From Lisboa to Lagos...and beyond!

Since our last post we've covered a fair bit of Portuguese land. We spent three more nights in the Lisbon Poets Hostel but unfortunately spent most of the time trying to recover from our flu. The hostel itself was quite nice but we got the rough end of the stick in being given the worst room in the place, a tiny four bed dorm with a window the size of a box facing a building behind. Oh well, can´t win ´em all.

During that time we still tried to get out and do as much as we could. This included a day trip to Belem, a small town 6km´s west of Lisbon´s waterfront. Highlights included trying the tasty local pasteis de nata - a Portuguese custard tart!

We also took the 45 minute train journey out to Sintra, a world heritage site. This was probably one of the most beautiful places we've been to so far. We took the 3km hike up a mountain to the Castelo dos Mouros (a castle) which had absolutely breathtaking views of the town and beyond.

Another day trip on the train the following day was to Cascais which is another small beach town along the coast. We walked 2km eastwards to Boca do Inferno ("Hell´s Mouth") where the waves crash into the eroded coastline.

After 8 nights in Lisboa we departed for a brief two night stay in Lagos (in the Algarve southern region of Portugal). While a little touristy this place had real charm and we loved it. We just wished we hadn´t already planned further down the track or we would have extended our stay. We also scored big time on accommodation, at Casa Amarela (highly recommended) paying just 17.50euros each for what was basically our own apartment 5 minutes walk from the beach.

We explored the 16 or so bays along the coast and even took a daring exploration down a cliff to find our our own secluded bay. Well, there was one nudist local but that was fine! We walked right along to the lighthouse and then paid 10euros each for an awesome boat trip back to Lagos. I should point out this boat was just a ´tinny´ with an outboard motor but the old Portuguese man driving the thing was pretty skilled and took us through the smallest gaps in the grottos.

On our second night we returned to the apartment to find an Aussie couple staying next door. We shared a couple of bottles of wine before heading out to a Wine & Tapas bar (we actually had white wine & brandy Sangria instead of wine) and it was really nice. During the night we also enjoyed a round of Caipirinhas using a special local recipe (I asked, it was cinnamon).

Later, at 3am, we went home for a few hours sleep before our all day coach journey up to Porto via Lisboa. Today is our first full day in Porto. Initial impressions are good and the Douro River looks inviting for a boat trip over a tipple of Port!

Our three nights here will be spent at the Grande Hotel de Paris - a two star hotel with the best breakfast we´ve on tour! The room is ok but the view is best not mentioned. Our next port of call is Barcelona for a week or so. I must also mention how cheap travel is within Portugal. From Lagos to Porto was a two coach journey from 9am til 5.30pm and it cost only 20euros each. Likewise our day trip train journeys from Lisbon were costing us a little over 3euros return.


(The view from Belem...and those tasty tarts in a six pack!)


(This little fella at Lisboa zoo was real hungry! And Sheryl with the pink flamingos)


(Sintra at ground level...and from a bit higher)


(Me from the Castelo...& Sheryl from the Palacio de Pena, Sintra)


(Boca do Inferno and Cascais town)


(Lagos...Sheryl was loving being near the beach again!)


(More shots of Lagos from our coastline walk)


(This was the crazy cliff we clambered down and a sneak peak of our ´private´ bay, and our night out in Lagos)

Adeus for now!
Dale & Sheryl