Last orders in Rio & Lisbon

An overnight flight later I found myself in Rio de Janeiro, city of the famous Copacabana and the Sugarloaf 'Pão de Açúcar'. And I was just too happy when I got to my B&B with the funny name "Gerthrudes" early morning that my outstandingly kind host Adriana welcomed me, let me in my room way before check in time to have a shower and even served a wonderful breakfast. I didn't know why I was so lucky again to have found that real gem of an accommodation, not only was it wonderfully situated in the Santa Theresa neighborhood with a great view on the Sugarloaf, it was also filled with lovely other guests and a great vibe.

So in the only two days I had in Rio I did some strolling around town, went to a few beaches, hopped on the cable car up the Pão de Açúcar and took the train up the Corcovado hill, famous for its huge Jesus statue "Cristo Redentor". Well, of course I was in Rio for an ultra short time, however to me it seemed to be a nice place only from above. Especially on the Sugarloaf I felt very peaceful so I just spent a few hours there. Wandering around downtown, hmm, nope, was not my thing.

Taking the next overnight flight I landed in Lisbon, a totally different story. What a wonderful & lovely city :-) It has so much charm around all its different neighborhoods, the old buildings, the historic trams, narrow alleys and the endless numbers of bars, restaurants, minimarkets, and just people from all over Europe or maybe the World being happy & enjoying life. And just a short train ride away you find some small beaches, ok, maybe not the most gorgeous ones, but I know that a little car drive would also lead you there too.

This time however I'm not so much into big excursions, but I guess I will come back to Portugal for a little longer holiday soon and also enjoy the countryside and maybe a few surfing spots. So now instead, with a tear in one eye and a smile in the other, I'm getting ready to fly back home, home that I haven't seen for almost a year. I'm sorting out a few more photos, writing these last few lines in my blog and in my heart & head I'm again going through all the images, experiences, encounters, tastes, sounds, feelings and so on, that I've had during this freakin' awesome year, for which I feel utterly blessed and grateful.

I would like to thank each and everyone of my family and my old and new friends who shared this experience with me, who inspired me, by traveling with me for a shorter or longer part, by keeping in touch, by teaching me, dropping a message or just thinking of me:

Mam & Dad, my brother Urs and his family, Petra, Fabienne & Robin, my friends, Bär, Patrizia, Sabina, Caroline, Pasquale, Rita, Stöff & Nina with Nik, René & Debbie (missed you guys on the second half ;-), Mario & Rebecca with kidz, Christian & Colette, Matze & Alex, Urs & Daniela with kidz, Stella & George with family, Shenhsing, Christa, Bettina, Marion, Susanna, Sash, Mike, Simon, Vilija, Barbara, Majlinda, Corina, Yamuna, Roger & Häm, Roman, Sulgi, Haydar, far yet close, Jan, Lucia, Alex, Betty, Tanja, Gassi, Maya Karin, Samyra, Sanja, Stefen, Andy & Nadine with baby girl, Esther, Simon & Jenny, Mäse, Mäge & Esther "Die Büssler", Sensei Roland and everyone at Karate Center Rapperswil, Yasuko, Madan and Raj, Tashi & Kinzhang, Intrepid Myanmar group especially Inma, Anne, Sarsha & Tom (thanks a bunch for having me), divemaster Branden, my birthday party troop in Ko Lanta including the pips above as well as Köbi, Anouk & Gig, Nigel the fish, Craig, who led me the way when I was a little lost, thanks so much, everyone at Chandrakirtis, Billy, Regina, Hendrik & Pia, Eimar, Mica and Linda, Claire & John, Steve & Diane, Roger whom I've missed in Nepal and NZ by maybe only days, thanks for making me ready for my tour and good luck on all your upcoming adventures, Abby & Lee, Isha for taking me around marvelous Kauai, Zorrik for showing me how it feels to be completely centered and at peace, everyone at Esalen especially Roger, Jean, Laura and Dave, Marthe, Pops, Dave & Liz, everyone at my Intrepid Peru group, Adriana and Hannes & Lydia plus all the folks at globetrotter.ch. And to everyone I may have forgotten, please accept my apologies.

Thanks a bunch, you mean a lot to me! God bless you all <3