination in mind, just the fact that the journey is the destination!!!

Don't let your life go by focusing just on the destination and goal...always remember to appreciate NOW, as NOW can go away in a heartbeat!

Upon my return get ready for my explosion in words!

No-one will look after yor money as well as you will!

Visit here to read the latest Samera newsletter - i think you will enjoy it!
have fun!
arun

Investment Strategies

Investment Strategies

The last few weeks I have begun to put my investment strategy hat back on! As you may know, I used to be part of a leading Equity analyst team when i used to work back in the City. I was on Bloomberg, in the FT....and was one of those "experts".

Although I left the market then, as i had desires to be my own boss, i was the grounded in the essentials of stock analysis. Of course i don't have a crystal ball, but my knowledge and more importantly my application of the knowledge is nice and strong.

Some of you may feel this is a tangent from my business expertise, but i argue that this compliments my expertise as someone who can advise a client base on how to get a best return on your capital.

Whether you want to set up a practice, or buy a practice, one must also consider the longer term strategy of whether one could get a better return by investing into other areas such as shares, gold or sugar!

I personally feel now is a great time to start investing, yes the markets are volatile, but volatility allows for some real short and long term gains!

Watch this space for some new exciting developments!

Being right

Not trying to sound arrogant or full of it, my business history to date has rarely been wrong. I have worked hard, and studied from the best, and despite making many mistakes I feel i have the knowledge, experience and ability to get most things right.

I personally feel the economic climate is not strong. However, this should not deter one. Opportunity is plenty, you just need to know where to look. Whether it is within your business or elsewhere.

Drawing of my experience of the markets, I am certain this is the right time to invest. The professionals are now coming back in to the market, this is a sure sign to take some action. It's not going to be a straight line up, the ride will be bumpy, but it's going to be an exciting journey upwards. I have never felt more certain of this...and am sure I will be right!

Ignore what the media says, and go with your gut feeling. Nine times out of ten, your gut will provide you with the right answer.

Watch this space!

Saving the world

well a website that is pretty damn interesting....

http://www.breathingearth.net/

thanks gavin

Now is the right time to invest

"You should get greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy"

Warren Buffett, Berkhire Hathaway

The markets are down, people are losing jobs, and there seems to be endless fear in the market. All the news is dominated by this depression (economic and emotional), however, just one thing highlights to me that this presents an opportunity. As Warren Buffet puts it in his quote, when everyone is fearful is the time to get greedy!

What is this opportunity?

Historic FTSE 100 Graph

Take a look at the graph and this will tell you the answer. Got it?

Maybe?

If not, the graph highlights one simple fact. The FTSE 100 index is almost at its lowest level for the last 10 years. 2002-03 highlighted one such low, but since then the market has risen and now fallen to an extremely low level now.

This to me presents an opportunity. Call it foolish, bold or plain right stupid, but my gut, as well as my brain tells me NOW (not next year) is the time to start getting back in to shares.

Yes, the economy is not in great shape, and the rest of the world is struggling along too, but, you and I know there are quality shares out there to buy, it is just a matter of knowing which ones to buy.

Just yesterday, I have taken a personal stake in some quality companies, such as Tesco and BP, based on historic analysis as well as trading action, but also just looking at the fundamentals of such companies. People need fuel and need food.

So which other shares?

I am writing as a former leading City Analyst. I left the City 6 years back as a Vice President of Equities (that means shares to you and me) and now feel that this time NOW, presents a buying opportunity for those bold enough to take that position.

If you want to learn more about getting into equities, and making the right investment decisions in these tough economic times then you had better come along to my "Master your wealth...even in a recession!" seminar on the 26th March, I can assure you that you won't regret it!

Click here to find out more details! and if you book by close of Wednesday 11th March you get an extra £50 off! Just quote MYW50 to get your discount.