Chasing the World's Biggest Waves

I was intrigued by the stories I heard about Nazaré, a small fishing town on the west coast of Portugal. It is home to some of the world's biggest waves, thanks to the Nazaré Canyon which funnels Atlantic swells to break along the shore. This place attracts surfers, thrill-seekers and scientists who want to study how waves behave under different conditions. I spent a few days observing the waves from different vantage points, including the historic Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo. I also learned about the history, culture and traditions of Nazaré, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries. For example, locals still wear traditional clothes like the black woolen capes and aprons (mourning dress) or the striped skirts and headscarves.