Angels Landing Trail at Zion National Park

The Most Thrilling Hiking

It all started when I saw a photo on Instagram. This guy posted a beautiful photo of a very difficult and narrow path on Angels Landing trail, I could see chains hanging in the middle meaning that to hold those chains was something very important and a must to that path. The scenario in the background was also breathtaking. I had no doubt I wanted to go there very soon.

Not my first time at Zion so I knew already how beautiful and extraordinary is Zion National Park.  I visited Zion during summer time, but now visiting during winter, and after a snow storm, things would look a little different and the changelings  to hike Angels Landing would be even greater.

When I arrived at Zion I went directly to Visitors Center to find out trails conditions, but especially if Angels Landing was closed, and for my great excitement it was open, although the lady at the information desk suggested that I should use some traction cleats  for safety, so I bought a pair at the Zion store.

Being Angels Landing considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world in normal conditions could you imagine after a snow storm? The first 2-miles are not a big deal, the last half-mile, across a narrow sandstone ridge, is where I saw a lot of people turning around, and thats when things got very challenging. Icy and slippery. You can buy these traction cleats here. They are great. https://amzn.to/2GO9NbV

There are chains you can hold on to although I did miss the presence of chains in some parts, so at the time my very basic rock climbing experience was truly welcome.

Being very honest, many times I got scared, a few times I almost gave up, and only one time I turned around, but only for 5 seconds. I could not go back, I was so close, I had to face my fears and trust my skills. I do have one advice to give you, learned from my own mistake. I was taking a backpack the was too heavy. Don’t take heavy backpacks, it will mess up your balance. It happened to me.

When reached the top, I could not believe. It was beautiful, I was there, I made to the top, I faced my fears. I ate my special reward, a delicious piece of chocolate, and gave two other pieces of chocolate to a couple that got there a few seconds before I did. It was a celebration. It was very exciting and truly happy.

Descending was actually much easier that I expected. I got back to my car after sunset and decided to have dinner at this natural Asian restaurant just outside of the park entrance. I start looking at the photos and videos,  I got emotional, tears almost came down my face, I’ve had one the most amazing experiences.  I had trust in myself, I faced my fears, I did experience the beauty of Zion and nature. Looking back as I write this,  I still can’t believe in it.

Seville – Spain

Definitely one of my favorites cities in Europe. Took me a while to write about it because the city means so much to me for many reasons. I’ve been there two times, the first time was after the break up of an engagement, and going on this trip alone made me  very sensitive to the goods of life. The feeling of emotional freedom had such a huge influence on everything I saw, I touched, I ate.  It was winter and the city was very happy, Christmas songs in every corner,  lighting shows, kids on the streets with their families having a wonderful time,  it was very special.

The festivities go before Christmas Eve until january 6th, the date the Wise Men gave gift to Jesus. The weather was great, best weather in Europe if you don’t want to freeze with snow, temperature around 10 celsius.

Second time I visited Seville was in the end of April 2014, spring time, my mom came with me that time, she was excited after I spoke so many good things about the city,  it was a little hot, about 35 celsius,  but also beautiful with flowers everywhere and lots of people in town arriving for la Feria.

I was happy to find artists on the street performing flamenco, kids learning how to bull fight, everything was happening during La Feria de Abril, a very traditional celebration.

If you are planning to arrive in Seville by plane the airport is very easy and small, taxi to city center could cost around 25 euros, but if you arrive by train is much easier because Santa Justa Train Station and San Bernardo  station are right in the city.

Anywhere you stay in the city is a walk to everywhere, but getting a bike can be very fun too.

Places I visited and I say are a must to visit are the Real Alcazar de Sevilla, Seville Cathedral, Plaza de Espana, and if you like to walk, alongside de Guadalquivir River is a great place to do it , but everywhere you go in the city is pretty fantastic.

A great place to watch the sunset in Seville is from the Metropol Parasol, a great piece of architecture located at la Encarnacion Square, to go up will need to pay a small fee, but it comes with a free drink that you can get once you are up.

Real alcazar de Sevilla is a World Heritage Site and has huge importance in Seville history. You will need a few hours to explore but  is so beautiful. Its definitely a must.

Seville Cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and also a World Heritage Site, but something I found to be very interesting while I was visiting is the fact that the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the great Italian world explorer, navigator and colonizer is located inside the cathedral. I was so excited when I saw it, so cool!

Once inside the cathedral you can go up to the top of Giralda Tower,  Its about 32 floors until you can reach the bells and from up there you have an spectacular view of the city.

Plaza de Espana is a great outdoor scape for the Sevillanos, options like rent a small boat or a carriage horse ride are a fun way to explore the site that is located inside  Maria Luisa Park.  I had a great time taking photos and watching people enjoy their day. Great memories. The location has been used for filming is movies like Lawrence of Arabia, and a couple of Star Wars. 

And the food, how to write about Seville and not talk about the food, tapas e cerveza were created to each other. Its so right, seating at a restaurant, tables outside, watching people passing by, and having some tapas and beer, it feels just great.

I wish I could express here all my love for this city, because there is so much more to fall in love with, but everything I write couldn’t delivery the amazing feelings I have for the capital of Andalucia.  All I can say is that you need to go there and find out for yourself.

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Stunning Video Shot in El Teide, Spain

Want to watch something stunning? Just an example of how beautiful our precious planet is. Check out this video.  Spring 2011, Terje Sorgjerd, landscape photographer from Norway, spent 7 days in El Teide, Spain and shot this small video. Mount Teide is a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Its 3,718-metre summit is the highest point in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic.  Just phenomenal video.  Great editing and music. Just beautiful.

http://vimeo.com/22439234

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Rio de Janeiro and My Favorite Spots

Yes, its time to celebrate . Opening of  2014 World Cup was today in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil 3 x 1 Croatia, everyone is happy and the stadium in Sao Paulo didn’t fall.  This Sunday, June 15th Maracana stadium will be holding the first soccer game in Rio for the World Cup, lots of tourists in town so I feel like  sharing some  of my favorites spots in Rio, they are beautiful and free of charge. Its a perfect combination between mountain and ocean.

1- Paineiras

If there is a place in Rio that makes me feel really close to God, that place is Paineiras, being there is just the most amazing and spiritual connection I could ever have with the higher power. Nature is everywhere, its the kind of place  where you are able to see all your problems in life with a bright perspective, you can even get creative  and believe me, your imagination will flow, its such a peaceful and happy place. I could easily call Paineiras my temple in Rio. Its also very close to the Corcovado and Vista Chinesa if you feel like extending your tour.  I posted the photo below on my Instagram account and I received a comment from Espaco Paineiras and I was told that anyone could rent bikes for free, thats cool. I haven’t tried but you can get more info using this link. http://www.paineirascorcovado.com.br/espaco-paineiras/#

So after your visit to Paineiras you feel like driving to the Vista Chinesa, as I spontaneouly did last week when I was in Rio, you can have this view.

Some people will probably say its not save to go to Vista Chinesa at night, but I got there right after sunset and I saw a lot of people and  some cops, I felt safe.

2 – Ipanema Beach

I know, very touristy but its just so beautiful, and romantic, and sexy, and nice, and if you go during the week when everybody is working can be fantastically calm. No vendors, no people fighting for space near the water. Its also so close to nice restaurants and stores, fresh juices being sold in every corner, acai….  plus the sidewalk with those fantastic sculptured bodies exercising is always a nice plus.  When I used to live in Ipanema one of my main questions was if I should ride my bike in Ipanema Beach or lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, another beautiful place to visit, what a painful decision, heheheh!!!!

And if you are lucky enough you can meet up with this Goddess in the water.

* Special thanks to Tiago Sperotto and Paula Wintter for letting me use the last photo on my blog.  http://www.tiagosperotto.com/ and today is Paula’s birthday. Happy Birthday Paula!!!!

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Why Do I Do It

People ask me how do I get to travel so much and why. I even felt guilty sometimes with that question, like ” Am I doing something wrong?” Here is my confession. I cant stand the old, after being in LA for 13 years, I just cant do it. Don’t get me wrong please, but the world is huge,  its like 3,959 miles radius and 57.53 million Sq miles. There is a lot to explore out there my friend. If you can’t afford an expensive international trip, go to a city nearby, take one day trip to anywhere you have never been, I promise you will have no regrets. Very often I find myself in situations where Im like ” Seriously, is this even possible? No way, thats really cool”. It is just my sense of discovering something new saying ” Isn’t the world amazing?” , but please don’t come up to yourself with the excuse that you don’t want to travel alone if you cant find a friend or two to join you. Here another confession, the best trips of my life I’ve done by myself, and that means total freedom, to change plans, to meet new people, to sing out loud in your car, to eat anything you want, anywhere you want, to stop at the spectacular beach you just discovered and stay there for as long as you want, connecting with nature, animals, anything, anyone.

Its all just a matter of turn on you explorer button and get out of you couch. BTW yesterday I saw someone posting something online saying that he spent 10 hours in front of TV watching TV shows. I understand if people love to do that, but I cant, I would seriously get sick and die. I don’t watch the world, I need to be part of it.

ANIMAL SURPRISE CALIFORNIA  COAST

This weekend was Memorial Weekend in USA. I drove my car on a road trip to the coast of  North California down to Los Angeles. The coolest thing happened when I went down to take some photos of the beach, but for my surprise this is what I had waiting for me. Somewhere on the California coast loving nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8CgbRJ3yWQ

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HONG KONG

My trip to Hong kong in April 2014

First let me start saying how nice is Beijing airport. Congratulations China.  So cool, modern and clean.  I had to go through Beijing airport and thats where I got my passport stamped for Hong Kong.

http://en.bcia.com.cn/

Arriving in Hong Kong was easy and smooth.  They have a transportation system they call airport express that will take you from the airport to the city center in about 25 min. Very easy and you can buy your pass at the airport, they even take credit card if you are low on cash. I had to take the Airport Express + the Free shuttle Bus. It was all very easy and well connected. Impressive.

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/airport-express.html

HK is a great modern world city. Lots of parks and skycraper buildings. Its really nice to see how great modern architecture mix with old buildings and nature.

My first place to visit after I got situated at the hotel was Kowloon Park. Great place to relax, I was able to see people practicing sports and families getting together with the kids. Awesome place to relax and have fun.

At the airport in HK, before I bought my Airport Express to go to the city I met a very nice woman who told me about the lighting laser show that happens every night at 8PM. She told me I should get there a little early to get a good spot. It was cool but not incredible if compared to the fireworks in Rio for New Years Eve,  but it was a nice show.

http://www.tourism.gov.hk/symphony/english/details/details.html

My following day in HK I got up early to visit Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery and  you can get there simply taking the MTR (subway) to Diamond Hill station. I really enjoyed being in such peaceful place right in the middle of the city.

After visiting Nan Lian Garden there is a direct passage to Chi Lin Nunnery.

People say if you go to H.K. you must go up to Victoria Peak locally known as The Peak, the highest mountain in the Island, altitude of 552 m (1,811 ft), so that’s what I had planned for my afternoon, and to get to the top of the mountain the most convenient way is to take the Peak Tram.

I was staying in Tsim Sha Tsui and to get to the Peak Tram I opted to take the MTR  to Central station, then walk about 11 mins to take the tram.

I had some fun trying to pronounce this name

Smart and fun  marketing approach for priority seating in the MTR car