Tag Archives: Sea

Vila Vita Parc, Portugal: Stunning Gardens & Beaches

Posted on June 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

A blessing to wake up with a such a beautifuf sun

and blue sky! We arrived the night before in a light rain at the Vila Vita Parc, fearing for the weather of this long weekend.

Fantastic brightness! What a great feeling! On my way to the Atlântico restaurant, for breakfast, I discover a multitude of trees, plants and flowers. As a symphony of colors where green predominates and nature is sublimated.

The art of farniente (doing nothing and enjoy), we immediately found this elevated hut as our “place” to chill out, close to the small hotel beach (photos below).

Around noon long visit of the stunning gardens,

maintained by more than fifty gardeners. The sun is at its zenith and I am happy to be in the shade in the kart! Strong light reveals the different greens of vegetation.

We stop first at a small wrought iron gate to reach the second public beach near the resort. One of the best spots to watch the sunset! And check out here the first beach of the resort.

We head to one of five luxurious villas

with buttler: photo above the roof of one of the vilas with a traditional fireplace of the Algarve.

Then we stop at Aladin Bar: my favorite ocean view terrace, inspired by Moorish and Arabic design. This is the place to enjoy a fruit cocktail in the evening (open from 6:30 p.m. till 1:30 a.m.)!

For the lazy ones, let the blazing sun and sunburns to athletes, LOL! And try these amazing Pool Bar‘s swing beds (last photo)! Trust the Queen of the “hammocking” (the art of hammock) ; )

Informations

www.vilavitaparc.com

Fashion: Let’s Go To The Beach In Algarve, Portugal

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

DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

I was hosted with a friend by the Vila Vita Parc and as always these are my opinions. Many thanks to all the team at Vila Vita Parc.

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

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

Posted on June 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

After the plane, a mini bus and trainspotting break,

here I am in a Thai boat through the mangroves along a channel where the river flows into the sea! Yep, sounds amazing!

Welcome to Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre! Some residents quite intrusive spy us : omnivores macaques with sharp canines. These greedy monkeys are eager for our guide’s bananas, coming very close. Too much for my taste! I do not like them! In addition, they swim great and that move in groups! Lololol (pictures 2 and 3).

On the opposite bank, we pass fishermen masked for protection from the sun (pictures 1 and 4), making fishing for mussels (mussel farming). The look is really impressive. Once arrived at sea, we are heading to a fishermen’s shelter for lunch, standing off in the middle of nowhere (picture 5).

Acrobatic arrival (picture 6), but the setting is awsome! Soothing, I dream of a hammock (picture 7). And I recommend to all those who do not like seafood, to bring a snack. Because that menu is seafood and seafood and shrimps, clams, crabs …

I make some snapshots of the incredible tattoos of the driver of our boat (pictures 8 and 9). Time flies, it’s already time to go back: sea, river, mangrove and minibus till the next stop, a Thai massage at the Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa. The hotel where we will spend the night.