San Juan Chamula. Chiapas, México

One of the reasons I start this journal is because the world is big but full of special and interesting places. Each place has for each person a special effect a special pleasure or a special story. I already mentioned a few of those places that, to me, have this special effect. For its singularity, San Juan Chamula, is one of those places. The Chamulas people have always been a fiercely independent people. As part of the Tzotzil community, they resisted the Spanish upon their arrival in 1524 and later staged a famous rebellion in 1869, attacking the nearby colonial settlement of San Cristobal. The small town, about 10km (6 miles) from San Cristobal, is a key attraction as part of a tour of local villages around San Cristobal, and is best experienced with the help of a local guide, who can give insight and local knowledge that will help you to make some sense of the distinct culture and customs practiced here. Like neighboring Zinacatan the Chamulas are also enjoy being a private people; like other indigenous communities in this region, they can be identified by the clothes they wear: in this case distinctive purples and pinks predominate. All the clothes they wear are hand made locally. The wool on the sheep, cleaning, dyes and knitting are all obtained "in-house": nothing is purchased externally. Sheep are sacred here: they are treated, protected and mourned on passing as any other member of the family. If you are driving through this region take extreme precautions with sheep that may wander into the road. More than anywhere else in this region - you must take extreme care with your photography here. I never experienced nothing like this before. It is completely prohibited to take photographs inside any church, or of any ritual or any religious leader or healer. The least that will happen is that you will have fresh produce hurled at you and your camera; you can also have your camera confiscated, be fined and even imprisoned. The warnings are not lip service - these people are serious about their privacy. I never had this feeling before. The (legal) photos I was able to take from the outside church, have a unique value and are an extraordinary memory of this trip.

O que é que a Baiana tem? Salvador, Brazil

Sorry for the Portuguese title of the photo from the popular music of Carmen Miranda (in English should be something like “What does the Baiana have?”). Salvador, from the historic name, São Salvador da Baía de Todos os Santos, in English: "Holy Savior of All Saints' Bay", is a city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. In Salvador - the African soul of Brazil - the descendants of slaves preserved their cultural roots more than anywhere else in the New World. The result is a magnificent place, with hypnotic drum beats, graceful movement, fragrant spices, inherent sensuality and axé : divine energy that brings good luck and positive results. Salvador combines all these elements in wild festivals, including Brazil's hottest Carnaval. But even on ordinary days you can come across a capoeira (martial art/dance) circle, munch acarajé (bean and shrimp dumplings fried in dendê oil) done by a beautiful Baiana like this one in the photo I took back in 2005 on the street, and witness a Candomblé follower possessed by an African deity. Do you still need to ask “O que é que a Baiana tem?”

My favorite sunset. Formentera, Spain

I’m back from the paradise. Formentera proved, again, to be an extraordinary summer holiday spot. My days in Formentera were days lived in a slower and quieter world. The beach is astonishing as it is the relaxing atmosphere lived everywhere in the island. In my opinion, one of the best strips of sand is in the western part, at Playa Illetas, now a very well preserved National Park. In Playa des Illetas is also where it stands one of the best beachfront bars known here as chiringuitos: Big Sur. In the late afternoon, when the sun is lower and less intense, the ambience at Big Sur is remarkable. This is the Beach where to enjoy the most exclusive sunset and undoubtedly in Formentera dancing on the modern music rhythm. The Big Sur is located at the beginning of les Illetas beach, and it is one of the most popular and trendy beach bars on the island. Unfortunately, it can be so crowded that you cannot even move, and you have to queue for a cocktail. But don’t worry you still have all the beach to yourself. Since this bar is very trendy (and posh), a lot of yachts stops here at sunset time for an aperitif. Take note that Formentera is famous because of its aperitif beach bars. Big Sur is known for the quality of all successes got during time thanks to people and tendences. In fact it’s said in several magazines and newspapers, that Big Sur is one of the most successful European summer places. Numberless of most famous international D.J.s who have played here making dance many people, appreciated the marvelous sunset too! A good choice is also the Blue Bar, a chilled-out restaurant/bar on Platja Mitjorn, with a D.J. set up in the sand playing ambient reggae music, and picnic tables and lounge chairs by the water, the clientele was mostly handsome 30-something couples with children. This one is for another photo.

Blue waters bridge. Formentera, Spain

Today, the Tricky Traveler Journal is celebrating is fist month. One month is little, but, nevertheless, we had the chance to cross twenty one photos in fourteen different countries, not counting with the patterns gallery. But other thing is happen today. Tricky Traveler is going to traveler! So, in order to commemorate such big events and also to promote some jealousy, I let you one more photo of the paradise: Formentera, witch is exactly where I’m going. I will be back soon with more stories and photos from our beautiful world.