25.10.15 - El Sokhna | Hurgada

240 km in a straight line that had everything to be as unattractive as possible. Fortunately, it wasn`t.Leaving El Sokhna and for many kilometers, the Red Sea was our landscape. But the day was born cloudy and instead of clear blue, the sea was gray, reminding me our Ria de Aveiro in winter days. Bucolic. 
Then we started to get into a more mountainous and sandy area. Here, with the sea and land plataformes, there are huge refineries, oil wells, piplines, fans and everything imaginable in terms of energy. Huge electricity pylons and brownish pipes, tear the desert landscape with a post-modern look.Departure until first refill ran with Drew doing "my wing," and with the ease of the land, we aso many jokes and exchanges globally agreed gestures. It was so funny for us and for those who followed!After the first refueling had to stop and leave the group. When I resumed the march, I did 30 Km alone and could go all time on top. Thus, besides the extra fun, I was able to resume my position in the group a few kilometers before the second refueling stop and lunch.In the third and last part of the taken, I was on the tail, enjoying the thing.The worst was when, some 40 kilometers from the finish in Hurghada, begins to rain; and wasn`t a little rain. It was heavy rain, that it hurts in neck and echoes inside the helmet.Thunder, hail, and flooded: all armed confusion; and me on the tail. Never again, starting tomorrow, always in front!We are settled in Marriot Hurghada. It is full of Russians: employees and couples. She are gorgeous, about blondes or brunettes, slender and light eyes. The guys ... who cares ?!

24.10.15 - Giza | El Sokhna

Yesterday didn`t dance with the bride; nor seen her. There was no internet able to support so many users and so, instead of working, i finnish the evening night with Chel and Drew in the garden in front of their room, endding the stock of cognac I had brought from Barcelona airport.
This morning we left Giza towards El Sokhna on the Red Sea.
The morning was unusual adventure of crossing the city of Cairo and the famous Ring. Despite being Saturday (equivalent to Sunday for the Arabs), the traffic is a rush in this 22 million people metropolis.
In the Ring and its almost 30 km long, we'll come across huge billboards, advertising for several brands and products. Report for such a large universe like Cairo requires a major effort on the part of brands to capture a second fraction the drivers and families. Isn´t like communicate to a niche, it is to communicate to millions undifferentiated. Amid all the publicity possible and imaginary, it was with pleasure that I saw the billboards of lubricants brand which sponsors the BMW - isn`t  eni - use DTM with its colors as an image on billboards. The same applies to the brand that sponsors the Citroën C-Elyse in the WTCC. Proof that motorsport is an excellent communication channel brands. Yes, there were also with other sports but in less quantity: once saw the face of Roger Federer and one occasion the Barcelona players; Atletico de Madrid have billboards of his Foundation and football school in Cairo.
Returning to the road, after Cairo, went towards the Sinai, the Suez, to then go down to El Sokhna. Between traffic madness of Cairo and the Egyptian Riviéra, we had long straights crossing the northern eastern desert. A desert with yellow earth and stone, contrary to what usually one imagines an African desert.
At lunch, in the most southern part of the Suez Canal, beyond normal Catering Cross Egypt Challenge, we tasted "egypcian urban" food here site motor home, away from all standard of safety and hygiene. But it had the look and the thing was ... picturesque!
Then, with new energies, entered in the turns of Riviéra. How good is this road, between the sea and the mountains, a stunning beauty.
My new white, black and red Alpinestars gloves, at the second day, started to be brown and black!

23.10.15 - Alexandria | Giza

Yesterday didn`t wrote, just put a photo on Facebook during the launching ceremony of the Cross Egypt Challenge.What a party, so much emotion, so many people, so many fans. Once again the Cross Egypt Challenge organization  made a fantastic job to present the bikers of the 5th edition. The venue and the presentation to the people of Alexandria worthy it: pyrotechnic shows, music, media and many thousands of people.Me and the Egyptian adventurer Omar Mansour, were called to the stage to talk about the second participation in the Cross Egypt Challenge. What could he say ?! I love being here, people are very nice and in return for their sympathy, I offered my Nau helmet to the rally-raid organization.The rest of the day, except for a heated discussion with the front desk of Hilton Hotel, was enough common ground between various meetings and administrative checks.Today was the first step, connecting Alexandria to Giza. The rally route has changed because the events of the last month and, therefore, the steps will end in different destinations from those initially planned.The stage was straight with good tread, the green delta of the Nile, and as a "company" we had the motorcycle and scooter clubs either Alexandria and Cairo over the 240 km to give us moral support. I felt good!The trickiest part was the arrival in Cairo, in the middle of a sandstorm. First the sky became overcast and "asking for thunderstorm," then came the wind; the birds couldn`t fly, there was sand, paper, plastic, everything imaginable in the air.It was with this weather that we arrived at the Hilton Pyramides, near the three great pyramids. Fortunately subsided and I gave a dip in the pool.We have sense, and today, on the road, intensified, missed the third Musketeer - Dave Marshall - and our Juliet Jazmin. You are always with me, Drew and Chell.Right now I'm in the hotel lobby, in the middle of a wedding. Will can go dancing with the bride?

21.10.15 - Cairo | Alexandria

At this moment I`m at the Hilton Alexandria, fighting with the internet to speak with you.
This morning I left Cairo and, after several hours, with a compact and steady traffic, it reached the city that contained the lighthouse and the portico, which still inhabits the mind of a lot of people, including mine, as one of the wonders of the classic world.
Unfortunately the reality of today isn`t the former but the grandeur of Alexandria will return, as well as from all over Egypt.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love cats. Are independent, devious, shiny eyes like flashlights trying to dazzle us and at the same time, they are spins, play and do unimaginable things.
I read the Asterix books that Egypt was the land of cats and therefore shouldn`t bring Obelix Dogmatix when they came to aid  Cleopatra.
This is really the cat´s land!
There are at the dozens, small, slender, feinting everything and everyone like Eusebius. So cute!

20.10.15 - Cairo

Cairo is still hot, until the Egyptians complain about the weather because at this time of year, should be fresher.So it was with effort that I wore a pair of jeans to go to the center of Cairo. Because? Halfway through the route outlined was a mosque and couldn`t enter in shorts.Thus, the mid-morning I and Drew went to the Grand Bazaar - Khan el-Khalili. It was all a fun: we seemed two women to litter the stores and didn`t buy anything, haggling prices with the vehemence of a dispute between Arabs and Jews, to have fun with what we said, speaking Arabic with the merchants; an entire party!From scarves to perfumes, through spices and pieces of copper, we experience a little of everything. The bazaars, in these parts, have the mystique of the fairs of our towns, mixed with bright and smely products, that are exotic to Westerners. The color of the goods and the music of the words, it is a joy.In Khan el-Khalili entered a mosque and outside, made a public collection to help the conservation of the same. I didn´t give money because I had spent it all in the few purchases that I did; Drew contributed. Then the olitical joke of the day show it self: that was they said to Bush father, it was just to the mosque.We had lunch there, in an koshari and kebab restaurant. We eat kebab along with other Egyptian working class; spicy as he was, knew well a beer ... but there is here also; feather!For dessert, a long walk from the Islamic part of the city to the citadel.The citadel is up there, serving the great walls to protect a beautiful Turkish Mosque, alabaster, sent to the king Mohammad Ali and completed by his grandson Farouk, the last king of Egypt before the 1952 revolution.At the citadel we see the whole city, the whole mess is a vibrant city with 22 million people. WOW!

Rebelo Martins all over the world

19.10.15 - Cairo | Sakara | Memphis | Cairo

Cairo woke up with the sun hidden but, even so, the heat vanished. 
But better than the hot weather is the warmth: last night, at the Lawson`s, around a roast chicken with cooked vegetables and homemade bread, various faiths, backgrounds and nationalities joined together. A Portuguese, an Englishman and four Americans from different places. 
After giving Thanks a very animated discussion ensued because everyone wants to know more and more; from books to wars, through food, politics and the amazing Monty Python.With such a fun dinner, necessarily, the day began later!
Thus, in a brand new van with a carrot at the wheel, that within the city, no more than third gear, and, beyond, it was slower than my mother, we head south, following the Nile to Sakara.Sakara is where is the Djoser pyramid, the oldest of Egypt, a necropolis of Memphis designed by Imhotep. 
Drew and Chel had already been there, and one of the leading archaeologists responsible for the discovery of the tombs of Sakara is their friend, who worked there for 20 years. Saying that, I had the privilege of knowing where was the tomb of the royal butcher. For example!
In the desert, burning sun and low humidity, coupled with drought and the typical dark yellow sand, didn`t allow us to even sweat; so any shade under a rock or Sakara museum entrance might serve to refresh ourselves; or at least give the impression of relief without actually coming to fruition.
Inside the museum, stone carved in the shape of snakes, the hieroglyphics with the offerings of the population to the king, a mummy and Imhotep.
Sakara was the necropolis, the city Memphis. Trough life, we left the desert towards a palm trees sea  and the Nile, going to meet one of the oldest cities in the world.
 There noticed the carved stone Ramses II statue, huge, lying in order to be better viewed. I saw the Memphis Sphinx and ... dozens of tapestries schools.
 I felt like a real Indiana Jones. The only difference is that I walked in shorts and didn`t bring the whip!
From Memphis we return quietly to Cairo for delighting with koshari in Tahrir Square.

18.10.15 - Cairo

Yesterday I returned to Cairo. Almost after a year from the end of the Cross Egypt Challenge adventure, I decided to come back here to close this first year of adventure travel."Alexandria Cairo: a year of adventures."Could be the title of a book about everything that happened over 12 months. So I came back.The trip, provided by Agência Paraíso, had Barcelona on the route, following then to the Egyptian capital.As it was a dwelling on the past, yesterday, waiting for me at the airport, were Drew and Michele. Kisses, hugs, tell the news and a bit of Portuguese history, the way to Lori and Joe home to stay in the coming days.This morning I woke up in hot and noisy Cairo; so much that looked like it had started a revolution at my bedroom window; only then I realized it was a high school and kids were playing.First day, first destination: downtown.Metro, for one Egyptian pound, quickly come to Coptic Cairo to see something wonderful: the same place, separated by a few meters, an Orthodox church in honor of St. George, a synagogue, a Catholic cemetery and the Arabs around, between the Babylon Fortress.The ecumenical dialogue understanding of centuries, present there in front of me, the sight of whom want to see.The church of St. George dates back to the X century and are no buildings upon buildings, showing various features, since Roman times the Masonic rites, telling the help of the Greek Patriarchate to maintain its beauty.At the cemetery, as in our gardens, malls or cinemas, many dating couples. One way to hide the love, the passion, less complacent looks.Underneath all this, the bazaar of Cairo, with all kinds of imaginable antiques, from camel bone pieces in silver, through artifacts in wood and old photos.Across the street, normal in these parts: people selling and buying everything from chickens to vegetables, going through clothes, utensils, DVDs. Strange faces, smiling faces, distrustful guys; what they would do three Westerners there?!Under a scorching heat, we walked until beeing invited to enter an antique by the sympathetic George. George speaks 12 languages, he inherited his father's business and was happy for the birth of his daughter. So we drink tea with him and could buy without his profit (given the joy of the birth!), a cross on pearl. 
After a long conversation with the new father, we take the Metro and go down to Tahrir Square.There, the ruins of the Sheraton among towering Hilton, Ritz and Intercontinental are the only marks 2011.Speaking about Ritz, with the heat and fatigue to tighten, nothing like a beer and a Angus hamburger in the hotel bar. 42 euros!Left Ritz when the sun was going, like a Working Class Hero, poorer than we had arrived, caught the crowded Metro to home.Sometimes it doesn`t seem, but this is Africa and I love it!

Rebelo Martins returns to Egypt

Joao Rebelo Martins, a multifaceted racing driver - winner in diverse forms - is an adventurer. In 2015, changed the tracks of the national speed for adventure travel all over the world, returning now to Egypt and Cross Egypt Challenge.Traveling with the colors of fluidotronica, Norfer, eni, Nau Helmets, Agência Paraíso, Arax Gazzo, Alpinestars, Hama Portugal, Oakley, Quinta do Estanho, Molfil, Rainha Muscle & Fitness, Konica Minolta, during 2015 has been to three continents and prepares to return to Africa.Repeating the African adventure, Rebelo Martins says that "Egypt and the Egyptians have marked me deeply last year. It was there that I became aware of the real taste for travel and that made me mount the Rebelo Martins Adventure project. After a year, to close this cycle, I will return. "The passion for travel, the challenge, the adventure: travel thousands of kilometers by car or bike, meet new people, new cultures, ways of being and be different.Of trips like to register moments: a landscape, a smell, a smile, feel the taste of a traditional dish made with what "the land gives" or playing a musical instrument with a unique sound.In October 2014, João Rebelo Martins started a new project of knowledge, travel, adventure.Bike, car, plane, boat or on foot, powered by a whopping engine or helped by a compressed air bottle when going to explore the depths of the sea, Rebelo Martins says learning more, contact more "alive the world in the first person, after which I was given to know the books and films of adventure, now I can be me to live them. "More important than learning it is "teaching is to transmit knowledge. At conferences I have given in secondary schools, love seeing the kids smile when I tell them my adventures, as I explain them that he had a dream and fought for it, worked for it. The dream is to travel "."No Longer Missing All" or "Rebelo Martins Adventure" are blogs run by João Rebelo Martins - with English and Portuguese version - where the driver and adventurer write the travel stories historie.On the 17th October, Rebelo Martins leaves for Egypt for an adventurous 15 days.The public presentation of the adventure will be in Multimoto - Rua Joaquim da Silva LandeauIndustrial area of ​​Oliveira de Azeméis, the 14th, at 17:45 and is already invited to attend.

29.8.15 - Chão da Velha (Nisa)

Yesterday i travel to the Alentejo, following the stars towards the south, with the sun setting in the west.Down by Penela towards Figueiró dos Vinhos, Serãa; after cross Fratel dam, a score welcomes us, Alentejo welcomes us.I woke up in Chão da Velha, near Nisa. Yesterday, in addition to travel, as reporting Pedro`s welcome - no longer seen each other since the presentation of Armas de Papel,a book from Pacheco Pereira. We talk about life, the present and the past, we talk about history, fans that populate the mountains, the existing parties and the past, from the ML to "reviralho". With a glass of red wine, with the heat of the night not differentiate much from the day's heat, we walked for centuries, ending in sec. XX the people century.This morning, awakened by the sun rays that insist on going through the shutters, the will to go to Tejo river was the driving force that made me get out of bed.Monte Campo at the back, equipped indeed, all way down from Rua Principal. At the end of the paved after the corrals, begins the steep descent and a dirt track that leads me to the main river of the peninsula.Two kilometers down, through small gardens, eucalyptus, strawberry. Some bees and other insects accompany the past; I had told that, with luck, might see a deer or other; if it were night had foxes. No luck.Reached the Tejo the black water mirror reflecting the mountains and the train went on the other side, the side of Vila Velha de Ródão.Always going down to the river, always climb back to the village, two kilometers. It was done PR 2 of the walking paths of Nisa - Discover the Tagus.Before lunch, there was time to go to PR 4 - Conhal rails.The village of Arneiro, towards the river, they come up huge stones that make the Alentejo countryside in a Martian landscape. Through millenary stones are born olive trees, isolated and strong, as are the robust trees.Lunch? In Arneiro, at Tulio: carp, pike and perch fried. After some migas with fisheggs, olive oil ,pennyroyal, baked fish and water from his cooked do the rest. Divine.Three in the afternoon and a full stomach. Like any self-respecting Alentejo - in Rome be a Roman - I was napping; and slept and slept and slept.I woke up in time to take a dip in the municipal swimming pools of Nisa, before returning to Rua Principal and get-together with the neighbors, with the empty glass to refill, talk of life.

21.8.15 - Appenzeller

The Appenzeller region is the heart of the Switzerland, land of cheese, beer, mountains and mountaineering. Very typical!The National Geographic cover photo is of the region and, therefore, nothing better than coming to see it before the mass influx of tourists.So, I carried the Monte Campo with water, sandwiches and fruit, prepared bats and leggings and made me the way, having as target the mythical Wildkirchli. 
To get there, first by car, I drove one of those roads that I love the Alps, in the middle of the green, going up the mountain between hills and cliffs, curve against curve. Those roads which, if it were a race car was able to ear the echo of the engine, gearbox, tires, for kilometers and kilometers.
 Passing the village of Appenzeller, access to Wildkirchli is where the road ends, where it ends, also, the railroad and has the teleski station. From that point, for me, was always walking. 
Among the many routes to choose, after some time chating with a lady who took Mary, who shouldn`t have more than 3 years, touring the mountain, I chose what seemed to me more beautiful and easy. 
Crossing a river with several cows for company, even with asphalt road but prohibited the car, I started to rise, and rise and rise. So much so that he had only been half a dozen meters and was already stretching bats to help me them; so much so that even a small fork that was less than 600 meters from where I started walking had stopped three times. 
That fork had two possibilities: either moved on to the lake and towards Santis - four hours walk - or, turn right towards Ascher and Wildkirchli. I opted for the second.At this point the asphalt disappeared and the walk was along a narrow path, where only fit a person and as a constant ascent. Stone by stone, meter by meter, in effort and without having a small resting point. Imagine climbing a ski slope without the seats. Imagine climb those remote sites where the teleski the poles are installed. That's about it without poles.As I climbed the landscape was becoming different: what began as the base of trees, "quickly" became a sight for them, the cows have only heard in the distance and the birds of prey is to be felt.On the way in the opposite direction, down, many people, many highly equipped walkers, alone or in family, with infants - or backpack childs - and conveying the idea that for the Swiss contact with nature, seeing her, exploit it, it is a national sport.Toward the top of the mountain, where there is no vegetation and the yellow of the stone takes place, I hear the bleating of a sheep. I look ahead, and inside a small fence, there they were. Later the same with rabbits. Beautiful, fat.A few meters ahead, Ascher and characteristic restaurant / mountain retreat built into the rock.It was crowded and it was difficult to find a place to sit. First five minutes I shared table with a beautiful Estonian who told me that the food at that place was very good.Thus, besides the traditional beer Appenzeller wheat, I asked no less traditional cheese Routti: fried potato sticks with melted cheese, herbs and pepper. 
However the Estonian went away and gave place to Luana, to Nadine and Deniz. Three Swiss youths, very very nice - we have the promise we find ourselves in the near future - who, like me, decided to come see Wildkirchli before the demand of tourists approaching.
 Lunch was lively with conversations about travel and Appenzeller history. Either we proceed together the rest of the afternoon.Before going down even I went to see a cave which has an altar and celebrate Mass: Wildkirchli.
 On the descent I bumped me with more people going up and visited homes of farmers who sold cheese produced by its imposing cows.With my new friends, before reaching the mountain's base, stick up a Swiss tradition: drink a wine and eat a pie made with macerated pear. Well good, those moments for later recall because instead of glasses, drank wine in coffee cups with saucers and everything. 
On the way back, a short stop in Appenzeller brewery to sample the local flavors.

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!

17.8.15 - Singapore

Australia stayed behind and, on the plane, we race with the sun to see who arrive first to Singapore.It was the sun. It was there, lovely and warm to cheer us.Then came the storm and a tropical rain that flooded everything in minutes. Thankfully, the heat was smashing us.In Singapore we saw what hadn`t seen in the first time.Started by the Little India: some art-décor houses painted with lush colors, Hindu temples and some Muslims, shops that sell everything from carpets to knives, antiques, appliances, souvenirs from around the world, MP3 for $ 4, crowns flowers for the temples, spices and almost everything what our imagination wants. It was the first clean Indian neighborhood that I saw. And maybe by that, it doens´t have the mystique of others.From there we walking, under a lot of heat to the area of ​​Orchard, through fabulous School of Arts building, before entering a street with luxury shopping.Whipped rain and the tight schedule, we climb the hill to the fort where the city began. It is a quiet place amid the bustle of the city/ state.This was followed by a stroll through at Marina Bay Gardens, the new Babylon, given the height and spectacular where vegetation is located, and ending the trip at the top of Marina Bay.Upstairs, on top of the restaurant, overlooking the city, the port, the sea, we saw the extent of the buildings, the F1 GP path; drink gin, eat some snacks prepared by the chef, we laugh, we remember stories that make up the story of the journey; took selfies, we promise to return. When ?! We don`t  known. But the will is with us.

16.8.15 - Coolinda | Darwin

Yesterday we went to bed very early - from 21:30 there is nothing to do in Cooinda, don`t listen anybody, just the animals - the dawn was too early. The day was going to be long, every minute were precious.FRom Cooinda we followed by a road on dirt, over 50 km, to Jim Jim Falls. At the beginning the road is large and fast and can be roll at 100 km / h. But after Garnamarr, it becomes narrower and thus only one car at a time, with loose sand, and the passage of dry riverbeds, an authentic trial road.Arrived at Jim Jim Falls and, in waiting for us, a walk on huge rocks, as a prelude to paradise.As we are in the dry season and the high of 70 meters from the cliff neither falls a drop of water and, therefore, let us running into small beaches of calm water and white sand, Blue Lagoon style, which where they form once the force of the water is a lot.Jumping like mountain goats among the various stones, we came to the Cascade base: a small pond dark due to a projected shadow and 30 meters deep; a beautiful gulf.A local guide,  from a group of German and Italians tourist, in trunks, dove into the water. Then a man with more than 70 years.I couldn`t resist: undressed and, with only boxers, I was diving well.Should be 30 ° C out - and was nine in the morning - and were 14ºC in the water. An ice, a huge thermal shock; but not as great as the pleasure of swimming in that place, knowing that most likely will never have the opportunity to do so.With the heat rising, quickly I was dry.Jim Jim Falls followed for another 10 Km of hard rock road, dense vegetation and crossing rivers over 80 cm deep to the Twin Falls.Arrived there, the park guide told us of the dangers of making a 3 km walk to the top of the waterfall, with the heat that was felt.So we caught a small boat that took us almost to the base of the waterfall; this with water.Unlike the previous one, as the water flows, there system of communicating vessels between the various streams and rivers, and the danger to appear one or more real crocodiles. Here is strictly forbidden to enter the water.The beaches that form are indescribably beautiful, dug many meters deep between rocks and cliffs. The desire to return to swim was huge. I didn`t directly done it otherwise.João told me to put in Cascade basis to take a picture with the water to fall, like a shower.Off I went, dress. Not content with where I was, I decided to hike the base of stones across the falling water main. The moss and mistletoe were quite slippery and what began as a walk, fairly rapidly turned into a climbing style Spider-Man, not me crashing on the rocks and in the water.I could, I was all wet but took a picture in one place, bathed in the clear, cold water of Twin Falls.So much emotion in one day!Then it was time to go back to Darwin for the same dirt road, almost deserted that with the orange cast of the sunset and the cars abandoned on the roadside due to accidents with animals, gave a Madmax atmosphere.Arrived in Darwin was time to shower in a bathtub, pack up and go around the city.Tomorrow we go to Singapore in a hurry, see the rest of the city.