Just because

It's fig season.

Industrial art

Perhaps there are even interesting pictures in the port of Rotterdam.

One often finds a couple of giraffe standing around while another drinks.

You and me

I was alone, strolling down Copacabana beach. Late afternoon, wet from a quick swim. The sun was setting over the city, but one could still feel its warmth. The seasoned beach goers had mostly left, it was the now the runners and strollers’ shift.

I thought to myself, ‘this is paradise, what a perfect evening, what a perfect place’. Far from it. 

yes, that's garden furniture...

When in Rio you could go to the touristy restaurants, where it's expensive, you hang out with tourists and the food is mediocre, or, you can find a little bar on the street where the locals are entertaining and the food is mediocre...

Mais um chopp por favor.

Worse ways to spend a Sunday...

The day started off with me feeling very sorry for myself. Long haul flights are OK, you can stroll around, hang out in the galley or choose your film. Well you can if it's in one of the big planes. Last night, was 7,5 hours in a 737, with a back bulkhead seat that didn't recline, spaced for the legs of a little Panama girl. So, I had some guys head up my nose (consolation was my knees were in his kidneys), no individual screen and stuck next to the can. Although, being next to the toilet does allow you to fart with impunity.

Needless to say at 6am when our plane touched down I wasn't the happiest camper.

But then there was a nice shower, a fresh pineapple and coconut juice squeezed before my eyes and this stroll on Copacabana:

A midday nap, followed by a Skol and Chicken fillet lunch (in amongst the locals who were making a noise - they were even talking to each other at neighbouring tables - it felt so un-paris), then a fresh coconut juice alongside beach. An evening run on the beach to Ipanema to finish off.

What was that story about the flight again? There are worse ways to spend a Sunday. It just became great.

Smokin'

Top of Sicily at 3340 m

Steaming crater at about 2940 m, the Etna eruption of 2002.

View from Taormina towards the mainland.

Piazza Armerina to Taormina

The Romans invent the bikini? One of the girls from the mosaics to be seen at Casa Romana del Casale.

After dinner in Piazza Armerina

Getting the chop in Siracusa

Ahoy the mainland... looking from Taormina towards Calabria

Almond wine with roasted almonds