25/09/2023

Tribute to Chiruca boots

 

My dear Chiruca boots after 20 years. Happy birthday for them.

As you probably know, I used Chiruca boots from 2002 to 2016 for everything. That includes the round the world trip and actually all trips during those years. They are still in good shape but I stop using them as a daily shoes in 2016. The thing which surprises me the most is the laces don’t show any damage sign yet! Diamond-made I guess. The best item I’ve bought in my live.

From 2017 to 2022 I switched to trail running shoes, a great, confortable and light new solution for all kind of scenarios, including a meeting with a minister, which actually happened. But quality in The North Face brand is quite poor. Laces were broken just after 2-3 months. A red flag alerting of such a profit oriented product. Anyways I was happy with those shoes and they were my only shoes until they full broken this year 2022.

And now after looking for a replacement everywhere … I’m back to Chiruca. This time a more versatile and light sneakers more suitable for tropical places. The first feeling after a few weeks of use is super great. Let’s see how they behave. They are not the ones shown in the drawing. That’s a new model I took to illustrate an ergonomic item could also have an amazing design.

Just to mention some numbers. Old Chiruca boots costs me 72,87€ in 2002. Actually I paid them in pesetas, just before the euro came. Up to 2016 when I retired them, results a cost of 5,20€/year, 0,43€/month. Great quality/cost ratio. Wearing good shoes for less than a Starbucks coffee PER YEAR. And as I said, I can still use them.






04/09/2023

Koh Chang, Thailand




Those days in Koh Chang (and Koh Rang) were great. A little far by bus and boat from Siracha, but that's also valuable part of the trip.

I like the unexpected and textured effect of the white ballpen in the drawing. 

Some photos from Koh Chang

Thailand atmosphere is always special. And even more in its islands and beaches: Relaxing, easy, full tropical feeling and direct contact with nature.

These photos were taken in Koh Chang, or I should say in some small islands in the south of the big island.

I found an orange monk there.