Portugal: The Age of Discovery.

Europe » Portugal » Algarve » Lagos
December 20th 2013

Published: December 20th 2013

Let’s be honest, the term ‘faded grandeur’ is decidedly cliché. Though, as much as it’s gift-wrapped to apply to the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon’s fadedness has a very definite edge. It’s a fadedness of cracks rather than corrosion. It is as human as it is physical, and it’s alive, manifest in the problems of a 21st century nation state: spray-painted on the wall of a 16th cent... Read Full Entry

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20th December 2013

Mark
non-member comment

Same ... but some shocking news...
Was there twice earlier this year after never being before and had similar experiences. But more importantly, some news to piss on your road toll parade - the UK is losing the good old tax disc (next year I think) and it will be done online with the Big Bro cameras checking that you've done it. Ahhh, progress even reaches the UK eventually.

20th December 2013

aspiringnomad
Jason

Road Tax
So it'll just be the paper disc that's replaced? Not that they'll be billing you for every stretch of road you drive down? Progress will never truly reach that island mate. I still have my crumpled pink driving license sans picture n' all - vaild til 2076!

20th December 2013

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Idyllic small towns and border crossings
Once again, I love your fabulous historical perspective and analysis, and great photos! In my few months in Portugal, I, too, visited incredibly charming small towns--Obidos, Evora, etc and didn't even bother with the crowded Algarve. The Portuguese prefer English partly as you said, because of that old treaty with England, but also because they were invaded and occupied by Spanish Felipe II-Felipe IV, 400 years ago--memories are long there. Regarding border crossing, it's not so easy for everyone. With the Schengen Treaty, we Americans are supposed to stay in Europe only 3 months, but I'd been there three years with no border problems. However, since Portugal wants to keep out the Spanish Roma and African immigrants, borders can be tighter. I was nabbed in 2004, crossing the border from Salamanca to Porto. Three Roma people and I were taken off the bus. While I was told to get to Lisbon immediately to clear this up, (which of course, I didn't do), the three Romas weren't allowed back on the bus.

20th December 2013

aspiringnomad
Jason

Borderless Europe
When I was living in Denmark I was with some Spanish friends on the commuter train into Copenhagen when some policeman entered the train and asked them for ID (miles from any border-less border). They weren't carrying any, so were removed from the train and detained at the police station for a few hours. Of course they never detained me, even though I never carried my passport, and was theoretically just as foreign as they were. One might even surmise their 'swarthy' complexions and 'strange' accents played a part in their detention.

20th December 2013

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Portugal
Dave's family was planning to go to Portugal in the 70's and that summer they had the coup so the plans changed and they went to California to visit family. Portugal remains on our short list. The cheeses, meats, breads and wines will certainly lure us to the area sooner than later. The quaint villages and the people are the real attraction for us. We long to see the beautiful architecture.

20th December 2013

aspiringnomad
Jason

Never been
For some reason Portugal gets overlooked. I don't know if it is the geographical location out there on the edge or whether Spain gets all the limelight and people think Portugal is just more of the same? It was our first time, but if anything that delay adds to the wonder. Put it on your very short list. You'll love it!

21st December 2013

cabochick
Andrea

All I can say is "ditto" on TaraClouds comments. I love how you blend perspective, analysis and photos in your travel blogs. Now I can add drive through Portugal to my wish list.

22nd December 2013

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

the Treaty of Windsor (1386)
Now that Brazil's Vasco da Gama Football Club looks like it is saved from relegation from the top division...time to put Portugal back on my wish list...where it all began! A country that has always had allure for me due to its Age of Discovery. Friends that have been there love it.

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