The journey of riding a motorbike to Lisbon started in Bali, Indonesia, where I had just learned to ride a scooter. 2 months before the trip I asked my heart, "Where to next?" That morning I literally woke up from a dream, having seen myself riding a motorbike across Europe: Destination Lisbon, Portugal (a place I knew no one & had never been).
2 months after the dream I arrived to France, bought a used Honda Innova (aka Honda Wave 125cc), learned how to ride it and set out for Portugal...following google maps & the courage of my heart along winding country roads, 6-lane highways and busy city streets.
I named my motorbike “Joy” despite the fact that she broke down in Spain, 9km from Portugal in the middle of nowhere, forcing me to push her 12km...until a woman from little Spanish town precariously agreed to tow me to mechanic via a bungee-cord and chain; where I was able to get professionally towed to Motodiana Honda in Evora, Portugal...a historic UNESCO World Heritage village where beauty resplendently resides in the places and people...after “Joy” was miraculously brought back to life, I set out for Lisbon, “Joy” actually breaking down 40km outside Evora as if I wasn't suppose to leave (Motodiana came and adjusted fuel valve roadside), and so onward I rode.
Lisbon felt like the quote, "It is the journey, not the destination.” Traversing back through Portugal, Spain, France, I made my way north east to Switzerland, destination Zurich (to meet-up with my amazing friend who I met in Bali), then north east up Germany, Bavaria, across to Vienna, Austria, south to Hungary, Slovenia, touching into Triste, Italy before going down through Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, crossing Albania, Greece, and then back up to Italy; battling virulent winds, torrential rain, light snow, burning hot to freezing cold temperatures, countryside dirt roads to old cobblestone castle pathways...making my way back to Monaco, where life as I knew it would never be the same...for I had learned that in being connected to my heart, I became connected to everyone, each country and culture, person and place apart of me though an infinite succession of shared heartbeats and moments made magic by the willingness and openness to live in love and find joy no matter the matter.
Honored to be the 1st woman to ride (7,580 Miles, 12,200 Kilometers) on a 125cc motorcycle through 15 countries in Europe.
Instagram: @lifetravelstolove
Facebook: Seanna Marie
