After an easy 90 minute flight from Marrakech, we arrived in Lisbon. The airport was very close to the city - about a 6 Euro taxi ride to our hotel. And our hotel (Sheraton Lisbon) was an easy walk to wherever we wanted to go, or an even easier taxi ride.

We walked toward the main part of the old city (which is actual “new”, as it was basically re-built after the earthquake of 1755), and soon found a Tuk Tuk to give us a ride around town and see the sights in a little different way. This was great - although probably a little too expensive (yes, we got took took, to a small degree), and a good way to get our bearings in a new city. We visited the Lisbon Cathedral, and several viewpoints as we went through the city.

Our first taste of “Ginja” (spelled several ways) - the sweet cherry liquor that many times is poured into a chocolate shot glass - can you taste chocolate covered cherries?? Awesome stuff! We also had our first taste of Nata (not natto) as we walked through the main streets on our way back to the hotel - a wonderful puff pastry filled with an egg yolk custard and a little cinnamon on top. The story goes that the nuns used egg whites to starch the clothes of the priests, and with all the excess yolks, someone created Nata as a way to use them.

We took the next day to relax and get caught up on some mailing and laundry. Finding we need a down-day once in a while - it’s easy to get caught in the “what tour is next” mentality, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that we are not typical tourists - we can pace ourselves a bit, as we are here for quite some time.

The next day we took a small group tour to Sintra, and the coast. Joining just two other couples, and our guide and driver Pedro. We first arrive in Sintra (or Cintra, or Cinta), with its beautiful palaces and castles in the hills above the Atlantic. Lord Byron, the English poet lived here in the early 1800’s writing of Sintra as “Glorious Sintra” and his Eden.

It is truly a beautiful place, as could really be seen at Quinta da Regaleira. Also known as “The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire”, as he spent much of his fortune (inheritance) to build and remodel the grounds. His fascination with the Knights Templar and Masonry led to the building of several interesting features, one of which is the “Initiation Well”, used for just those purposes. Very interesting as you descend through the “9 levels of hell”, before reaching the bottom and the Templar’s cross. Then through some tunnels and out past the waterfall.

The rest of the grounds and the views are just amazing. Monteiro put so much into this, and it is visible everywhere. Gardens and buildings, including a chapel, and the palace itself - just incredible.

We then make a brief stop at Cabo da Roca to see the westernmost point of the European continent (check that off the list), and then on to the town of Cascais for lunch. Then we head back toward Sintra and the top of the mountain to visit the Palace of Pena and the Chalet of The Countess of Edla. Built by the King for his mistress, and future wife, it includes an interesting use of cork as a decorative accent both on the interior and exterior.

Then to the Palace of Pena - an amazing structure, clearly showing Gothic, Islamic, and Renaissance styles, but all built by Ferdinand II in the mid-1800’s after the original monastery was ruined by the 1755 earthquake. This is a beautiful place with amazing views, all the way to Lisbon.

We end our stay in Lisbon with a “Food and Fado” tour. A nice walking tour with maybe 4 stops along the way to listen to the local favorite - Fado. Thought to have originated around 1820, it is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often associated with living a poor life. Anyway, it is quite beautiful to listen to, and we enjoyed meeting some new people as we worked our way through the Alfama district. I added a couple of YouTube videos so you can listen to a little sample of fado.

Next we will head to Evora and on to Porto from there.

Enjoy all the photos in the album.

Tim & Eileen