*pictures ready* - Montreal, happy days & co.

What on earth pushed me to book a trip to Canada a week in advance? I didn't know anyone there, and didn't have a place to stay, but something told me that I shouldn't worry about it and that one way or another, everything would fall into place. And guess what happened? Everything fell into place, in a way I never expected. My trip to Montreal was one experience I will never forget, for the people I have found on my way were a source of inspiration I never thought I'd stumble upon. First and foremost, thank you Danielle: had you not made a comment on my "Brown Sugar" T-shirt that night at SkyClub, we wouldn't have spent those ten days caring for each other. You showed me Montreal, Laurentides, Eastern Townships and drove me all the way to your hometown Magogue; you made sure I'd enjoy as much of Québec Province as I could; you even made me do Wake-board on Saint-Laurent river...and you were so happy I did so well on water! I will definitely try it again, thanks to you! What I will also try again are my singing skills thanks to Paulo...a natural born performing artist who enchanted me with his humour, personnality and intelligence. We visited Québec City, after getting stopped by the police on the highway: Paulo has so much charm, that we got away with a smile...or did the diplomatic plates help? Paulo, thanks for your generosity and I hope I'll see you soon, either in Portugal or...Tokyo? Montreal showed me that not only the Quebecers are extremely nice, but also that I have a lucky star I should trust more often. Montreal, I'll come back for some "Poutine" I never had the nerve to try...

> A big hug to Rodolfo and Barbara, who made me practice my portuguese on every occasion...

PS: Should you want to go to Montreal and want a place to stay with style and grace, contact Danielle at danielle9032@hotmail.com. She will help you with style and grace!

2Click here for my holiday pictures

§ The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science - Albert Einstein

Dobar dan, Croatia

I was supposed to travel to Croatia last year. It didn't happen, so...this year was time to do it finally, with my friend Christian. I packed everything necessary for a week on the beach, not knowing that...Croatia is not THE place to lie on the sand: rocks, rocks and more rocks awaited my bare feet. The crystal clear waters made up for the lack of sand though...First stop on my way to Croatia: Vienna! Impressive, imperial, impassible city. Final destination: Dubrovnik! Beautiful, majestic, an old lady still crying on its war wounds. We pushed our trip further south into the newly independant Montenegro republic, one week old when we crossed the border. We found along the coast medieval forteresses forgotten by mass tourism that former Yougoslavia used to drain before it was torn apart: Kotor, Budva, unforgettable Sveti Stefan. Once back into Croatia, we felt like getting away from the hoards of tourists that continously assault Dubrovnik, so we took a boat to the Elafiti Islands, an hour ride away. It felt like heaven to disembark on a tiny island, that had nothing to offer but quietness, peace and beauty. Most important, I had the perfect company of Christian, a true friend who enchanted the trip with his intelligence and energy.

> Eh Chris, on repart quand?

2 Click here for my holiday pictures (page being built)

§ Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony - Mahatma Ghandi