SOPHIE'S WRLD

SCUBA-DIVING
 
 

I fell in love with the underwater world when I snorkelled for the first time in Corfu, Greece in 94. The following year, I attended my first theoretical Scuba Diving class in Ayia Napa, Cyprus (Lucky Divers). In 97, I took the PADIOPEN WATER course in Sosua, in the Dominican Republic (Northern Coast Aquasports Dive Center) and the ADVANCED PLUS and MEDIC FIRST AID in June 98 in Sagres, Portugal (Centro de Mergulho Ilhas do Martinhal). In October 2000 I took the RESCUE DIVER course in Sesimbra, Portugal (Nautilus-sub). In the meantime, I dive when it is possible - in Portugal: Sagres, Sesimbra, Portinho da Arrábida (Portinho Divers), on the U-1277 in Leça da Palmeira (Clube Naval de Leça) and the Brenha in Póvoa (CASP) or in Spain: O Grove (Argo Sub); (Bahía-Sub); (ESCOSUB) and the Cies Islands, Bayona (Prodiving). During the Summer holidays I select destinations with good diving: Malaysia (98) - The Pulau Payar Marine Reserve in Langkawi (Langkawi Coral) and the Perhentian islands (Steffen Sea Sports); Mexico (99) - Cozumel (Aldora Divers), including The Devil's Throat (a vertical entrance to a Swiss cheese!); Egypt (2000) - Sharm El Sheikh (Oonas Divers) and Hurghada (Emperor Divers); Madeira (Jun 02) - Garajau Nature Reserve (Tubarão Madeira Diving Center); Thailand (2002) - Phuket (Marina Divers) and Phi Phi Islands (Leisure Dive Center), where I saw a whale shark for the first time! The Azores - Faial (Apr 03) (Norberto Diver), where I had probably the best dive ever, as well as having seen common and bottle-nose dolphins and a sperm whale; Belize (2003), where I saw manatees for the first time - Ambergris Caye (Amigos del Mar and Hustler Tours), including the famous Blue Hole; Cuba (2004) - Varadero (Barracuda Dive Center) and Cienfuegos (Whale Shark Scuba Center); Indonesia (2005) - Tulamben, Bali (Pro Dive Bali) and Gili Islands (Dive Indonesia); Maldives (Apr 06) (Ocean-Pro Dive Team); Honduras (Aug 06) - Roatán (Coconut Tree Divers) and Utila (Utila Dive Center), where I took the ENRICHED AIR DIVER (NITROX) course; Micronesia (2007) - Palau (Sam's Tours), including the magical Jellyfish Lake and Yap (Beyond The Reef); Costa Rica (2008) - Playa Hermosa (Diving Safaris).
I've been a DIVEMASTER since August 2001 - Aqaba, Jordan (Aquamarina Diving Center).
Click on the diver to find out some more about this fascinating sport (in Portuguese only) and see some pics.

 

ALPINE SKIING

I learnt to ski in Austria, Kirchdorf and Steinplatte in December 98. Surprisingly enough, I didn't fall that much, so I enjoyed it! In 99 I went to Andorra, Arinsal and Pal (I tried SNOWBOARD for the first time), in 2000 Soldeu, 2001 El Tarter, 2002 Sierra Nevada, Spain, 2003 Livigno, Italy and St. Moritz, Switzerland, 2004 Chamonix - Les Houches, France, 2005 Boí-Taüll, 2006 Formigal and Cerler in Spain, 2007 Sierra Nevada and Dolomites (Plan de Gralba), 2008 Sierra de Béjar - La Covatilla, Spain and 2009 Sauze Super Sauze and Ste Anne La Condamine, France and Sierra de Béjar - La Covatilla.
When there's snow, I practise in Serra da Estrela, Portugal or Manzaneda and San Isidro (Picos de Europa) in Spain.
Click on the skier to learn the basic movements (in Portuguese only).
 

TRAVEL

Due to skiing and especially scuba diving, I have been travelling quite a bit, finding "my wonders" on the way. I've always been fascinated with sites of archaeological interest, having even participated in the excavation of a tumulus when I was a teenager. Click on the globe to know my favourite destinations.

OTHER INTERESTS - LINKS

 

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