8.8.15 - Kings Canyon | Alice Springs

More than 300 km in full Australian desert from Kings Canyon and the largest city in central Australia, Alice Springs.
More than 300 km dirty road - with holes, stones, cars remains, photo points, three gas stations and a village that resembled a roulotte park - through which tourists and locals, making it in some inhospitable points.
Yesterday saw no kangaroo - except what was stuck on mine and Joãos` plate - and today we will see the Australian icon.
We walk, walk and walk. We looked everywhere, left, and right for the spare tire. Anything. Only a few wild horses and cows. But judging by the excrement that existed in number and size, the animals should be all there, looking at us and laugh at themselves.
General laughing must have been when we had to stop to change a tire.
But then, like a F1 team, we took the bags from the car, let go the spare tire, took of the original tire, put the car in the air, we removed the tire, lowered the car, shook nuts in less 15 minutes. As girls looked at us and took pictures.
Camaraderie was what we feel because the cars that passed us during that time, 3 or 4, stopped and offered help.
After this episode - an adventure, I'll say! - We had to go direct to Alice Springs, risking not continue between the mountains, in the dirt, no spare tire and a plane to pick up towards the Great Barrier Reef.
As for kangaroos, despite signs on the road to have care with them, although we see broken cars that could only have crashed on an animal to stay in that state, not see them. As is the Zoo's recollection of Singapore and who bought a pen.

4.8.15 - Sydney

A gray and cold weather welcomed us today in Sydney. The rain threatened and it looked like the Serra da Estrela was next door.We had planned to go to the beach - just to see - but thought it would be better do it tomorrow, if the weather cleared.So, we went by tube to Kings Cross - Sydney Red Light District - to see the biggest Coca-Cola announcement of the southern hemisphere - which craze! And, just like yesterday at the post office, I have serious doubts that littlelyoutdoor is the largest in the south of the globe.From there we follow towards Parramatta. We arrived to a very fancy area, behind the Botanical Garden were is parked where some of the Australian war fleet. Among the "little boats", with a colossal size, an aircraft carrier. Wow, even the far, far away, I felt tiny!In this area, some old warehouses converted into a hotel and very beautiful houses side the water, a marina with beautiful boats: Sunseeker, Riva, Princess, wrapping other didn`t recognize the brand but it filled me measurements.Here too, a typical mobile home food, silver, with Harry's name. In addition to meat pies and vegetables, hamburgers and other specialties of this kind of "restaurants", hundreds of photographs of famous people who have been eating there. Of course I and João took a selfie; It was our face!We cross the Botanical and entered the city, where ancient buildings mingle with the skyscrapers and go down to rocks.We passed Rocks and went up to the bridge, crossing it to the other side.We again see the Opera House from a different perspective and arrived at the Luna Park, the sun came to us.We took pictures, laughed and caught the ferry to the other bank.After a gin in the Opera Kitchen we follow again to Kings Cross to see the Red Light in a more nocturnal perspective.A pint, pass by the supermarket and are at home to cook.Tomorrow is the last day in Sydney. Bondi Beach ?!

3.8.15 - Sydney

Sydney: a wonderful city; It will the southern hemisphere effect?!The day was full of knowledge and new things: we started to go to downtown to see the building built in honor of Queen Victoria. Imposing as any British building of that era, beautiful, mischaracterized the place - better in London - and recovered. Inside, a shopping center with major international brands and some niches such as art galleries, the Tate and MOMA shops, a spiral staircase to the roof with a tiny door to remember Harry Potter.Hence, crossing Market Street, we went for the Sydney Tower and had the opportunity to climb its 309 meters. Upstairs, a 360 ° view of the city, giving us the real prospect of those coming from the sea, land or air. Curiosity of the moment: a landmark mail even up there, saying it is a milestone in the highest activity in the southern hemisphere. In the Andes there isn`t postoffice ?!Continuing the city tour, followed by a garden that looked like an Oxford copy then we enter a road that led us to the Art Gallery New South Wales and the Botanical Garden.In the museum the better from first half of the twentieth century, with Picasso head, Matisse among others.Here, when took a selfie, a girl from high school came to ask if I wanted her to take off the picture. My selfie became a selfie with João and part of the secondary class, to laughter from the teacher who accompanied them.Ending a cultural visit, a lunch in the park for then we walk through the Botanical Gardens, to the Opera House.The garden grows as a natural barrier from the sea to the skyscrapers, a mix of color and life.The Opera House, designed by a Danish architect, through a draw without engineering project, with its white ceramic works as a ready to light and energy attraction. How does a shapeless object, brutal in its design, which generated an incalculable debt can attract so many people from all around the world ?!From Opera the Rocks was a hop, just in time to see the Museum of Contemporary Art before dinner. Various facilities with Energies title could put the audience to interact with the art: jobs headphones, running a hand through several draws, these emit different sounds. Or an image of a mountain where we could, by hand, fly like a bird and have many different perspectives.Nearly the end the day, a well-deserved dinner. Entries eat grilled vegetables, tuna flambé and bread with humus. For main course  lamb shoulder and white and dark chocolate parfait and goat cheese for desert. To drink, a white wine from New Zealand, varietal Sirah.
 Was it expensive? Yes, but here nothingis cheap ...

2.8.15 - Sydney

Yesterday Singapore was ran from one end to the other, leaving only a few sights to see in return.Because of this, with a flight at two in the morning in a very spartan low cost we were all very tired. No movies, no food, cramped seats, the 7 hour trip seemed that never passed. But for 170 euros, we could not ask for more.Arrived at the Australian city, went directy by metro to the apartment: twelfth floor with panoramic views.Thus, Sydney, just took a little back along the harbor and the Opera House. The rest is for the next three days.It was dinner time; for us, because for them this time had passed long time ago, and the streets were deserted. The restaurants doesn´t no longer serve and we take refuge in a bar with live music, burgers and beer.The building of the Opera House and the bridge, illuminated and reflected in the water, create a unique atmosphere. With no one else seemed a show mounted only for us.Tomorrow we will see it with day light and compare!

1.8.15 - Singapore

A few years ago I had an invitation to come to a go-kart race at Singapore. Yet tno one no talka about F1 or the Marina Bay, two joint projects. But the race was connected because it was one of those side events that serve to put a product in the mindset of consumers.I didn`t come.Since then I wanted to discover this city in the middle of the Indian and Pacific, the New York of the East.Singapore dawn gray, despite the heat and moisture; some raindrops threatened to fall but were by the threat.We left the hotel and after a brief stop at Starbucks - can`t like that - we started around the city.First destination: China Town.Between new skyscrapers, bright, with their metals and glossy glass, with the top names as JP Morgan, UBS, Merrill Lynch, among many others, is the heart of Singapore, the few houses of the city's origins and still they manage to escape to realestate fury.A tight neighborhood with trade and restoration streets, massage centers, Chinese pavilions and Art Deco houses, Buddhist temples, markets with all kinds of mushrooms, fish, insects and the like, dry for medicinal or culinary purposes.I entered a temple and attended a Buddhist ceremony. Out of respect imitated the gestures of others and can`t fail to hear the songs and prayers of the monks, tones of the various bongos and bells, an exotic atmosphere given the gold and the intense smell of incense.Necklaces and bracelets Buddhist sale from $ 150; I'm glad they aren`t a particular material goods religion!I bought an identical, on the street, for $ 8. Not blessed but for an atheist .. "who cares ?!"After China Town we went to Clark Quay, a more tourist area, with many cafes and restaurants by the river. We crossed several bridges and through, Ana dropped the lid of the camera to the river. The Iberian sympathy and perseverance and $ 10 made the cover back on the sidelines.Following Parliament were giving Cavenah Bridge and the Fullerton Hotel, continuing to Marina Bay to see the imposing building - a 'boat on top of three towers "- the lion that symbolizes Singapore and lunch.Speaking about lunch, it was at Pelican: fried fish and clams accompanied by beer. Five times the price of other places and half of flavor.After lunch we head to the Singapore Zoo, near the border with Malaysia. Being the zoo on 64 acres of tropical forest, created the idea is that the animals live freely as they are - many of them - in their natural habitat and barriers are almost invisible.Among crocodiles, rais, otters, flying squirrels, snakes, tigers, lions, leopards, bears, hyenas, giraffes, rats, spiders and scorpions, catfish, turtles and many other species, we made two trips at the zoo. One day, by the river: don`t go, not worth it: a tiny path of 15 minutes that just saw in the distance a giraffe. The best part of the river was the idea - for me and João

- that we were in the middle of the Mekong go get Marlon Brando; then they not missed two helicopters to fly over the area. Robert Duvall would be to get the board ?!At night we can see the animals in a different way. A walk to repeat but with more time ... Because after that was a rush to go to the hotel to shower, dinner in a Japanese - the best meal so far - and fly to the airport in a van out of Pimp My Ride.

31.7.15 - Doha | Singapore

Another plane, another very long journey that took us from Doha, Qatar, to Singapore. We crossed the Persian Gulf, India, Indian Ocean, grappling over Malaysia until we land in Singapore.The flight was delayed due to problems on the plane to get out of Doha - I was watching if I had to go out there pushing for him to start! Because of this we come to Singapore too late and didn`t see anything ...But before, during flight, slept, ate, drank and watched movies. A fish fillet with potatoes were served at breakfast and snacks throughout the rest of the day. I followed everything with distilled and fermented stuff.Birdman, by Alejandro González Iñárritu, with Michael Keaton, tells the story of a desperate man. It is a black comedy tending towards drama because in reality, portrays the lives of so many people.Then I saw Fury, with Brad Pitt. A film about the Second World War, I cried when  heard Logan Lerman playing the piano for Alicia von Rittberg. They didn`t know each other, didn`t speak the same language but were new and were living in the war. The music united them and past few minutes they were making love. The war killed her soon to follow.After I reviewed American Hustler and Indiana Jones before receiving the Singapore humid and hot air.It's half past one in the morning and now we come to the hotel. We went to a Sake Bar where a friendly staff served us sashimi, a kind of angúlias and a very small raw octopus.Tomorrow we spent the day in Singapore and at two in the morning we flew to Sydney.

29.7.15 - Porto | Zurich

Sleep deprivation, work hard: get everything ready in Loba to 25 days of absence from the country not to be felt.Pack, push the clothes inside. Let the fins but I put enough t-shirts for so long. Half of the trip is with harsh winter. The other half is hot summer.Liquid Image cameras and Hama accessories, are in Monte Campo. All conditioning. All compartmentalized.Domingos took me to the airport and Agência Paraíso, as always, did a fantastic job. After a few minutes I was on the plane, without having bought a book by Tolstoy - Death of Ivan Ilyich, I Le Carré latest in Le Carré book but they don´t have it - and a green Moleskine that will be the travel diary.The TAP flight to Zurich ran normally. As queue companions had a very fine and fancy couple, very nice: she was blonde with blue eyes, from switzerland; he Azorean, from Flores, son of Angola and with a great hair like a reggea artist.At this time the Aussie Connection is gathered in St. Gallen: barbecue, Super Bock and Gazela.My suitcase must be reduced and I`ll have to wash clothes in the middle of the trip, I have to buy some stick for trekking and forgot my pajamas - yes Mother! a drama that I have since the mid 90`s, with pajamas bought in all over the place.The great adventure has began: Australia here we go!

19.7.15 - Cíes Islands

I have written and re-written this chronic over and over.
I've used proverbs and thought it was against all rules of good taste and common sense.
I've done the pin and wrote one thousand lines without leaving any I liked particularly.
July and there was no sun; with the raindrops threatening to fall.
The visibility was not the best: I dare I say it was the worst dive of my life; but the sample is so so small that only serves to joke. Nevertheless I saw bright algae, sea stars and cucumbers, cuttlefish, sea bream, two mullets, parrotfish; a small octopus dropped his ink when I tried to play with it.
Like the dip at Relaxe, I had no problems on ears compensation, which left me very satisfied.
And then, in the end, there is everything what diving worth, even when conditions aren`t the best: friendship.
Thanks Roças, Sandra, Sara, Paulo, Carlos, Simão, Pedro, Ricardo, Angelica, Teles.
At the end of August we returned to dive together; you`ll have stories from the Red Sea and I`ll have from the Great Barrier Reef. Stories that make the history of the CCD.

Friendship

In the mid-90s from last century, a famous song from the Portuguese Paulo Gonzo had a chorus that was more a less like this:" wake up with the sun in the window and magic in the air, how is so good".
I didn`t wake up with the sun in the window and the magic in the air was different from what the singer spoke in music. It was the magic of friendship.
Directly from Tuscany, I received photos from Drews scooter, with the blog sticker on it. How fancy! I smile, frank, open, impossible to contain. In small gestures we found great friends. Fantastic!
Now, telling you the story from the beginning: as you know, I met Drew and Chel in Egypt. It was a friendship that was born in the first second we met. Drew is American ... with all Portuguese ribs; the flag you saw me strive for African land was his.
After numerous adventures of the Three Musketeers - I Drew and David, Australian - on top of our small-pony, friendship lasted. We talk almost every day, about everything and nothing.
When I launched the Crowdfunding, Drew and Chel were the first to support the initiative and, hence, have received the stickers from the trip, a special heart for them and numerous maps, postcards and brochures of the places where he spent on the trip by Austro -hungarien Empire.
Now it is time to go to Italy to see them

. It is promised.

14.06.15 - Budapest | Bratislava

Budapest by night ... or the best that the East has to offer, with a real cicerone. Teixeira has always been the right PR to go out and all this years in Hungary only have improved this quality. VIP bracelet and here we go!
Budapest has an extraordinary offer, which can either go from simple drink, to the most wild party with limousine and models able to make hide the girls from Hefner's mansion.
After having dined at nice restaurant under the hostel - the worst hostel that there is nothing like I've been to! - We follow walking to a bar in the city center.
The big hits of the disco club with few years and an environment to Fashion TV style was what we found. Then we went to the most recent and famous clubs of Budapest, Rio Club, on the Danube.
International DJ`s, gorgeous women and a fun night. If I say the time that over, say it was early. Walking at the pace you walk during the day, there are those who question how I rest!
In the morning I was still strolling on the banks of the Danube, enjoying the bridges, the castle and palaces. On the tour I was proud to see the posters to announce the Maria João Pires, as the great pianist. ... Then I follow the Danube to Bratislava.
(A Hungarian border with Slovakia will be forever in my memory. There is the historical significance of the border or the peculiarity of it. I can not remember how the border, to tell the truth.

Cross the Hungarian border with Slovakia will be forever in my memory because I saw something that left me with a dry throat, without air in the lungs, as if someone had punched me in the stomach. Looking at the stomach, it is not there: they put a hand inside me and removed the entrails.
Cross the Hungarian border with Slovakia will stay with me forever because I lived a time when he wanted to cry and couldn`t, wanted to vomit and didn`t leave.
I do not live in a perfect world and I know that there are things that, sooner or later, take place. I know that; we all know but we are never prepared. In a world of princes and princesses wouldn`t happen but so many times, my fault, this world became a great imperfection.
Moments like those who lived are those that make us reflect and lay down. Moments like those who lived are those who often speak at conferences and talks, where I say that the important thing is the goal and we have to have a lighthouse where we look when we lose our way.
My goal is to reach Memmingen and there, catch the plane home. That's where I'm going to look.)
Arrived in Bratislava, I had the same feeling a few years ago when I was Prague, "is this ?! This is said to be beautiful ?!".
Fortunately entering the Gothic maze of downtown all changes and fail to see the housing boxes of yesteryear.
The city, the historical part, is beautiful and the people living on the street, from the walls to the Danube. Despite being Sunday, the trade is open, there are several bazaars and everything vibrates.
Before returning to the hostel to write to you and take a quick shower, I went to Lidl to buy food for the next day: biscuits, water, snacks. In a little while I go to a jazz concert.
With a gray sky and a scorching heat, a thick rain fell from the sky. They did not get to wet the floor (not to wash anything).

6.6.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Vila do Conde

Sunny days and I was presented by Kawasaki with a J300 scooter for this weekend.
Scooter ?! Countryside or city ?!
The scooter is ideal for city, with its agility and simplicity handling. However Kawasaki exhibits an excellent 300cc engine and, therefore, decided to take that fact and a larger test route with the longest acceleration zones.
Countryside ?! With this heat? If i where inn Germany or Austria, certainly i choose the field. But being in Portugal, nothing better than enjoy our coast and beaches.
Looking at the map, my eyes settled in Vila do Conde: excellent beaches, bikes crowd usually go there, eating well and, above all, I have some great friends there and a house where I go since the middle eighties.
Vila do Conde, for me, is all about races: Praia Azul, Jardim, S da Piscina, Seca e o Castelo.
Vila do Conde was in adolescence, August holiday destination.
For all this, when I looked north and saw Vila do Conde, I had no doubt in ridding there.
I packed the Monte Campo under the seat, used a Nau Helmet, green metal flake - to match with the scooter - and Oakley to cover the sun, shorts and t-shirt, got out from Oliveira de Azeméis towards the Vila.
As the intention was to take the road, the sun, and relive the past, follow up to the Nacional Road 1.
By the middle of traffic, Kawasaki behaved beautifully, allowing me to make a quiet and inexpensive trip.
Then I had to take the A1 and VCI to get back on the national road; this time the National 13.
In the final part of the highway it was easily to reach 140 km / h ... and so I stayed. Not worth go faster.
After entered the N13, I returned to zigzag on traffic.
I remember in June and July of last century cross this road on Friday night to go watch the races. The trailer was a luxury, nobody thought in motorhomes as those nowadays come in our paddock. So for me, it was a treat to see go racing cars on the open road. VW Polo, Clio, Starlet, Corolla and many others. A golden age of National Speed.
Arrived in Vila do Conde, Ave river present me like a mirror reflecting the prison majestic building.
Before a beer near the old boxes, I revive the circuit and stroll through the historic district.
By the evening, with Vilacondense company from the last 30 years we went to sushi, followed by Expensive Soul.
Friends, heat, good music and a scooter. "What else" ?!

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.