20 | 21 | 22.5.16 - Adventure Days

Since the beginning of the year I've been a little run from this blog; Mea culpa: it was laziness, it was waiting for the telephone that didn`t ring, were road roadtrips that I have already described, a snowtrip through Austria and Switzerland, another for a wedding in Valencia. It was the beginning - and what a start !! - of the adventure in the TT and the time that it takes to put a project of those standing.I'm back!Friday was that day that I hadn`t had long ago: where is all stuff?! Where is everything?! And the frontlight?! And the best way to get to Alcanena without paying toll?! I left home and came back because I had forgotten the necessaire. When I was in Travanca, I turned around because I had forgotten my swimming trunks. Which house were they?!, This is not easy to change.An hour after the time of exit and having tightened and unscrewed the shad of the bike 500 times, there I was able to start. Destination: Adventure Days.Adventure Days is an event beautifully organized by Rui Baltazar and this year had the precious help of Pedrinha Motor Club.The place, the River Beach of Olhos de Agua, in Alcanena, there in the source of Alviela. A beautiful place, arranged and with a campsite on the river.After 200 km of asphalt, arrived at Alcanena, I was waiting for Marcio (Mr. President!), And the Diogo (Team Mate), Kiko Garcia, and many good friends that we are doing in these motorcycle adventures. Armindo and Pedro, from other motorized adventures, also came, to add even more emotion to the group.
Thus began the spirit of Adventure Days: a sharing of stories, camaraderie, the taste for motorcycles and the knowledge one gets when traveling; Sharing and tolerance. There is no competition but there is everything else.The first adventure of the adventure was to set up the camping tent. A Monte Campo to debut, dark green and, even for a newcomer like me, was ready in less than 10 minutes, practically without having upset people.Second adventure: sleeping in a tent, listening to the croaking frogs, the sound of water in the background and a starry sky. It isn`t paradise but it gives a sense of peace.On Saturday we expected an offroad route of 200 km, excellent for the bigtrails, between Alcanena and the dam of Montargil, with routes once used in Portugal 1000 and Transibérico. There was a little bit of everything, from pebble to loose sand, gravel, a land with fine powder and numerous crossings of courses and puddles of water. Rails for all tastes and shapes, made at good speed.As soon as we started, I fell and the good Diogo there helped me get the bike up; At the end of the day, on a descent with gravel, I fell again. And once again Diogo went there to help me. In the middle, in addition to riding a motorcycle, we respawn ourselves with regional tidbits in Ulme.Arrived at the camp, along with some minis, a comforting stone soup offered by Marcio and the rest of Pedrinha's staff. It was divine!With the strength of the soup, in the nail game, there was a real north-south, with the northern guys (me, Armindo and Pedro) not giving any kind of chance to the southern competition, despite all the cheating they did!During the night, the tent shook three times: "Who comes there?" Was just the wind; And then the rain. Discomforts of those who are not accustomed to these things.Sunday, after a breakfast to accompany the section of Fafe of the Rally de Portugal, we were waiting for another 50 km from Alcanena to the salinas of Rio Maior. A very technical course in the Natural Park of the Serra de Aires e Candeeiros. Here is another story, one more, of those that make the stories have a joke: followed the Armindo in the front, followed by Pedro and Diogo and me. We at the rear of the group decided to go for an alternative that crossed a brook. The result: my bike was left standing buried in the fine sand of the bed. We wanted to gain time .. well, it was more than 40 minutes left waiting for Baltazar and all his experience to get me out of the place.Arriving at the salinas was time for more partying and conviviality, end of adventure. In a place of the most picturesque, saline and regional product sales, a rich lunch, it was time for hugs and a good trip to each one. It was time for fraternization and for a short reunion.The Adventure Days were lived; So be it for many years.

15.1.16 - Amsterdam

Is there anything to add to Amsterdam, something that has never been written ?!

14.1.16 - Eindhoven

At the door of the Philips museum you can read something like "90 years of design". And Eindhoven is all that: design, mixing the history of the city with the trends of the commodities developed in the right there. One moment.. we`ll talk about that!I hadn`t traveled in these parts for a long time, so I was no longer accustomed to the humid chill that rises from the canals and cuts the bones as if it were a laser. When I left the plane, away from the aircraft and the heat emanating, the body seemed to freeze, shrinking, wasting all the energy to defend myself; Then I got used to it.From the airport to the city center I went by bus. Arriving, the usual image of the Netherlands: hundreds of bicycles - a favorite means of transport, economical and ecological - creating a static and mobile serpentine where I zigzagged to reach the other side of the street.Behind the transport, ahead the future.Eindhoven was a city heavily bombed in the War - invaded by the Germans and bombed by the Allies - and so the modernity of the Marshall Plan, reflected in the buildings: houses, offices, shops, museums, art spaces, Mixed with what remained of churches and their colorful stained glass windows and small houses that today constitute the historical and fun center par excellence: pedestrian and with a lot of life.As I said above, the history of Philips confuses itself with the history of the city and so I had lunch in a modernist restaurant, on the ground floor of the Philips building.With a hamburger and a beer was ready to cross the street and, in the first facilities of the Philips, dedicate part of the afternoon to see the museum.As I walked through the corridors of the museum and saw all the evolution of the brand I had the feeling that, years before, I had at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart: this isn`t the Philips museum, it is the museum of an important part of the twentieth century, the Century of the people.The Philips Museum, in addition to showing how the first light bulbs were built, is a museum of commodities, household items we all had in our homes: from the shaver to the CD player, through the radios and televisions, turntables Laptops, vacuum cleaners, tape recorders. Imagine a fair of vintage but new items, and they have the Philips museum; Or if you prefer, the Jetsons or some 007 movies.The first part of the museum is a trip to the houses of the twentieth century.Then there's the rest: in the 1930s tuberculosis killed a lot of people, many people linked to Philips. Given this, the company began to apply its technology to health by creating the most sophisticated diagnostic apparatus that exists. It's business, of course; But it is research and innovation is also an important contribution to the improvement of our living conditions.Leaving Philips, I wandered through the city to the hostel. I saw lively people, drank beer, and ate French fries. I listened to music, took pictures of bronze statues and graffiti.My hostel, central, with excellent conditions, was populated by a fat cat, a nice dog, a schizophrenic turtle and a cat. In my ward, two Englishmen and one Italian; Destination: Amsterdam and all the freedoms that Holland offers.I went out for dinner when everyone is already quite "in for the night". Carpaccio, cheese fondue and an ice cream for 15 euros, in a student restaurant and attended by the friendly Claire.Before returning to the hostel I still had time to drink some more beers to the sound of a rock band playing covers from the 80's.I write from the train, in the direction of Amsterdam. Behind it was Eindhoven, a city that I advise to visit, a city that is confused with the history of a brand: Philips.Do you know what PSV Eindhoven's "P" means?

27.12.15 - Abrantes | Mora | Alcaçovas | Aljustrel | Ameixial | Faro

The sun was shining in the Tejo river, I was full of desire to ride a motorcycle, reigning in good mood. To sing Jorge Palma's song, I quickly reached Ponte de Sôr, Montargil and Mora.Between Ponte de Sôr and Montargil, for the "small" private jet parked at the airfield, the houses and condominiums on the dam and some cars, it seemed that was in Switzerland.In Mora, when I entered the village, I had an Australian view: in order to divulge the river, they put yellow plates on the road with the species that can be found in the rivers, as is seen with kangaroos, crocodiles and sharks in Australia. Very cute!Also in Mora I had the first long delay of the day: fill the tank and tell the reason for my trip to the petrol station lady, whose nephew has a very good car and also travel very fast until reaching the Algarve.It was time to go to Alcaçovas. I don`t know why, I took this part of the course much more slowly than I had until then.From here I started to see something that I really like: the riding. What should be Portuguese agriculture, for the sake of quality and sustainability: cork oak, pork and other animals. In a perfect ecosystem, in a unique symbiosis that shows in the quality of the products that arrive at our table.In Alcaçovas, given the bational TV - SIC Notícias program "Ir é o melhor remédio", with Teresa Conceição and Martin Cabral, I went to the Rattle Museum. "Closed, it's Sunday." The factory, also closed.I wanted a rattle, now that it is the immaterial heritage of humanity, and I got a gentleman to open his shop for me to buy one. Used, more beautiful than the new ones that still shine a lot. "You know, I also manufacture, but I don`t advertise it," said the man in fear.In Torrão I took pictures at the entrance of the village, near the fountain; From Odivelas, but especially after Ferreira do Alentejo, was to much wind, causing some chills: now it was a brake or it pushed me laterally.After Ervidel, near the Roxo Dam, I saw a group of hunters. It was lunch time and I stopped to ask where I could have lunch and regional products: "enter Aljustrel, there is all good." I went to the head.From starters they served me a piece of black pork and roe salad. The paio was magnificent. Then a cation soup, with a lot of bread, coriander and two generous fish pieces. A divine taste!After lunch, instead of nap, I made myself on the road.With the strong wind, he wanted to hurry Castro Verde and Almodôvar and enter Serra do Caldeirão, to be more sheltered. That was it.When I started to climb the Caldeirão, the wind stopped. With the curvy Caldeirão, I felt like a Rossi, with his boot brushing the road several times, in a dizzying carousel. It goes up and down, open curves, fast and tight turns, made in 2nd and 1st speed, with the knee going to the ground. Madness, well said the plate that this road to heritage!I don`t know if it's fate, if it's a feitio or my fear of running out of gas: like all the times I've been here by car, I stopped at the Ameixial gas station where, the same petroler with an ACP Portugal, served me. Two more fingers of conversation before heading to Faro and to frame number 737.I lost in S. Brás de Alportel - there were no indications of the N2 - in Faro I had to shut up due to the works in the city but I arrived at the said whose landmark.What a joy! It felt like I had won a race.It was a milestone, there was a check on my travel map.I strongly advise you to take this route, by motorcycle, car or bicycle. Enjoy.A road that has 737 reasons of interest, which passes through beautiful locations of our Portugal.I did it in two days because I know most of these locations; But it may take a week or more, and there is so much to see, read, eat, drink, live. I passed through 10 districts, innumerable villages, towns and cities. I saw birds of prey, storks, sparrows, herons, pigs, cows, sheep, horses. I was in the mountains and in the country, I crossed the Douro, Mondego, Zêzere and Tejo, just to mention the largest. I passed lots of reservoirs and dams.Playing with numbers and taking pictures in the landmarks of these numbers is a must: 100, 357, 555, 666, just to give a few examples.Portugal has a maximum length of 561 km, from Melgaço to Cabo de Santa Maria. The road has 737 km, that is, almost two hundred kilometers of curves that add interest.At this moment rest at the Stay Hotels of Faro. Affordable central, friendliness of service, a good bath and excellent bed: the luxury q.b. For a lonely adventurer.Embrace, tomorrow I'm coming home.

26.12.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Chaves | Lamego | Penacova | Abrantes ( N2)

Some have Route 66, the Carretera Austral, the Panamericana. We have the National 2: from Chaves to Faro, once a set of Royal and National Roads that, in full Estado Novo, have united to connect the north top to the south top of the country.A beautiful route, one goes up and down between mountains and valleys, a backbone of what should be the most important cities and towns in the country.For years I had wanted to do this course - with João, Nico and Domingos in a green Mustang - but there was never an opportunity. Christmas weekend, warm temperature and clear sky: that's what I needed.I left Oliveira de Azeméis at 8:30 am, in the direction of Chaves. It's not important, I just describe it because there were kilometers accumulated. A32 and following highways, the constant speed not to ruin the Transalp tires.Arrived at Chaves it was time to certify the deposit, to eat an apple, to take the photo next to the road mark with Km 0 and ... follow trip.At 10:30 the sun rose and warmed the environment. I drove excitedly, glad to be there, hummed Chico Buarque in the ecofonia of the helmet.As an example of how the National Road 2 came into being, as a set of several roads, retail of the country, I had also been in several locations of National 2.Thus, from Chaves to Vila Real, passing through Vidago and Pedras Salgadas, I didn`t stop. I had already done it in February.The same in Vila Real, I was there to run during the visit of the WTCC.Descending from Vila Real to Sta. Marta de Penaguião and the Douro, the Régua, by the zigzag that runs along the terraces of our best nectar. I also didn`t make any prolonged looks, I just enjoyed driving.So the first stop was in Lamego. In the city center, I stopped in the middle of the square that houses the steps of the shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, to take a picture with the bike. Or the daring or fluorescent yellow of Alpinestars bags, I was the center of attention.From Lamego I went to Viseu.If National Highway 2 has been well signposted, then the signs disappear, the landmarks aren`t very visible and it seems that there is no tourist interest in keeping this icon of the roadtrips. It costs so little ...From Lamego I follow to Castro Daire and, later, to Viseu. As it hasn`t rained much, the road remains beautiful, reddish and brown, with the colors of Autumn that I saw days ago.In Viseu the plates of National 2 disappear again. But with GPS, I was able to find the way to Tondela and then Santa Comba Dão.If so far the road was zigzagged, after Viseu the road entered a more certain axis heading south.In Santa Comba it was time to re-certify the deposit to kilometers later and after Aguieira, stop by the Mondego in Penacova to take photos.Góis, Castanheira de Pêra, Figueiró dos Vinhos. Names from Rally of Portugal, where I spent, with which I dreamed, in times, to perform in competition cars.Speaking of names, Nacional 2 is full of names of our jokes: "Colo do Pito", "Picha", "Venda do Gaita", "Escalos de Baixo". Even in this the course is rich!From Góis to Pedrógão the zigzag came back; So that, knowing that I should head southward, by the position of the sun I traveled many miles to the north, east, and west.I crossed Zêzere at the Cabril Dam, and from there I saw the sun going down between bridges. An escarpment separates antiquity from modernity, as the height separating the bridges is the civizational difference. It will be?!In Serta, the Christmas illuminations gave a different light to the river, with many families taking advantage of the end of the winter day to stroll ..The sun was setting behind the mountains and the cold was passing the coat and trousers.Under a reddish sky, with the stars beginning to appear, I crossed Vila de Rei towards Abrantes.Nine and a half hours after I started walking, I stopped. Nearly 600 km after leaving home it is time for the bike to rest; and me too. Tomorrow I shall arrive in Faro.

7.12.15 - Freixinho | Lapa | Penedono | S.João da Pesqueira | Pinhão | Régua | Oliveira de Azeméis

Opening the bedroom window in the morning, the mist rose slowly from the cold waters of the dam; Aquilino knew that land better than anyone: hard earth, stone and life, stiffening bodies and souls. A land where, with serrated teeth, it speaks of mushrooms, nuts and, going north, of the Douro.After a breakfast reinforced with cheese, ham, homemade jams, I went on my way to Lapa.At the top of Sernancelhe, a shrine dating back to the 15th century, built from rock to rock, protects the image of the Virgin Mary, dating from the 9th century. Legend has it that a girl changes, entering a cave, found the image hidden by nuns, five centuries before. Her devotion was such that the Virgin gave her the gift of speech.A building covers the cave, houses the image and a crocodile. Yes, a crocodile! Then came other constructions, such as a college. On Sundays the sale of regional products is reason for pilgrimage.Legends live in that region and I swear that the secrets I have there are past; Legends or not.After the source of the three spouts and seeing the source of the Vouga River, the path of childhood continued: Penedono.On the narrow road, still before the Beselga, looking up, one can already see the slender castle.Dated from Sec. X, disputed by Christians and Muslims, it was later used by D. Sancho I to proceed to the repopulation of the region, at the border, through Foral.From shale and granite, naked, with the eccentric form of trapeze and with pyramidal battlements, high in the medieval village, one can see the immensity of the Demarcated Lands and the Corga, for my gift.From Penedono the destination went north, to Pesqueira.Old people, sidelong glances at strangers but the natural sympathy that comes with the first good day.After the repast, it was time to go to the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, down to Pinhão.From the iron bridge, so characteristic in our landscape after the industrial revolution, we see the Douro and Pinhão embrace each other: a strong and a weaker one but always together, maintaining a perfect balance and harmony with the small village of the Séc XIX.With the sun going down and the journey coming to an end, it was time to travel the beautiful N222 to Régua, in the heart of Port Wine.Two days in Beira Alta, taking advantage of a weekend and bridge before the holiday. Two days back to childhood and childhood. Two days that could have been a dream if I hadn`t lived it.

6.12.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Vouzela | Folgosa | Vila Nova de Paiva | Freixinho | Moimenta da Beira

Sunday; The sun grew timidly and the temperature seemed to rise. But the body called for action and action was from where the sun comes: to the mountains.
I prepared the new Monte Campo, blue and gray, with 30 liters, and made myself on the road.
N1 to Albergaria and then up the Vouga. The road was slippery and didn`t allow great fancies; The sun penetrated the branches and tree leaves, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
With so much curve-turning, the hunger pressed and the first stop was for a coffee and a cake, in the Vouzelas`s Cafe Central. A delight, as always.
Good lunch and early in Cambra? Or lunch wherever and whenever?

The idea was to cross Castro Daire - for not happen like the last time here!! - I decided to continue traveling.
Passing S.Pedro do Sul is time to remember childhood, remembering this same road on the way to Penedono (the final destination), is time to remind me of the parallels road with oranges vendors, the blue Peugeot (or gray, depends on the Year), the car full of nuts and potatoes, things "that the earth gives".
Good asphalt and a course of great beauty between S. Pedro do Sul and Castro Daire. With the dry weather of the last days, the trees hold the leaves and give an autumnal color to the whole scene: yellow, orange, dark red.
How beautiful is my country!
At the top of the mountain, where the N226 leads to the N225, at the junction with the N2 and A24, I went down a narrow and steep road that led me to the river beach of Folgosa.
What a charm. A clear, crystalline water that the cold helps to make it even brighter. Horses and a flock, birds sipping in the water. With a certain step, a set of stones help cross the Paiva river, on the way to Santiago.
From there, with the hunger to tighten, the destination was Vila Nova de Paiva.
"- Where can I find a traditional food restaurant?
- From where?".
There was no musk rice and the goatling had been a young rebel... some years ago.
In Vila Nova de Paiva I went up, through a cobbled, mossy, to the chapel of Sto. Antony and the belvedere. Wind farm, a viewpoint for wind farms. Sad eastern country.
With the spirit of Aquilino, wrapped in the womb of fog, I rode to Freixinho, right next to Vilar dam.
The rest was in the Hotel Rural Convento Nossa Senhora do Carmo, a restored convent, with a beautiful dining room adorned with a large mirror. Rooms with a decor that is congenial to the convent and the ideal place for a short break with the right company.
Speaking of dinner, I ventured into the fog and went to Moimenta da Beira, to taste the cod with Cabicanca. Very good!