Sunday, May 11, 2014

A rare Balkan gem: Purobeach Porto Montenegro

Written by Andrijana Bogoevska (Stamp My Passport)

This summer I am planning a road trip starting from Budva in Montenegro, traveling along the Croatian coast, visiting Dubrovnik, Porec, Pula, Cavtat, going to the magnificent Venice in Italy, and finishing at Bari, where I will take a ferry to Greece. It is a long trip, but it is definitely something we should all try in our lifetime.
So I sat down and started some research on the Internet for a place I should visit. I started with Budva, then Kotor and some traditional restaurant in the Old city and continued to Dubrovnik, Croatia. All of this was going through my mind when suddenly something, or better say, one specific place popped up in front of me: Purobeach, located in Porto Montenegro.
Since I know that Russian people are investing in Montenegro, I also know that the tourism there is in expansion for the last 5-6 years. So, according to me this is probably the best product that came out of it. It is a magnificent place where the jet set from Serbia and Montenegro goes. It is really worth the price. Below you can read something more about this luxurious destination.

Purobeach Porto Montenegro

"Purobeach Porto Montenegro is a spectacular and beautiful location, on a mini peninsula, in the middle of Porto Montenegro, with its own 180 degree view. DJ selected music move guests into a relaxed state of mind from early afternoon until late at night while guests worship the sun on the terrace sunbeds, have a salad by the sea or relax in the shade of its interiors filled with inviting low sofas and pouf chairs. Sunsets at Purobeach are unrivalled, as the sun sets behind the Mountains of Bay of Kotor, kicking off the evening into a night lounge filled with music, food & drinks continuing well into the early hours. The convenient location makes it easy to reach from all over, just following Porto Montenegro road  signs. Those guests arriving by boat are able to anchor directly next to Purobeach. A private pier is available to leave dingies belonging to anchored boats. This is definitely the place you should visit, although the price are higher there are a lot f things you will enjoy here." via http://www.purobeach.com/en/purobeach-porto-montenegro-concept-facts.html

FACTS & SERVICES:

Outdoor and indoor Restaurant /li>
Outdoor and indoor Bars
Outdoor Massages
70 Cushion covered sunbeds around the pool
8 Foam beds facing the pool
4 Private Cabana Areas poolside
6 Private Sundeck Areas Poolside
1 Top Pier Private Dining Area seating 12 Pax
Showers, lockers and changing areas
Free wireless internet connection covering all areas

DATES & OPENING HOURS:

May-September from 10am till 7 pm
June-August from 10am

Purobeach Porto Montenegro,
Porto Montenegro, 85320 Tivat, Montenegro
Tel. +382 32 660 970
E-Mail. info.portomontenegro@purobeach.com

Useful links:

Official website:
http://www.purobeach.com/en/purobeach-porto-montenegro-concept-facts.html
Official FB fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purobeach-Porto-Montenegro/328736443869472

Photo Gallery:

Photos' source:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purobeach-Porto-Montenegro/328736443869472

Andrijana Bogoevska
(Stamp My Passport)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Cinque Terre: The rainbow of Italy

Written by Andrijana Bogoevska (Stamp My Passport)

Sitting at home, on one rainy Sunday evening, I wondered how it would be if it was already summer. Normally, from one thought, it goes to another, and I asked myself where I would like to be at that very moment. I went back to 2005, to Cinque Terre, Italy.

I will describe the place and the whole region of five villages, with only one word: Spectacular! And only one suggestion: it's a must go!

It was summer and I was studying Italian, so I decided to go on a summer course in Florence, Italy. I have to admit, I made a great decision. It was a one month summer school, with a guide, who was responsible for the whole group.

One weekend the guide suggested for us to go at the beach and have some fun swimming. So we went by train (easiest way to travel in Italy) to this place so called Cinque Terre. Honestly, I was expecting some small Italian town with a beach, but when we came there, we were surprised by the view. It was astonishing.

Cinque Terre is a region of five villages. Each village is unique, but very similar at the same time. They are close to each other, so once you get there, you can move from one another walking through the path made in between the rocks, and at the same time enjoying and gazing upon the magnificent view of the sea. The villages are made in the rocks by the beach, so the houses are moving upward and all of them have a super view of the sea. They are colorful and the streets between them are tiny and typically Italian. When you move across the tiny streets on the both sides you have small Italian coffee bars and restaurants. This is the place where you can eat one of the best cooked pasta dishes in the Mediterranean or the one and only, Italian pizza. According to me, the best cuisine is the Italian. On this place you can enjoy the sea, the view, the food, the architecture... Here you can simply enjoy life!

I have to admit, we did not swim, and here I make a confession that a week later I escaped the group, traveled three and a half hour in one direction and enjoyed in everything this place have to offer. I will never regret for that =)

Tip:

Italy has an expensive accommodation (and it is not very luxurious for the money you pay). So, the places like Cinque Terre are even more expensive, because it is an attractive and famous tourist area.

Photo gallery:

Source:
Photo 1 [http://tesorotreasures.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/06420cinque20terre1.jpg]
Photo 2 [http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/22200000/Cinque-Terre-italy-22260554-2272-1704.jpg]
Photo 3 [http://www.smokvina.hr/common/a6/s/22954/cinque-terre-italy_fe.jpg]
Photo 4 [http://yabbedoo.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cinque-terre.jpg]
Photo 5 [http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/cinque_terre_08.jpg]
Photo 6 [http://cinqueterre.a-turist.com/images/cinque_terre_vernazza.jpg]
Photo 7 [https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp4D-uTOcn_ujm8mEfdDTit8WAuAXMpKlT-anJFpD9MFdDNaO_kUQlSuHKYi0JcGnVpASyTTUCfXoDipyOKRfZB9hwR8Wcdq7dN-FuOlnw_3t5e5Q8arS3ajBHX_aGIZoKgz93XwenCc/s1600/CinqueTerre02.jpg]
Photo 8 [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/IL_gigante_nelle_Cinque_Terre.jpg]
Photo 9 [http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/494/cache/manarola-cinque-terre_49411_990x742.jpg]
Photo 10 [https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEpdxndhOYDS1_AUQnWb4r-kFw0eV2UXP5w-lRrNsZmVoKuVYb5qB5uVZhKKEnOU5S64O_Zy9fmNLUWY8xsGoe29tp7cwE4kzI-GfbeZo6GrlAqSn_ShlbiMQiv4OX2Gl9aE4rrs7Qn4/s1600/map.gif]
Photo 11 [http://www.fastlanemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/riomaggiore-cinque-terre-italy012.jpg]

Andrijana Bogoevska
(Stamp My Passport)

Bioluminescencent Light in the Ocean: Neon-blue phytoplankton glowing at night (Vaadhoo Island, Maldives)

Written by Ljupka Andonovska (Stamp My Passport)

I think that bioluminescence is the most mesmerizing natural light given to us by nature. "Stress" has never looked so ethereal and heavenly beautiful. But lets start from the beginning.

We, as humans, have always perceived Earth as our home and humanity as such has always made the same mistake of early presumption, that we all know and recognize every single thing which exists, breathes and thrives on this planet. We act as the omniscient species that know everything. But there is so much more, which we can't even begin to understand, living organisms that appear more alien than anything our imagination was able to create. Even here, on this planet of ours, which nature decided to spray in blue and green hues, at some instances, we can feel and experience the most outlandish-like moment, a concept we have always stereotyped and connected only with the far, unknown and outer space. So, as mother nature likes to play with the abstract theme of "stress", into the physical world which surrounds us, at more than few locations on Earth, there is a phenomenon known as Bioluminescence - It's a phenomenon caused by marine phytoplankton in sea and ocean water, which when under "stress" or agitated by touch, strike or similar, it glows in a neon-blue color at night, making the view for the bystanders, spectacular.

One of the most famous spots to see this beauty is the Vaadhoo Island, part of the Maldives atolls. Still, it is confirmed to appear all over the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Those who have seen this and walked along the coast of this island, say that it looks like someone put the stars from heaven down on earth to illuminate the ground we walk on, as the very footsteps which are imprinted in the sand, are colored in neon blue. For others it is the most romantic gesture by nature ever created, and also perfect for honeymooners who visit this island. For others it is simply a chance to feel like they are on some other planet in the universe, as the occurrence itself is not common for us humans to link to the possibilities of what we think our planet is capable of.

It is definitely a must for the travel junkies, and for those who have their bucket lists ready: this is a very important one to add and highlight!

Here is a more scientific explanation by National Geographic for those who are more curious about it:

"The biological light, or bioluminescence, in the waves is the product of marine microbes called phytoplankton. "Various species of phytoplankton are known to bioluminesce, and their lights can be seen in oceans all around the world. I've been across the Atlantic and Pacific, and I've never seen a spot that wasn't bioluminescent or a night that [bioluminescence] couldn't be seen. The glowing blue water is easily visible from the air—something pilots use to their advantage. Aircraft carrier-based jet pilots "often follow the trail of luminescence left in the wake of their ship to find their way back after a night mission, " - marine biologist and bioluminescence expert Woodland Hastings of Harvard University. Red tides—often rusty-hued in daylight—can occur all over the world and are caused by large-scale algae blooms. Some red tides, contain phytoplankton that emit bursts of light when agitated. The study authors propose that, as dinoflagellates (Dinoflagellates—the subjects of the recent study—are single-celled organisms, but some of them are big enough that you can actually see them with the naked eye) float, movement in the surrounding water sends electrical impulses around a proton-filled compartment inside the microorganisms. The electrical pulses open the voltage-sensitive proton channels, triggering a series of chemical reactions, which ultimately activate a protein called luciferase that produces the neon blue light. Similar phytoplankton are found in lakes, but they aren't bioluminescent. That's one of the enigmas about bioluminescence: Why has it never evolved in fresh water? Some dinoflagellates can produce toxins that are harmful to fish, humans, and other creatures. Scientists think bioluminescence may also be a form of defense for the life-forms. Much like a rattlesnake's tail, the light could act as "a signal that alerts a predator that it might be a bad idea to eat this prey. According to another idea, called the "burglar alarm" theory, bioluminescent phytoplankton use their light to hopefully attract the attention of secondary predators, which might attack any creature trying to consume the marine microbes.
Harvard's Hastings, who has spent his life studying marine bioluminescence, encourages people to go out to a beach at night to witness the living light show for themselves. Pictures, he says, can't truly capture the experience.
Bioluminescence is also evident in a large number of organisms that live at depths where sunlight never penetrates, mostly using it as warnings for predators, others as cloaking device, etc."

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'Glowing Blue Waves Explained', Published March 19, 2012, National Geographic, Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120319-glowing-waves-ocean-blue-bioluminescent-plankton-science/

Some of the most common places to witness this natural phenomenon: