For the first time. Prague, Czech Republic

One of the things you never forget is the first time you went on a big trip. For the most part of the Europeans of my generation, the Inter Rail train ticket was the starting point of this big moment. One month, not much money, zero experience in travelling and the entire Europe to discover. A few days ago I read in a book that said that “loosing your travel virginity is a bit like loosing that other virginity really: you spend years dreaming about it; you have absolutely no idea what you're doing; it's over much quicker than you'd hoped; and you know you want to go back and try it again”. This sentence is the painful truth. My Inter rail was, like to all others I know, a trip that featured all of the first-time traveller clichés, for the experience and for the visited places, with one exception: Spain and France for the proximity, then Italy (Roma, Firenze, and Venezia) and Austria (Salzburg and Innsbruck). No, we didn’t go to Greece! On the contrary: in our last day in Venezia, at the stairs of the Santa Lucia Train Station, we were strong enough to change our plans. We were an extremely well organized group of friends - who had spent several days planning the whole trip (from the amount of tuna cans everyone should carry along, to the cheapest camping site we would have in each city) – but, for some reason (and many philosophical discussions after that!), we decided to follow the advice of some other travellers who were arriving. They said we had to go to Prague. So we went, and they were right. Despite (and because of) the recent Velvet Revolution, Prague was still a city like any other we had seen so far: no McDonalds, no English Spoken, no cookies or chocolate bars on the regular supermarket shelves. No West. Instead, the feeling that we were making a journey into a magical place: the Slavia Cafe, the Staré Mesto (Old Town) main square, the wooden toys on children’ stores, the faces, the domes, the bridges, the atmosphere. Things were never the same again. We had just found that, rather than going, travelling was about being. In this story I had the pleasure to have a helpful collaboration of one of the fellows of my first adventure. Thanks. They were moments to remember for live.

Best view. Hong Kong. China

Hong Kong is a city of jade during the day, it becomes a luminous pearl with a sea of lights twinkling in the streets after dark. Where is the best place to enjoy the multi-colorful scene that encompasses Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor? Victoria Peak is a good location to view its day and night scene. Being 554 meters (about 1,817.6 feet) above sea level, Victoria Peak is the highest point within Hong Kong and occupies the western part of the island. How to reach Victoria Peak? We can take the Peak Tram, a pleasant ride ascending the mountain. The tram has been in operation for over one hundred years, and to date, no accidents have ever occurred. Your journey aboard the tram will take eight minutes and upon reaching the summit you will see a seven storied building in the shape of a ship. The view is amazing! This is the ideal spot to start. Welcome to Hong Kong.

Chao Phraya River, Bangkok Waterways. Thailand

Choosing a photo to a new post is a difficult task. But choosing a photo from Thailand to a post is even more difficult. I decided to explore the Chao Phraya River and the importance of the river on the daily life of the Bangkok inhabitants. I fond this photo, taken on the boat, when crossing the river. A cruise along the legendary Chao Phraya River and some canals on the Thon Buri side is the most pleasant way to explore the city once dubbed "Venice of the East" The majestic charm of the Chao Phraya adds perspective to your exploration of the city's premier attractions. Rivers and canals referred to maenam and khlong in Thai have always been vital forms of communication. When the capital of Thailand was moved to Bangkok in 1782 (the beginning of the Rattanakosin period), the capital was laced with canals. In the past, Bangkokians usually settled by the Chao Phraya River and gradually spread into the core of the country. The traces of the Early Rattanakosin period such as architecture and traditional ways of life have been left by the river more than in the inland areas. Besides, waterways at that time were the most important means of transportation and trading as well. Nowadays, even though Bangkok has become a modern city, the Chao Phraya River as well as the canals are still charming for whoever wishes to seek the peaceful atmosphere amidst bustling Bangkok. The river is necessary for everything, but firstly for the traffic of goods and people. In fact the ferry boat public transport system in the river is essential to all. You find them every 500 meters on the riverside. They simply cross the river from one side to the other and ask you the modest fee of 2 Baht per person. On several places along the river you find the "boat people", living permanently in their old and simple boats on the river. The "boat people" are very poor, but it seems that they would not want to live elsewhere. They seem to belong to the river. And the river belongs (partly) to them. Going from one end of the route of the Express Boat towards the other, you will literally pass dozens of Buddhist Temples. But (luckily) still the "ultimate sight" along the Chao Phraya River is a Buddhist Temple: Wat Arun ("The Temple of Dawn"). While travelling along the Chao Phraya River the people are the most excitant. These two young Buddhist boys left the boat with us at Wat Arun. They stillness and determination had impressed me.

Portuguese experience in New York. EUA

Pão is not just a Portuguese restaurant, it's a cultural mission. At least that's what Franco Coelho and Jorge Neves, the owners of this handsome little corner restaurant, would like Pão to be. “Portuguese culture has not been properly exposed in New York,” they say. Both where born in Portugal and came to the United States as a teen-ager. They opened Pão in 1996 several blocks west of SoHo, a neighborhood; it turns out, where Portuguese sailors boarded at the turn of the century. Already Pão's small bar has become an after-hours home to groups of Portuguese men and women and a big NY success. The owners, with the chef, Carmen Santos, they have dug into traditional Portuguese cuisine to put together a small menu that blends classic renditions with contemporary touches. Pão means bread, and the bread here, from the Portuguese bakeries in Newark, is wonderful, especially the broa de milho, a light brown roll made of wheat and corn. Appetizers include two wonderful soups. One is caldo verde, a potato broth with shredded kale, chunks of potato and slices of linguiça, the mild Portuguese sausage. Even better is what's whimsically called stone soup, filled with red beans and smoked meats, which give the broth a lingering smoky flavor. Grilled squid, in wide slices rather than rings, is light and full of flavor. It's served in a lemon-and-mustard sauce. A traditional dish, clams, cockles and shrimp, steamed in white wine and garlic and served in a polished copper cauldron, is great but maybe too salty for the Americans. Service is disarmingly casual. Try to ordered linguiça assada. The waiter will arrive with the linguiça in a plate, ignited the brandy with fire, placed the sausage over the flame and retreated. The sausage cooked, and cooked, and cooked, and is delicious. It will seemed charming rather than annoying, because the sausage is so tasty. Main courses include a traditional recipe are available: Bacalhau, another dish given a deft modern touch, sauteed salt cod that manages to suggest salt without being salty, served with onions and potatoes or the rabbit dish, with chestnuts in wine sauce. Desserts here are not to be missed. Pudding with port-and-prune sauce is wonderful, a light, egg pudding flavored with the rich, fruity but not overly sweet sauce or the rice pudding - fabulous - full of citrus, nutmeg and cinnamon. Tables are arranged in rows in the small, rectangular dining room, which can put people close together when it's crowded. Pão Restaurant is at the 322 Spring Street, at Greenwich Street, West Village, (212) 334-5464. A Portuguese experience not to be missed.

Orange tunnel at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Kyoto, Japan

Japan, again, to display of my favorites sites - Fushimi Inari Taisha (or Fushimi Inari Shrine). Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, sake, and prosperity. "Fushimi" is simply the location, added to the name to distinguish it from other Inari shrines. Is one of Kyoto's oldest (founded in 711 AD) and most revered Shinto shrines, Fushimi Inari serves as the headquarters for all the 40,000 shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Originally the god of rice, Inari now governs the modern equivalent: success and prosperity in business. Fushimi Inari Shrine draws thousands of businessmen and trades people seeking blessings for their enterprises, especially at the first prayers of the New Year. Fushimi Inari is noted for its remarkable sight of some 10,000 small torii (shrine gates) that arch over a long path up the hill behind the shrine. It takes about two hours to walk along the whole trail, but the experience is unique since it seams like we are walking in to a gigantic, endless orange tunnel. Donated and inscribed by businesses and individuals thankful for their prosperity, the long tunnel of torii is one of the most iconic visions of Kyoto. If possible, visit Furshimi Inari early in the morning since it is genuine worship place and is open since dark. That was what I did, and I felt wander walking alone through the tunnels of torii in the quiet woods. It is a magical experience: as the daylight start, the fresh fog vanishes in to the woods. Foxes are said to be the messengers of Inari, and stern bronze foxes (kitsune) can be seen throughout the shrine. Inari's foxes are generally considered helpful, but they have also been said to bewitch people. The keys that some of them hold in their mouths are for the rice granaries.

A-Ma Temple. Macau, China

Approximately four hundred years ago the Portuguese landed on a sea promontory near a temple. They asked the local inhabitants the name of the land, but the locals misunderstood, thinking that the Portuguese were asking for the name of the temple. So they answered 'Ma Ge', which was the name of the temple. Later, the Portuguese translated the named into 'Macau' and used it to refer to the land. In actuality, this temple is one of the three famous Buddha halls in Macau- the A-Ma Temple. It wasn’t just for this story, but the A-Ma temple was my favorite place in Macau when I visit it. The A-Ma Temple, located in the southeast of the Macau Peninsula, is the oldest temple in Macau. It was constructed in the year of 1488 of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to commemorate Mazu, the sacred sea goddess who blesses the fishermen of Macau. It is said that the goddess was called Lin Mo, and that she was born in Putian City, Fujian Province, and was more intelligent than other children her age. She could predict good or ill luck and after her death she often helped merchants and fishermen ward off calamities and turn danger into safety. The A-Ma Temple is a destination offering silence and spectacular views. The temple contains six main parts, all of which make up a series of classical Chinese architectural treasures, and this is all guarded by stone lions. Entering the temple and going across a gateway, you will reach the Hongren Hall by a winding path. A statue of Mazu is worshipped here, and it is believed that the hall has the longest history in the complex. Going ahead, the Hall of Avalokitesvara will present itself to visitors. It was constructed mainly using bricks and stone in a simple style. Compared with the other halls, the Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist hall) was designed tastefully both in regards to size and architectural style. Containing not only an ancient architectural complex, the temple also possesses a measure of the rich and profound Chinese culture. It is worth your while to stay and enjoy the various poems and inscriptions carved on the stone along the cliff. Furthermore, each year, on the days of the birthday of Mazu and the Chinese New Year, many male and female disciples gather here. They burn lots of incense to pay homage and pray for good fortune. I’ left a written wish too, but it is still incomplete. I think I have to return and ask Mazu to remember it.

A taste of colour. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is a central European city lying between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, in a basin where the Ljubljanica River flows into the Sava. Ljubljana as a city made to the measure of man. It is classified as a mid-sized European city, but it has preserved its small-town friendliness and relaxed atmosphere while providing all the facilities of a modern capital, and a very unique city dotted with pleasant picturesque places where you can expect all kinds of nice little surprises. During winter, its dreamy central European character prevails, and during summer its relaxed Mediterranean feel. Due to its geographical position, Ljubljana is also a perfect base for exploring the many faces and beauties of Slovenia, specially the natural beauty and cultural. Ljubljana's present appearance is partly due to the Italian Baroque and partly to Art Nouveau, which found expression in numerous buildings constructed after the earthquake of 1895. In the second half of the 20th century, it was the world famous architect Jože Plečnik that put an indelible personal stamp on his native Ljubljana. The city's appearance was further shaped by his students and a new wave of renowned young Slovenian architects. One of my favorite’s buildings is the well preserved Cooperative Business Bank building, located in the Miklošičeva Ulica Street. It is one of Ljubljana's most famous buildings. Despite being situated in a brightly coloured Art Nouveau quarter, its richly decorated facade makes it stand out from the surrounding buildings. Built in 1921 to a design by the architect Ivan Vurnik, it is considered to be one of the finest examples of Slovenian national style architecture. The inside of the building boasts a large reception hall with wall paintings and a glass ceiling constructed from small blue squares of glass with an inbuilt decorative strip made from various coloured bottles. The staircase hall on the first and second floors is decorated with stained glass windows depicting geometric motifs. The building's facade frescoes and interior wall paintings are the work of the architect Vurnik's Viennese-born wife Helena, who had taken part in her husband's research and design of distinctive Slovenian architecture. Her geometric ornaments in red, white and blue, the colour combination of the Slovenian tricolour, are mixed with elements of Slovenian iconography, such as stylized spruce-wooded and cornfield landscapes, vine plants and women in Slovenian national costumes.