DOURO VALLEY. A WORLD HERITAGE

The Douro Valley, best know as the wine region of Alto Douro, is located in the northwest of Portugal, and is classified by UNESCO since December 2001, as World Heritage.
This region through which the River Douro flows, for over 2000 years produces wine. And one of this wines, is the famous Porto wine. Throughout History, this wine was present  in many Royal families tables, all over the World.
This region is for the visitor a constant discovery. Which rich History of 2000 years old, a breathtaking landscapes, and a gastronomy unique, for which even the gods sign.

SIMPLE REFLECTIONS BY PAULO COELHO AND ME

"When we wish something with all our Heart, we are more close to the Soul of the World. She is always a positive force."

                                                                                                                  "Alquimista" by Paulo Coelho   

                                                                                                                     

When we have a special and unique wish, something that we desire with all our Heart. That make us feel our true feelings, that make us feel more close to our Soul, our real Being. Then we are close to the center of our Universe, that is our REAL HEART, without barriers, without scars or pains, without fears. Only exist a special wish of your Real Heart, of your Real Soul...of your Real You.

By myself

"...Because I don´t live in my Past, nor in my Future. I only have the Present, and it is the thing that interest me."                                                               

 "Alquimista" by Paulo Coelho   

The present moment is now, but tries to live this moment with the lessons that you learned with your Past, and the dreams that you have of your Future. 
                                  

By myself

Madeira Island the "Pearl of the Atlantic"

Madeira Island makes part, of a Portuguese Archipelago, in the North of Atlantic Ocean, that includes two more Islands, Porto Santo Island and Desertas Island.
It is a very popular tourist place, visit every year for thousands of people from all the World.
A Trip to Madeira Island, the "Pearl of the Atlantic", is a trip, where the nature invites each visitor to a delicious detailed observation of each plant, each flower, each landscape. Where, the broad range of colors, scents and textures, in this natural paradise of the Madeira Island, make us aware of our five senses.
Although the throngs of tourists, we can feel a wonderful privacy, in every little observation, that each of us can make of this paradise. As if, in the middle of so many people, and languages, were possible be alone. Only us, and the beautiful landscapes. All an illusion, that this natural paradise gives us. Such a beautiful illusion!
Here is some of this natural wonder, frozen in small images. The rest ... try to imagine ... and give wings to your 5 senses ....

Tunisia the Country of many Great Cultures

Continuing with my route of the countries I have visited so far, and I hope every year it pass, I can increase. Here is another small sample, through pictures and brief comments of my trip to Tunisia.

Tunisia is a country in North Africa, that belongs to the Maghreb region. In the north and east is limited by the Mediterranean Sea. In the west make border with Algeria, and east and south with Libya. Almost 40% of the surface of the Tunisian territory is occupied by the Sahara desert.

In times gone, Tunisia was settled by the Phoenicians, the people who founded the famous city of Carthage, important commercial center of the Mediterranean Sea. Until the conquest of the territory by the Roman Empire in the year 146 a.C. 

A typical oldest Tunisian Man, resting in the middle of the hot afternoon. And maybe, thinking in what he need to do until the sun goes down. 
Who knows what his mind was thinking when I took this pic?

After traveling in Jeep by the Sahara desert it was possible to get to Tozeur, the great oasis in Tunisia.
Tozeur is located in the Djerid region, and it is a city and a desert oasis of the Sahara, located in southern Tunisia.
Here exist the Chebika mountain oasis, between a rocky desert with a palm grove, that sink into a gorge, where exist several outlets of water. 
There, is possible take great pics like these.

FLY AWAY....A simple poem

Close your eyes

And fly away

Through clouds

Where do not exist barriers

Only your Being

Your Dream

Your Wish

Fly away

And Travels

Through Skies

Goes to the meeting

Of your Peace

Of your Destiny

It exists

And wait for you

Close your eyes

Smile

And fly away

Poem written by Sonia Afonso

My first travel! Egypt, the Land of mysterious Pharaoh, of undercover treasures. The Ancient Land.

Egypt is a country of North Africa. And makes border with Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.
Egypt has one of the longest histories of the World. And is considered a cradle of civilization,
The Ancient Egypt had in history, the first developments of writing, agriculture, sanitation, organised religion and a central government.
The rich cultural heritage is an integral part of the Egypt national identity. And includes different influences like, Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and European.
I was able to see, monuments such the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel Temple, and others.
And I must say that is a travel unforgettable! Discovering by the Nile River on boat, this ancient country, stopping in the old cities with so much history. Cities like, Luxor, Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo.
I made this trip alone like all my trips. But in the Middle East is safer to travel, using the service of a travel agency. And that I made, and was a way to know different people with the same finality, know the Old Egypt.

This is a pic taken in the shore of the Nile River, where it was possible ride a camel. The name of my camel was Jim, and this animal was like a Ferrari, very fast. And I was a camel driver without experience. You can imagine how I was! In my mind I was saying my last goodbye to the World.

The traditional Egyptian boat in the Nile River. The correct name of this boat is felucca, and is a traditional wooden sailing boat, they still in active use as a means of transport in Nile-adjacent cities like Aswan or Luxor. They are especially popular among tourists who can enjoy a quieter and calmer mood than motorboats have to offer.

I was able to travel in one of this and I can say that is very quiet, and we can enjoy the River in a slow way.

These photos were taken in Karnak Temple Complex. A complex Temple close to Luxor City, that is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The construction of Karnak temples started in the Middle Kingdom and continued through to Ptolemaic times. Thirty pharaohs contributed to the construct, of temples. chapels, pylons, and others buildings, enabling it to reach a dimension, complexity, and diversity unique in the World.

The beginning of my adventure around the World

Like I say in my discretion, I love to travel. The chance to know new countries, new cultures, new people with differents ways of think, gives me the opportunity to understand and accept the difference that exist in the World.
I will try to share with all the people here, my travels around the World, by photos that I taked in every country that I visited
I hope you enjoy it, and have fun!