Lisbon Days 1 -> 4

 Views from our room.  There is a large park across the street.

We arrived at the airport with a few more Jones couples and had a 20 minute ride to the hotel.  I elected to take the walking tour around the hotel to orient myself and to find a store to remedy my light packing.  Pam usually takes care of the vital items, but not this time.  So only 3, another adviser and a spouse Carmen, signed up and none of our spouses were interested.  The guide zig-zagged us around for 40 minutes and then asked us what we wanted to see, so I had to confess that I needed to find a department store that sold undies.  After giggling, I made them swear to secrecy.

At the welcome dinner that night about 1/3 asked about my new briefs.  We closed the place down and found some traveling companions.

 Sunday morning we hiked down the hill to the river and then decided to see the tall ships that were in port for some races, at least 1/2 mile up the river.  It was hot and we only made it a few ships down before deciding to find the metro station and subway back to the hotel.  We were out for about 5 hours.

 Monday afternoon I took the shuttle to the river to watch them depart.  Apparently they left earlier than advertised and were heading into a stiff wind so no sails were out.

 Back to Sunday afternoon we had a 3 hour city tour that included the carriage museum, driving around and a huge church.  We had a fun guide and hung with a younger couple from Calgary, Rob & Carmen who we met at the welcome dinner.

We invited them up for cocktails on our deck since they didn't have one and ended up with another couple from San Diego who drank Coca Cola joining us as well.

On the way out of the hotel we stopped to ask for restaurant suggestions and went on a wild goose chase, finally getting on the metro showing them how to buy tickets, getting off at the wrong stop and at 8:30 sitting outside at a rather expensive place where they brought bowls of olives and plates of bread, which of course they charge you for unless you refuse.

So Carmen glanced over the rail and saw an Italian restaurant below and we picked up and moved down.  We were under the green and white umbrellas about the guitarist head.

 We had a good dinner, but late and we took a cab home at 10 and the others went down to the ships as it was the ships final night and fireworks were promised.

 Monday morning we had our business meeting allowing Pam to sleep in.  I went to see the ships depart in the afternoon and then our 'theme dinner' took us 15 minutes away to a family run restaurant.  We were entertained by 2 guitarists and a Fado singer.  Pam thought they sounded like a mini Pink Martini, so we followed them down to their 'dressing room' with Rob & Carmen and had a photo op.  She was flattered to find she reminded Pam of Pink Martini.

We made plans with Rob  & Carmen to take the train the next morning to Sintra that was 40 minutes up in the mountains (hills).  We arrived at about 11 along with hundreds of others and hundreds on previous trains and tried to figure out how to get to the 3 palaces.  The city bus was recommended by Trip Advisor as it only cost $5.

On the way to get bus tickets I spoke with one of the hawkers of private tours and because it was later in the day got an okay for a private van for just the 4 of us to see the castles and go to the coast and of course a few stops at the driver's friends shops for $25 each.  We jumped at that and met Pedro who explained our route and what we would see.  He went to get his van and off we went.  First past a line of 50+ people waiting for the bus.

 First stop was a cafe that sold Portuguese pastries.  Then a wine warehouse that he had to find the owner to unlock it's doors.  Could have played football inside and it is used for weddings and parties.  Bought a token $4 bottle of wine.

Then off the the coast to the most western point of the continent and howling winds.


Below are some shots of our stop at Quinta da Regaleira which was very interesting with buildings and caves and grottos.  http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra/regaleira.html

 Waiting for Pedro to pick us up at the exit.  Rob tore his Achilles tendon weeks ago, but kept up in his boot.

 Pedro and his van pointing at something.  We finally made it to the Pena Palace at about 6, which was good because most of the crowds had left.  The roads were very narrow and windy and every so often tour busses would pass.  There were a few tourists who rented cars that was crazy and no place to park.  http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/

 It was in the high 60's compared to 90 in Lisbon.  Welcomed relief!

 Lovely view of the Atlantic Ocean from the Palace.  Actually vaporized Atlantic Ocean!

The kitchen

Pam & I went to the Department store for a few hours this morning, Wednesday, and laying low this afternoon.  Hope all is well with everyone at home.