2023 | The Travel Issue

As we ease our way back into the fast-paced, post-holidays work schedule, we thought we would take some time to reflect upon a few…more leisurely moments of 2022, from our staff travels.

Turkiye + Spain

Two of our teammates spent quality time in Turkiye. While Shima Sarafrazi spent most of her time exploring Istanbul, Ayse Elif Ozkan spent time in Istanbul and Bodrum as well as travelling in Spain—stopping in Granada to visit the Alhambra.

For Shima, spending quality time relaxing with her family was the primary objective as they toured the sites and enjoyed the vibrant street life of Istanbul—to say nothing of the coffee and treats!

Looking to take advantage of every moment, Ayse punctuated her daily remote work routine in Istanbul with mealtime adventures along the Bosphorus Strait—oft accompanied by friendly new, feline friends.

In Spain she dedicated a entire day in Barcelona to explore all-things-Gaudi.

Back in Turkiye, a beach tip to Bodrum, in the Mugla Province, left Ayse awe-struck; working from a beach house with “the most beautiful office view I have ever known. With perfect weather and a light breeze, I was out on the terrace 24/7. My PTO days were spent swimming in the Aegean, jumping off a sailboat to swim to remote islands, and eating some of the best food I’ve ever had.”

Singapore

Further East, June Wong traveled to her native Singapore en route to Japan. After making time to revisit some of her favorite places on the island, she headed to Tokyo and then on to Kyoto and Nara. While there, June took notice of a prevalent theme: immersion.

Whether walking through the sublime, temple landscapes of Kyoto, or the hilly streetscapes of the Nara prefecture, June was profoundly aware of the power of these places. In the Shinto tradition, harmony between the physical and the spiritual is prioritized in the creation of all man-made places; such harmony is intended to achieve a deep an meaningful place for ALL [beings and otherwise].

The culmination of this experience for June was a fully-immersive art installation: #teamlab’s Planets experience. Check it out here!

Alaska

Even further east, in the western-most US state, cruise enthusiast and animal lover Lynn Murphy, got to enjoy both on a cruise along the Alaska coastline.

From whale watching, otter-spotting, and sea lion sighting in Icy Strait Point to sight seeing in Sitka—including trips to the Raptor Center rehab hospital for native birds and the Fortress of the Bear sanctuary—Lynn was fully in her element. Additional stops on her journey included Skagway, an intact gold-rush town, Hubbard Glacier—the largest tidewater glacier in North America, and Seward, from whence she and her family braved a winding bus ride through breathtaking, mountainous scenery before boarding their plane home from Anchorage.

Europe

In other international travel, Prova Zaman-Haque celebrated her birthday with family in Italy while Russell Zung took his family on a 26-day, epic tour of France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and Austria.

Prova, no stranger to Italy, split her time between Rome and Florence. As Prova, her brother, and her parents all live on different continents, a destination meet-up is an extra special occasion. In addition to visiting must-see sights such as the Coliseum, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain, Prova made a long overdue visit to Vatican City. On a day trip to Florence, Prova and her family explored Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo and Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

Not unlike spending time with one’s family, “there is a lovely saying about Rome that when it comes to the city, non basta una vita – a lifetime is not enough. I can’t wait to be back in Italy again with my loved ones.”

Russell Zung, serial straight-shooter, recounted his itinerary as follows:

• 26 Days

• 4 Countries: France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria.

• 9+ Cities: Paris, Lyon, Annecy/Argonay, Geneva, Wengen [Alps], Lucerne, Bern, Vaduz, Vienna

• 348,150 steps covering 180 miles

Mexico + The Caribbean

Closer to home, Shalena Dupree celebrated her graduation from Howard University along the Riviera Maya in Mexico while Eleanor Kraus was cruising the Bahamas as a first mate and chef for her brother, the captain of a chartered catamaran.

With a mandate of pursuing some serious R+R, Shalena and a group of her college besties spent their days in nature and their nights among the lights of the Hotel Xcaret resort. The trip was not only a celebration of the group’s accomplishment as recent graduates, but also their efforts in staying connected throughout the pandemic. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all!

Eleanor, generally regarded as MV+A’s ‘hostess-with-the-most-est’, opted to spend her vacation time as the culinary crew of a 52-foot catamaran. Working alongside her brother, the two treated a family of six to a voyage across the sea of Abaco, dropping anchor in Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay and the lovely harbor at Hopetown on Elbow Cay. “One hilarious stop was on the mostly uninhabited island of No Name Cay, which has a classic Bahamian Bar, but the main attraction is a unique wildlife refuge that is home to very friendly, wild, pigs! These funny little residents greeted us on the beach when we came ashore, and behaved like a pack of short, chubby dogs, begging for treats, and looking for belly rubs! – I’m definitely hoping to do this again!”