Portugal

Just imagine if a fish were a tourist. He would bring money with him and spend it; he would consume local products, paying for his hotel and full board. But no, a fish is not a tourist: “what nonsense are you talking?” asks my flatmate, whom I told about my imagination at breakfast. A freshwater fish doesn’t need a freshly-made …

I would be interested to know what value positive press has nowadays. A well-paid public relations agency in Lisbon has been sending out a press release to all the newspapers and magazines operating in Portugal, highlighting the environmentally-friendly behaviour of a company that is actively involved in tourism in the Algarve. The press release is not just about the company’s …

My friend Thomas was admitted to Portimão Hospital with pneumonia and was discharged with Covid. That’s typical of Portugal’s healthcare system. Now the people have voted. I did some research in the British and German press to see what foreign journalists have written about these recent parliamentary elections in Portugal. I initiated my own international press review on Sunday at …

Garrano horses and Maronesa cattle (resembling an aurochs), as well as griffon vultures and many other wild or semi-wild animals live in a privately-owned, open nature reserve of 856 hectares, which is also classified as a bird sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Archaeological Site. The caves along the banks of the river are home to 20,000-year-old rock paintings from …

Today, 1 April, we’re staying in Portugal, on our own doorstep, so to speak. I’m dealing with animals. Yes, we are not alone on this planet, dear friends. We humans have multiplied and prevailed over animals to such an extent that we are now the ones who call the shots. We are, so to speak, without external enemies. All together, …