Portugal - update 5

Portugal - update 5

Today went to visit the Pena Palace in the town of Sintra. In todays day and age it is almost impossible to make a photo inside an historic tourist attraction without capturing multiple people in the photograph too. It is all quite irritating. Pena Palace itself was quite interesting. I could have spent hours walking through the various rooms dedicated to Kings and Queens of past but the snaking crowd puts pressure on you to move along. That and lack of being allowed to take photos inside shortened my stay. By the size of the ancient beds on display the old Kings and Queens of Portugal must have been dwarfs. I at 5'11 would not be able to fit in any of them.

Then it was to the town of Sintra. A very commercialized tourist destination where I satisfied my need to taste the local Sardines. That need is now over. Portugal is supposedly famous for its Peri Peri Chicken, I am yet to see a single food establishment offering the dish. I am highly disappointed.

Portugal - update 4

Portugal - update 4

Took a stroll around the side streets of Peniche. I enjoy quaint little towns. The cobble stone streets deliver wishes of time travel and yearning for peaceful times. Peniche was never built for modern days and thus you will see a lot of washing hanging from windows and walls. You could create a gallery solely of interesting door photos. Some so old they would fall off their hinges if creaked open. Some so new the contrast against old is painful. And some made interesting by their owners selection of door knob.

It's not butterfly season and a big one came flying straight past me. Love you mom.

Portugal - update 3

Portugal - update 3

Kelly Slater won the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Portugal/Peniche. In doing so adds his first win in Portugal to the book of accomplishments. Jordy Smith took second in the final. The contest is over now and I have till Oct 19 to do nothing in Peniche.

For my personal run down of the event you can read the blog on theBOMBsurf website.

Portugal - update 2

Portugal - update 2

I've been in Peniche/Portugal for over a week now and while I do have internet connectivity in land of the Sardine I have been slack. It happens when working. Since arriving in Peniche the womens part of the event has come and gone. Carissa Moore defeated Steph Gilmore at Lagide and now we are into Round 4 of the mens. We have run at Supertubos and Belgas. In all likely hood we will finish tomorrow back at Supertubos.

Sardines are not my first choice of fish and thus haven't sampled the staple local diet. I have however eaten octopus and whole squid but I did go for the "cleaned" option versus the "natural" option. The difference? Going natural would involve cooking the squid with its entrails still intact.

A 50 year storm was meant to strike last week. While the exaggerated 20ft waves failed to appear the gale force winds and horizontal rain made their presence very much known. Working in rain is never fun and now we have sunshine and I got burnt yesterday. Remember to pack suncream.

Portugal - update 1

Portugal - update 1

Yesterday we arrived in Portugal for the Rip Curl Pro in Peniche. It is my second visit to the Sardine town of Portugal. It smelt bad upon arrival but you soon become accustomed. First objective is to fine a laundromat and wash my jean pant which should by now be able to walk themselves to the washer.

The drive down was pleasant. Hundreds of kilometers that are a pleasure to drive especially when in a car where cruising at 170kph, sometimes 180kph, feels like the new 120kph. There are still some crazies who come sit on your bumper virtually pushing you out the way. Along the way we stopped for coffee and two men, apologies for the generalisation, from Azbhekistan tried to sell us fake iPhones. My interest was peaked when he showed off the box mentioned 200 euros, he communicated the price by spitting on his finger and writing on my dashboard, until I grabbed it out his hand and saw it was nothing but an mp3 Japanese rip off.

First night in Peniche and I ate octopus. The prices here are very welcome after nearly two weeks in France. 10 Euros for my dinner and 5 Euros for a litre of red wine.

Mundaka

Mundakako

Tall tales of swells calling Mundaka to be all time circulated as the 20 year storm bore down on Hossegor. On Sunday the decision to make the drive down to the Basque region and spend a night in one of my favorite little towns was made. That decision was very nearly put to rest by Mother Nature. I woke up with winds strong enough to topple pine trees and send economy sized garbage bins wheeling across the road. We were warned not to venture forth from the safe confines of our hotel rooms. We were told "get down here immediately". Mother Nature took a lunch break and hit the road. It was the fastest I had ever repacked my suitcases.

We arrived and it was the biggest Mundaka I had ever seen and this was my fourth year visiting the town. It was big but it too was lumpy. That didn't stop the numerous surfers, average joes the pros, locals and foreigners from having fun. One brave soul drifted with the rip out to the proper take off spot, took one wave and had all those lining the shore cheering. Instant celebrity.

Tuesday morning was a hoax. The swell had dropped over night sufficiently to turn the wave into an inconsistent fickle 3ft on low-tide. The norm for Mundaka.

I strolled the streets hipstamatic in hand just as I had done the previous night. Mundaka holds a special place in my heart and sours my feelings to see modern day developments taking hold of the small cobble stone streets. A beer, insalada mixta and cafe con leita con baileys at the casino. A beer at Bar Txopos. Hugs from Giuseppie. Photos of the town without contest paraphernalia and it was time for the drive down to Portugal.

It was a short visit. A visit that made me smile. Like old places and familiar faces I will return.

France - update 4

France - update 4

The final of the French updates. Mick beat Slater in the final in some "pro-only" conditions. Mortal behavior would prevent average surfer joe from paddling that. That and the lack of a jetski. As after parties go people get drunk and injuries occur, I was the wildcard injury for the night. After a fantastic hot-rock, aka Le Boef, we took the few short steps across to Cafe Paris. My bladder felt it was time to evict the few beers I had consumed and so off I went for a pee. All was fine until the last step of the stairwell on my way back to have another beer. Shiny wooden floors with a mix of beer, sweat and urine do not make for a surface with the most traction. Slip goes the foot, ass and elbow on the floor. A dent in the pride is only saved by a thumbs up to the acknowledging crowd along with a split elbow. It was a big cut but it was split to the bone, enough to drip blood on my favorite shoes.

After heading back to the hotel to rinse and wash the wound a soldering on approach was adapted. Rock Food was full and charging at the door and Dicks Tavern was a sweat pit enough to convince me my night was over. 20 minute walk back to the hotel for an uncomfortable night of sleep trying not to bump the egg my elbow had turned into.

Contest is over and a sleep in will be had.

France - update 3

All good things French

Bonjeur from France again. From Monday to Thursday afternoon I have been lazing about drinking Cafe Au Lait, eating Sucre and Lemoen Crepes and the odd Croissant. I love France but some of these natives are rude. Say "no no no no" with a nasal twang while wagging your right index finger. Or just look into the mirror with the rudest death stare and that will be your 'Blue French'.

Hossegor is only a surf town. You can do shopping but mostly surf stores with the odd trinket shop.

You can read my contest blog on theBombsurf.

France - update 2

All good things French

A week into France and I've seen Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro France completed and the first three heats of Round 2 finish. I've watched Freestyle MotoX in Hossegor Square, I've saved a child from a stampede. I've gone two days without tea and drank coffee while eating Sucre Au Lemoen Crepes. I spent Euros and not cared while drinking beer from Bali.

I am making proper blog entries about the contest on theBOMBsurf website. Be sure to give it a visit.

France - update 1

All the good things it takes to get here

My passport received its last international stamp when I departed Australia in March. Many things have happened since that ink hit the paper. I've experienced many personal trials and tribulations in the six months since then so it was both happiness and sadness when I departed home shores on Wednesday afternoon for France. It took one and a half days to get that fresh stamp in the passport. A one hour flight from Durban to JHB, a 6 hour layover in JHB, a 10 hour flight from JHB to London, another 6 hour layover which included a 1 hour bus journey from Heathrow to Gatwick, a 2 hour flight from Gatwick to Bordeaux, a 2 hour wait for my colleague to arrive thanks to the strikes by Air France staff and a 1.5 hour drive from Bordeaux to Hossegor.

Never has a shower felt so good. Being clean felt so fine that I nearly took another shower.

Hipstamatic Clayton

Hipstamatic Clayton

The hipstamatic session is viewable in slideshow on theBOMBsurf website.

With permission I took a stroll around the Clayton Surfboards factory after promises of zero secrets revealed.

Today I am off to France.

Hipstamatic Hutchinson

Hipstamatic Jono Hutchinson

A few weeks back I took a stroll through the garden of Jono Hutchinson while with theBOMBsurf guys who were shooting an ad photo.

The slideshow can be seen on their website.

A hit of Hipstamatic

Hipstamatic yes I am

It has been a while since I set out armed with the trusty Hipstamatic iPhone app and a purpose. It was fun.

Flowers for Mom

Flowers to smile about

My mom loved flowers and most likely still does, since her passing we have amassed a vast amount of beautiful flowers.

Love you mom.

Hipstamatic Jeffreys Bay

Hipstamatic JBay

Whilst my visit to Jeffreys Bay for the Billabong Pro was cut short I did put my unhealthy Hipstamatic iPhone application addiction to good use.

A slideshow is currently featured on theBOMBsurf Magazine website.

Hipstamatic yes I am 002

Hipstamatic yes I Am 002

I've developed a small addiction to this Hipstamatic iPhone application.

Clockwise in order taken.

1. I am on a quest to find the most sour sweet in existence. To date all attempts have resulted in nothing but a sugary disappointment.

2. My friend in the quest. She's a little camera shy.

3. Today, 20 June 2010, is Fathers Day. After a plate of moms Lasagna, two and a half bowls of Tiramisu and a bowl of Tipsy Tart and Custard I felt the need for a cuppa tea the moment the electricity went out thus resorting to the skottle and a pot of water.

4. Literally the moment I'd filled up the tea pot with hot water the power came back on. My dads family hand me down Italian coffee pot was put to the boil immediately.

5. A little light bulb, a meshed screen and a bottle of wine make for happy times.

6. Between my dad, sister, aunt and two of her friends six bottles of wine were consumed.

And if Michael Jacksons concerts ever happened I would have spent a little life savings for Golden Circle just because he can burn takkie like no other.

Hipstamatic yes I am 001

Hipstamatic yes I am 001

I've seen results from the iPhone app Hipstamatic and while simple and novel it is rather entertaining seeing the final output. I had to upgrade to OS 3.1.3 for it to work but that's the geek in me. Clockwise shown in order taken.