Iberian Voyage 18 - Lisbon 3

Saturday April 20

The trip has ended for most and we had to say goodbye to fellow travelers we really had enjoyed to be with. We had breakfast with Susan and Peter. They were leaving this morning.

James and I were staying for the Post Trip and the trip leader for all “leftovers” from all groups is Joana. We were told to bring our walking sticks today because it would be uphill in the beginning.

I had found this detox drink at the buffet. May be that will help?

We started at 10 am with a walking tour. And it was very steep uphill in the beginning … passing an ALDI near our hotel. James did good. We saw many nice houses on the way. We went into a narrow way here for a view. We had to squash the walls when a car came through. I would not want to be a driver here. 

Another great view this time from a plaza. Because it’s weekend and lovely weather people are leisurely walking/sitting around. 

This is part of the city’s public transport, going forth and back on this steep hill. 

Another of the many churches. Joana told us about Igreja de São Roque . It was built by Jesuits with the idea/message that a church should be plain on the outside but beautiful on the inside, just like people should be. 

It is breathtakingly beautiful on the inside. The craftsmanship of the carvings and marble inlays was awesome. 

There was some lace but unfortunately not so breathtaking. 

Two religious floats for carrying through streets on festivals as we have seen in Spain, just not so large and heavy.

The walk continued. How about this message: beer speaks, people mumble?

Lunch time! It’s a typical place just like the one where we heard the fado music. But not at lunch. 

After lunch the afternoon was free-time for all. Kathy and Judy had wanted to go to Fatima and had asked us whether we were interested too. Joana had arranged a driver for us to take us there, another pilgrimage site in the Roman Catholic Church. 

James and I had heard about Fatima but really didn’t know anything about it. No preparation for this visit because we didn’t know we were going to have this chance. The above link explains it quite well. 

The drive was a bit more than an hour. The driver took us first to a nice place to use the WC and incidentally there was a gift shop. But it was all good. 

Then we went to the houses the three shepherding children had lived. That was a bit of a money maker. In the gift shop we met the youngest sister of those children. 

Then we went to the pilgrim site which I think used to be the field where the miracles supposedly had happened. We were very confused. Judy and Kathy, who are catholic, too. 

To the left is a very large church. 

To the right must have been a place were also something had happened. On the straight white line from one side to the other (a few) pilgrims would scoot along on their knees. It looked like pure agony. 

On the left before the large church was a smaller open air chapel and next to it where you could buy candles in all sizes and forms. There was actually a box which had wax pieces in it looking like body parts: baby heads and bodies. 

And there was a “pyre” where people were in line to throw in their candles. 

The church was impressive but had also the graves of the children in it. 

Since I like nativities I could not help myself taking aa photo of this. 

… with shadows on the wall. 

Then we were driven back to the hotel which too again an hour and a half. The driver was very accommodating. The four of us talked in the car and thought it was good that we had gone. Definitely something to ponder. 

We were also free for dinner (not included) but James and I were not really hungry.  We decided though to go out, wander about and find a place for a little something. Not far was a restaurant Dote which looked very nice and Joana had recommended. It ended up being a great experience. We sat in the middle of three tables for two. On our right was and older couple. He spoke just a little English but he had just taken a photo of his wife in her fine wardrobe in lively colors and he was proud showing this photo to me. We chatted a bit. When they were finished they were going across the street for classical music. 

On our other side was a younger couple and the lady asked where we were from. Both couples were local and she said that people from US were not there often. We tried our few new Portuguese words too and it was all very nice. When the younger couple left she surprised me by saying that we were nice people and she “had to” give me a hug and the customary peg on each cheek. That was a great traveler moment, not tourist moment. 

Besides, food and drink were very nice too. 

Back at the hotel we went to the roof bar for a nightcap. What a day this had been. 

Yes, another awesome day. How lucky and blessed we are  

Iberian Voyage 17 - Lisbon 2

Friday April 19

We can take it a bit easier this morning. Our group is leaving the hotel at 10 am. 

When we are driving across a bridge I notice the monuments we have visited yesterday. Gosh, it is so difficult to capture photos you want to capture. I was somewhat lucky this time. 

We had received an itinerary before the trip started but this morning turned out to be a pleasant surprise nevertheless. And I really liked it.

We had wandered the streets of Lisbon and had seen so many tiles on the outside of houses but they get a whole new understanding when you learn HOW they are made. 

This lady was really great telling us about the process AND what we should do. Yes, each of us was going to paint a tile. 

James surprised me by actually participating too. It made me so happy. 

The plane tiles had outlines on them and underneath each was a finished version which of course was helpful. 

After firing they will look a lot different. We both decided that we would like our efforts. We had only to pay for postage to the US. 

After that delightful experience the bus took us to a Pousada de Palmela. A pousada is a historic inn. This used to be a castle and there was so much to see. 

One more “awe” about those small pavers. 

Not many photos about our wins and food tasting. Lots of Jamin which I acknowledge as something special but is not my thing. Spanish and Portuguese cheeses on the other hand is something I can not resist. 

It is a very nice pousada but the service could not keep up with the arrival of so many people. Nevertheless we enjoyed the surrounding. 

Joana showed us the surrounding and as always she was great. Views here and there. 

There was also a de-consecrated church Which was very interesting. 

Sign of the Santiago movement. The shell. 

There was one part of the castle which was more open to the public. 

I find plants/flowers in crevices always very touching. I was too hurried with this though. The car park was not supposed to be in it. 

But the view was so nice. 

Leaving I saw these plants and wanted to take a nice photo. 

Would it not be nice if we could see some of these areas how they used to be?

On the way back I was able to take a better photo of the Jesus statue. 

Back to the hotel for a little while. At 7 pm we left again for our farewell dinner. The base trip was coming to an end and only a limited number would stay for the post trip. 

OMG when we drove past this I thought “how can anybody owning this let weeds grow in the cracks?” When you know how much work something is …

Our itinerary says: travelers will dine at Adega Machado, an historic venue featuring live performances of fado, the hauntingly beautiful Portuguese musical style. 

I think most were impressed with what we experienced this evening. 

And then we had to say goodbye. It would be lovely to see some of these fellow travelers again. We were so lucky because it seemed that this large group of people had really “clicked”.

Wishing you safe travels home!