Lisbon

Does the word Lisbon mean mountain? I’m sure I could crack walnuts between my bum cheeks again now!

Jose, a sweet and friendly fatherly type, picked us up from Merida and drove us all the way to Lisbon in Portugal. it was quite a drive but interesting as we passed a lot of familiar type of landscape….Cork trees, olive groves, black pigs, cows and lots of granite rocks . I reminisced about my Via de la Plata camino and it pulled at my heart strings. Please have a look at my website to maybe read my old blog, see gorgeous photos and be mildly amused (Margaretcaffyn.org). I have the 2016 via de la Plata blog there.

Reaching Lisbon, our senses were immediately assaulted by the traffic, the busyness and the amount of people. Our hotel though was in a great situation with a supermarket next door and an easy walk to the city centre.

I had engaged a guide for two days and was surprised to find that Andreia is the daughter of our driver Jose. What a little pocket rocket she is!..A tiny bundle of energy and passion, so eager to share her knowledge. She took us on a Tuk Tuk tour all over Lisbon and although we were exhausted from the drive, she revived us with some original Pastel de Natas from Belem. They are special because it is the secret original monks recipe that is kept under lock and key. We eagerly ripped the box open and devoured them on the spot, sinking into a world of divine bliss as it hit our taste buds. Oh my! They really do taste better than any other I’ve tried.

After a short rest back at the hotel, we trotted up the hill to O’Faia, to have dinner and experience some Fado. fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sense of resignation, fate and melancholy. 

Our meal rivalled that of the Daylesford Lakehouse. It was absolutely mouth watering,, the staff overly attentive, and the music was spectacular. I took in the atmosphere with its candlelight, dark red velvet curtains and waiters in black and white wearing braces and huge smiles. The mournful singing and Portuguese guitars filled the room and although there was quite a few people there, it still felt quite intimate. This was definitely a highlight of the trip that I will never forget.

Next morning we were met again by Andreia and her dad, and were taken to Sintra. hiking shoes on and bottles of water packed, we climbed and climbed and climbed to explore the huge property. I must admit, I’m struggling a bit with the amount of walking- an after effect of chemo that I need to live with, but I’m managing. Sintra was an effort though.

I was glad when we got to the Quinta de Regaleira and climbed down and through the caves. Honestly, if you didn’t have a guide here, you would have very little idea about the history of this initiation well and what it all means. Andrea’s knowledge is astounding. It was so interesting.

Totally exhausted, we collapsed back at the hotel. I packed my bags ready to move on to Porto, and while the others all had an early night, Helen and I went out for dinner and were serenaded by a fantastic singer. Hooley Dooley what a day!