Here, I am trying to remember what happened 2 months ago; well, getting things in the right order is the hard part. It is now June as I type this.
Looking back, Portugal was very chilled out and a it was good pace that we kept. I would definitely go back for another visit.
It is quite funny how things don't always work out when on holiday; a few times, we went to check out restaurants mentioned in the guide book to only find they were no longer open for business. That is why phoning ahead can be a good move.
Fado
Fado could be described as Portuguese blues. It's origin are unclear from what I have read. Fado Link
We did go to a fado restaurant called "Sinhor Vinho". This was a very traditional style restaurant. Christian had to point out to me that the guy with the wine list was a sommelier. I don't go to restaurants that have such a person. There was about five different singers in the evening singing Fado. I really like the singing one man who also played something like a ukulele. I ordered the bacalhau for a main course; this dish is made from dried salted codfish. I did not like it very much; I think it is an acquired taste. I know what it tastes like and I don't think I need to try it again. Wikipedia Link. I would definitely like to hear Fado again however.
One thing about Lisboa, is that is very hilly; it was a like a hike to get to the restaurant from the hotel. I am can walk for hours on flat land but Portugal was wearing me out a bit and you need to wear footwear with good traction. Much of the pavement is so smooth from all the people walking on it for years and years. I had to be on my guard to avoid slipping.
Before leaving Lisboa to catch the train to Madrid, we go to another Fado restaurant, we did not have time for the music as we had a train to catch; the waitress thought we were bonkers to just come to the restaurant to eat; she was having fun with us. I did find the Portuguese have a good sense of humor. I asked her to bring me a smaller portion of food; what I was served was still quite a meal. I had Pork cooked with an orange sauce if I recall.
We also did have some have some flaming sausage! This place was also definitely worth another look in.
Cabo Espichel
While staying in Sesimbra, we took a bus to visit the abandoned monastery and lighthouse at Cabo Espichel. What had me really excited is we were told there were dinosaur tracks there. But what we did not find out until we got there was that you had to get down to the beach to see them and I did not feel like climbing down any cliff faces that day.
Dinosaur footprints (in Portuguese)
Sintra
Absolutely gorgeous; I am glad that Christian and I went to Sintra. What a picturesque town surrounded by greenery with a hill that features the remains of a Moorish fortress and a Royal Palace.
The Pena National Palace was something to behold; it is incredibly ornate. The site was a Franciscan monastery in the 16th century; the Palace was built in the 19th century.
Communist Lunch?
On our third day in Portugal, we went to the former headquarters of the communist party for lunch in Lisboa. Not, very bleak totalitarian decor at all. I need to check with Christian what the name of the place is.