Tag Archives: Lunch

Portugal: Surf & Quad in Alentejo

Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Surf Lesson in Comporta

Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!).

Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Praia-do-Carvalhal-Surf-with-Carvalhal-Surf-School-6B-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

Portugal-Alentejo-Comporta-Restaurante-A-Escola-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Quad Near Beja

Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Albernoa-Quad-Tour-at-Vila-Galé-Clube-de-Campo-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Visit AlentejoVisit Portugal & Surfincomporta

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLEHOTEL 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.

Rafting in Alentejo, Portugal

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-Glamping-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Alentejo, Here We Are!

Portugal-Alentejo-Mora-Solar-Dos-Lilases-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

On The Way To Mora

First day of this trip in Alentejo, with a superb brightness, fantastic sun and white walls lined with yellow or blue paint! I joined the team in Lisbon and we left in the morning. 

We stop at Mora in Evora district to have lunch at the excellent restaurant Solar dos Lilases (photo below). The day promises to be exciting: I will have my first experience rafting!

Portugal-Alentejo-Mora-Solar-Dos-Lilases-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My First Experience Rafting

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-20-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

And The Boat?

When I do things for the first time, I have no a priori. If someone had told me that I will use my body (instead of a pneumatic or kayak) to drift on a freezing cold river: not sure that I would have been as naively enthusiastic (lol)! 

We are in pristine nature (of course!). At the entrance of the huge property of Azenhas da Seda, a jeep leads us to the camp. Everything is very well organized and the modern facilities blend into the landscape. 

The multi-layers equipment is an absolute nightmare for the good taste: swimsuit under shorty wetsuit, gloves and booties, life jacket, helmet and training shoes. After taking a really cold shower (to acclimate the body to the river temperature!), a small briefing in the shade of trees. Cozy … 

Time to mentally record the advices and I am on the back drifting in a water more than icy … and using my hands and arms as rudder, to avoid the river banks (photo below). The feeling is WOW!

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-19-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

New Quick Briefing

about what’s next in the program. We progressively discover and are more and more motivated (with some giggles, lol!). Short hike through fields in a dream setting. And as we begin to dry our wet shorty wetsuit, surprise-surprise …

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-18-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Bush

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K
Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This Is Where It Gets Tricky

We sink into a narrow path. As long as the water remains at the ankles, it’s okay! By cons when my waist is immersed, less fun (lol)! Very quickly you can find yourself shoulders immersed.

As I’m not a big fan of the appearance of water, the chief monitor let me lead the way. Adventure, my dear! In fact, the water is clear, our movements make it murky and muddy. 

Suffice to say that I don’t know where I walk in the water! The interest of this “training” isn’t to ask questions, but anticipate and avoid holes etc… (LOL)! In places, it really shrinks and we must climb slippery big rocks (photo below). 

Seriously, I liked this challenging route. An intense cardio session surrounded by a superb pristine nature. That strengthens the team spirit (we were already a great team before!). And I forgot, the water is still frozen. The outdoors, baby!

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-12A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Camp

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

#sorrynotsorry

Last step before returning to the camp : jump into the river! Fortunately, not next to falls (on the above photo), but in a quiet location with a slight current (below photos).

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Glamping Break

Comfortable tent furnished with a real bed, dressing table and mini zen garden (composed of rocks), on top of a small cliff with a view overlooking the river and nature. Nice warm sunshine …  

Hardly time to get dressed and we leave the Azenhas da Seda to go to Avis. Happy busy day with my first experience rafting! I lightly doze watching the countryside …

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-Glamping-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Sleeping In The Vineyards

Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Sun Is Still Strong

when we arrive at the Herdade da Cortesia. I snap few pictures of the room before the dinner. I like the cinemascope view in the bathroom! Awesome! Like an elegant ranch at the end of the world, pampa … 

Nice decoration with a soft lighting: I do not have the strength to raise the mechanical blind facing the bed. If I sit down, I fall asleep: courage, Mademoiselle! The last two pictures of the post (below): the restaurant and the large table for dinner. See you tomorrow…

Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Informations  

Visit PortugalVisit Alentejo, Solar dos Lilases, Azenhas da SedaHerdade da Cortesia

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal for this amazing invitation. Thanks to the cool team of Azenhas da Seda too. As always these are my opinions.

Courchevel, France: Outdoors, Art & Chocolate

France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Snowshoeing At The Lake de Rosière

France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Stunning Nature

My “real” first snowshoe walk, 2:30 in the powder … We are going through a pine forest, the dream! Beautiful landscape and hike level rather easy.

Especially at the beginning when the path goes down, but on the way back to go up, the steep is harder. I focus on breathing and keep my own pace (without stopping).

We are a group of ten people, including the monitor of Raquette Evasion, with all levels and ages (from 20 to more than 70 years old). And the most enduring aren’t the youngest … as I noticed during my hike to Serra da Estrella.   

What a shock while discovering the shores of the lake! I feel like being in an unreal world and am euphoric. The photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Lunch At 2732 Meters

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Mountain-Breathtaking-View-Snow-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Breathtaking Views 

I am invited by the White 1921 Courchvel, with my friend Lorène to have a lunch at Le Panoramic. This mountain restaurant is located at 2732 meters, on top of the Saulire … with views of Mont Blanc!

I am captivated by the mountains, slopes and this incredible brightness! I imagine being an eagle flying over the white tops of mountains … As we aren’t really hungry, we choose a very good steamed vegetables. Plus a chocolate ice cream for me (LOL).

I can spend the afternoon in a deck chair in the sun …

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

What To Bring Back Home From Courchevel?

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chocolates!

Yes, 100% organic chocolates (home)made in Courchevel! With new flavors developed by Florencia Malbrán, owner and chocolatier of Piste Noire. If you are a chocolate lover, you must try! 

Photo montage above : the facade of the White 1921 Courchevel, one of the wolves of the sculptor Orlinski, in the context of the exhibition “Art Over The Mountain Tops“. A tasting box of different chocolates, Piste Noire. And a white carriage for all the (shopping) princesses (LOL!) … 

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

White 1921 Courchevel, Office du tourisme de Courchevel,  www.les3vallees.com  

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the White 1921 Courchevel (and its great team), Tourist Office of Courchevel and 3 Vallées for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.