Blogs from Portugal, Europe
May 24th 2012
Hello, a short trip to Lisbon happend unplanned in February - only a week before my Philippine trip, but as usual I didn't find time to post this blog before. I spent few days in Lisboa with Andrej :) Our paths crossed spontaneously last year and I think we didn't know at that time where will all that lead ... anyway - Lisbon charmed us with its narrow streets and contemporary culture, good food, bleached limestone buildings, friendly locals and most of all ... with those small details that make one place so special :) Since Lisbon enjoys a mediterranean climate that makes it a popular year round destination ... big LIKE :) Enjoy the pics, Jana... read more
May 13th 2012
Pictures taken during flights Madrid - Los Angeles - Scotland - Iceland - Turkey - Athens... read more
May 10th 2012
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
May 7th 2012
I am writing my first blog since 2010, this time on my I-Phone from our B&B in Lisbon! Unfortunately it is pouring rain on the morning of our 35th wedding anniversary (unlike on our wedding day which was sunny and warm). We are headed off to the acquarium since most museums are closed on Mondays. Last night, we found a good seafood place called Marisqueira Do Lis on Av Almirante Reis. We ordered a mixed seafood dish for 1 and shared it. I was surprised that it was served cold, but it was delicious. The frites and salad filled out the meal with a local red wine. Price was moderate. What I enjoyed most was the frenetc activity of the waiters and cooks-- reminded me of a French bistrot. We are finding Portugese people very friendly ... read more
April 23rd 2012
Please have violins handy - this blog contains nostalgia! Once upon a time... well, in 1972 actually, my wife and I were married. We still are! We spent our honeymoon on Madeira, that Portuguese, mid-Atlantic island 520 kms (320 miles) from the African coast and 1000 kms (620 miles) from the continent of Europe. It was a picturesque, tranquil, slightly old-fashioned place, beloved of the blue-rinse brigade as a winter watering hole. In our late-twenties, we were probably the youngest foreigners on the island, but we enjoyed its simple way of life, its flower-fringed, winding roads and unspoiled mountain scenery. We stayed for two weeks at the five-star Savoy Hotel. I was something important in the travel industry in those days and, even though we were on a freebie, we were given the honeymoon suite. I ... read more
Badoca Park - Portuguese Safari
Published: April 22nd 2012Europe » Portugal » Alentejo » Santiago do Cacem
April 22nd 2012
Located in Alentejo - Santiago do Cacém - is one of Portugal's must visit sights. The Badoca Safari Park offers you the chance to do a real safari and get close to natures wonders and wildlife - it's a unique experience for families and all kind of travelers and nature lovers. You get to see many african animals such as zebras, giraffs, tigers and buffalos - soon there'll be lions and a rhyno! - kangaroos and crocodiles! and lots of other mammals and wildlife (and also some farm and mountain animals). There is also a bird exhibit with meat-eating birds - eagles, hawks and owls - and many nature related atractions like the new river rapids ride. A whole day in the park plus a 2-hour safari will cost you only 16.5 euros (14.5 eur for ... read more
April 18th 2012
Lisbon, Portugal From Amsterdam, there are various european airlines to choose from: Transavia, Portugal, Easyjet and Ryanair. We chose Transavia for a two-way trip of € 175,-- per person. From The Netherlands, it is a 2 hour and 45 minutes travel. Video impression: A 15-min. tour at the city centre of Lisbon, Portugal For a detailed video impression of different tourist spots: Rossio, Praca do Commercio, elevadores (funicular) Torre de Belem, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Palacio Belem Riding a funicular, Mirodauro square, Convento da Carmo, Elevador de Sta. Justa, Sao Roque church Stro... read more
"O Cruzamento" - Restaurant Review #1
Published: April 16th 2012Europe » Portugal » Alentejo » Grandola
April 16th 2012
Wether you’re on vacation in Grandola, passing by or simply going out for a meal, Cruzamento it’s the ideal stop to enjoy Alentejo’s delights. Located near the highway exit, it used to be the stop for truck drivers on the way to Algarve – nowadays lots of families from Lisbon and other parts of the country go there just to enjoy a rich and affordable meal. It’s a spacious and natural lighted room with traditional furnishings and décor – the place setting is also typical. Friendly and helpful staff will serve you in the good and warm Alentejo’s way . I strongly recommend you to try a traditional dish – they’re well cooked and served and one portion is more than enough for two. You can choose from “Carne de Porco à Alentejana” - fried pork ... read more
April 8th 2012
And so begins the next adventure. The day before our arrival in Ft Lauderdale we were told that we would not be able to off load any luggage in the United States. This came as quite a surprise since we had just finished packing eight pieces of luggage. It had something to do with Homeland Security or us being in transit or whatever! We still had to pass through Immigrations and Customs but our luggage couldn’t. It didn’t make much sense to us but the only option left for us was to ship it all from our first port of Bermuda. Since that is a much more expensive proposition we decided that we better spend our next two sea days paring down. So we donated extra clothes and books and stuff to the crew and tossed ... read more
New layout, new languages, new destinations
Published: April 4th 2012Europe » Portugal » Sintra » Queluz
April 4th 2012
Hi there again! I've been really busy with school and conferences everyday and haven't had much time to blog... I've completed the spoken and written Rusian basic level and started with basic Chinese (spoken and written too) - hope I can move forward in both languages. I'm also planning my summer journey to Rusia, Israel, Jordan, Beirut and Warsow (Poland) - any tip is really welcome! (please!) =) I've also made some sort of "rebrand" in my page and uploaded some photos and stories in my Backpack Yourself facebook page, please take a look and feel free to share your experiences - http://www.facebook.com/backpack-yourself (I'm also on twitter - #BackpackYourslf) Hope to write you soon about new destinations! Cheers, JM... read more
