The year of the Tiger

Integration to any alien culture is a progressive process. Singapore is no exception. It started roughly. Jet lag kills me. New year's eve went by like an out of body experience.

Soon after I started to see the sights. And what sights. This place is beautiful! (although I guess I can find beautiness anywhere. Its always there).
During the week I'm an architect. During the weekend I'm an explorer. Still, I've been living a quiet life. Relaxation above all. My pool and my bicycle are great companions, as is my Liverpoolmaniac flatmate.

Southeast Asia is a fascinating region, and Singapore is the melting pot. Everyone is here. The malay, the chinese, the Philippinos, Indians, Indonesians, vietnamese, you name it. There is one thing they all celebrate: CHINESE NEW YEAR! (even the indians and the portuguese join in for the party)
Come discover a bit about this fascinating event on the second chapter of my INDOCHINA videos.

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In the back seat

I've been going to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, on a regular basis, due to frequent project meetings. It's a short flight and a long taxi journey to the hotel. The other day I was looking around the taxi and it had a few stickers.
One said: "No food". Ok, fair enough, I thought. People could make a mess out of this back seat with a cup of noodles.
Another sticker said: "No smoking". Damn right! This cab is right up my alley. Nice clean environment and only the possible smell of curry if he's from India.

The last sticker said: "No kissing". Now HANG ON! What the fuck?! Kissing should be specified in the human rights declaration as beings in a first class along with breathing, freedom, krispy kreme donuts and clean underwear. It's an absolute primary need, and who's that cab driver to tell me otherwise?!
Lucky for him I was riding with my very cool but definitely unappealing colleague Chris Khoo. Had it been my lady and he'd see more tongue than a Rolling Stones audience.

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Muse, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapura
Memória: Muse representam tudo que admiro numa banda ao vivo. Grandes canções. músicos virtuosos e um palco como deve ser. O público asiático foi uma surpresa. Muito activo. Vi muitas cadeiras, mas ninguém sentado!
18/20

Muse, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Memories: Muse represent all I enjoy on a live band. Great songs, virtuoso musicians and a stage as it should be. The asian audience was a good surprise. Very active. I saw plenty of seats, but no one seating.

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A new beginning

The unpredictable nature of life has once again prevailed, and I have again found a challenge far away from the old borders of the beautiful portuguese land.
I am currently working in Singapore. I hope to soak up as much as I can from all the fascinating cultures that surround this little island. I will be updating this blog with my impressions and experiences, in the hope that all my friends can share them with me. Inspiration is my motivation.

South America's adventure was labelled La Panamericana.
Australia's experience was fittingly named Down Under.
This time, come join me as I discover the tropical wonders of INDOCHINA.

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001 Madeira, Portugal
Cabo Girão, the highest vertical cliff in Europe

002 Yokohama, Japan
I miss my beloved lost red shoes

003 Kyoto, Japan
Hope jumping wasn't disrespectful to the Shrine

004 Lisbon, Portugal
Feeling like an eagle over my capital

005 Pag Island, Croatia
Eagle's nest. The good times

006 Edirne, Turkey
Check out the kid! (the small kid)

007 Istanbul, Turkey
The Blue Mosque. The largest mosque in the neighbourhood

008 Great Barrier Reef, Australia
I look like a frog. Ridiculous

009 Kalbarry Gorge, Western Australia
If only I could explain how hot it was that day

010 South island, New Zealand
NZ often comes to me in dreams. It's abusively beautiful

011 Oarsman's Bay, Fiji
My retirement hide away

012 Uluru, Australia
A place like no other

013 Moscow, Botswana
Just checking your attention! :)

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Massive Attack, Dom Sportova, Zagrebe, Croácia
Memória: O intenso fumo de tabaco criou um efeito psicadélico. Naquela noite os Massive pareciam estar a fazer a banda sonora do Apocalypse Now. Brilhantes como sempre. Tear Drop em declínio minimalista.
17/20

Massive Attack, Dom Sportova, Zagreb, Croatia
Memories: The tick tobacco fog created a psychedelic effect. For all I can tell, Massive Attack could be scoring Apocalypse Now that night. Very poor version of Tear Drop. Too minimal.

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When I woke up last Sunday, I had no idea of the amazing events that would unfold later in the day. Sometimes it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. That was me on Sunday.
Inside that 800hp Maserati MC-12 beast, doing a night time lap with italian driver Pier Guidi felt like the experience of a life time...
Click below for the PIT LANE video

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More Videos

As previously promised, I have now concluded my New Zealand and the Fiji videos. The New Zealand video is the conclusion of the M&M saga. Like any cult movie, a trilogy was in order, with this third and last episode dedicated to the North Island. Fiji is dedicated to all the ones that weren't there, and whom I missed terribly. Without further adu, please click below for my New Zealand and Fiji youtube pandemonium:

MUMMAGUMMA IN NEW ZEALAND PART 3

MUMMAGUMMA IN FIJI

Arohanui!

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Outback!

And then I went walkabout. There were two states left to visit in Australia. Unsurprisingly the driest of the country. I’m fascinated by the dry desert landscapes, and there was no more appealing destination down under than the red centre. As dry as a dead dingoes donger! Australians call it “the outback”, a vast extension of flat land covered in red dust where Kangaroos, Dingoes and Emus can be spotted on the wild. I left it to the end. I wanted it to be the last hurrah, and I wanted to disappear into the vast plain alone.

Australia stretches roughly for 5000km east-west and north-south, so it was going to be a sort of Dakar rally without a car. First stage was a 6:20 am 13 hour train from Sydney to broken Hill, on the border with South Australia (the driest state of the driest continent). Needless to say I missed it. I read 7:00 on the ticket, but failed to notice it was 7:00PM and that was the arrival time. Ended up arriving at 11pm on a boring bus! I spent two days couchsurfing with Liz and keith, who were terrific hosts! The next day I went to Silverton, a sort of Midwest cowboy town, where Mad max II was shot. The vision on the Mundi Mundi plain stretching as far as the eye can see was phenomenal. Broken Hill itself is a very interesting mining town with great touches of colonial architecture. From there I also did a day tour to Darling river, and some very surreal picture opportunities. Me and some 30 old times. Boy they were tough and loooooooved to sing! %$#”/#*#&!!!!

From there I flew to Adelaide. Nice city. Pretty and all, but I’ve seen plenty of that. I wanted the endless outback. Then took a night bus to a pirate town called Coober Pedy. It’s the Opal mining capital of the world, and a truly unique place. Got there at 5am and checked in at the backpackers… an underground building carved on the stone. You see, Coober Pedy reaches 50c in the summer, and -5 in the winter. Underground temperatures vary from 22 to 25. Brilliant!!

Did an amazing tour of the region the next day, and couldn’t be more amazed with the Breakaways Ranges, a group of incredibly colourful mountains placed randomly on the endless plain. As for the mining itself, so you have an idea, there are over four million holes in the region. It was a bizarre sight, and many people disappear into one of them without a trace. The next day was going to be essential. Not because of the early morning long bus journey, but because of the afternoon hitch hike. Anyone who saw Wolf Creek will understand. Aussies are less than keen on giving a ride after that serial killer. Well, but I’m even lesser than keen on letting popular folklore ruin my plans! Got a great ride to a cattle station with an old couple who liked me so much they gave me an open invitation to visit them in Melbourne. I was on the last state, the Northern Territory, to most aussie place there is, and I was not to be disappointed!

I was entering the holy trinity area. Mt Conner, Uluru and kata Tjuta. About the feelings and sheer impact of their presence to me there’s little to say. I was overwhelmed by the size, the colour, the sunset and the atmosphere (just so you have a clue, any of these rock monoliths is higher than the Eiffel Tower). It’s an experience I will more successfully transmit on my Outback video, out soon! My Australian adventure had arrived at its natural and most desired destination. Image fades to black, and all is good. Cut!

Silverton Hotel and the Mad Max Interceptor

Not to scale

The Darling river

The Breakaways

Sunrise

Mt Conner on the distance

Mt Conner

Jump Man at Uluru

Uluru at sunset

Jump man still in the zone!

Scenic flight over Uluru

Kata Tjuta with Uluru on the background

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New Zealand Video

After setting a trend with my videos, there was no way I was gonna miss out on the chance to make a video of my New Zealand experience. This was however a time consuming process, since given the raw beautiness of the place, I ended up gathering a lot of material. These videos are of the first 10 days on the South Island. Youtube also has size limitations, so I had to divide the video into parts. Without further bla bla, please click below for my New Zealand youtube extravaganza:

MUMMAGUMMA IN NEW ZEALAND PART 1

MUMMAGUMMA IN NEW ZEALAND PART 2

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Bula Fiji

Ever since I first conceived my time in Australia, I conceived a visit to Fiji. I can’t even recall why, but no South Pacific experience would be complete without the holy trinity Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Is it the name? Fiji. Fidgee.There’s another thousand islands scattered all over the Pacific, but Fiji has a ring to it...
It also had a rare effect on my lips. I couldn’t stop smiling for the entire first day. It was warm, sunny, the people were nice and chilled out, and it had that smell of exotic fruits and colourful cocktails. It made me wish my parents were there. It was Africa all over, with a touch of the Caribbean and many memories of places like Brazil and Cuba. It’s the perfect mix.

Jon was the couchsurf host of hosts. Turns out he’s a hotel manager, and so we were treated to a hotel room and complementary tour of the main island! He also helped us book our days in the Mamanucas and Isawas islands. Fiji is composed of two main islands, where most locals live. It’s the agricultural centre of the country. However, the touristic epicentre is the island hopping, where carefully set resorts populate islands of idyllic beauty, with a sunset made for romance. The Blue Lagoon or Castaway are some movies set on these islands.
During my last night on the main island Viti Levu, at 2am I tried in vain to follow the tennis as Federer made history in the Roland Garros final, through slowest wireless connection ever. Needless to say I saw 1 second of moving image in every 10, but still found reason to celebrate!

The first island was Beachcomber, on the Mamanucas. It’s your typical very small atoll “party island”. I Did the limbo till I got a dislocated shoulder and met a very cool crew. 5 stars to Vinny Costello, the Fijian/Irish owner, who drowned me in Kavas (the non alcoholic local drink) and was a great company. 5 sacs of shite to the 100 bed dorm. I’m too old and grumpy for dorms and shared facilities. (Although it is an experience)

The second island was Oarsman’s bay, on the Isawas. It’s nothing short of heaven. A great Island full of surprises and the most chilled out place on earth. That’s the sort of place i wanna take my missus on a honey moon. 5 stars to the clear warm water and the view from my room. 5 sacs of shite to having moody Marcos there instead of my missus! :)

The last island was Manta Ray, on the Isawas. It’s a mix between party and nature. By this time I had no patience for socializing, but made the most of the kayak to explore empty beaches and the amazing reefs. 5 stars to the food, the moonlight (the best I’ve ever seen – watched the moon rise on the beach with The Dark Side of The Moon and Massive Attack for a company) and swimming naked on an empty beach. Apologies to the male fish in the region. 5 bags of shite to the shared facilities and cold shower.
In the end the Fijian people was my most enduring memory. Relaxed, happy and always smiling. They’re never late for anything: Even aussies can’t beat the “Fiji time”. Bula!!

The Mamanucas islands group

Beachcomber views

Vinny Costello in fire red

The Isawas islands group

Oarsman's Bay beach

Oarsman's Bay beach

Big Fish

The sunset

deserted island

Oarsmans Bay - The view from my room

Manta Ray - Marcos contemplates

Manta Ray - Ace and the wavebreakers

South Pacific sunset

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Aotearoa North island

Day 14 - Rotorua
My every day morning ritual is to wake up, open the curtains and check the sky. And what can I say?! Blue and azul. I think this is God trying to compensate me for all the shit he puts me through in sports. I mean, the bloody Lakers, Greece and Benfica ever since the referees association moved its control centre to the North of Portugal in the 80’s. And you know what?! Great deal with the lord above! Keep on screwing my teams while I enjoy the weather of Heaven on my journeys. (having said that, the Australian Open was hard to swallow)

The rest of the South island was something to remember forever. Milford Sound was voted by Kiwis the best destination in the country and I totally agree with that. It’s a place unlike anywhere I’ve been before. A mix between Norwegian Fjords and the rain forest. Words are pointless. After leaving Queenstown we had a great drive along the Southern Alps back to Christchurch. Lake Tekapo is the place for inspiration, and Lindis Pass, a portion of highlands where only small yellow grass and weeds grows, at a certain point in the orangy late afternoon sun feels like another planet. I dumped the first Poderoso and took a train and a ferry between islands. What a journey! The train had an open balcony, such is the beautiness of that region, and the ferry was more like Las Vegas packed in a ship, although the sea was so rough and windy I can’t say I enjoyed myself too much.

Wellington felt like the most boring town on a Monday night. After picking up La Poderosa (a station wagon) we headed North to Tongariro National Park, a collection of active volcanoes and breathtaking high mountain views. We did the famous 11km Tongariro Crossing and there was absolutely NO ONE else on the track but us. That feeling of being alone in the wild is something I search for in any of my explorations of this blue dot and that day was possibly the best ever. The contrast between the snow covered mountains and the steam and heat coming out of the craters was fascinating. After that we headed to the Rotorua region, famous for its thermal activity. For 100 kms there are geysers steaming out all around you. It’s insane! It’s also an area of strong Maori culture, the indigenous of Aotearoa. (New Zealand) Why they all look like Rugby players I don’t know.

My good friend Janeko told me recently that New Zealand has been his dream destination for years. No matter how long it might take him to accomplish that dream, it will be absolutely worth it. And that goes for the rest of you commie homo-loving sons of guns. My father emailed me the other day. He said: “Enjoy it son, because no one comes out of this life alive”. Words of wisdom. Times pass away… Seize the day.
My thanks to Marcos for some of his great pictures:

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New Zealand South island

Day 6 - Queenstown

New Zealand welcomed my friend Marcos and I with the most miserable weather. It was the last hurrah of a week long storm. That night we couchsurfed Verna and Ian’s house, and got some great local tips. The next day we drove to the west coast, and a great sunset. The weather has since changed to the most beautiful days conceivable for an Autumn at this latitude. It’s still freezing cold, but clear blue skies and the most amazing light over the lakes, mountains, forests, beaches and everything else this place has to offer.

The adventurous side of this trip has seen so far a day long exploration of the Franz Josef glacier, my life long aspiration for a skydive, in the most scenic place on earth, and an awesome boat ride down a canyon. Pure adrenalin rush! Still, nothing like the skydive. I felt like special agent Johnny Utah! What a rush!
We’re currently in Queenstown, the world’s extreme sports capital. It’s beautiful beyond words, with a fantastic atmosphere. I saw some clouds gathering this afternoon. Alarm bells!

But who needs words when we have pictures?

Tipical New Zealand

Franz Josef Glacier

Night sky

Getting ready to fly

The New Zealand Alps

Hanging by a string

Landing field

Survivors

Mirror lake

Jump Man somewhere in new Zealand

My ride

Queenstown at sunset

Queenstown...

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Sydney

First of all, apologies for having my site offline for the past week. Maintenance.
Times are changing. Pigs are taking the world by flu and I wonder what ever happened to Ralph Macchio, the Karate Kid. Or the lonely Macauley Culkin for that matter. I have no idea why. I think it's the moist in the air today, messing my brain activity. It happens sometimes. The other day I went to get toilet paper at the supermarket, and came back with The Conservative Party's magazine. Comes down to the same, I guess... just a momentary lapse of reason.

I'm leaving the office this Friday. It's a shame to leave such a nice bunch of people behind, but other challenges lie ahead, so I'm very much looking forward to it. There's a solid 2 months of travelling starting on the other side of Friday night, and some pretty exotic locations to discover. But that's looking forward. Looking backwards there's Sydney, and a big sigh.

Sydney is without a shadow of doubt the best place I've ever been to for a steady life. I had a good time here, and this place will be in my heart forever, along with everyone in this city. I had the chance to learn many Cultural Learnings of Australia for Make Benefit Glorious life of Miguel Sagdiyev. I am however not the son of Boltok, the rapist.
Take the bus lines as an example. Bus drivers here actually smile! I mean, back in Europe, complex plastic surgeries ensured they could never smile or display any expression other than boredom and unhappiness. What's wrong with them here?! Some of them had the nerve to say hi to me, as I entered the bus! Its an outrage! And people thank them for stopping. That would be an interesting social experiment back in Europe... the driver would probably take it as sarcasm and start a riot.

No matter how beautiful the country is, with its fine weather, it is the Australian way of life that's truly captivating.

Check out my video tribute to Sydney and my office:
MUMMAGUMMA IN SYDNEY

The rainbow from my desk

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Mardi Gras

The challenge of discovering a new culture has more to do with detail. Everybody knows the Opera House, or at least how it looks. People wear Billabong and drink Fosters anywhere in the world, but maybe only a few know that the a can of coke in europe is 330ml, whereas in Australia it's 375ml.
In London people stand on the right side of the escalator, like anywhere else in Europe. Here people stand on the left. In Australia Tuesday is the movies discount day, and there's no sweet popcorn.

Pubs and restaurants are an experience. There is no, I repeat, NO Fosters anywhere in Australia. Did you know that? Marketing at its best. Pubs are the size of an arena and in a quiet night there are at least 3 brawls and a couple hundred people heavily "happy". Luckily there's never that many people waiting by the counter for a drink, (or at least not compared to London. Brits flock by the tap like there's no tomorrow) and it's possible to take your own wine to a restaurant. (although they'll charge you for drinking your own wine which you purchased yourself at your own expense. Exploitation is the best.)

Then you have the events. And in Sydney there's no event like Mardi Gras! It's their own "go bananas" day, and I was there to witness it. Carnival as we grew to know and hate in Portugal, is a pathetic display of mentally challenged people who wish they were brazillian (officially a mental illness in its own right) and can't even see it's February and BLOODY COLD in the northern hemisphere. Out here however, carnival is called Mardi Gras, it's in March (as the french name suitably suggests) and it's fun! (for about 2 hours...)

It's mostly the local gay pride parade-let's-all-get-out-of-the-closet-and-be-outrageous-for-a-day kind of groove. And it works! I was laughing out loud for 2 hours! Then it got kinda boring and I came home and watched nine weeks and a half.

Click here for my indispensable videotube:
mummagumma at the Mardi Gras

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