It’s no secret that I love how fire is a important part of some winter festivities, specially here at Vila Boa (I even wrote a post in my blog about it). And this year, just like all the previous, the chaotic procession of masked people and everybody else who joined the party ends at a big pile of wood, ready to be lit.Vila Boa, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, February 2022#portugal #trasosmontes #entrudo #shrovetide #carnaval #carnival #mascaro

“Careto” hitting the water on a pond with his cane, an ancient gesture meant to scare the demons hidden there.Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2016#portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto 

“Caretos” doing tricks and mischief to each other. Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2019 #portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto

Young “careto” with the apple that holds the coins that were given as an offering.Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2016 #portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto

Beach day. Porto Covo, Portugal 🇵🇹, September 2021 #summer #alentejo #portugal

We’re open for business again!  Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹, July 2021 #summer #lisbon #portugal

High noon.    Barrancos, Portugal 🇵🇹, June 2021 #summer #alentejo #portugal

To those Summer Sundays spent by the pool!Magoito, Portugal 🇵🇹, August 2021 #summer #sintra #portugal

Dead end hikes. Sertã, Portugal 🇵🇹, July 2021 #summer #beirabaixa #portugal

Plenty of gatherings in the streets, despite that nights never have been that summery in the last few months.Lisboa, Portugal 🇵🇹, September 2021 #summer #lisbon #portugal