Tag Archives: Exclusive Pictures

Madeira: Weekend in Porto Santo, Day 1

Posted on September 9, 2016 | Leave a comment

The Madeira Airport

One of My Shortest Flight Ever:

From Funchal to Porto Santo, a dreamy small island with a unique nine kilometer beach of golden sand lined and crystal clear water! I go there for a long sport and wellness weekend, between ocean and spa. I am super excited: it will be my first time in the island! Departure from the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (Madeira) with some arty monochrome-corridors, where I am in transit (above photo).

Of course I didn’t sleep the night before: as always a thousand things to absolutely do! I’m in great shape, if I sit down, I fall asleep (lol)! A little walk to the shopphing corner. Photo below: some Poncha, the ultra strong cocktail of Madeira! The pretty bottles on the top look like sunscreen aerosols flavored with orange, passion fruits etc …

That’s it, we are three passengers to board : ) The small plane could be a private jet (first photo of the post)! 25 minutes flight including the wait on the tarmac, takeoff, landing and probably 10 minutes in clouds. I feel euphoric! No you will not see my tired eyes (lol)! Photos below: beautiful views from my window of the Atlantic Ocean and Porto Santo.

I love the rocky side of this volcanic island! An island is always a little magic!

The View

How Many Shades of Blue?

Awesome ocean and beach view from my room balcony! Oops, I lost the key of my suitcase lock and need to take my swimsuit. Nice afternoon program: after a light lunch, I have a treatment at the Hotel Porto Santo spa, a specialty of the island …

The Spa

A Superb Spa All to Myself!

This is luxury, I know it’s insane! And even crazier: me in this “sandbox” (picture above)! I should say : me, from chin to toe, covered by the island warm sand (40 degree celcius, I believe). Muito obrigada to the therapist to have refreshed my face with a wet towel several times.

The explanation: the volcanic island of Porto Santo is famous for the beautiful 9 km beach. The “biogenic carbonate” (Terramiga) sand of this beach is good for the skin, arthritis and rheumatism among others. In the past, the islanders took sand baths on the beach, but there were a lot of accidents due to the burns. Now in spa, the temperature is controlled.

After the Geomedicin sand treatment and a long cold shower, I can notice the relaxing effect. The body released tensions, is deeply relaxed and flexible. The skin is extremely soft (still a little redish due to the warm). In photos below: the different spaces of the elegant spa with modern facilities and direct access to the beach (photos below). To be continued…

Informations

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & Hotel Port Santo

Related Posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this wonderful discovery of the island of Porto Santo. As always these are my opinions.

Exhibitions: Brussels-Sintra-Lisbon

Posted on August 31, 2016 | 2 comments

Brussels, Belgium

“Remember Memory” by Dennis Meyers

This spring and summer, I really enjoyed two exhibitions and a contemporary art fair between the cities of Brussels, Sintra and Lisbon.

Early in the summer, I discovered the monumental exhibition, “Remember Souvenir” by Denis Meyers in the Solvay building, an old office building abandoned in Brussels (above: a selfie with the artist). A declension of infinitive verbs covering walls in a maze of rooms, corridors and cellars of 25000 m².

In the two short videos (below), Denis Meyers summarized the crazy adventure of his monumental exhibition:

Sintra, Portugal

“Point of View”

During My Week-end in Cascais,

I took the opportunity to visit the exhibition of contemporary art, “Point of View” (do not miss it, until May 2017). The works of ten international artists are scattered in the beautiful Parque do Palácio da Pena in Sintra (listed World Heritage by UNESCO).

Another monumental exhibition that makes you do exercise, because the park is huge! You go up and down non stop. And plan some time, to avoid running from one point to another as I did! In photos above: the “Cura / Cure” installation by Antonio Bokel.

Photos below: 1, the untitled art work in acacia wood by Bosco Sodi. 2 & 3, I really like this “painting” of Nils-Udo, “Clareira / Clearing” (composed of grass and granite), supposed to remind the Eden Garden. 4 Nespoon, The Big Picture. Looking up, you can see the magnificent Palácio da Pena.

Lisbon, Portugal

ARCOlisboa

Now Lisbon Has Its Contemporary Art Fair

The fair is not huge, so I could take the time to see everything … on ten centimeter heels (4 inches! LOL, no comment!). You’ve never seen me in an art fair or museum: I take for hours to see everything! Especially when I am excited by what I discovered.

So here are my favorites of this first edition of ARCOLisboa which included 45 Portuguese and international galleries. Photos above: 1. The fair was held in the Cordoaria Nacional (heritage monument opposite the Tagus). 2, Fantastic square bike: Nicolas Paris, Sala para o erro auta (quadrado), 2015, Galeria Luisa Strina. 3. The skate boards: Nuno da Luz, Bullroarers, 2015, Vera Cortês Art Agency.

Photos below : 1, Rita McBride, Previous Owner, 2008, Galeria Pedro Oliveira. 2, Domingos Rego, untitled, 2016, Galeria João Esteves de Oliveira. 3. The exhibition spaces. 4, Philippe Decrauzat : Flag (WV), 2015 (right) et Untitled, 2014 (left), Parra & Romero.

Informations

Denis Meyers, Point of View, ARCOlisboa

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

A big thank you to Patricia, my guide of the “Point of View” exhibition that I recommend you!

2 Comments

Posted in "On the road again"

Tagged "Point of View" exhibition in Sintra, "Remember Memory" Exhibition in Brussels, Antonio Bokel, ARCOLisboa, Art Galleries, Artists, Belgium, Brussels, Contemporary art, Contemporary Art Fair, Culture, Denis Meyers, Europe, Exclusive Pictures, Exclusive Video, Heritage, Lisbon, Nespoon, Nils Udo, Parque do Palácio da Pena, Pientres, Portugal, Sculptors, Sintra, Unesco World Heritage

Portugal: Surf & Quad in Alentejo

Posted on July 24, 2016 | Leave a comment

Surf Lesson in Comporta

Praia do Carvalhal

I’ve told you about Comporta for years (lol!). This time, I discover the beautiful Carvalhal beach for a surf lesson with Ana, the smiling surfer and owner of the Carvalhal Surf School et Surfincomporta. On the black and white picture above, Ana shows us how to carry our surfboards.

I dread to enter the icy water, even with this thick wetsuit. Before: a short warm-up, we runs, jump and stretch in the sand. This morning, the beach is empty and the sun begins to hit. If it could warm the Ocean. Ana, assisted by another instructor, take each one of us apart to show us the basic moves. And we repeat several times on the board in the sand. And then … well let’s go (lololol)!

M, if you read me you must laugh (my surf coach in another life!), you know I have absolutely no balance on a surfboard! I plunge in the water: banzai! Small waves are finally enough powerful. Wash machine and I am ready to go.

For more than an hour (or two, I do not know) the game is to try to get up on the board: bad start, bad foot, in short always something (lol)! But as I like to be active in the water, it was a pleasure. My arms are dead! Ana is great, always attentive, determinated and patient. Everyone goes at their own pace. And when we come out of the water, we all look happy … and pretty tired too (yes!).

Lunch of Regional Cuisine

After surfing, a little cold shower in the dressing rooms of the Parque Desportivo, where we laughed a lot. Then we head to the famous Restaurante A Escola (the chef and owner on the left picture below).

The food is delicious: very good wild rabbit meatloaf with orange slices. I, who never eat rabbit (the first left picture below)! Many different dishes and desserts.

Quad Near Beja

My First Time Riding a Quad

Same team. At the end of the day on quads in the beautiful property of the Vila Galé Clube de Campo hotel. I like motor sports: this winter, I had my first driving on ice. And teenager, I had a scooter. But I had never tried the quad.

I was a bit worried when I read the form to fill and sign in case of accident! Before following the instructor in nature, a drive lesson in the hotel car park. You have to slowly zigzag between the small signaling items. It’s fun.

The ride lasts 1-1h30 and when it was my turn, I really enjoy riding. You can’t see in the photos, some muddy parts of the trail (I managed to save my all white sneakers when rafting, but not here!). If you can, try! Especially in such a setting!

Informations

Visit Alentejo, Visit Portugal & Surfincomporta

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE& HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal to this beautiful invitation. Thanks to Ana for the great surf lesson. As always, these are my opinions.

Tag Archives: Exclusive Pictures

Madeira: Weekend in Porto Santo, Day 1

The Madeira Airport

One of My Shortest Flight Ever:

The View

How Many Shades of Blue?

The Spa

A Superb Spa All to Myself!

Informations

Exhibitions: Brussels-Sintra-Lisbon

Brussels, Belgium

“Remember Memory” by Dennis Meyers

Sintra, Portugal

“Point of View”

During My Week-end in Cascais,

Lisbon, Portugal

ARCOlisboa

Now Lisbon Has Its Contemporary Art Fair

Informations

Portugal: Surf & Quad in Alentejo

Surf Lesson in Comporta

Praia do Carvalhal

Lunch of Regional Cuisine

Quad Near Beja

My First Time Riding a Quad

Informations

Search It!

Recent Entries

Links

ABOUT

Search

Archives