Blogs from Lisbon & Tagus Valley, Portugal, Europe

We've had a a wonderful 4 days here in Lisbon, with the weather getting progressively better. Today was sunny and 28 degrees. By now, we have figured out the public transit system, but today, I could not stop laughing at all the crazy experiences we had with using it. There is a transit card that you buy at small, specially marked shops. You load it with money and then activate it each time you enter and leave a transit vehicle--metro, bus, tram, or train. It is great when it works, but...yesterday, mine worked fine when we took the train along the Water to Caisca. But R's did not. He knew money was loaded on it, so tried several times, put more money on it, no...finally, in desperation, I went through the gate and he followed me ... read more

The Carnival is in full swing now in Sesimbra. I had thought that Lisbon would be busy and there would be a carnival of some sort, but no. Sesimbra is one of 5 or 6 towns in Portugal that has the parades and parties that would indicate the presence of a real carnival spirit. Stand to reason. Portugal and Brazil seem to have some ties that are not as visible as the language. Yesterday was the parade of the Samba Schools and bands, I posted a few videos over on youtube and have a few other pic here. Tonight, we take to the streets and party with the locals. I think I am still very happy that I chose this location to live. People here seem to have the right attitudes and their priorities straight.... read more

So the ship pulled up to Lisbon, Portugal this morning right next to a huge bridge. It was really misty over the sea so looked really cool. Daddy was feeling lazy so we took a hop-on-hop-off bus around the historical part of the city. I saw lots of nice buildings and I loved being on top of the open bus without being in my carseat! I saw a HUGE monastery and then had swordfish for lunch - it was very very yummy!! Then we climbed a tower next to the sea which was really high and I got to see lots of the city from there. When we got back to the ship a man filled my paddling pool so I got to have a swim and splash. Lots of people thought it was funny to ... read more

I love a good nights rest. This is by the the nicest Hostel I have stayed in. I mean its like a pent house converted into a Hostel. Great view of the plaza from our windows and slept like a baby. Did the second walking tour today of the New Part of the City. Learned about a Jewish Massacre that happen. Apparently the priest of a church said, that the reason why we are having so many issues here in Lisbon is because we have to many Jewish people here... Yes it is a sin to kill but I will forgive you for 150 days to kill as many Jew as possible. And soooo thousands of Jews were pulled from there home and killed within three days. The people made there mistake by killing a Kings ... read more

Goooood Morning Lisbon Portugal. Well I woke up on the overnight train at 630 am. Way to early to be up on vacation. Slept pretty well. AC was out for a little but other then that slept like a baby. Got to the Hostel, Royal Lisbon, around 8 am and ate some good CEREAL and BREAD. Always the same stuff, ha but hey you cant beat free food. Couldnt check in until 2 pm so I stored my bags in one of there safes and I was off for a walking tour. After doing about 4 walking tours through out Spain you start to hear alot of the same history which I like because I start to actually remember it. I really do enjoy history, I think when I settle down I will take some classes ... read more

Lisbon…. Lisbon 2am on a Monday night and the streets are packed. Within a 4 block radius there must be 80 bars and cafes that hold anywhere from 25 to 100 people inside. Some of them had live music, some with DJ’s, and some with just people. If that were not enough the streets are packed with young-ins partying everywhere in the streets and the most polite drug dealers you have ever met. They come up to you, first say excuse me or sorry for interrupting then ask if you want hash, weed or cocaine. Then they leave saying sorry for interrupting or I even got once a, “well have a nice night.” It was blatant and I am told they decriminalized drugs which made it possible for me to get offered it about 20-30 times ... read more

...definitely time to create a blog and find out how it works... so that I actually keep it up during the trip! Berlin The first part of my trip starts on Saturday, when I fly to Berlin to spend a long week in Germany. The first 4 days are in Berlin and then the next 6 in and around Bad Langensalza. South America On the evening of the 29th of August I'm meeting Christian in Amsterdam and we'll fly to Quito overnight. The general plan for our journey is to head South - into Peru, Bolivia and then Chile - and then East into Argentina and North to Brazil, meanwhile experiencing the beautiful treasures each country has to offer. ... read more

9 July 2011 Almoinha Well, I managed to get diving on Thursday. So, everyone join in and sing to the tune of "Sound of Music"...My gills are alive, I finally went diving, yada, yada, yada I arrived at the Anthia Diving Center and started to get my gear sorted out and to try on the semi-dry suit that I would need. I discussed the amount of lead I would need for the suit I was going to use. I chose to use a 12 liter tank as it was the smaller of the choices and proceeded to put everything together. The shop is about 100 meters from the dock where the boat was tied up. So, we loaded our gear onto large wire flats, something like Home Depot has, and headed of to the dock. We ... read more

6 July 2011 Almoinha While I was away at school, our household increased in size. No, nobody gained weight, we took a foster dog for a few weeks from the local animal shelter. He was an older dog and had been reasonably trained. What a sweet pup. I returned him to the shelter last week with the help of some new friends here, Charlie and Julie. That evening, the dog made the trip to his new home in Norway with two other dogs which also being adopted. I took a trip with C and J to their place in the middle of the Serra da Arrabida and wow. Is it nice. Nothing fancy and designer. Just 2.5 acres of fruit trees, grape vines, flowers and nice isolation. After tea on the terrace overlooking the garden, we ... read more