20.8.15 - St Gallen | Konstanz | Bregenz | Feldkirch | Eschen | St Gallen

Arrived from Australia two days ago, life goes on.Yesterday Ana and João went to their jobs, Carmen went to London and I went to Zurich with Zio. At this time the Zio is already home and I'm still in Switzerland.Life goes on and adventures as well. After being in a country where, to see a third, would have to travel more than 8000 kilometers; now I only need only 30 minutes to be in 4 different countries.So the day started to go to St Gallen to the shores of Lake Bodensee. A mass of peaceful water, light blue, huge, touching three countries: Switzerland, Germany and Austria.In the distance, looked at the lake, I could see sails, many, most white and some colored. Sailboats and other recreational regatta, fast, able to tear up the water and make the union of the three states in seconds.The road to Konstanz in Germany, came with scalloped margins and crosses some fancy places. Rolls Royce and Ferraris crossed me, I passed a stand that had a Alfa Romeo 155 DTM and more eccentric, a tank; it is a joke, it was a tank but led by Swiss troops.Reached Konstanz I came across a typical German city - or Austria or Northern Italy - which in addition to traditional buildings, the city center is experienced by people with high street shopping and proximity, not seeing large surfaces. Note that in addition to the beauty of the city that enters the water, there is economic and nature sustainability .Konstanz follow to Bregenz, across the lake in Austria. Halfway I stopped at a Lidl to buy bread, sausage and drinks for lunch: I felt at home.Bregenz is smaller than Konstanz but also beautiful and focusing capability that gives you the Bodensee, the economic and tourism level. I went through the city, went to see the sales in designer shops and author of clothes.In the afternoon I went to Feldkirch.A very cozy village, much dolls style houses, entrenched between mountains, crossed by a river.With the sun lie on the horizon was time to go to Eschen, in Lichenstein, get the car owner to get back to St Gallen.In a few minutes, four countries. I love Europe!

The Austro-Hungarian Empire

I begin this chronicle with an apology: last Thursday, just a biased chronicle of day, writing in the staircase Memmingen airport departure lounge with the promise he would make an overview of the trip in on Friday. I´m sorry i haven´t time and head.
Since Friday I went into the normal rhythm of work who was one week away from the office. At Loba, top it off with a new desk, the stack of client meetings, emails and projects to analyze were more than many.
There was no head because whenever I come ride, especially from countries in Central Europe, I get a colossal hangover. I love Portugal and be Portuguese, but contact with people - middle class - who live well, not ostentatious way, they face the future with hope, makes me think of all that we suffered in recent years. When I travel through forests and see business in these forests such as tourism, honey, berries and I think that in our country the forests serve to plant eucalyptus, forgetting the traditional mounted, the stone pine, oak, chestnut , etc., I feel sad.
Travel the world first-call, as I did on this trip - Germany and Austria - and other previous - Switzerland, Denmark or Sweden, to name a few recent examples - helps me realize what is strategy, territory planning and above all political; at its most real and pure term.
They don´t destroy mountains to pass a highway, especially if no one is spending it. Don´t see wind fans in unique landscapes and world heritage. They don´t build on lakes and small towns do not have buildings of 10 floors next to single-story houses. The local products are sold in fairs and markets without control over an economic police, promoting agriculture towards sustainability and better remuneration for producers. Ect., Etc .. Don´t see a series of errors that proliferate around here.
However I know that Portugal, unlike the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, suffered a major civilizational late on twentieth century. It was a long dictatorship and nouveau-riche atrocious. But if we look good examples out there, we can still recover.
Leaving a hangover aside and returning to trip, start by telling why, instead of a bike I drove a car. The bike I had rented, after all, was not available and an equal but in another station cost me double. The budget doesn`t stretch but I need to make a style trip. With a car could "earn" a day trip and, therefore, to see another city.
So, nothing better than renting a convertible. A beauty TT  that with stickers - especially the heart of Chel and Drew - was to kill for. All week with top down, whether it was cold or heat, sun or rain. Always in style and sunbathing.
Attention, here began one of the travel problems and, therefore, advise one thing: always rent a car on an international company and be careful with rental conditions. I can´t say here, is for the talks, but i dreved a few days as an out-of-law!
The route of the trip ranged between nature and cities with history. The Alps, the Tyrol, the Austrian lakes or the Hungarian Balaton.
City-states like Salzburg, the beautiful Ljubljana, Buda and Pest, Vienna or the cosmopolitan Munich will be forever in my memory until the day of return.
As you know I often travel alone and this time was no exception. It's great to meet people like Bilal, but loneliness can affect; and this time affected.
In the lectures I give about motivation I often say I can not be in the middle of a trip and think, "I want to leave." This time it happened. I suffered and wanted to leave. I suffered and didn´t know what to do.
With monologues and a giant phone bill for Spain and Switzerland, I keep going. I took refuge in the best of me, the purpose of the journey and not think about anything else. I focused and stick with the plan.
My head is still there; but I have new goals, new projects.
Within a month I go to Australia but, by then, will emerge news.
As the trip data is more than 2,100 km traveled, 7 days trip, 246 km / h top speed with roof down, 257 km / h with the roof on top. Hostels, local food and lots of beer.
Auf Wiedersehen.

18.6.15 - Munich

This adventure end. What adventure!
But before doing an overview, I`ll tell you last night and day in Munich.
At the hostel I stay in a room with Laura - Argentina - Bilal - Canadian with Pakistani origin - and Ben, US. All very talkative, with Laura in Spanish and others in English.
I went to dinner with Bilal to Marianplatz and we talk about trips. Bilal is 19 years old and will work a month in Slovenia. Takes advantage of the holidays to meet new cultures and countries, while friends still in Canada.
After that we return to the hostel bar for a solid proof of Augustina and Franciscan. Then I met a British crazy by Formula 1 and Tiago Monteiro fnas. I also met a Swedish couple and two American. Travelling, experiences, recommending places to each other was our conversation.
This morning, like every German, I bought the metro ticket and visit the town. I could not have done it, as there is no turnstiles to pass or reviewers. Similarly, at the BMW Museum, I paid the ticket and there was no door. Whoever wanted to could come.
Tube stations are very beautiful, like authentic art installations; especially Muncher Freiheit.
I left the University and walked to Giselestrasse where I could see the city Arch and, later, the statue of WalkingMan.
The BMW Museum at present it is not quite a car museum. It is an architecture masterpiece dedicated to the customer, or potential customer, brand, telling him a story of engineering, design and technology. Before entering the museum, you are almost invited to go to the BMW space where all the group's products: from the smallest bike with training wheels for children, to the more aristocratic Rolls Royce, through M family or beautiful models of two wheels . Without forgetting Mini and all the merchandising that is there, inviting the fan using the brand it in several occasions: from a bottle of water, Puma sneakers for jogging, cases for smartphones, suitcases, toys, clothing, etc etc.
In the museum I saw cars and beautiful bikes. Unfortunately not seen any competition Art Car. Fortunately, and with great pride, the M3 GTR 24 hours of Nurburgring winner was exposed, with the flag of Portugal and Lamy name as the first driver.
I returned the city center to climb a tower and, at noon sharp, hear the bells of Marianplatz.
The farewell Munich before returning to pick up the TT were few beers and pork knuckle sandwiches greaves market.
Right now I'm at the airport in Memmingen and I am about to embark. How about the overview of the trip staying for tomorrow? Deal



?!

17.6.15 - Salzburg | Innsbruck | Munich

Today I woke up at dawn, a sign that I´m adapting to Central Europe time table and exposure to the sun. Thankfully, I take better day.
Salzburg was gray but nevertheless I open the car-roof. The route would be "to enjoy" and nothing better to do it with the sky as ceiling.
I went from Salzburg to Innsbruck and then to Munich without trampling highway Uáu!.
Mountains, valleys, lakes, peaks with snow; cows, sheep, horses; despite the TT snoring, I could hear the chirping of birds, and see major wings to fly over the sky. How wonderful!
Strolling through the Alps not hard to imagine where they come from all the fantastic legends with Broomhilda, Hansel and Gretel, or where Strauss was inspired to compose if the Blue Danube or Spring Voices.
Come to Innsbruck, the idea was to see the city. However, when I saw ski jumps stadium, I could not resist to go there. Surprised me the space, the TV looks much bigger and wider. I was lucky to see athletes training and could see up close for the first time, the flight of bats. Then up to the complex's restaurant terrace and I had an overview of the Alps. Beautiful!
The road between Innsbruck and Munich's is to dream for. By little curves and for being virtually made next to a lake of clear green water.
With such scenery, I stopped at the Panorama restaurant and I was meditating on the water. I think it served me a breaded and the beer was good. But that was the least important.
This road crossed me with hundreds of bikes of all kinds and shape, with all possible plates. I feel biker - despite being on four wheels - greeted them all as the staff of the bikes do.
Munich is chaotic, with works on all major arteries. Nevertheless, the city is essential. Huge churches, as well as the main buildings, showing the might of the Empire.
The city is multicultural, few Germans and I met on the street, in comparison with tourists and emigrants.
Speaking of emigrants, I saw a tiny manifestation, where a spokesman said the Islamic State was identical to National Socialism. Across side of manifestation, behind the riot police, a group of young people with Arab appearance were trying to make more noise than speaker. I think it would be more police than demonstrators, powders and against.
After strolling through the gardens along the river went to the market, drink a beer.
Tomorrow, before you go home, I go to the BMW museum.

11.6.15 - Memmingen | Salzburg

I went back to all four wheels!
By a series of mishaps, on this tour at the East, I don`t have a bike. However, the pleasure of taking air in the face is so much that ... I'll have an Audi TT.
As I left the airport, I stopped to put the stickers on the car. To the usual sponsors, I added a Rotary Club, the Cross Egypt Challenge and, for the unconditional support, a heart devoted to Chel and Drew.
After decorated car i made it to the road. I feel a child playing with the selector gear on the steering wheel. Just lke in a Playstation! In manual mode, reducing two speeds, it seems that you are a true race car: either by rotation or by rateres.
To Munich to lead a quiet 200 km / h. Not worth go faster. Then, traffic, rain and road works, considerably slowed down.
The first stage ended near Salzburg, a BB side of the highway.
Now it's time to rest tomorrow morning makes me the road on this mini GumBall 3000.

Time to plan

It's Friday and I´m leaving Loba office.
A few days ago I returned from tour in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, and barely made it, I felt like packing up and leaving for another adventure.
Yes, I know that may not be so, no time or money for everything but if I could ...
With everything set up for August: Singapore, Australia and a few days in Switzerland, we must consider what to do before and after.
At weekend I`ll see maps, analyze hostels, airline and motorcycle rental prices.
I`ll brood, or consider to be more correct for, in principle, take the wisest decision.
On discussion are two ways: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, on motorbike, alone. Jumping cities, knowing what we have to know in a breakneck pace.
Or part of  Camiño de Santiago, Via del Plata. Several days walking by Spain, knowing who passes thought in life, the way forward in Camiño. Here in group. But what group?
If it were you, what would you prefer?

5.5.15 - Hamburg

Hamburg is a fantastic city, in the true city and fantastic term. Not far behind other world cities, mixing his old  pompous with modern architecture, giving it a strength, a life that not all can boast. A city of pirates which is reinvented every day!
For dinner, Daniel showed me the Blockbraü, opposite the Elbe, with a superb terrace and a good beer. Nuremberg sausages with cabbage and beer tastes like heaven in early evening.
The view for the harbor, very industrial, very mechanical, marine, like any great platform should be, at dusk, with a reddish sun reflecting on brick and glass buildings, gave him a unique atmosphere, making it difficult to match. Following dinner beer still followed other after other, there in Blockbraü and in St. Pauli.
St.Pauli is a street where there is everything imaginable through the night: restaurants, bars with live music, strip bars, "red neon" bars, adults films cinemas, sex shops, art galleries with erotic themes, a steel installation in memory of the Beatles, etc. etc ..
I went to a very fancy, very fashion sexshop with worthy shades of best Venice carnival and bodices to remember Marie Antoinette. Beside, an art gallery with paintings of various authors who create sex scenes. Tourists and more tourists from various backgrounds of the globe, and it was noticed, with several experiences of it.
After this "sexual adventure," the only I must say, I went to a bar that was called "Indian Cowboy", which was full of pieces, guitars and posters to remember hard rock. The band was on stage had a look middle-aged guys, living their younger years: Harley t-shirts , jackboots, head scarves, sunglasses, earrings, playing Fender. The music? U2, Eagles and a few commercial hits. In fact, the people who really like Harleys have a taste a little doubtful; right Drew?!
The return to the hotel was underground, listening to the German version of "Ó Joana," from Marco Paulo. All people laughing and expense of it, I met Christiane, from Jena, making the evening more enjoyable for a few minutes.
The hostel ... has that style. I did not see or hear anything that was waiting. In fact, I had the best pillow trip and the breakfast this morning was very good. Speaking of breakfast, all that room appeared to have been taken from a film: red and purple velvet chairs, antique furniture, Edith Piaf on the sound system and, next to me, a couple: she blonde and too high, he was short, dark with a mustache to remember Hercule Poirot!
During the day was hot and sunny, 17 ° C, but interspersed with rain at lunchtime.
I walk through the city, the port, the monuments and churches, the canals and the lakes abound of swans, ducks and geese. So much life, so much color, architecturally well framed. By grandeur of the buildings I felt small. Hamburg is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and fancy city. I entered in art gallery to see Roy Lichenstein and other pop artists, see the latest news and products from Originals and went to a shoe store to see customize Hunter and Dr. Martens.
Want an advice? Go there, worth a quick getaway.

4.5.15 - Copenhagen | Hamburg

Yesterday, at the end of the day, once again, i went to sleep a nap before dinner.
After that, when i was looking for a restaurant at an affordable price - almost impossible in Copenhagen - saw a poster of a jazz club. I entered, I left running to go eat the first thing to appear ahead, and went back to get to watch a jam session, old-fashioned.
A saxophonist and fixed bass and drums and guitar were running. Great quality! The bar was full to the door, not even fit more people and everyone vibrate with music.
With that lay down more than what wanted but woke up at the same time: seven in the morning.
Contrary to what has been usual, today rain flashed down and therefore the trip was very wet. Before leaving the hostel put the rainsuit, to doesn`t get soaked. It looked like a sausage but at least it was dry.
With the rain and especially with the very wind that was felt - I got to ride almost 45 degrees in the middle of the highway - had to change the travel plan. So instead of going for Odense and cross the longest bridge in Europe (so they say, but I always suspect when they tell me "the greatest anything" or "the best in the world"), I went for Rodji, saving 140 km and can prevent further complications. That was Friday route. At the races I always knew that to win you need to end; Here, in order to write the adventures later in the day, rested in the hotel, I have to get right to it. So in the name of security, I changed the route.
En route linking Copenhagen to Hamburg bumped me with trucks Volkswagen and Peugeot of Swedish teams in the world Rallycross; I was also stopped because a truck was burning at full highway and blocked traffic.
But worst of all was the same wind. With the monster weight of Triumph, I had to stay maximum focused because the bike often literally followed the downwind, tired me physically and psychologically.
On the ferry was time to take the latest photos with decorated bike, since arrive to Hamburg went returns it to the Triumph.
When I was here on Thursday, the taxi driver advised me to clear the room I had booked at the Ibis and looking for another in the city center. So I did, scoring the cheapest hostel I found.
Between casinos, porn cinemas, sex shops, African fruit shops, kebab and other questionable hotels, is mine.
Here you hear a French from Ghana or Mali,  burcas like in Afghanistan, the better (or worse) of Eastern Europe, an entire underworld of multiculturalism that makes the free city of Hamburg has always been.
The outer shade of the hotel is blue but inside the predominant red, pink and black, carpeted with floral motifs and wallpaper to tend to the former. Abound gilded mirrors, "artistic" nude statues and photo, also naked. In one of the levels you have a former movable with various Kamasutra positions and the walls are leather and velvet.
For the first impression, I'm sure photos of this hotel came directly those of Taschen books, like "Motel Festiche".
The face of other guests, there are so many who came, like me, of deception; then there are others who seem to repeat customers.
As a friend of mine would say in such a situation: just spend the night alone if you want. Scary


!

1.5.15 - Hamburg | Copenhagen

Hamburg hostel was on the outskirts and had a bunk bed with a horrible mattress. He had set the alarm for seven-to-five was already awake ...
With that, I managed to leave the hostel at seven and have time to miss me for Hamburg before heading to Copenhagen. Literally.
Threatened rain but it didn`t appear until Fehmarn.The Triumph behaves like a luxury saloon, weighs, but with great engine. It has all possible and imaginary extras and provided a pleasant journey.
It was its size that caught the attention of a group of Germans who traveled to Sweden in its Maxi-Trail. "It's not too heavy?"; I let it fall, when we stopped at ferry and they helped lift can, of course, assess whether or not it was heavy. With that I got company on the journey to Copenhagen.
In Fehmarn, bikes access to Ferry, had a huge post full of stickers clubs, brands and other things related to motorcycles. I put the a Roadgalaxy sticker for the next travelers see it!
The ferry is a real frontier on water, dividing the German from Denmark, Baltic full. With free shops, restaurants and laser zones, 45-minute drive pass quickly.
Shortly after passing the border the rain appeared and quickly gave way to hail. One of the Germans shot out by the edge of the highway while trying to stop the bike. It was a sign and time to wear the rainsuit.
Windy and rain proceeded trip to Copenhagen. In the Danish capital we were treated to sunshine.
They went to Sweden and I stayed here.
The holtel, compared to yesterday is a five-star hotel. I left the bike there and went out to walk the center of Copenhagen.
I saw lakes, palaces, the Botanical Gardens, Tivoli. I drink a beer in Nyhavn.
In Copenhagen we can breathe calm.
On the street I was approached by two UNICEF boys to make themselves known to the organization. One was Nepalese; He was very touched when I asked how was his family ...
After all the emotions I returned to the hostel to tell them to you



and take a nap.

30.4.15 - Hamburg

Traveling is fantastic!
Today arrived late afternoon to Hamburg, a Ryanair flight and didn`t see the city; for tht, I wasn`t to write anything on the blog. And I don`t have pictures.
However happened to me two simply delicious things, those who clearly demonstrate why the pleasure of travel.
A few days ago, when i was chatting with a friend, she said that when I related travel only referred people and hardly ever the country. I said that countries still there and people make them special. And that's what happened.
I had combined with bike rental company that came to nine at night, since the plane landed at eight. However, the bags where delayed and I was couldn`t arrive in time to the shop. I called and attended a fax ...
At the door from Hamburg Airport I caught a taxi to take me to the place. The taxi driver, Indonesian, retired from  Siemens, where he worked for over thirty years as an engineer, who loves Portugal - Porto, S. Jacinto, Aveiro, Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais - , seeing my distress, tried to call the rental company. In vain.
Fortunately, when we arrived at the place, there were people waiting for me, also very friendly.
My friend Indonesian, as had done little for me, wait for me hand over the bike - a blue Triumph - and insisted on driving me to the hostel where I am at this time installed.
Wonder!
The hostel is on the outskirts of Hamburg, in a quiet street and where nothing happens. After making my bed and unload the bike bags, I went to dinner. I went into the first restaurant I saw: a Subway.
The owner or manager asked where I was from and when I said Portugal, made a party. When I told him I was going to ride a bike around, sympathy tripled; time to pay the sandwiches said "is on the house." He is Palestinian, has a Polish employee and another Bulgarian.
We were only three in the restaurant and gets a Spanish. "It seems the Olympic village!" Said Palestinian friendly.
The trip has not yet begun and already paid off.