The solar mobile has arrived in Portugal! For a 3 month expedition in the south east of Portugal and part of Spain.

The Portugese region of  Alentejo is also known ‘The Slow region’. The speed of the solar mobile (25 km per hour) and the pace of life over here form a perfect couple :-) There’s a lot of sun, the nights are cold and the people are incredibly friendly.

As opposed to the nickname of the region, the press is like super fast over here!

During one of the drives in the solar mobile two local policemen pulled me over. They wanted to see certain papers. Papers I just hadn’t on me…Hm.

I showed them a newspaper. An article, with a big photo, on the front page announcing the presentation of the solar mobile at the Ciencia Viva (science center) in Estremoz. Luckily I put the newspaper in my bag before I started to drive…

This made things much easier. They knew the project and knew about the presentation, heard everything already…on the radio! I could move on without further ado. Of course! (They almost asked for an autograph ;-)

Saved by the press :-)

Here are some photo’s and a short video I made. The video is made at the gas station where I had a break, and where the police paid me a visit. It was cold that day!

The Alentejo landscape: rolling hills with sheep, cows and a lot of cork oaks.

A connector cable which connects the solar panels of the Graziella caravan with the front vehicle, got loose. And didn’t want to get back in place anymore…

Luckily Joao en Rui Mata helped out! These local electro technicians placed a new connector at the solar mobile, so all solar panels are properly connected again :-)

I gave an iamoneworld presentation on invitation of the city counsel of Evora (appr. 45.000 inhabitants, is situated south east of Lisbon) in Palácio de Dom Manuel. Beautiful building.

The presentation at the Ciencia Viva (museum of science) in Estremoz, took partly place at the market place on Saturday! There were really a lot of people who showed interest in buying the solar mobile. Or wanted to trade it against copper pots or anything of that matter. Maybe the reason is the very high oil and gas prices. I just told them the vehicle costs 1 million euros, so there was less motive to negotiate any further ;-)

Interview with Liliano Pucarinho of Eco magazine @ Ciencia Viva.

This video is made just before the cops payed me a visit. It was cold that day! Brrr…
Oh, the video is in Dutch! Next time I’ll speak english ;-)

More soon. I also plan to give updates in between by sending photos with a small text to all ezine subscribers.

To enjoy and get inspired.

Your reaction is welcome underneath this post!

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