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*Liam's Wild Ride*

Cloudy days, cloudy days.

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The Moorish influence runs deep in Portugal. This was a way stop going up the mountain. I could have waited for a bus to take me to the top, but that was nearly four Euros, and I wanted to really soak everything in.

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A common sight on the way up? A castle in the foothills. The lush vegetation and stiking differences in the buildings buried in the hills made sights like this that much more intense.

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The sun started shining the higher up I went. What a place to try and attack!

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Nice little Rook, too bad the moat wasn't in full effect.

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When you make it to a far away castle in Portugal, I highly suggest bringing along a bottle of Vinho de Porto. It's a little sweet, but combined with cheeses and dried meats, it's a great way to unwind, unfocus, and absorb.

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Still standing, after all this time. The wind was most impressive, rushing up the mountain side and whipping about violently. I wonder how often they replace the flag?

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Crawling along the battlements, looking back, and realizing that this place was so big that to run downstairs for a sandwich was a half day affair, at best! That's it for now, more to come later.

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Hey! you are in the new RoadRacerX. Ehh! you probably have known that though.
 
Robo50 said:
Here's Rauseo's bike's MUG. On every bike I saw, the pilot's name was next to his country's flag. In this case, Charlie and crew were running the Skull and Crossbones. . . . . why?!?
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They're privateers, right?
 
do u know if people live in those castles or are they museums/for show. You know how they talk about about those boss ballers buying castles and stuff.
 
Robo50 said:
Two hours after leaving Lisbon, by trains, I started an uphill ascent that took nearly an hour. These are some photos along the way. What kind of plant is this? I used it quite a bit as a child because it grows wild in Hawaii.

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Is that aloe? We had a couple when I lived in Oahu.
 
Pix

Robo50 said:
The whole she-bang. There was a great monument across the street from the Museum and for two Euros you could take an elevator to the top. If the weather was better the pictures would be outstanding, but as it is, the winter won and the gloominess only added to the foreboding feeling and the challenge of the Dakar.

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This pic and the many you've dropped on this 30+ thread are just breath-takingly beautiful man! New Years great. Wish u were here but, it looks like ur doin' just fine. Looks like Shanghi motogp, when we might see u I guess. Hey, is Brazil on the tour this yr? And if you can email me motogp schedule for this yr.(Chow2@sbcglobal.net) Your the greatest Liam!!!
 
panaltrator said:
Is that aloe? We had a couple when I lived in Oahu.
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Wow... I think you're right. Those green ones are aloe. People would cut the leaves, squeeze out the sap and use them to clean hair... or something like that.

Someone verify this? :)

Now what about the red ones?
 
endo said:
They're privateers, right?
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Endo, excellent catch! I wondered about this as well, but didn't do the research to discover the truth. Also, Chuto-Mama, some of the smaller castles had people living in them, but the really old ones were set up as museums and historic preserves. It gets pretty cold out here so unless a Castle was well equipped and insulated I don't think people would be living in them these days. On one of my trips I came across this guy playing the most beautiful guitar. It was crisp and bright and his notes sang through the castle walls and wafted gently on the winds. His name was Pedro Godinho and I bought his cd for 8 Euros. Magnificent!

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Here's another fun motorcycle-related ad that I've found. This is in a large print catalogue for Tommy Hilfiger. I found it at a mall in Lisbon and the helpful girls at the store gave me the whole book. It's quite large, about 16"x24" closed. I was excited to see this bike. . . . . because it's very special.

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By the way, yes, it's Aloe. I used it for cuts and scrapes, and burns, too. A little about my plans, for now. . . . . .

I am off to Doha, Qatar in two days to work the Losail Cup, a promotional race series run by D'antin. I will be working on Yamaha 600's in superstock configuration I believe. I will be achieving a small success in doing so, as all my accommodations, food, and flight are paid for. Yess! I'm getting paid to travel the world and work on Motorcycles! Understandably, I am somewhat disappointed to not have a GP job (yet!) but the enthusiasm I feel right now for Qatar overshadows that. I will pay my dues in the desert and see what develops.

If anything, the ride will be worth it, and I'm learning to take small steps, building towards a goal -- not just a dream.


I'm off like a Rocket! Desert -- look out!

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Congrats Liam.

I have read this thread since you started it. It is truely awesome that you have achieved what you have. Best of luck to you in the future.

PS. I can't wait 'til you make it to GP. That way I can walk around and say I used to hang out with you at Starbucks. :laughing :laughing :laughing
 
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