Current Rock of Residence:
Sumbawa, Indonesia
Island Girl Since:
Birth. Current Rock, since 2015.
Originally Hails From:
Malta (island in the Mediterranean)
Gabrielle’s current home is the little known Indonesian island of Sumbawa. Its remote location is idyllic, albeit a bit too quiet on occasion with no bars, restaurants, or anything remotely resembling a social scene. After a lifetime in the corporate high-flying scene in London, she is now a member of the sarong-wearing, barefoot surf babes.
Gaby spends her time conquering waves, communing with the underwater world, and tending to her vegetable garden. Her creativity has finally been allowed to run riot in this silent, peaceful setting. She creates amazing culinary delights out of the limited produce available on the island. The sewing skills learnt in her childhood have been put to use creating colourful, whimsical bags out of clothes and other materials that wash up on the beach after a storm. Her blog about the construction of the beach house on this paradise island, Maison Gabrielle, has spurred her to take up writing and she is currently working on her first novel.
Explore posts by this writer:
Experiencing Culture Shock When Traveling Off Your Island
There is a certain excitement one gets when going on a road trip that you don't get when flying. Yes, you dread sitting in the car all day, but you can listen to music all day and eat snacks that you don’t normally eat and your journey often has several destinations....
Sunkissed Christmas
This year I’ll be celebrating my 11th Christmas on this beautiful island and my main goal for this holiday season is to make the perfect sand-snowman. I can assure you that this is a task far more difficult than Pinterest or Instagram would have you believe. Last...
Christmas on Saba
It’s quiet out. And dark. The colourful street lights are up in each of the four villages of Saba, Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas is playing, the tree is up, half hiding the presents underneath and the house smells of home-made cooking. It’s Christmas time...
My Love Letter to The Sea – How we are harming it and how we can protect it
I like the sea. That might be an under-statement: I really really love the sea. I love to see the different shades of blue, azure, turquoise and green. I love to take a stroll along the shoreline, barefoot, feeling the waves lapping over my toes, with various grades...
In Praise of Real Food
Island food culture is a wonderful riot, to be savoured and enjoyed. When we first came on island I was surprised by the food fusion between American, British and Caribbean fare. You would easily find an overblown pot of peanut butter alongside a similar-sized jar of...
How To Be An Annoying Tourist
The cruise ship horns are blasting. The streets are bustling with wide-eyed people donned in Hawaiian print. The smell of aerosol sunscreen spray fills the hot tropical air and stings your eyes. This can only mean one thing...peak tourist season is upon us. The...
