Beaches

We got to the Pestana Viking (everybody around here calls it Vick-ing) Resort about sunset last night. Here is the view from our balcony at dusk.




We really did not get the full effect of this place until this morning when we were able to roam around a bit.






The grounds are green and grassy with lots of palm trees. The outdoor pool is beautiful but a little chilly.


I did see a lady swim in it today but she is probably from Finland or another hearty Nordic nation. I like the indoor pool much better since it is heated. Apparently both pools are saltwater pools which is nice because you don't have the chlorine smell.



The wonderful sunning area is wonderfully peaceful, overlooking the Atlantic ocean with only the sounds of the waves crashing and the birds singing. It is sunny and in the 70's. Reminds me of California.



I tried out different spots and read my big fat edition of the Sunday Times printed all in English for the Brits. Here is my fav spot. Lovely, huh?



There are little pocket beaches to explore.



Our room is just one room with twin beds but it does have a great balcony with a table and chairs as well as a kitchen unit with a micro and refrigerator. Also breakfast is included in the price. It was a great full breakfast with lots of variety. I feel pretty sure we are the only Americans here. There are many from England and Germany. I am just totally blown away that we are paying only 19 euro each (under $30) per night for this. The only bummer so far is that you can only get wifi in the lobby and it costs €28 per week. I am sure I will pony up but not sure I will be as available for those Skype calls from this location as I will have to be in the lobby. It is a very nice lobby though!
I hope this gorgeous weather holds out!

Location:Lagos, Portugal

Mobile blogging

We are riding the bus to our beach destination and guess what! The bus has Internet! How cool is that?

Let's roll it back a day or two, though, and let me catch you up. Barb and I took a day just to wander the back streets just to see what we would find. Down a little alleyway we found a hairdresser and Barb decided to get her hair cut. Nobody there spoke any English but it seemed to work out!



We also happened across this archeological dig which was pretty cool, right in the big middle of the neighborhood!









We also went to a church that had a museum attached which was full of "relics" or bits of bone from saints. If you look closely you can see "arms". These contained the arm bone of someone important. The gold frames had various bone fragments displayed.






These jeweled cases could be opened to hold holy items for display.





This a representation of Saint Sebastian. I know nothing about him but I intend to find out why I keep seeing him portrayed with the arrows all through him.






They had some really, really old mirrors that had been made with silver on the back. Do I remind you of a fairy tale character?






After seeing a few more quaint streets (note dog sleeping in the triangle of sunshine)...






And yet another wall of tile...






We went back to our Lisbon apt. And climbed all those stairs to start packing to leave.











Seriously, it was more stairs than just this. I took a video but it was so long the blog would not post it. And no, I was not climbing slowly!
Bruno, our landlord came and took us to the bus station. What a nice guy.






Then we boarded our bus for the four hour trip to the beach. The buses were quite comfortable,clean and safe. They stopped halfway and let us all out at a snack bar and nice restroom for a 10 minute break.






And so concluded our adventures on Lisbon. It is truly a fantastic place. I would recommend it as it pretty much has something for everyone.

Location:On the road

Rainy day at the zoo

Scattered showers were not enough to keep us away from the zoo today. It was kind of interesting to see what the animals do during a rainy day when there is hardly anyone at the zoo. Some did not seem to mind being wet.





Some were hiding out like these three baby cheetahs ( or maybe leopards?)



This white tiger was very friendly.



Monkeys were out messing around whenever there was a break in the sprinkles.




The gardens were pretty.






















It was a pretty nice day!

Location:Lisbon

It's raining on our parade

The plan was to go to the zoo first thing this morning. We both set our alarms and got up early, determined to get an early start. The weather had other ideas, however. It was a rainy, gusty, chilly day so here we sit. For my part I am researching sun drenched hostels on the southern coast of Spain. Seville, Cadiz, Granada and Malaga are calling me. Sounds like a plan!
I have been studying this map of bus and train prices (the first number is the price in Euro and the second number is how long it takes in hours) to visualize how it could work. Interesting, huh? I wonder if I will make it all the way to the Rock of Gibralter?



In light of the fact that today is so uneventful, I shall take this opportunity to tell you about yesterday which was only partly lightly showery. It was not enough to stop us from venturing out on foot but it did make for a very, very bad hair day so forgive this picture . Barb thought the shack looked picturesque. I just wanted to show off my new jeans.


This was actually a structure in the botanical garden of the University of Lisbon where we went for a look see. It was much better kept than the city botanical garden we saw. The poinsettia tree was awesome and kind of got me thinking about the holidays.









Apparently I did not take as many pic as I though there, so now I will tell you about the scenic lookout we passed on the way home. Beautiful, huh?



Note the river Tagus and the puffy clouds.



Castle St George on the hill is about a thousand years old I think.


All in all, it was a great day strolling around the town so I guess I can't complain too much about the cold front today. Saturday we are taking off for a week in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Since it is off off season we found a good deal at a place right on the beach. It should be interesting to go from the big city with all the noise to the quiet sounds of the waves rolling in. We'll let you know.

Location:Lisbon

Azulejos

Can you imagine a whole museum devoted to ceramic tiles? Can you imagine that it would actually be interesting? Our expectations were not high but, gosh, it was free on Sunday and we do love a bargain so off we went.

I am kinda thinking you might not get the full impact from these photos so, interspersed with the awesome ceramics is the occasional flower, fish pond, or turtle photo which I also took there in the gardens.
Check it!



Three D ceramic tile work.



Ceramic wall mural



Ceramic lady who looks strangely like Barb.




Some were old. Some were modern.






You still there? Fish!!!




Real turtles! Apparently they were trained to do tricks! This alone made it worth the admission price.


Back to the tiles



I really missed my brother, Larry. He would love all the cool art in this place.


Hang on! Here comes a flower shot!






This super long mural shows what Lisbon looked like before the earthquake in 1755 that devastated a good part of the city. That lady you see turned out to be a history buff from Paris visiting Lisbon. We had a very interesting conversation about the history and buildings in the mural. At one point we called the security guy over to clarify something for us and he got involved in the convo. It came out that his mom sings fado in a club in a certain part of town. He gave us the address and his mom's name so we are looking forward to checking it out! Serendipity!


I took a number of shots on the panoramic setting of my camera so when I figure that out you might get to see this photo again only better!

Time for another flower shot.



Big flower



If you were thinking you were going to get out of this museum without seeing a fab chapel you would be mistaken. Taken from the front looking toward the back.



Hibiscus and bougainvillea are beautiful here.





Then a cold front blew in so we went home and took a nap while it rained.

Location:Lisbon