Blogs from Portugal, Europe - page 143

Viagem ao Minho – 22 e 23 de Outubro de 2011 Dia lindo tal como a Anabela nos tinha prometido. Pelas 9 horas partimos em direcção ao Paço de Calheiros desfrutando das belas paisagens minhotas. Fomos recebidos muito gentilmente pelo proprietário com um agradável café servido com bolo, pão e compotas deliciosas. O palácio, obra do século XV, vive agora no regime de turismo de habitação. As dependências dedicadas aos hóspedes, para além dos quartos que são muito agradáveis, são salas amplas e aconchegantes, de cujas janelas podemos apreciar uma paisagem verdejante a perder de vista. Visitámos a capela dedicada a S. Bento, barroca mas com a madeira da cor natural. Os jardins possuem uma grande variedade de cameleiras mas infelizmente ainda não estavam floridas. Voltámos à estrada rumo a Pont... read more

Our trip to Lagos was one that I will never forget. Before we left, things were chaotic. The original plan was for Hayley, Devin, Susan, Meghan, and myself to rent a car from Jerez and drive it to Lagos where we would meet up with our friend Tegan. The day before we were suppose to depart, Susan tells me that she decided not to go. She made a few excuses but none of them were valid. Susan’s lack of consideration created a huge problem for the rest of us because Susan is the only one of us who is over the age of 21 and therefore, the only person who could sign for the car. We were angry, frustrated, and upset that she put us in this situation less than 24 hours before we were suppose ... read more

Faro airport, Portigual been to portimol for a few days ... glorious, sunshine, sandy beach forever, the hotel was only 2 star but for two stars it was great. Clean, aircon, excellently friendly staff, considering the price, worth every cent. What constantly surprises me is how small so many of these european people are - especially the women, I feel like a giant to some, they dont even come to my shoulder. while small they are beautifully in proportion. Met a couple of likely Liverpool lads, in the evening of my first full day and though beautifully friendly wondered what I'd struck in the younger brother, as the evening progressed and more beer was drunk the conversation went from very interesting to... very interesting in another way, Mark is his name, he did my ego the ... read more

Just a quick update. I am having a great trip here in Europe. My first few days in Lisbon were amazing. I really liked it there and saw all sorts of amazing things. Beautiful, fun, interesting city. Three days did not do it justice. I even went to a Manchester United futball game (was the biggest game in Lisbon for the year). The conference in the Azores is also going very well. It is amazing to be with some many brilliant minds. I am learning so much from them and making great contacts. I already gave my talk and it went well, but there is a lot of suggestions that I got that I think will be very helpful. I don't want to waste too much time typing and not enjoying my short time here so ... read more