The commencement of Rue Augusta, one of the most important streets in all of PortugalWednesday, April 29, 2009
Portugal
I found Portugal very exciting. Not only was I arriving at the western most point in Europe, which by the way is on the same line of latitude as Manhattan, but I was also arriving in the country which meets the grand old Atlantic Ocean!! Naturally, I had to fly into and experience Lisbon, but it was my trip to the surf community of Peniche that I was truly looking foward to.
Lisbon is a great city, full of complete dichotemy between the old world and the modern. The different cathedrals and castles were on everyone's to-do list but I was much more impressed with the newly built Vasco de Gama tower and bridge, not to mention the most beautifully designed metro stations I have ever seen. Of course, with the metro station opinion I'm not the best judge, as I've been arriving at the 1 train South Ferry stop for the last five years... Honestly though, each stop has its own character and charm, complete with art work and marble.
Peniche is a wonderful surf community about an hours drive north of Lisbon. It's the first taste of the Atlantic Ocean I've had since I left Long Island. Being on the beach feels so incredible, since only an ocean and no land seperates me from my loved ones....The other great thing about Peniche is that after the flat spell Europe and its seas have provided me, I finally got some surf!!
My next stop are the Canary Islands which technically are part of Spain. Since they are near the equator and off the coast of Africa, they feel completely different, I hope....
Lisbon is a great city, full of complete dichotemy between the old world and the modern. The different cathedrals and castles were on everyone's to-do list but I was much more impressed with the newly built Vasco de Gama tower and bridge, not to mention the most beautifully designed metro stations I have ever seen. Of course, with the metro station opinion I'm not the best judge, as I've been arriving at the 1 train South Ferry stop for the last five years... Honestly though, each stop has its own character and charm, complete with art work and marble.
Peniche is a wonderful surf community about an hours drive north of Lisbon. It's the first taste of the Atlantic Ocean I've had since I left Long Island. Being on the beach feels so incredible, since only an ocean and no land seperates me from my loved ones....The other great thing about Peniche is that after the flat spell Europe and its seas have provided me, I finally got some surf!!
My next stop are the Canary Islands which technically are part of Spain. Since they are near the equator and off the coast of Africa, they feel completely different, I hope....
Saturday, April 25, 2009
France
Bonjour and welcome to the French leg of my endless summer tour. I was really looking foward to arriving in the French Riviera as the only part of France that I've seen previously was Paris and the surrounding landscape as viewed on a train.
My trip started and ended in Nice. The beach community was beautiful with cafes and hotels lining the Promenade des Anglais. I also experienced a fair share of museums including The Musee Matisse and The Musee Chagall as well as my personal favorite The Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain... The weather during my time at Nice was great so I was able to get to the beach but I soon found out that getting to the beach and getting to the water are two different experiences. I wonder why the government of Nice doesn't simply import sand to fill in the beach. I would imagine that their equivalent of the US Army Corps of Engineers could have the beach spotless in no time. Could they possibly favor tradition and trips to the podiatrist more than perfection???
Over the next couple of days I went to the different towns around the area such as Villefranche Sur Mer, Eze Sur Mer and the ultra posh Monte Carlo... The French Riviera is soo terrific and soo incredibly beautiful..
I am continuing my westward journey to Portugal which after a few flat weeks will get me some much appreciated waves!!!! Lets hope I remember how to do this...Au Revoir.
My trip started and ended in Nice. The beach community was beautiful with cafes and hotels lining the Promenade des Anglais. I also experienced a fair share of museums including The Musee Matisse and The Musee Chagall as well as my personal favorite The Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain... The weather during my time at Nice was great so I was able to get to the beach but I soon found out that getting to the beach and getting to the water are two different experiences. I wonder why the government of Nice doesn't simply import sand to fill in the beach. I would imagine that their equivalent of the US Army Corps of Engineers could have the beach spotless in no time. Could they possibly favor tradition and trips to the podiatrist more than perfection???
Over the next couple of days I went to the different towns around the area such as Villefranche Sur Mer, Eze Sur Mer and the ultra posh Monte Carlo... The French Riviera is soo terrific and soo incredibly beautiful..
I am continuing my westward journey to Portugal which after a few flat weeks will get me some much appreciated waves!!!! Lets hope I remember how to do this...Au Revoir.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Italy
Well, I have arrived in Italy and my first sight flying into Naples is of Mt. Vesuvius looming in the backround of the city. Its pretty scary to see that cities have been built back up despite the threat staring them in the face everyday. Naples is wonderful except for the fact that I do not recieve a stamp on my passport for coming in from Athens. The city itself was made for navigating by foot. The National Archeological Museum and the Piazza Plebisito are spectacular. It is completely impossible to keep kosher for passover in the city that invented pizza so I promise to do so when I get back ( better late than never)....
Next I move on to the island paradise of Ischia. The culture and the people are so great. Its actually really fascinating to learn that the island has been built up on an active volcanic site. In fact the most significant reason for tourism is the world famous thermal springs. These pools of ultra heated and nutriant rich water are literally parts where tiny cracks in the bedrock allow an amount of gas and magma to come into contact with the surrounding sea. Talk about living dangerously...
Finally, I arrive at the crown jewel of the Italian nation and metaphorically speaking the notion of the developed "free" world, Roma.. It is such an amazing city with absolutely so much to see that it is daunting to even glance at the map before you. But, as I start to walk I realize at how much I am able to see and experience. It seem as though every corner has a different site to capture. I am a little freaked out by the ruins as a reminder that even a city as grand and powerful as the "center of the universe" can be destroyed as easily as it is built. It made me wonder if that could be the fate of the American Empire 700 years from now.
I loved every moment of my Italian experience but I must move on to the French Rivera, its a tough job but someones got to do it, Ciao !!!
Next I move on to the island paradise of Ischia. The culture and the people are so great. Its actually really fascinating to learn that the island has been built up on an active volcanic site. In fact the most significant reason for tourism is the world famous thermal springs. These pools of ultra heated and nutriant rich water are literally parts where tiny cracks in the bedrock allow an amount of gas and magma to come into contact with the surrounding sea. Talk about living dangerously...
Finally, I arrive at the crown jewel of the Italian nation and metaphorically speaking the notion of the developed "free" world, Roma.. It is such an amazing city with absolutely so much to see that it is daunting to even glance at the map before you. But, as I start to walk I realize at how much I am able to see and experience. It seem as though every corner has a different site to capture. I am a little freaked out by the ruins as a reminder that even a city as grand and powerful as the "center of the universe" can be destroyed as easily as it is built. It made me wonder if that could be the fate of the American Empire 700 years from now.
I loved every moment of my Italian experience but I must move on to the French Rivera, its a tough job but someones got to do it, Ciao !!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Greece
The European leg of my journey kicks off in the ancient country of Greece.The first thing I learned here is that the terms pre and post war, which are used to describe the age of a building or landmark, takes on an entirely new meaning as it's used to describe pre or post Trojan War and not WWI or II.
I started out at the port city of Piraeus. The city has a great feel to it. The streets are dotted with newsstands and cafes. Of course, the epicenter of the town is the ferry station. People come into Piraeus from all over the world as a stopover to the enchanting Greek Islands, as did I..
I make my way to Mykonos Island, which is in the middle of the off-season. I kind of like the fact that the crowds havent arrived yet. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that before the crowds arrive, the island itself is on vacation. My first day on Paradise Beach brought on quite a shock, as I discovered that I have arrived the day before the beach comes back to work. Now I know why the room at the hostel was so cheap....
My timing is interesting, since I've heard that I should avoid Greece and the Islands during summer. During that time the crowds and the heat are simply unrelenting. I realize that it's true that you should avoid the summer as long as you arrive after Easter...Talk about a window of opportunity.
Finally, I took the ferry to the very important Island of Syros, which for the longest time has actually been a more significant port to Greece than Piraeus. Its ideal location in the Aegean Sea has lent itself to being the epicenter of trade between the islands and the mainland..
The city itself is so beautiful with a certain Parisian feel to it. Gentlemen in suits linger over backgammon tables as young bohemians sip espresso.
Next up for me is the Italian dynamic duo of Naples and Rome....
I started out at the port city of Piraeus. The city has a great feel to it. The streets are dotted with newsstands and cafes. Of course, the epicenter of the town is the ferry station. People come into Piraeus from all over the world as a stopover to the enchanting Greek Islands, as did I..
I make my way to Mykonos Island, which is in the middle of the off-season. I kind of like the fact that the crowds havent arrived yet. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that before the crowds arrive, the island itself is on vacation. My first day on Paradise Beach brought on quite a shock, as I discovered that I have arrived the day before the beach comes back to work. Now I know why the room at the hostel was so cheap....
My timing is interesting, since I've heard that I should avoid Greece and the Islands during summer. During that time the crowds and the heat are simply unrelenting. I realize that it's true that you should avoid the summer as long as you arrive after Easter...Talk about a window of opportunity.
Finally, I took the ferry to the very important Island of Syros, which for the longest time has actually been a more significant port to Greece than Piraeus. Its ideal location in the Aegean Sea has lent itself to being the epicenter of trade between the islands and the mainland..
The city itself is so beautiful with a certain Parisian feel to it. Gentlemen in suits linger over backgammon tables as young bohemians sip espresso.
Next up for me is the Italian dynamic duo of Naples and Rome....
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Maldives
The Maldives (pronounced Mahldeevs), is a tiny gem of a country off the southern coast of India. Its area consist of hundreds of inhabited and uninhabited island atolls. Even its main airport is situated on its own island. Due to its unique land mass, I felt as if the best way to experience the country would be from a sailboat.
I took a tour provided by Voyages Maldives which would provide meals and room on board their 70 foot boat for the week. The entire week was spent cruising the different islands, snorkeling among the brilliant reefs and of course feasting on incredible vegetarian Maldivian cuisine.
I had such a great time and really felt as if it would have been the only way to truly experience the wonderful country. I am a little more than half way through my journey and I am starting to feel a little closer to home with each move I make. Next up for yours truly is the start my European leg .
I took a tour provided by Voyages Maldives which would provide meals and room on board their 70 foot boat for the week. The entire week was spent cruising the different islands, snorkeling among the brilliant reefs and of course feasting on incredible vegetarian Maldivian cuisine.
I had such a great time and really felt as if it would have been the only way to truly experience the wonderful country. I am a little more than half way through my journey and I am starting to feel a little closer to home with each move I make. Next up for yours truly is the start my European leg .
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