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Life is a journey - enjoy it 
May 23, 2013 12:00 AM Royal dinner
Today we decided to visit norteastern part of the island. There is a brand new road between Ponta Delgada and Nordeste (via Ribeira Grande) but we decided to take an old one along the coast. We started in Ribeira Grande, second biggest town in The island. The town has many historical buildings and churches. It is definetely worth a visit. Then we went to Santa Iria view point (great view over the northern shores of the island). After we had a short visit in Gorreana tea factory (the only one in Europe, visit is free of charge). Along the road are many view points with stunning landscapes. We stopped in a small fishing villages like Achada, Porto Formoso, etc. After few hours of slow driving we reached Nordeste, smalles town on the island. It has really small but cosy center. We finished the trip in Ponto d'Arnel (with very steep road to the lighthouse). On our way black we turned into island interior and saw hot springs of Caldeira Velha, and stunning lake - Lagoa do Fogo. But the best was during the dinner. Our frinds took us to a small tavern in Porto Formoso. We ate fresh and tasty sea food for hours. For me it was more than Royal dinner!
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May 22, 2013 12:00 AM Is it like this in the hell?
The smell of sulphur was everywhere, the ground water was boiling, they cook in the earth! That might sound like a description of the hell, but it was only the second biggest attraction of the island - Furnas. As São Miguel is still an active volcano, it is possible to find many hot springs and areas like Furnas. It is a small town in the southern part of the island, most famous for its termal activity. I watched (and tried after) how they prepare a special dish called "cozido". They put it for some hours in the ground, in special holes that are warmed by the underground heat. After 4 hours the food is ready and can be served. Then we had a bath in warm pool located in Parque Terra Nostra (entrance fee 5€). From Furnas we took a scenic road to small town Povoação. It is very cosy place with the oldest church in entire island (Povoação is a place where sailors landed firstly in São Miguel ).
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May 21, 2013 12:00 AM Four seasons
Unfortunately, I was not lucky with the weather when we were landing in Ponta Delgada. Otherwise I would have an amazing view over the island. After leaving the luggage we headed to Sete Cidades, to see this biggest attraction in São Miguel Island. There are a few view points, but the best one in my opinion is from Pico da Cruz. Two lakes located in an old crater, have blue and green colours! It is something unforgottable. Other and more popular view point is from Vista do Rei. After some minutes there it started to rain, and the view was completely covered by the fog. Then we took a scenic road along southern coast. We visited small town of Villa Franca do Campo (the first capital of the island). The town is full of wonderful architecture and it had still some decorations after local fiestas. On the top of the nearby hill is a shirne of Nossa Senhora da Paz, with a great view over the town of Villa Franca do Campo and its bay. I experienced today the Azorean weather - four seasons (except snow) during one day - sun, rain, heat and wind. But the views are worth every effort and inconviniences.
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May 20, 2013 12:00 AM In between
Time to go for a short journey again. This time I am going to see Azores Island on the Atlantic Ocean. As I have only 9 days I am not going to see all the islands. But Sao Miguel, Sao Joao and Terceira are on my list. I just hope that the weather will be great.
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Mar 13, 2013 12:00 AM Sri Lanka impressions
Today I finished my Sri Lanka journey. I must admit that the island won't leave you indifferent. Some things are irritating but generally it is a lovely place. It has all the package - great beaches in the south, stunning mountains in the central part of the country and old architecture in entire country. I didn't reach north of the island, until lately there were some fights there but now is safe to travel and visit North and Jaffna region. People are kind and helpful (even more in less tourist attraction). Can't wait to pack my backpack again :)
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Mar 12, 2013 12:00 AM More money than people
Today I left Sri Lanka. With a very good weather I could see some island of Maledives. My flight ticked allowed me to have almost 24 hours stopover in Dubai. Moreover Emirates Airlines are so kind that they offer me free visa and hotel voucher. Having entire afternoon I went to see Dubai. Many things has been said about the city and the truth is that city is very impressive and very modern. A lot of skyscrapers but also some signs of crisis (quite few unfinished building constructions). Dubai is very expanded, even if it has great metro system (with air con stations) distances are huge (from Burj Khalifa to Dubai Marina more than 30 kilometers). I went to see Dubai Marina but unfortunately I didn't get close to the artificial island then I went to see Burj al Arab hotel (also didn't get close to it). The rest of the evening I spent in Dubai downtown next to fascinating building of Burj Khalifa (entrance to view terrace 400 AED, booked via internet 100 AED). It was exhausting day.
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Mar 11, 2013 12:00 AM The best advertisement
After few last days full of bus travels I had to rest little bit. So I decided to shorten my stay in Anuradhapura and in the morning I took a bus (again - but for the last time ) and around midday, after four hours ride I reached Negombo. It is one of the biggest tourist spots on the island and it has all infrastructure. It wasn't even that difficult to find a good not expensive accomodation. Another importance of Negombo is short distance to the airport. Negombo has a very long beach. Less spectacular than the ones in south of the island but still nice. So at the end of my holidays I spent some time on the beach - sunbathing and swimming in the Indian Ocean. When I came back to the hotel the owner saw some black sand on my feets and he said "it is probably because of the licking ships fuel" :) It was the best advertisement that I heard ! Swimming in the Ocean during sunset was wonderful experience.
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Mar 10, 2013 12:00 AM Spell it quickly - Anuradhapura :)
Only 110 kilometers and 3.5 hours in a bus. But finally in early afternoon I reached Anuradhapura (how many problems I had to pronouced it correctly on a bus station). At the first sight it is very unapealing town. The center is chaotic and there is absolutely no interesting architecture. But the treasure of Anuradhapura is hidden outside the center of the town. Just few kilometers further are ruins and remniscents of ancient Syngalese capital. Some historians says that during its heydey Anuradhapura could have even 2 milion habitants and was one of the biggest cities in the world. It was abandonned more than 800 years ago. Today it is hard to imagine this 2 milion but some fantastic architectural gems remain. The best preserved are dagobas: white Ruvanvelisaya, brick made Abhayagiri and the biggest one (also brick made) Jetavanarama (which now is about 70 meters high). Bicycle is the best way to discover all these places (as they are spread on almost 19 kilometres). On my way back I could see people having bath in the lake. The evening I spent listening worshippers praying to Sri Maha Bodhi (oldest tree in the world). Unforgottable experience...
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Mar 09, 2013 12:00 AM Mission almost impossible
I rented a bicycle for entire day. Although I was not that sure about this idea it was great and I survived crazy Lanka drivers. The ruins of ancient capital of Polonnaruwa are very spread so the best way to see them is with a bicycle. After paying the entrance fee (25 usd) I had a half of the day to sightsee the area. A tip for the one who will plan to visit Polonnaruwa. It is better in the morning, as in the afternoon sun shine behind the temples and it is very difficult to take a good picture.
Polonnaruwa was built almost 1.000 years ago, by the King Vijayabahu I. Until today many splendid ruins of the buildings survived. The greatest are Quadrangle, Lankatilaka temple and the statues at Gal Vihariya (huge images of Buddha carved in the rock). After I spend the evening having long bike ride next to the artificial lake. I found out that people here to protect against mosquitoes use special lemon liquid. I don't know is it work that well but I must admit that I like my lemon perfumes :)
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Mar 08, 2013 12:00 AM Rain on the rock
Sigiriya is a small village located on Sri Lanka plains. A huge rock located in the middle of the village make its center. It is a place chosen by the King Kassapa to built here its capital. The entrance fee is same high as the rock - 30 usd. From the early morning weather was not the best. It was very cloudy. Then after an hour of sightseeing a huge tropical rain came. It was heavy raining for more than 20 minutes and I got almost completely wet although some local guy shared with me his umbrella (thank you very much Sir!). Then I could hike again. It takes around two hours to get on top of the rock (depending on how many school students is there). From the top is wonderful view over the area. Lush forest and with mountains in the background. I could also see the frescoes in one of the walls. In one of the niche is a series of paintings of buxom, wasp - waisted women, popularly believed to represent either apsaras or King Kassapa's concubines. Another magnificent reminiscent of King Kassala are the brick made 5 th century Lion's Paws (the only thing that survived from huge Lion statue). On my way back another storm came to Sigiriya.
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