Lisboa

After 4 days on the beach it's hard to leave now to get my culture back on.

I had read one can compare Lisbon to San Francisco in that it's built on seven hills, uses trolleys, and has a bridge designed by the same architect who designed the Bay Bridge. Only this one in Lisbon is painted red like the Golden Gate.

Nice lunch spot at this Miradouro/lookout

And I actually thought at times I was in California. The landscape around the beaches is very hilly like La Jolla and Torrey Pines in southern Cali. 

In terms of what there is to see I don't really know. I myself just love to wander with no goals set out and see what I discover. This is a great place to do that.

I started out in Belém, a town just outside downtown where there actually are many things to see like the monastery and the tower. But I had to try this pastry according to my host Carlos who mentioned I would probably have to queen a bit because they were so famous.

Belém Tower. Built 1519 for fortifications and to be a gateway. 

Now here's my rant on these things. They look like a little cupcake with custard filling. They give you packets of powdered sugar and cinnamon to put on the pastry yourself. After doing this I was covered in whiteness since it was a tid bit windy. But it really just tastes like dough had you not put the other ingredients on it. So why not just put it on in the first place and spare me the trouble?! This is what makes it taste good! Anyway after explaining this to Carlos he got a kick out of it and kind of agreed with me.

The inner city is extremely hilly and full of old falling apart buildings. Tiles adorn the facades as people thought they would last longer than paint and ultimately be cheaper. This adds a bit of color to the otherwise drab urbanscape.

I jumped on one of these to go one stop because there was an accident blocking ahead

It reminded me of when I went to Rome and thought every thing was falling apart. I hated Rome. But Lisbon has a different feel for me. The city is plagued by earthquakes and the one back in the 18th century flattened much of the historic core. So what we see today is what was rebuilt.

I spent much of the day on one of the cities Miradouro's or look out points enjoying a little snack.

As far as cuisine goes Carlos was explaining to me one night how they have a special word for the mixture of garlic, onion, and olive oil because it is the staple of most dishes in Portuguese cooking. I found this fascinating probably because it's one of my favorite combinations to use myself.

I went out in Bairo Alto at night with some Couchsurfers because they were having a Stammtisch. After a few hours not much German was being spoken so I ended up at this spontaneous party they set up by the river just for this week only and enjoyed the view with a nice Heineken? Don't ask.

One of those contemplating life moments

The next Carlos drove me out to show me his hometown of Sintra. It was the first time it rained in 6 months! But it didn't last long. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site also meaning it's very touristy. They're numerous castles dotting the tops of hills and it was nice to hear Carlos describe what it was like growing up here. To me it seemed like a spot where a bunch of well to do people would come to live and get away from the city. Hence the castles.

Pena Palace

Moors castle. Not the Moops Seinfeld fans.

Then he drove me out to the beaches one being the most western point of Europe. Can you just think that on the other side of this is the Jersey Shore?! I know hard to imagine.

Cabo da Roca

Well we took too long lollygagging around and I only had two hours until my flight left. So Carlos averaged about 90 mph on the way while I kept asking if he had enough gas to make it. "Sure" he assured me as it was almost under the red line. "How many times have you run out of gas before" I asked. "Only twice."

Well the panic subsided when we reached the airport fighting through rush hour traffic and off I went with an hour to spare before I was off to Paris.

One night in Lagos

Lagos is a backpackers delight on the Algarve coast. Great nature and a great nightlife.

I got in a bit late but headed straight for the main site the beach. Or rather rocks.

This place is spectacular. Yeah I've been saying that a lot lately but believe me.

I am not a beach person but the beach I found made me one for the day. Apparently there is another beach like this one but actually has stairs leading down. I missed that one.

I saw people down in this small cove off the edge of the cliff I was standing on and asked myself "how did they get there."

I didn't see any boats or anything or a path leading down but I knew there was a way.

So I saw a small little trampled dirt area and started down this steep slope. This was it I thought.

At one stage there's 6 feet of rope to help you down. There's nothing here from you falling and going down the rest of the 50 foot slope.

But wow what a spot. The photos speak for themselves.

The only people here were some topless lady, a mom and her kid, and a German couple I got to talking to since I was interested in his camera.

Why is the sand so soft here?!

As for the nightlife well I don't know what changed in the last year but everyone at the hostels I've been at so far were really boring. You tell me watching "Old School" is better than conversing with travelers?

I did go eat a burger though. First one I had here in Europe and it was at a place named in the top 50 in the world called Nah Nah Bah. Pretty cool place. You notice everyone working in here is not Portuguese. Mostly Americans and Aussies. Aussies run this town.

So I befriended the Texan in my room and had a few beers on the terrace with a view out to the ocean. That was my nightlife. But not too bad. I still have Oktoberfest to come!

Die Hochzeit

The hotel I was staying at was its own little town as it was located away from Tavira and Santa Luzia. It had its own supermarket, restaurant, and bar on premise so you never really had to leave the place. Every morning you would wake up to a bright blue sky. The landscaping around the resort was immaculate as well with palms and bright colorful flowers.

I headed straight to the beach to catch the sunset as I got into town late. The beach lies out on an island much like the Jersey Shore is and the only way out is by foot or with the little mini train they have. So I walked not having the patience to wait with the couple making out next to me. It doesn't have any features to it but the beach was amazing nonetheless.

Friday we all headed out in separate cars to the west coast of Portugal near Bordeira about a 2 hour drive from where the resort was. We were supposed to meet my friend and her fiance at a specific beach but turned out to be difficult given the roads here weren't on the GPS. So we ended up at the beach too far north and just met there. Walking to the beach you have to walk down the cliffs and through the tidal water to hit the beach.

We decided we would surf later at the other beach considering the swell here was ridiculous. Just swimming in it was tiring with the rip tide and being battered time after time by 8 footers.

About 5 o'clock we got to the other beach and rented boards for an hour. After a brief instruction from my friend I just went for it. It was my first time surfing and I figured it would resemble snowboarding to some degree. Turned out it was a lot easier and I stood on my first wave. It all went downhill after that being exhausted from the swimming earlier. But I am definitely hooked now.

We stopped in a really small town on the way back home for some dinner. Absolutely fantastic small town charm as the town is built on a hill with the old guys strolling around with nothing to do. You know that type. Dogs wandering the streets.

We ended up stopping in Tavira at the hospital because our friend had a pretty bad bee sting from a few days ago and we also had to pick someone else up at the airport later. So we split up and I went to the airport.

After picking her up we sat on the beach at about midnight waiting until the others were ready. Portuguese hospitals aren't really known for being that quick so they had to wait awhile until a doctor would see them.

Meanwhile we sat down at at a bar for a drink just as they said they were ready and that the sting was nothing serious.

The next day was the wedding so we lounged by the pool all day until it was time to get ready.

Headed to the harbor at about 5 to get on a boat to take us to the beach. Pretty awesome way to arrive I must say.

It was only about 20 people so I felt very blessed to be able to take part with some really great people.

And the setting was amazing as the sun set. I've never seen such a site. The little girls running around reminded you were in a different place though. Added just a little comical note on the side.

Dinner was served, drinks were had it was a great evening. Ended with fireworks and lanterns on the beach.  I really will never forget that.

Taken with the Ipod.