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    1. Culture

    Barack Obama is having the best time on holiday

    Finally letting loose after eight years as President

    Jenny Proudfoot's avatar
    By Jenny Proudfoot
    Published 8 February 2017 In Buying Guides

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    Finally letting loose after eight years as President

    Barack Obama dealt with the Trump presidency in the best way possible, flying off with Michelle for a very well-deserved and long-overdue holiday, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration.

    The couple headed to the British Virgin Islands to stay with Richard Branson and we can’t believe how much of a good time they seem to be having.

    Barack Obama holiday

    Jack Brockway/ Virgin.com

    While Trump seems to look increasingly tired and stressed with each day as President, Obama on the other hand is looking younger and happier than he has in a while. He was even caught on camera looking the epitome of cool, sporting a backwards cap, shades and a pair of flipflops.

    Richard Branson wrote about the trip in a blog post, entitled: Richard vs Barack – kiteboard and foilboard challenge.

    ‘It was a huge honour to be able to invite President Barack and Michelle Obama down to the British Virgin Islands for a complete break after Barack finished his second term as President and the family left the White House,’ the blog post read.

    It continued: ‘One of the first stories Barack told me when he and Michelle arrived on Moskito Island was how, just before he became President, he had been surfing on a dangerous break in Hawaii. When he came in from an exhilarating session, the new head of his security team turned to him and said: “This will be the last time you surf for eight years.” For the next eight years he didn’t have the chance to surf, enjoy watersports or do many of the things he loved.’

    It seems only fitting, therefore, that the day after his presidency ended, Obama flew out to relax with Branson, where the business magnate and philanthropist taught the former President to foilboard. Yes, this happened – there’s even video proof.

    Richard published a video to his YouTube channel, entitled ‘Challenged President Obama to a kitesurf vs foilboard learning contest – here’s what happened’, and we can’t stop pressing replay.

    Image credits: Jack Brockway, www.virgin.com

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    Jenny Proudfoot
    Jenny Proudfoot
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    Contributing Features Editor

    Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

    In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.

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