Sharone launched her travel blog called Povecham 3 years ago. Through this blog, she reviews the most popular photos from different destinations and goes there to find out if they are true or not. It is also the starting point for off-road visits and original trips. Sharon told us about her latest favorites, including Curaçao.
How did you come up with the idea to launch this blog?
Sharone: "This blog was born from the coffee machine discussions of my work. Every time I announced my holiday destinations, I found myself confronted with many prejudices from my colleagues. And my companion, who travels with me, found himself in similar situations. These were silly remarks such as, for example, "In Italy, we only eat pizza and pasta. "In Brittany, it rains all the time. "That's how we came up with the idea of launching a travel blog that would go beyond prejudice. Before each trip, we announce the destination on our blog and ask Internet users what pictures they have in mind about the destination in question. Then when we are there, we organize our stay around these clichés, we try to know if they are real or not and, especially, if there are other interesting things to discover around. »
You have named your blog "Povecham", what does that word mean?
Sharone: "It's just a fun and different term that avoided using the word "travel" for the umpteenth time. But etymologically "Po-ve-cham" is 3 words in Hebrew that mean "here and there" So finally "Povecham" means "what we think of here from there."
Of all the trips you have made, which ones have had the most impact on you?
Sharone: "It's hard to choose, because we've travelled a lot, but the latest one was Curaçao. It's a little hidden jewel. We almost don't want to talk about it, because we'd like to keep it to ourselves. It was really good, it is a destination in the Caribbean unknown to the French and a real little paradise. Articles about Curaçao will soon be posted on the blog! »
Can you tell us more about Curaçao?
Sharone: "When we said we were going to Curacao, everyone told us about the blue liquor of the same name that you find in cocktails (laughs). In fact, this liqueur was named Curaçao in reference to the magnificent blue of Curaçao's waters!
Curaçao is a small island just over 50 km from Venezuela, well below the other Caribbean islands. Generally, we know more about its sister islands which are Bonaire and Aruba. All year round, it is 28 degrees with a pleasant little wind. So it's a very good plan.
We chose to go to Curacao because we love the Caribbean and we wanted to get off the beaten track. The advantage is that it is an easily accessible country with direct flights from Amsterdam, since it is a former Dutch colony. The country has been independent for less than 10 years, but has maintained good relations with the Netherlands. The island is only 50 km long and you only need to rent a car to really travel it. »
What can be discovered on site?
Sharone: "We left for 10 days and, even if we like relaxing on the beach, we also like discovering the local culture and Curacao is also rich in cultural visits. Willemstad, the island's only city and capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an amazing architecture, the buildings are similar to those found in Amsterdam, but they are colourful. It's really nice to walk around there, it feels like a theatre setting. As in all Caribbean islands, Curaçao has an important cultural heritage in general. For example, the inhabitants speak four languages: Dutch, English, Spanish and Papamiento, which is a joyful mixture of all these languages.
Beyond the cultural aspects, Curaçao is also home to miles and miles of superb beaches
Is life expensive on Curaçao?
Sharone: "Yes, it is quite expensive as it is often on the islands. It is an island that was in the Dutch fold only ten years ago. So the standard of living is equivalent to what can be found in Europe. You can pay in dollars, euros and florins, the local currency, but you are charged rates that are similar to those in Europe for accommodation and restaurants. We can still save money by eating street food. On the housing side, you can find some unusual things. For example, we slept in an old ice cream factory, which was transformed into a hotel, and we can see pictures from the time of the factory. »
Did you fall in love with another destination?
Sharone: "We really liked South Korea. We loved Korean culture, which is a mixture of modernity and tradition. The peninsula is small and very well served so you can quickly get a fairly complete overview of the country. We were able to do everything from megacities like Seoul to temples lost in the mountains. We stayed in a temple with monks and ate vegetarian dishes in total silence while getting up at 5am to attend religious ceremonies. »
What are the next destinations you will explore for your blog?
Sharone: "In September, we go on a road trip to Andalusia and visit all the most beautiful cities in this region. I lived in Spain and I never had the opportunity to go there so it's a dream I've wanted to realize for a long time. I look forward to it. »
Do you have any income from your blog?
Sharone: "We don't want to live off it, it's a choice, because my husband and I both work in areas we love. And as I am in the digital world, my experience is also used to develop my blog in the end. »
To follow Povecham's blog: https://povecham.com
Find the full interview by listening to the podcast here
