Hard lesson in traveling. Indonesia, Bali

Lombok is the main island of West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara refers to the islands east of Bali) in Indonesia, offering a charming variety of landscapes, places of interest and activities for the tourist. When I left home in September 2001 this was my final destination. Firstly I should stop in, Singapore, then Indonesia, visiting Java, Sulawesi, Bali and finally Lombok. I left home with a bag of expectations and 26 days to enjoy the beauties of this group of islands laid down between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. Singapore was great, as well as Java, where I fond unexpected treasures. But this trip end up being one of my most difficult one. After Java, I get back to Singapore for changing planes and go on to Sulawesi, the Toraja’s people island where the elaborate death rituals are really something, once the dead are treated like the living. I should trust my guide: “Be one of the the lucky few to visit our unspoiled tropical islands” it says. At the arrival desk my 30 days visa became invalid – they said - and the Sulawesi authorities didn’t allow me to get in the country again. My passport was taken, my luggage was set aside, and I was send back to Singapore in the same plane. This time, deported with my passport confiscate, with a stamp in bright red mentioning “entrance not allowed”. At the arriving at Singapore airport, I was escorted by the police until being out the international area. I receive my passport and just a few words: “You are now free to go”, they said at the door. That guide expression “the lucky few to visit our unspoiled tropical islands” made more sense and I understood that even in an implicit way, the message was…it is not easy to get in there. The fact that I’m a Portuguese citizen in a time that a conflict was in place between Indonesia and East Timor didn’t help, I guess. I stayed tree days in Singapore trying to find a new visa and rescheduling all my flights. I tried to get some help from the contacts given in my traveling package. I took a hard lesson in traveling, never trust anybody! The phone numbers I had weren’t correct and the most of the names doesn’t’ exist anymore. I was brave enough to resist and in the fourth day I had a new visa and I took a plane to Bali. I regret this incident but I still enjoyed the rest of my trip. Bali was amazing and Lombok even looks more exotic. If you have the chance to visit do not miss the small five tropical islands (The Gillis; Trawangan, Meno, Gilli Nanggu and Moyo Island) nearby. Coastlines lined with pristine beaches and fabulous waters for swimming, sun baking, sailing, surfing, fishing and underwater activities wait for you. I took this photo in the Balinese highlands where the rise fields are placed as small lakes in the slopes and the men are brave enough to cultivate here. Even with this incident I still remember it with the passion of an unforgettable trip.

Torres del Paine National Park. Chile.

Torres del Paine National Park is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular national parks in the country and one of the most astonish places I ever visited. It is a magical place. Snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading rivers and waterfalls, glaciers and mirrored lakes: in all respects Torres del Paine national park deserves its reputation. Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978, the Torres del Paine national park (situated in the Magalhães) 12th region in Chile) is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful, unique and uncontaminated places on the planet. It has a huge variety of plant and animal species which, with its incredibly beautiful setting has made it an almost unequalled destination for hikers and backpackers, ecology-lovers and adventure sportsmen alike. It is a place of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, forests and incredible wildlife, all of which make it an exciting destination for wildlife observers and adventure sportsmen alike. Undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the park is the Macizo (Massif) of Paine, formed predominately from granite and whose origin dates back millions of years. The most famous peaks of the park are called the ‘Cuernos’ (horns) and ‘Torres’ (towers) of Paine. When I visited the place the weather was lousy but the place still has its mystic. I didn’t climb the horns, but I still have time to do it! I hope.