Podcast Portugal host, Justin West is joined by guest Saman Christopher Hewawitharana aka "Junior" – Founder & Shaper at JNR Surfboards

Episode Highlights:

• Sri Lanka in the early days, the civil war, surfing Arugam Bay and Scotland.

• The journey of JNR Surfboards with Saman Christopher Hewawitharana, also known as Junior

• How shaping surfboards became a full-time passion and business

• The importance of custom surfboards tailored to individual surf styles and local breaks

• Juniour’s background: From Scotland and Sri Lanka to Portugal

• Mechanical engineering to hands-on surfboard craftsmanship

• Work experience across Greece, Norway, Australia, and Portugal

• Learning from OKE Surfboards and ORG Surfboards

• The satisfaction of crafting a board from start to finish

Links & Resources:

🌊 Visit JNR Surfboards: www.jnrsurfboards.com

📸 Follow on Instagram: @jnrfish

🎵 Music by "Band of 4"

Podcast Portugal – Featuring Stephen

O'Regan from People Of Lisbon

In this episode of Podcast Portugal, we sit down with Stephen O'Regan, the creator of People Of Lisbon, a captivating video series that highlights the lives of individuals from different backgrounds who have made Lisbon their home. With the help of photographer Rita Ansone, Stephen brings to life the stories of Lisbon’s vibrant local and international community.

Inside This Episode:

🎥 How People Of Lisbon was born

🏙 The essence of Lisbon’s multicultural identity

📽 Stephen’s journey from film school to founding BalconyTV

🌍 Some of the characters!

Stephen shares his thoughts on what makes Lisbon unique, his approach to storytelling, and his personal journey from Dublin to Lisbon via New York.

🎧 Tune in now and explore the heart of Lisbon through its people!

📌 Follow People of Lisbon:

🔗 Facebook

🔗 Instagram

🔗 YouTube

🎶 Music by Band of 4 – Find their work at podcastportugal.com

🎧 Tune in now and explore the heart of Lisbon through its people!

Podcast Portugal – Episode 5: Learning European Portuguese with Helena Sales from Portugu.easy

In this episode of Podcast Portugal, we dive into the fascinating world of learning European Portuguese with our special guest, Helena Sales, a dedicated language teacher and founder of Portugu.easy. Helena offers personalised one-to-one lessons and online courses, helping learners navigate the complexities of the Portuguese language.

What We Discussed:

✅ The Silent "H" – Why the letter H is written but never pronounced in Portuguese.

✅ Language Learning Challenges – The toughest parts of learning a new language and how to overcome them.

✅ Helena’s Journey – How and why she became a language teacher.

✅ European vs. Brazilian Portuguese – Key differences and which one to learn.

✅ Um, Uma, Dois, Duas? – The tricky world of Portuguese numbers and gendered words.

✅ Formal vs. Informal Language – When to use tu or você.

✅ Masculine & Feminine Objects – Why a table (mesa) is feminine but a car (carro) is masculine.

✅ Best Ways to Learn Portuguese – Tips and strategies to accelerate your learning.

✅ AI & Language Learning – Can artificial intelligence help you learn Portuguese?

✅ Full Immersion – The power of surrounding yourself with Portuguese every day.

✅ What is "Gerúndio"? – Understanding this verb form in Portuguese grammar.

✅ Portuguese Regional Accents – Can you tell the difference between an accent from Porto, Lisbon, or the Algarve?

Whether you're just starting out or refining your Portuguese, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your language-learning journey.

🎧 Listen now and start speaking Portuguese with confidence!

👉 Follow Helena Sales and explore her courses at Portugu.easy.

#Portuguese #LearnPortuguese #EuropeanPortuguese #LanguageLearning #PodcastPortugal

Lastly, a big shoutout to Band of 4 for our amazing soundtrack.

Alexandra Bonte on Real Estate, Sustainability, and Her Passion for Horses

In this episode of Podcast Portugal, we’re joined by Alexandra Bonte, a trailblazing entrepreneur, real estate expert, and equestrian enthusiast.

Born in London to an American father and Italian mother, Alexandra’s life journey has taken her across continents before she settled in Portugal in 2011.

With a keen eye for opportunity, she founded the Bonte Filipidis agency in Estoril in 2014, now a leader in luxury real estate with sales across Lisbon, Cascais, Comporta, Ibiza, and more.

Alexandra’s passions extend beyond real estate. A lifelong horse lover, she has a rich history in dressage and horse trading, even preparing for the Equestrian Olympic Games at one point.

Highlights of the Episode:

Real Estate Visionary: Insights into managing a team of 35, selling high-end properties, and supporting foreign investors.

Sustainability Advocate: Her eco-responsible luxury development in Costa Caparica, blending modern luxury with environmental consciousness.

Horse Riding Passion: How her love for dressage, horse trading, and equestrian culture has shaped her approach to life and business.

Content Creator: Tips on expatriation, living in Portugal, and navigating local government through her popular YouTube and Instagram channels.

Links & Resources:
👉 Bonte Filipidis Your Boutique Real Estate Agency
👉 Subscribe to Podcast Portugal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
👉 Follow Alexandra Bonte on social media for more on real estate, horses, and Portugal’s lifestyle.

Thank you for tuning in to Podcast Portugal, where we celebrate culture, connection, and the art of living. Don’t forget to leave a review or share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

Special thanks to Alexandra and her team and Band of 4 for their support.

Crafting Wines and Cultivating Legacy with Alexandre Relvas Jr.

In this episode, we sit down with Alexandre Relvas Jr. of Casa Relvas Winery, a family project rooted in five generations of connection to the land. Alexandre shares the story behind Casa Relvas, a winery born in 1997 at Herdade de São Miguel in Alentejo, inspired by a landscape reminiscent of his family’s African heritage.

We explore the journey of Casa Relvas, including:

Planting the first 10 hectares of vines at Herdade de São Miguel, followed by 25 more hectares the next year.

The construction of the Herdade de São Miguel winery, with the capacity to vinify 500 tons of grapes.

Launching their first wine, “Herdade de São Miguel Colheita Seleccionada Tinto 2003,” with an initial production of 26,000 bottles.

How Nuno Franco (viticulture and oenology consultant) and Fernanda Gomes joined the project to help shape its vision.

The pivotal role of Alexandre Relvas Jr., who joined after training in viticulture in Bordeaux, contributing to the launch of a wine scoring over 90 points by Robert Parker.

The acquisition of Herdade da Pimenta, adding 65 hectares of vineyards and a winery capable of transforming 2.5 tons of grapes.

Today, Casa Relvas boasts an impressive portfolio of wines recognised globally for their consistency and quality. With two generations at the helm, the family manages an integrated production system covering:

- 750 hectares of forests

- 250 hectares of olive groves

- 350 hectares of vineyards

Their dedication to regenerative farming and sustainable production continues to shape the Alentejo’s legacy.

Special Mention:
Casa Relvas invites you to experience the best of Alentejo through wine tastings, vineyard tours, and events. Whether you’re celebrating with family or hosting a business meeting, Casa Relvas offers an unforgettable connection to Portugal’s wine culture.

Links:
👉 Visit Casa Relvas to explore their wines and book your visit.
👉 Subscribe to Podcast Portugal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Let us know what you think! Drop a review, leave a comment, or email us your thoughts and ideas. www.podcastportugal.com

Cheers to connecting cultures and celebrating Portugal!

Welcome to Podcast Portugal, the show where we explore life in Portugal through inspiring stories, expert insights, and fascinating conversations. In Episode 2, we sit down with Pedro Rocha, a seasoned real estate professional and co-founder of Guthrie Rocha Real Estate, to dive deep into the nuances of relocating, living, and thriving in this beautiful country of Portugal.

Thank you to:

Guthrie Rocha Properties

https://www.guthrierochaproperties.com

and “Band of 4” for the soundtrack

https://linktr.ee/bandof4

Title Music Credit Big Thanks to Band of 4

https://linktr.ee/bandof4