6 Things about Madeira Island, Portugal

Hey Crushers,

Recently I went to Madeira island in a work trip and I decided that I had to share this experience with you guys. Although I'm Portuguese, this was the first island that I visited. Just to give you a quick overview about it: Madeira is located in the north Atlantic Ocean, being visited every year by about one million tourists.

Madeira is known for its wine, gastronomy, historical and cultural value, its flora and fauna and beautiful landscapes (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Its annual New Year celebrations feature the largest fireworks show in the world. Unfortunately, I was only there for 3 days, and I was working hard, so I didn't have enough time to visit the whole island. I met Funchal, which is the capital and the largest city. 

Anyhow, it was enough time to take my own (probably hasty) conclusions. Here are 6 things I learned about Madeira:

1. Sea, everywhere. Yeah, I'm not stupid, I know it's an island. Anyway, I'm not used to be so close to the sea all the time, and I loved it! It doesn't matter where you are, if you look for it, the sea is there for you. I loved opening my window in the morning with that breathtaking view!

2. Nice, simple people. The people from Madeira are used to tourists visiting all year and you can expect to be treated with kindness and lots of smiles from the locals. It's also a safe place, great for young people looking for an adventure or families with young children. 

3. Nosy taxis drivers. This one was the funniest thing for me. I was with a work colleague there and taxi drivers were very concerned with our relationship and our purpose on the island. There wasn't a day where we weren't questioned about what we do, where we are from, why we where there, etc. Sometimes they would end up with a comment like "well, two beautiful women on the island..." with that curious/suspicious look on their faces. We though it was very amusing.

Madeira
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4. Peace. It's just so peaceful comparing with our crazy lifestyle. No traffic, no noise, things just happen with the appropriate speed and without so much stress. I think I wouldn't get used to it, but sometimes it's nice to feel a different environment.

5. It goes up... and down! Take your comfortable shoes with you because this island is going to test your limits. Think positive: the higher you go, the better landscapes you'll see! Ps: it's hot too, so don't forget your water bottle.

6. CR7. If you like soccer, you have to know Cristiano Ronaldo. Since he was born in Madeira, you are going to see him everywhere there. Honestly, there's even a statue of him on the main avenue, so the people from Madeira are, undoubtedly, his biggest fans. 

If you ever visit Madeira you'll confirm these things and many more, and I'm sure you'll have a good time on our beautiful Portuguese paradise!

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

Portuguese hot stuff: Cristiano Ronaldo for Sacoor Brothers

CR7

Just in case you haven´t noticed, this blog is entirely written by three Portuguese babes... So, logically, at some point, we would have to bring the Portuguese hotness to the table! 

It's no novelty that the soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, as known as CR7, is our sports' pride and golden boy. I personally believe that he worked a lot to get to where he is and he certainly deserves the compliments!

Also, because he is a very ambitious and demanding person, he decided that his hotness alone wasn't enough, so he chose the major Russian hottie Irina Shayk to be his girlfriend. *high five*

As he is one of the most valuable players worldwide, everything he touches or represents turns to gold immediately: this is the power of the marketing and advertising brains! He already gave his image to companies like Nike, Tag Heuer, Armani, Clear, Jacob & Co., among many others, including his own brand, CR7. He is a great ambassador for any brand, and those who can buy his face next to their logo should be happy to pay.

Contrary to what's usual, he is not showing his abs on this new campaign for the Portuguese brand Sacoor Brothers, and he looks classy as hell. This is kind of a Mr. Grey thing, but he looks like a boss, and I bet this suit and tie will sell out across their national and international stores.

See, I don't want to be biased, but clearly, my country has some hot stuff.

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Crushing on my country: Vila Nova de Gaia

I live in a city in Portugal called Vila Nova de Gaia and I love it here. I'm one of those people who loves to travel and then, when the week is over, I always want to go back home. Gaia is where I feel at home.We are part of the district of Porto, but separated from Porto city by the Douro river. Here are the places that I believe you should visit if you have the opportunity:

Wine Cellars

Many people don't know this but the Port wine cellars are actually located in Gaia. You should visit them to learn our history and, of course, appreciate our wine, it's a remarkable experience that you will certainly enjoy.

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Cais de Gaia

Nice view, all the traditional boats going around in Douro river, great restaurants and even a cable car up in the air, if you are feeling more adventurous. What else do you need?

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Zoo Santo Inácio

This is a great place if you like animals and wildlife. It's a great location: an old country house that was rehabilitated, and this zoo has lots of species and also a beautiful garden. I'm an animal lover and I like to go there because they are kept in huge spaces and are really happy and well treated.

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Senhor da Pedra

Senhor da Pedra is a chapel from the 17th century, located in Miramar beach. It is so beautiful and peculiar, because it was built on a rock by the sea and sometimes it is completely surrounded by water. It is truly spectacular!

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I only want to add that these are only four of the many beautiful places in Gaia!
I'm sure there is no place like my home!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

6 reasons why you should love your dog unconditionally

This little cuteness is mine, her name is Lana. She doesn't have a breed and she doesn't need one because she’s the greatest dog ever. I love her with all my heart.

When summer arrives, many people abandon their pets. Sadly, it’s always the same here in Portugal. It really shocks me that there are owners capable of doing such a terrible thing. These are the reasons why you should love your dog and never walk away:

1. They love you back, but so much more. They will love you if you’re fat or slim, if you’re beautiful or ugly, if you’re black or white. They are love machines; they don’t care about anything else.

2. They cheer the whole neighborhood. My neighbors love my dog, and I love theirs. That’s how it works around here.

3. They are smarter than you. I don’t care if you are the dog whisperer; they are so clever and learn so much that it is a pleasure to watch them. 

4. They know you so well. If you’re having a bad day, you can always count on them to improve your mood.. And if you’re sad, they will give you some extra pampering. 

5. They genuinely miss you when you’re gone. I’m out for ten hours to work and when I come back she acts like I’ve been gone for a year. They are always happy to see us.

6. They don’t expect much. They are not really picky when it comes to eating, when it comes to playing outside (everything is a great distraction as long as you are there), they just enjoy being around us, no matter what. Shouldn’t we feel the same way?

If you are a good dog owner, I'm sure you didn't need to read this to love your dog, I know you already do.

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

8 Things About the Portuguese Woman

I believe that every woman is a singular and peculiar human being. However, when I try to analyze the Portuguese, there are certain characteristics that are common to all of us. Here are some of the things you should know about our women:

Beauty is confidence
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1. We are tough. Look at our history, we watched our fathers, husbands and sons sail away for unknown waters centuries ago to discover the world. That’s why we have a word that no other language has, “saudade”, that means missing a person or a place that you love. But we got through it like the strong women we are. 

2. We like to eat. I’m not only talking about our great traditional Portuguese food, we love sushi, we love Italian, we love to taste new things. And, of course, we love to drink accordingly, if you know what I mean. 

3. We are good drivers. I mentioned all the reasons on a previous post. Women are awesome drivers: they just have more personality when it comes to steering a vehicle that reaches high speed. A woman has the same attitude driving around in her car as she has in life: we are always right. So... Just don’t.

4. We are learning new ways of living. Our mothers were raised to find a husband and have a nice family with a nice house. In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with that, I want it too. But nowadays, if you don’t want it, it is also acceptable in our minds to travel the world, to have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or just to have friends, or to be alone. As long as you are happy, you do your own choices. 

5. We are beautiful. We are mostly not the “win worldwide beauty pageants” type. We have dark hair, tanned skin and great attitude. We are confident, we own the place. We hold our heads up high, and for me, that’s beauty.

6. We are great students. After the 80’s, college started to be a possibility for women in Portugal (previously men ruled the place). These days we are more and better. The numbers do the talking. We are great students and consequently, great professionals and great leaders.

7. We are loyal. The sad thing about Portugal’s statistics is that we have one of the highest divorce percentages of the world. I believe this means that we are loyal to ourselves. We know how to love and we want to be happy and to make our families happy too. 

8. We forgive but we don’t forget. Don’t mess with the Portuguese girl. We have kind hearts and we are raised with great values, but enough is enough. We might forgive after some time, we might try to overcome after a heartfelt apology but we won’t forget. Just try to be nice around us, so we won’t have to show our fangs. 

If you are a Portuguese woman and you read this text, I really hope you enjoyed it and you seen at least a little bit of yourself in my description.

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

10 things that only the city of Porto can teach you

Recently, The New York Times payed high compliments to our city, Porto, which are all true and long overdue, in my opinion.

Full of life and wisdom, Porto mixes the old and the new generation quirks and has a soul of their own. I know Porto by heart. I know its scents and flavors from the fresh baked bread to the last week still-on-the-counter pastry that you absolutely need to shove down your throat before going home at 4.00 p.m.

Porto is home. So, I'm going to share the 10 things that you can only learn from Porto:

1. Learn the proper way to eat a Francesinha and be a man about it.
The Francesinha is a traditional dish with a large beef between two slices of homemade bread, an egg, sausage, all of that drenched in heated cheese. Your heart will beat fast, if you don't pass out you'll be fine, continue eating. Nhamy.

Porto is a city full of life
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2. How to tolerate cold water at the beach.
Yeah, we have sunny skies and we have amazing beaches that will make go insane but, yes, the water is so cold that will make your chest hair grow two inches. Welcome to the Atlantic,baby.

3.Women in Porto know how to stand up for themselves.
Porto has beautiful ladies that can smell fear. When talking to one be polite, above all, otherwise...you might get slapped.

4. Master the art of getting by.
After spending a little more time in the city, you'll find out that the people here they got one thing down: no matter how hard the situation you're in is, one way or another, they know that they'll get by.

5. There is a way to get beggars off you back.
Porto is a small town, sooner or later you're going to figure out that the beggars all know each other and usually even work together and better, they have a big boss. Once you've figure out who it is, make friends, buy him a hot-dog and you'll never be bothered again.

6. Hot dogs (with fries and every sauce known to man) are the best thing to eat at 3.00 am.
Sit anywhere on the pavement and just munch on it.

7. People will come up to you, deal with it.
Porto's people are special, they just wanna get to know you and will, without shyness or awkwardness, approach you for a number of silly reasons. Bottom line: they like to get to know new people. Don't be scared, be nice.

8. South is a deadman's land.
Say no to all things past the river Douro. Yep, not cool. Lisbon? Where is it? You've never heard of it.

9. The Name is Porto, not Oporto.
Your name is Peter, not Opeter.
Your name is Rita, not Orita.
You get the point.

10.There's never a dull moment here.
 People get bored everywhere but here. There's always somewhere to be, something to do and someone to see.

So come to Porto, get ready to fall in love and never leave. Porto has a way of stealing people hearts and  rarely gives them back.

Your TopCrusher
Alex