Lisbon

Hola from Lisboa.We`ve just spent 4 days touring the capital city of Portugal. It has been super hot and sunny and the list of things to do has been a bit daunting though, I do believe, we`ve managed to see and do a lot.

Today for instance, we rode the train about 35 minutes to the coastal town Cascais where J took a lesson in scuba and I read under an umbrella on the beach. It was lovely and relaxing. We fineshed today with dinner at a local favourite restaurant where we shared the grilled chicken with rice and a salad, it was divine... and so so so busy when we left. Crazy busy.

Yesterday we went to the Lisbon Oceanario and watched the sea otters, penguins, sharks and sea turtles, and much more, go about their daily lives. I was so giddy as it was my first visit to an aquarium. At first I was worried that I might feel sad for all the creatures in these weird controlled environments but having now gone I feel as if the staff do a fine job and the fake sea world keeps the animals happy. We fineshed that day with a film (they play in english with subtitles here).

The day before that we enjoyed a wine tasting and explored our little neighbourhood of Chiado which is a artsy shopping district with great cafes and a tonne of great people watching. We ended that evening at the widely popular Cafe Buenos Aires where we ate a flower salad with goat cheese, strawberries and tomatoes and a sweetened baslamic vinegar, so good!

Right now it`s night and the rain has started. Since we`ve been here it has not rained yet, until now. I admit that the rain is a welcome relief because it brings a cool night sleep and a quiet street. 

Tomorrow we`re back on the train to head to the Algarve. Miss everyone back home.

Photos via the lovely internet.

Hola from Porto

Blurry photo of the view from our room this afternoon.

Hola, I hope you are all well. Today J and I flew via Ryanair from Paris to Porto, Portugal. I do not love to fly and this flight did not help change my mind. It`s a discount airline and all I could think was, `this pilot just got his license.` Though it ended up being just fine. We arrived safe and sound, though hungry, tired and dizzy (okay I was dizzy) -- J was a trooper as always.

We happily found out hostel (careful, the website has music) and could not be more pleased with how lovely the atmosphere is. As I type I can look out the window to the river, I can hear music playing and birds chirping (they have a few little birdies in the living area) and the bustle of people gathering to cook in the kitchen. A welcome slower pace after the busy streets of Paris.

Tonight we plan to take it easy and plan, a little, for our road trip in the Douro.