Lagido as second option. Baleal/ Peniche. Portugal

The ladies need to be finished by Monday and Steph Gilmore wants to kick off at Supers. Like, right now. “Unfortunately, there’d only be a few of the girls who could handle it,” says Rip Curl team manager Garry Dunne, “We’ll have to move them to Lagido.” The wave the men are already refusing to surf? Really? Lagido is a ten minutes drive from Peniche. Sometimes when the waves are not quite right this could be an option. This day was the girls day. The women’s competition speeds through to the quarter-finals. Bruna Schmitz gets knocked out and lover Jeremy Flores curses the judges. It’s a race against the monstrous purple blob in the Atlantic that threatens to bring XXL-sized waves. Organisers need to get as much done as possible. Carissa Moore and Sally Fitzgibbons make the waves look better than they are. Carissa Moore was the girl of the day. Congratulations Carissa.

Waiting for the good weather, enjoying Perhentian sunset. Malaysia.

The weather is really lousy in Lisbon today. It is raining and windy. I had in my program a surfing weekend at Peniche, with some surf to myself, but also to get a glance at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal and see the action of the best from the best surfers in the world. But, after assessing the conditions at Supertubos, Belgas and Lagido, the ASP organization decided to call competition off for the day. Severe storm is expecting to move in throughout the day. Rip Curl Pro Portugal, are calling for a massive swell system to move into the region in the next 48 hours, with seas up to 20 feet (7 meters). Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am to assess conditions for a possible 8:30am start. Meanwhile, I feel like going in to the sun again, to the clear waters of Asia. Let’s go to the Perhentian Islands. The Perhentian Islands are a small group of beautiful, coral-fringed islands off the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, not far from the Thai border. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). Kecil attracts more travellers as it has cheaper accommodation, while Besar is a little more expensive and caters more to families and those who want to avoid the backpacker party scene. The sea is extraordinary for snorkeling, diving or just swimming. It is a fantastic place to spend holidays and to discover a bit of the hidden Malaysia. Of course the sunset is always a high moment, even if you have to cross the all island to get to the other side, after all, we can’t have sunrise and sunset from the same side. Keep waiting for the good weather.

Tossing a Coin at Fontana di Trevi! Why not?

The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district, and it seams to attract millions of persons each day. I was impressed with the amount of tourist in such a small square, but even so, still so beautiful. The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water. In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. A previous undertaking to build the fountain after a design by Bernini was halted a century earlier after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi based his theatrical masterpiece on this design. Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally completed in 1762. The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. Tossing a Coin? Why not? The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain. If you toss two you can even find a girlfriend or a boyfriend in Rome. Toss tree, maybe you married him/her.

Malaca, Malaysia. From the Old Portuguese times to the colorful trishaws

At the time of the Portuguese arrival in the Asian seas, Malacca, thanks to its strategic position on the strait bearing the same name, was a remarkable trading center for the trade and shunting of spices. At that time, Malacca was ruled by a Muslim Sultanate. The town extended its influence over a vast territory, which included the whole Malaya Peninsula. Today, Malacca – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 – is one of Malaysia’s hottest tourist destinations. Blending modern action with its surrounding Dutch, Peranakan and Portuguese architecture, Malacca has – over the years – developed at a mind-boggling rate. Home to the oldest functioning mosque, Catholic Church and Buddhist temple in the country, the city is uber-friendly and is best represented by its Chinatown artists, cuisine and creative trishaws. I was impressed by the colorful trishaws. Actually, they are almost houses, with music and other facilities.

An untouched piece of true Greece

My last spot is Greece was the small Island of Folegandros (32 km.², 650 inhabitants) actually the only new spot in this trip. Folegandros has become fashionable, but it is still an untouched piece of true Greece. On account of the simple and relaxing atmosphere that reigns all around the island we like to distinguish it as the "island of Peace". The Chora (another one!), is so fare closed to cars and motorcycle traffic, and has a unique "center" of three squares in a row, with trees under which to enjoy a drink or food in a quiet, romantic atmosphere. In the gentle breeze passing through the small streets you may feel the perfume of lime trees or of the local (exceptional) bread. Bougainvillea and hibiscus color the small wooden balconies around the Kastro (XIII century). Kastro, the small fortress made by the Venitians in 1210, is the spot, colorful and really beautiful. Folegandros has three small villages, Karavostasi (the port), the Chora (main village) and Ano Meria which are connected by paved roads. What catches the eye immediately is the endless series of "dry-placed" walls that have been erected over the centuries by the inhabitants to create terraces on the sunny slopes of the territory to be able to raise cereals. The church of Panaghia, on the top of a hill, offers a nice walk and a magnificent view of the Chora and of the west coast.Walking this island is a joy as the nature and its perfumes, and its silence are really unique. It is one more for my package of islands in Greece. Maybe I will return for a longer stay. Good bye Greece.

Ios Island. The island of diversity.

My second stop was the island of Ios - once more. Ios Island in Greece is a famous tourist destination, attracting visitors with its golden beaches and the characteristic Aegean architecture. Ios is mostly known as the party island with the lively atmosphere and the endless fun. But there is much more. Far from the bars, with young people screaming and dancing during day light we have a truly Geek island to discover, a perfect mix between modernity and still some rurality, that make the delight of the food lovers. This time we passed our beloved Ios Palace at Milopotas and we stay at KOUKOS PENSION, a small family business – 6 rooms with bathroom, fridge, balcony and restaurant situated 9 km from the main village of Ios, Chora, at the fantastic beach of Agia Theodoti. It is a good and clean place with friendly atmosphere and traditional homemade cuisine (homemade cheese, vegetables from the garden and local honey) where the management of the place is not their biggest assets. Driving from Chora to Panos, and up the hill we reach the south coast of the island. This itinerary will probably offer you the most interesting excursion sites. Before getting to sea again, and if you turn left, it will take you to the monastery of Kalamos, a very well-preserved 200-year-old building, a special place of worship for the locals. The same road leads straight to Kalamos, a beautiful pebbly beach accessible by a 4x4 or only very adventurous family cars. Returning to the main road, a short way take us to Manganari, in my opinion four of the most beautiful beaches in the island (maybe in the Aegean sea!), each one lying next to the other, wait for the visitor to enjoy their peaceful nature. There are many seaside taverns where you can taste fresh fish, as well as good accommodation, but still a bit far from everything. The sunset is beautiful from the hills while returning home, the but most beautiful sunrise in Cyclades is from the KOUKOS PENSION. You just have to wake-up at 6.00 am and go to your balcony and enjoy it.

Athens is always Athens and Greece is always Greece

I just arrived from my summer holidays in Greece. Is the fourth time that I go to Greece and it is always a pleasure to be there. I use to say if I get confused about my holiday’s destiny or fed up with the world, I go to Greece. This time Athens had an additional motivation – the New Acropolis Museum. It only opened 1 year ago and it is a beautifully designed elegant building that allows you to look out at the Acropolis while seeing it. When the site was excavated, builders found ruins of Roman baths (be hard not to in Athens) so the built the museum up on large concrete pillars. Parts of these are visible from the forecourt which has open views of the site as well as being partly paved in glass. It is absolutely superb design and engineering. After the queue we go inside, we find more glass floors to show the ruins underneath. Each floor is dedicated to a separate temple from the Acropolis, with all the treasures in a "walk through" style, rather than just along a wall. The models of the Acropolis at various times in history are wonderful. The top floor, with a stunning view of the Parthenon itself is dedicated to that temple, and the remaining marble frieze takes pride of place in the middle, with pieces placed as they would have been on the original. Unfortunately there are many gaps which could, should be filled by the return of the pieces stolen by Elgin and still kept in the British Museum. There is no longer any need for Britain to keep them. This new museum will house them properly, safely, and much more appropriately. I found The Sanctuaries Exhibit, Caryatids and Friezes the most beautiful. It's a brilliant place. Then we have Athens life, hot nights, and people and of obviously…food: moussaka, shish kebabs in pita bread, souvlaki, tzatziki, hummmm. In the next days, some photos of my trip to Greece, without colors, because sometime life is just BLACK or WHITE.