TORRE DE BELEM

Torre de Belem or Belem Tower in english is one of the popular landmark of Lisbon.

Its by luck or by choice that my first glance of Tourism in Portugal started here, the place which land marked several voyages in the history.

The Belem Tower is one of the world heritage site which stands on an island of Tagus river adjacent to the shore of Lisbon. The best part of this fort is that it has seen changes in its architecture ever since it is made and served many purposes of Military, Science etc. I was told that its prime purpose was to be a fort for guarding the capital of the Kingdom.

However I was already so overwhelmed by just being there that I lost interest in going inside the monument and see the little intricacies. Why, how and when was it made was not my interest. I was in the beginning of my 19 days in Portugal and I had a very big appetite of tourism. I wanted to see more. I was always distracted by the big boat like structure which I could see from far.

After some pictures we decided to escape from there as we were annoyed by the electronic sound of the Andean Musicians playing tracks from Beatles and some sellers dressed like Romanians selling scarves. The scarves looked very Indian, the same as from Baga Beach of Goa. Only difference is 5 times more expensive.

With every one step away from the Belem Tower, the boat structure was getting bigger and I looked back several times to admire the beauty of this fortified tower and wondering if I am missing something.

PORTUGUESE FAME !! Wooohooooo!!

Of course, its true that past is past. Its a tickle to look back and bring more and more stories. However to continue my rhythm on my days of Portugal, I have some news about some news to share.

The guy who throws the newspaper bunch at my doorstep decided to be innovative.It took him lot of efforts to make this news travel from Portugal to my little town Bhubaneswar in India via kilometers and kilometers of cables, satellites, some Russian spies and Google translator.

One of these days, my name has appeared in the topmost weekly magazine of Portugal. The weekly Journal is called Visao. So this Magazine, decided to print about the top professional travelers of Portugal. They made lot of research and interviews to make this article called "Correr o Mundo com Pouco Dinheiro" meaning, run the world with little money.

They had to ring up my friend, Jorge Vassallo Fragoso as its about the best travelers of Portugal. So my friend during his work/leisure assignment called 99 days in South America, had emails and skype calls to document for this article.

But this Portuguese Magazine writing about Portuguese travelers, traveling around the world also touched one Indian across continents. Thanks to my generous friend who decided to share few lines about me and the struggle I went through as an Indian traveler to be in South America.

Here is "Visao" talking about Jorge Vassallo Fragoso, accompanied by the Indian friend Bunty in his expedition, 99 days of South America.

Now may be the Portuguese in every house are curious who and WHERE IS BUNTY :)

MY FIRST TIME # 2 : MY FIRST DRIVING

To the end of June 2013, I have many many first times to share. However since I am in a remind mode at the moment, today would be one of my first times from the past. So my first time # 2 is from my favourite Portugal.

As kids we play with cars and dream that we are driving them. For me it was nothing different. The only difference was as I grew up to an adult, who never drove a car. I was not allowed by my family. That is why I never had driving classes or drove a car. However, my driving lisence allows me to drive four wheels and that is a different story altogether.

In India I am never allowed. However while driving to the Volcano of Mt Bromo in the Java Island of Indonesia, our driver offered to drive on the ash desert. The next moment my friend Jorge was with the stearing to enjoy the experience. How cool it is drive miles and miles on a desert made from the ash of the Volcano and the perk was Range Rover. You are a very good driver says our guide cum driver to Jorge.

With all smiles, the happy Jorge offered me to drive aswell. I who does not know how to drive, Of course I know some techniques but never had a practical lesson. So I was on the stearing and Vrummmmmmn......

Vrummmmmn....

Vrummmmm.....

Vrummmmm.....

Bunty, have you ever driven before, asked the Jorge. No, never was my answer and there is always a first time. I was too reluctant to give up and was insisting to learn in the middle of the tour on the ash desert.

However my first time driving never happened at the Volcano of course. I had to give up when I was promised by my friend that I would be allowed to drive on better roads.

So, My first time driving happened in streets of Sintra, Portugal. Where my friend kept his promise and allowed me to be on the strearing. I did a fair job with some lessons and drove back and forth.

I am still not driving yet, but my first experience of driving would be always huge from the beautiful Sintra in Portugal.

The perk this time was a Mini.....woooohooooo :)

SANTO ANTONIO

Santo Antonio or Saint Anthony is the patron saint of Lisbon.

He lived in Lisbon for long where he was born to a wealthy family. Although he is famously known as Anthony of Padua.
On 12th and 13th of June, Lisbon celebrates the festival, Santo Antonio every year to mark the beginning of summer.

 Its my saudades (missing) today for all the fun, the food, the streets and the parties in it, for 1 Euro beer and shots, the bifanas, the welcoming strangers, the city Lisbon which celebrates it, my friends and the Portugal.

I remember being told by my friend, when I was surprised at the price of the beer and sardines, that it always gets more cheaper as we climb the serpentine roads to the Castle. No wonder the beer flows in the streets like water. The Fado music in the restaurants and the people dancing on the Calcada(a special Portuguese style streets)

Everyone on the street. A great evening to remember. I would call this a party of life time.

1001 Pageviews

Its been 8 months, I have a blog.

Am very sigh that am not active on it due to my active travel life. I have not yet shared it publicly.
I sincerely apologize for keeping it a secret.

I am not sure why am not sharing it yet. Why am I waiting for the day.
However, today it has reached a landmark. The secret travel blog is not so secret as it has 1001 page views.

HURRRRAY!!!

IS "SAUDADES" ONLY PORTUGUESE

"Saudades"

Saudades is a Portuguese word meaning missing. Often says my Portuguese friends, Que Saudades, their missing for me.

This raises a big curiosity for the word. Google says this word exist only in Portuguese and there is no direct translation of it to any other language. It is widely used in Portugal near to Spain. Its even said differently in Brazilian Portuguese and the Galician world.

Some specialists say, this word originates during the Great Portuguese Discoveries, when many left homes on voyages to unknown seas, lost themselves in shipwrecks and battles or never returned. Hence this word explains the longing and suffering of the women and children waiting for them.

But today more than the meaning of this great word, I have the feeling of it.

Its for the great time I had same day last year, for the friends I made and the moments I lived. The two days of great celebration of an annual festival called Santo Antonio in Lisboa, Portugal.

A festival celebrated every 12th of June. I miss this day.
The yellow tram's horn, the sound that makes the Sardines crispy, the noise of Alfama, the street parties gearing up ... the music and the dance in the street ... the Portuguese words... is buzzing in my ears.

Few days ago there was an online post saying, " Saudade is only Portuguese".
The word is Portuguese. But, the unique emotions behind this magical word could belong to anyone.

So Is "Saudades" only Portuguese ?

PORTU - GALO um ano depois

The day is special.

One day history will remember the date, 28th of May 2012 as very special as I made my little steps to Portugal ;)

It was these days when I was in Europe, after France and Switzerland and was heading to Portugal.  I still remember that I could not manage to get a window seat. I was at the isle and two very chic German girls heading for Lisboa from Palma de Mallorca were next to the window. Before landing the two girls were all Wow.. Its so beautiful, its Amazing. Eventhough I was very sigh, I took a peek. 

Damn Lisboa seemed so beautiful from that window. It was love at first sight. In about couple of seconds I saw the  city in Orange and white. Did notice a building with a big dome, not sure if it was Basilica de Estrela or the Panteão Nacional. It was like what I always thought of a Roman time and I was full of dreams and ideas bigger than the Roman Empire.

Ambitions aside its time for some Nostalgia !!

Even after one year, everything is like an unforgotable film in my head. Maybe time is fatal but memories are immortal. I had my best days of Europe in Portugal. It was running around all the time like you have a limited  pass to Paradise and you want to squeeze it out all. A life to live in 19 days.

So many stories in my mind. The places I visited, the warmth I received at every door, the hugs and smiles from the strangers, I have to give it to the Portuguese who made it special for me. 

19 days after I did not want to leave, but for the obligation of the  modern world and the stamp on my passport, I had to. 

On my flight to Turkey I was thinking of the Portuguese girl I met in Bali. She asked me what are you going to do 19 days in Portugal, go to the islands Madeira or Azores. Well I could not make it to the islands but I lived one life very different. 

Its been 1 year, I love you Portugal as much as that the rooster is my next love after the Cow.

RIO FRIO

 What could be better than to arrive in Rio de Janeiro in an afternoon. The excitement was in the air and the idea was to throw the bags in the dormitory and leave for a good warm day. 

But soon there was a thin cold breathe.  Frio in Portuguese mean cold. So Rio frio is an expression to claim the fear of tourist in the city of Rio.

No it was not cold in Rio de Janeiro. Just that the fear I developed in my mind. My friend warned me to be extra careful, not look in the eyes of people. Not to speak to strangers. Although the people were so cool and smiling. But Rio is a big city in South America. Like any big city there would be touts , thiefs, cheats. One has to be very careful with bags and belongings. As a tourist even more.

In couple of hours I realised it.Some people would shout from behind while you were walking to scare you. We went to withdraw cash from an ATM and had to pay some money to the guy waiting outside the door. I protested for this as why we have to give money when we do not wish to. But my friend insisted for safety. Eventhough we gave him 2 euros, which is a big amount to give a begger in India he shouted this is not good enough. 

But this feeling faded sooner or later as it is like this in any big city. People could cheat us if we give them a scope!! One has to be alert and pretend lost at the same time to ignore the crime.

The beautiful Rio de Janeiro was right ahead to be explored !!

After all its not my first time, its same in Cape town or in Mumbai. There is a fear surving in people between every thing else.

So I ignored the cold air of the city and started to gather the best of the city.

MY FIRST TIME # 1

The year 2012 was great with travel and lots of first time experiences while traveling.

So , I decided to share my first time experiences here during my travel, especially now that am in South America which is other side of the world for Indians. 

Here is my first time no 1. This is the first time I checked into a dormitory as I arrived in Rio de Janeiro. 

It was the first day and Rio is an extremely expensive city. So dormitory Accomodation was a resort to cut on the expenses. 

In India or Asia the hotels rooms are already so much below the expectation that it is difficult to even think of staying in Hostels. Unclean bed sheets, dirty toilets and safety of our luggage is a big concern. I was hoping that may be I have to carry around all valuables when am out of the dorm. 

But it was not like that in our hostel called Leblon spot. The sheets were very clean and so were the toilets. The shower was shared and was cleaned every now and then. The entire place has wifi.There were safety cupboards to keep your valuables. The breakfast was included in the tariff.

All in all it was a cool experience :)

RIO = Oi

What a welcome word - "Oi"

The moment I landed at the airport of Rio de Janeiro, I had to pass the immigration.

So at the gates, I was welcomed by the custom officer with Oi !! I knew it means hello and I said Oi. Then the custom officer directed me to the gate for Brazilian Passport holders as he mistook me as Brazilian.

It could be a strange coincidence but feels great. Thats not the only time when I was considered to be from Brazil.

My friend Jorge welcomed me at the airport with a big smile as it was proved by then that its more than winning a battle to travel. Again at the hotel reception Oi!! This time for my passport, the receptionist says, Oh you are Indian. Hello!!

Time and again, in the streets people would say Oi and ask for directions and in restaurants, people start talking to me in Portuguese and then I had to say Eu não falo Portugues!! They would say "No Brazil" and smile.

Brazil is such a big fusion of people from everywhere that there is many faces of Brazil.

Oi Oi Oi!!