Weekend Trip to the highest peak in continental Portugal
When someone asks you to travel to a place that you never been before what do you say? For some time I had a goal in my mind to conquer the highest peak in continental Portugal, Serra da Estrela. After some chat with my friend Daniel, a fellow adventure photographer from Lisbon we decided that was time. Our vision is to travel and to document Portugal's landscape and hidden corners. So one day he calls me and says that has found a cool camper and we should go with some friends. So, YES!
Four photographers into one Indie camper, packed for a full weekend of adventure and sleepless nights with sub zero temperatures! Was already night when we arrived at a riverside park and strait away. FREEZING!! Though about camping but quickly figured out that, NOPE! So we slept ed in the Indie and prepare ourselves for a early morning.
There was an initial plan but after we failed to catch the sunrise due to a heavy clouded sky, we went for some exploring around the top. The conditions were against us, it was snowing and freezing, at one point I was the highest person in Portugal, with an outside temperature of -3 C, what doesn't seems pretty cold but reminder that I live by the beach.
We kept exploring the mountain top and as the sun went up, all the surroundings were emerge in clouds and with a new pair of socks we endure a long day documenting and exploring the amazing landscape that nature provides us with.
After discussing where should we watch the sunset and still with some ideas in mind about a longboard session, both things come together and we eventually spent the rest of the golden hour cruising down the icy road. Marsha being a crazy dutch was killing it, even with leather boots haha !
As the night progressed we started our way down the mountain, stopping for quick views of the surroundings. Our final day was spent cruising around those awesome mountain roads looking for waterfalls and hidden corners, has the sun went down was time to pack and return home.
''Finally completed a long time desire and went for first time to Serra da Estrela, the highest peak in continental Portugal! Mountains and snow made me feel like being a kid in a candy store!''
Spent three days and two cold nights and for a first time there I couldn't ask for a better experience. At the end, watching all natures beauty I did realize something. I realized that most people and when I say people, mean photographers, they all wake up early to catch the sunrise, go there shoot and walk away. Most of us are only concern about the content for social media and personal portfolios that we forget to enjoy the real life, planet Earth and all its beauty is the best portfolio that you will ever have. Social media has changed a lot of life's, including mine but one thing it cannot and shouldn't be changed are our love and appreciation for the things that makes our work possible and all we have has a human species. We should be grateful for what nature has for us!
I'm super thankful to experience a place like this with such great people and amazingly grateful to Indie Campers that support us with an outstanding way to travel. There's more to see and explore in Portugal and this is only the beginning!
Cheers, Leo
If you enjoyed this post please feel free to check my Instagram page, where I often post and blog about my travels and adventures! https://www.instagram.com/leodomingox/
Great post! I will promote and resteem this post, and follow.
thank you much !
Great post. But.. posted twice?
Twice the fun I guess! haha