A Day in Malaga, Spain: Our Adventure Begins
Andy and I took a Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus after I made a quick list of three must-see places. We thought this was a good way to keep our day simple…

Our Must-See List, Keeping it Simple
🏰Gibralfaro Castle
🛒Atarazanas Central Market
⛪️Basílica de Santa María de la Victoria

The Cruise Ship Crowd Invasion
There were three cruise ships in port, meaning about 8000 swarming tourists and completely full HOHO…and Disney-style crowds and lines to get into everything (including the HOHO buses).

Finding Solitude at the Basilica
We hopped off at the loneliest stop. We had a great time at the Basilica de Santa María de la Victoria. We were almost alone. It was the last peaceful and lonely visit we had to any church! It was gorgeous!

A Tasty Stop at a Local Cafe
Across the street was a small cafe bar where we snacked on delicious empanadas and cafe con leches. There was almost no people watching!

Gibralfaro Castle: Overwhelmed by Tourists
We arrived at Gibralfaro Castle and walked around it. It was flooded with tourists waiting in long lines for entry tickets to its central areas. We walked away to the market.

The Chaos of Mercado Atarazanas
Mercado Atarazanas was so crowded, a local complained that he couldn’t walk to his usual stalls to shop. Shopping was impossible. Seeing the architecture was impossible. Andy and I left after trying to walk and browse maybe a half aisle of miscellaneous stalls, most selling foods we couldn’t cook anyway.

Souvenir Shopping Woes
Did we want souvenirs? Not really. Every port has so many souvenir shops! It’s sad that nowadays most of the stuff is mass-produced. What you get in one shop is the same you get in all of them. It takes a lot of work to find something actually made in the area (besides food).

Discovering Local Treasures
We found a delicious seafood tapas and wine restaurant. We then spent a little while in a bazaar shop. I found little practical things that I didn’t find in Miami. Andy actually bought Pirula some dog toys!!!!!! Instead of souvenirs, we bought stuff we will use at home. Those are the best kinds of souvenirs, anyway.

Wrapping Up Our Day
That was our day in Malaga, Spain.

If you'd love to see what was in my sketchbook kit, please check out my free ebook about my drawing kit! Click on these sentences to get your supply lists in time for holiday shopping!
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Discover the Magic of Coffee Cat Cafe in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and, of course, its world-renowned coffee. Nestled in the heart of this tropical paradise is a hidden gem for coffee lovers and cat enthusiasts alike – the Coffee Cat Café in Uvita. This unique cafe offers a cozy atmosphere where the love of coffee meets the love of cats, creating a delightful experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. The Coffee Cat Café proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee while there’s various treats for everyone. 

More Than Just a Cafe
While the coffee and menu at Coffee Cat Cafe is certainly a highlight, it’s not the only reason people visit. The cafe is also home to several friendly cats who love nothing more than to curl up on a sunny windowsill or on the lap of a willing guest. For animal lovers, this adds an extra layer of warmth to the already inviting atmosphere. The cats are well cared for and are an integral part of what makes the cafe so special. At Coffee Cat Cafe, proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee, There’s something on the menu for every palate.

A Cozy, Relaxing Atmosphere for both Cats and Humans
The interior of Coffee Cat Cafe is designed to feel like a home away from home. With comfy seating, soft lighting, and plenty of nooks and crannies to settle into, it’s the perfect place to relax with a good book or catch up with friends. The walls are adorned with local artwork, and the soft hum of conversation mingles with the gentle purring of cats, creating a soothing background soundtrack to your visit. The cats live here, while waiting to find their forever homes, with their indoor boxes, cushions and shelves. 
 
If you love cats but are allergic like me, there’s a nice covered patio area to enjoy outside. It’s purrrfect for painting classes, too!  

Supporting the Community
Coffee Cat Cafe is committed to supporting the local community in Costa Rica. They regularly host events that art events and local holidays. They also collaborate with local animal shelters to promote the adoption of cats and raise awareness about animal welfare. When you visit Coffee Cat Cafe, you’re not just enjoying a great cup of coffee; you’re also contributing to a community that values sustainability, art, and compassion for animals. Their cat themed gifts range from toys to lucky cats for the cat lover and cats in your life. I'm honored to have my own Goofy Cat Paintings hanging out with their real ones! !

Visit Coffee Cat Cafe Today!
Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler passing through Costa Rica, Coffee Cat Cafe is a must-visit destination. Come for the coffee, stay for the cats, and leave with a smile. 
 
Please see their website at coffeecatcr.com for more information on their menu, events, address, and opening hours.
 
So why wait? Grab your favorite book, bring a friend, book a Café Cocktail Cat Painting Class, and head to Coffee Cat Cafe for a unique experience that blends the best of Costa Rican coffee culture and treats with the joy of spending time with furry friends. 

We went on a transAtlantic Cruise in April - May of 2024. 
We didn't advertise or share photos before or during our trip. We live in a place that house and pet sitters are recommended...so for our safety and those who help us, we just stay quiet on social media when we travel. 

I'm also pretty bad about taking photos. Since visiting Paris in 2011, sketchbooks are how I capture places I visit. 

Our first port was Funchal, Portugal.
Andy likes to say we visited the African continent because technically, Funchal is on the tectonic plate of Africa. Ok with me!
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Exploring Funchal: Our First Stop
We walked around with our friends Dave and Kay. They’ve been here before, so they led the way. Lucky me, a beer and pastry stop was planned…that stop being close to a pen and stationery shop…since my single fountain pen (or pen at all) ran out of ink within steps of the port.

​A Stroll with Friends in Funchal
The painted doors in the streets of Funchal’s oldest section were AWESOME. From ugly graffiti tags to almost fine art, I would’ve loved to photograph most of them. I leave the photos to Andy. I’ll stick to postcards and sketching.
Beer, Pastries, and a Pen Predicament
I didn’t try to buy any fountain pen at all in Funchal. Choosing a ballpoint is quicker! I want nice, prefer a happy color barrel, and definitely retractable with blue ink. Dave and Andy had time for a pastry and a beer while Kay patiently browsed the shop with me.
Discovering the Painted Doors of Funchal
After wandering the streets a bit, we sampled some delicious Portuguese port wines. We all agreed the aged 10 years was the best.

The Great Pen Hunt
If you care to look closely, you can see the ink and line quality changes in my sketchbook. You can tell when I stopped using my fountain pen and when I used a ballpoint.
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Sipping on Portuguese Port Wine
Funchal turned out to be more than just a first stop; it was a delightful mix of unexpected finds, good company, and new experiences. I can’t wait to see what our next destination has in store!

Sketchbook Tales: From Fountain Pen to Ballpoint
All in all, our adventure in Funchal was a colorful and flavorful experience. From the charming painted doors to the delicious pastries and the rich, aged port wine, every moment added a unique touch to our travel story. And yes, even the pen switch-up had its charm – it’s all part of the fun of exploring new places with friends!

Do you want to draw more?! 
Do you wonder what I use for sketching while traveling or just around my local area? Over the years, I've made my kit smaller and smaller. There's an ebook, free, with art sketching and drawing and coloring supplies resources here! You can get it just by sharing your email address. I promise, even our cats Mani, Niki, and dog Pirula doesn't get to know who's on my email list! Get it here!

Oh the ways a monkey can look!

You'll have to decide if this is a troop of 15 monkeys...or just one monkey showing up 15 times with different feelings, lol! 

Every monkey has its own background. Most of these backgrounds were accidental by my pulling a print or cleaning my palette. They are too interesting to destroy, but too boring alone. 

Hey, hey, I thought of (capuchin) monkeys!

Every monkey face is based on a stencil I designed and handout from a photo I took at a local restaurant. The restaurant's trees are often visited by capuchin monkeys, like the ones (or one?) featured here. 

Love monkeys? Then you're lucky! 

You can adopt these monkeys 15 Monkey Hi-Thinks Monkeys Designs by Angeline Marie Martinez or
Download to paint your own monkey or
Download your own monkey to color or
Schedule a class to paint your monkey with me or
ignore the monkeys and see what else is around my website, lol! 

Creative Reuse in the Art Studio
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery! 

Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!