Tag Archives: Scenics

Madeira: Encumeada, Porto Moniz, Cabo Girão &…

Posted on July 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

Encumeada

Intense Blue From My Window!

The Atlantic Ocean, landing on the narrow track, then road to Calheta to stop at the Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa. Followed by a very nice dinner with our small team at the hotel’s Restaurante Engenho. Where I enjoyed an excellent salad with octopus and filmed my first Periscope (epic)! Yep now you can also follow my streams (live video where you can interact with me) on Periscope! We laughed a lot!

This morning I’m a little late (big mess with the time change, my phone etc …), starting at 9:15 am instead of 9 am (okay)! First stop: the Encumeada viewpoint at 1007 meters. Magnificent panorama of chains of very green mountains overlooking the northern and southern coasts of the island and valleys of Ribeira Brava and São Vicente (photo 1 & photo montage below).

We continue towards the northwest of Madeira: Porto Moniz.

Porto Moniz

The Famous Natural Pools

As we head the north of the island, the vegetation changes and the sky is overcast with clouds when we reach the village of Porto Moniz. Pretty impressive weather contrast between the South and North of the island.

What fun discovering the natural pools: shaggy rocks with the ocean in the background … Like a decor of the golden age of Italian cinema. Awesome! The water is cold but not more than Sagres (which is the colder water of all over Portugal for me!). Occasionally a clearing in the sky… Great experience!

Delicious fish for lunch on the lovely terrace of the Aqua Natura Madeira restaurant with direct views to the pools. I am hypnotised by the ocean, horizon, waves, rocks and sometimes the blinding brightness … (photos below). And my tweets (LOL)! I take this opportunity to visit this charming family hotel, with new facilities and ideally located with stunning ocean views.

Cabo Girão

Light & Vertigo

After a detour via the Saccharum, here I am at 580 meters above the sea level, on one of the highest cliffs in the world (no, these are not my feet)! Enjoying the different blues of the Ocean and beautiful golden light of late afternoon!

Câmara de Lobos

Picturesque Fishing Village

with colored boats (xavelhas). The specialty is fishing for black swordfish. It makes me think about Hemingway and The Old Man and the Sea … The navigator João Gonçalves Zarco who discovered Madeira in the fifteenth century, founded the first colony on the island in Câmara de Lobos (House of Wolves in English).

Dinner of very good fishes cooked on the grill at the Vila do Peixe terrace, enjoying the relaxing view (pictures below) … Time is pending. I could stay hours just for the peaceful view. To be continued …

Informations

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & TAP

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal and TAP. As always all my opinions are mine.

Algarve, Portugal: Anti-stress Massage @ Vila Vita Vital

Posted on March 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

Long weekend in an amazing location in the Algarve,

South of Portugal: the superb Vila Vita Parc, part of The Leading Hotels of the World! Exceptional retreat to reconnect with the elements: blue for the sky and the ocean, and green for the beautiful gardens (bougainvillea, hibiscus and a thousand other trees, plants and flowers)! Bathed in an incredible brightness.

As I take a break at the spa,

I check out the “Anti-stress 50 minutes” massage done by Margarida. While I am lying on stomach, the therapist diagnostic all my old tensions and chronic contractions. She starts by getting the muscles and tissues of my back by so-called movement “Swedish massage”, more and more strong.

Then she alternates different movements: kneading, stretching, pressure, muscles friction and effleurage movements becoming stronger all over the back. At times that’s a little painful. But much less than Thai or Martine de Richeville massages!

To eliminate the pain and continue the massage

with higher pressures, Margarida applies to my back a hot wet towel twice. And my back, shoulders and arms muscles start deeply relaxing. I lightly dozed.

Change of position, I turn on the back for the foot massage with reflexology pressure and work on points related to the back and shoulders and those connected to stress, to extend the relaxation effect. When the massage is finished I’m half asleep! My upper back is much more fluid and flexible and I can again turn and tilt my head! Thank you Margarida.

An anti-fat miracle machine?

The spa has the Hypoxy, a “revolutionary” new machine for body sculpting, slimming and toning. Depending on your specific needs, the therapists of Vila Vita Vital can make you a program. From what I understand, the principle is to eliminate localized fat on the waist, stomach… (lower body) alternating high and low pressure to stimulate the circulation of blood to improve the removal of fat.

Do not dream: for great results, the Hypoxy program must be associated with a hydrocarb free diet to burn your old (buddy) fat. Forget bread, flour, potatoes, pasta, rice, and tutti quanti …! But the results may be quick, visible and lasting! Now I am convinced this machine was made for me (LOL!). If I have the opportunity to try the program, I’ll let you know about the bikini body! ; )

Informations

www.vilavitaparc.com & Vila Vita Vital

BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

I was invited by the Vita Vila Parc and as always these are my opinions. Many thanks to the whole team.

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

Posted on July 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

For the third day I am in Chumphon.

During my first trip to Thailand, I have already stopped to Chumphon on my way to Koh Samet. This time I woke up at dawn to get to the estuary Pak Tako. A 5 minute drive from Tusita Resort & Spa.

The beach is large, palm trees, a wreck and low tide. Some pictures and mosquito bites, waiting for the traditional boat in which we visit the estuary. Timidly the sun rises. Beautiful light with golden reflections through threatening clouds, the sky cleared. This is the beginning of the rainy season. And the bottom of the air is already heavy, tropical weather.

The boat is late (ahora misma, lol). Finally sat in the front “seat”, I gradually discovered each bank. Pristine luxuriant nature on one side (pictures 5,8 & 10). Fishermen’s wooden houses on stilts, boats, fishing boats and warehouses on the other side. Gently life resumes and we meet here and there a fisherman or older women drinking tea (pictures 4 & 6).

No noise except for few boat engines. I like watching the conch of traditional boats. Everything seems immutable, like a ritual that is repeated again and again, reassuring. Time slows down. A peaceful feeling without crowds or tourist. The estuary is small and the boat is fast enough. And we decide to attend the return of fishing in the warehouses. We reach them by road in less than 5 minutes. To be contunued…

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND and Twitter. You can also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!

Thaïland: On the road from Amphawa to Chumphon

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Tag Archives: Scenics

Madeira: Encumeada, Porto Moniz, Cabo Girão &…

Encumeada

Intense Blue From My Window!

Porto Moniz

The Famous Natural Pools

Cabo Girão

Light & Vertigo

Câmara de Lobos

Picturesque Fishing Village

Informations

Algarve, Portugal: Anti-stress Massage @ Vila Vita Vital

Long weekend in an amazing location in the Algarve,

An anti-fat miracle machine?

Informations

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

For the third day I am in Chumphon.

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