Tag Archives: Travel

Porto Santo: Diving & Dolphins – Day 2

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Good Morning Porto Santo!

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My First Nitrox Diving

This morning, no time to hang out on the beach. I go to Rhea Dive to try my 7 mm wetsuit and equipment. I don’t travel with my heavy equipment anymore. The diving center has a wide range of impeccable equipment to rent or purchase.

Two other confirmed divers join us. Miguel and Milton, the Padi instructors, drive us to the Porto Santo harbour (below photo 1). We change here (2). Not a sound, as if the whole island was still asleep! I’m a excited I will dive Nitrox for the first time! I’ve never dived with enriched air Nitrox! Small briefing by Miguel about the spot where we are going to dive.

Cloudy weather: on the small boat, the air is cold and a little choppy sea. Too much current, we move to another diving spot. I dive with Miguel which is really calm. The water is freezing, but I forget very quickly: the underwater world is so relaxing. And I’m euphoric, when I encounter my first and only ray of this 44 minute dive : ))

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Dolphin Watching

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After Lunch

Back to the harbour for a long boat ride organized by Mar Dourado Company, among some islets facing Porto Santo (above photo: the coastline of Porto Santo). And if we are lucky enough, we will see some dolphins.

Very temperamental my friends the dolphins (lol)! I’ll see just one or two super hurry : )) Now the sky is clear with bright light! What an impressive landscape! Better than a long speech, enjoy my photos (below)! Picture 1, The traditional cake of fishermen. In fact, its consistency looks like a rusk with a neutral taste pretty salty.

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The Beach

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Late Sunset  

Before dinner, I finally take time to explore some of the famous nine kilometers beach with golden sand. Magic! To be continued…

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

Visit Madeira, Visit PortugalRhea Dive & Mar Dourado Company

Related Posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this wonderful discovery of the island of Porto Santo. Thanks to Miguel Matos, the Rhea Dive team and the Mar Dourado Company too! As always these are my opinions.

Madeira: Weekend in Porto Santo, Day 1

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Madeira Airport

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The View

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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 … 

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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… 

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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.

Portugal, Cascais: The Oitavos Hotel

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

50 Shades of Blue

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-swimming-Pool-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Weekend with Friends

I like going by car to Cascais on the Marginal road (20-30 minutes from Lisbon) to see the seaside. The brightness reminds California. Weekend “staycation” with my BFF at The Oitavos located in the middle of a beautiful pine trees. We take the opportunity to go visiting friends and the “Point of View” exhibition in Sintra.

Surprise while arriving: the super modern hotel is huge! And it largely fills my insatiable need for space, outside/inside, lobby, lounge, bar, restaurant, terraces, pool (photos below), corridors and the room! Bikini break, my HQ: the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and pines tilted by the wind! “Comment vous dire, tout est bleu” (: “How can I describe you, everything is blue”) … even the glasses of my fly sunglasses! 

Photos above: 1. Tadam: flies sunglasses! A mini trails that lead to the pool for those who like to complicate life (LOL) because there are more direct access! 2 and 3. The intimate breakfast terrace as printing a picnic in the countryside. 4. Gosto muito minhas Havaianas offered by my BFF who just came back from Brazil.

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Pool-and-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Open to Nature

Early in the morning, when the water in the outdoor pool is freezing, I go to the warmer seawater pool in the Spa (photo above). Then I switch between jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath whose windows offer amazing views of the landscape. I would have tried a treatment, but it was closed. 

Photos below: 1. The pool! 2. My favorite sandals on the blue floor of the room terrassse. 3. My “cowgirl from the beach” silhouette (whith straw hat and beach bag and Balinese sarong) to go to the spa. 4. Really cool at the end of the day: I enjoyed having a drink and big laughs with friends under this parasol of the Atlântico Pool Bar. 5. My postcard ; ))

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Fashion-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Fashion-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K
The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Pool-and-Spa-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lounge

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Ipsylon Restaurant

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Gourmet Dinner

I like the minimalistic design and volumes. For the cuisine, it is the same. I should be able to find the flavor of each ingredient. I am not a gourmet, but I am curious. What a pleasure to discover at the Epsylon restaurant, the delicate blend of traditional Portuguese cuisine and French cuisine, elaborated by the French chef Cyril Devilliers!

Photos above: 1. Epsylon Restaurant & Bar. 2. The delicious first meal consists of a crayfish with asparagus after excellent appetizers and the traditional bread accompanied by olive oil. 3. The delicious fish with vegetables. 4. The Friday and Saturday nights, the bar turns into the Japanese Bar where you can eat estra fresh sushi and sashimi prepared in front of customers.

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Room with a View

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Bathed in Light

The first day while entering in the room, I was immediately sensitive to the view! And of course the 40 square meters space and bathroom (photos below)! Open volumes, a gradient blue and white shades, nomadic furniture (on wheels), the bay window … I breathe!

Spotless bed: I fell asleep like a baby watching a Brazilian telenovela! I never watch TV, so you can imagine a telenovela! No comment please!  

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-Bathroom-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

That’s the kind of bathroom overlooking the terrace I would like to have at home! With Japanese WC (photo below)! Light and space (I repeat myself)! The originality: the blue!

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-Bathroom-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Corridor-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

The Oitavos

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to The Oitavos for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.