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Published: February 18th 2007
Hi gang,
We are really trying to catch up with these blogs. I am writing this in sunny Brazil.
Anyway Portugal was great. I will try to be quick so we can catch up to real time.
We also promise to upload more photos within the week.
We arrived in Lisbon after a packed flight from Roma (and one last Pizza the night before) and jumped in a taxi with a guy who could be forgiven for not speaking english but it would have been beneficial if he could speak at all. He kind of groaned like Popeye to everything.
Portugese is quite different to hear compared to spanish and italian but we managed to adjust. Gave the taxi driver directions to our digs and got there safely.
The B&B was nice and the owner very friendly. Almost everyone we met in Lisbon was friendly and happy to help out. They also appreciated our attempts to speak portugese and gave us some tips.
A summary of Lisbon,
Smelt a little of fish (not in a good way),
The pescoral odours were not a big deal as everyone was so nice.
When I say
Lisbon tram
The easy way down the hill!everyone I don´t mean the dodgy guys who wander the Bairro Alto late at night approaching tourists with all sorts of strange goods.
We had lots of portugese food most of which is very nice. Braised meats, grilled meats, sausages and (to Danielle´s glee) really nice cakes, pastries etc. Even I couldn´t resist them. Good coffee.
Spent our first day wondering round Lisbon. Some fantastic views of the city, castles, cathedrals, trams and a good underground system. Checked out the Expo 98 site which was recommended to us but was really just a big shopping centre with overpriced western food. But we did try a portugese hamburger (no bread, big meat, and egg all sitting in fries).
The next day we went to Sintra which is about 45mins from Lisbon. It is the site of the old palaces and castles. Sintra was awesome and we will definitely post photos. The palaces were nice (and different to Italy). The Moorish (muslim) castle ruins were spooky as they would intermittently be engulfed in cloud. Not a place for vertigo.
That night we trekked over to Bairro Alto (the trendy end of Lisbon) and had some traditional Portugese grub
Up at the Castelo
Castelo de Sao Jorge something or other. (I had the sardines) and watched some Fado which is traditional folk music. That was cool. Then to help our transition we had our first (of many) caipirinha at a Brazilian bar.
Up early and on the bus to the airport for a huge flight to Rio.
A good 4 days but I must say we were happy to be leaving the Euro behind.
Photos on their way,
Ben
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Naomi
non-member comment
Taxi driver...
Hi guys, I apologise for Chris being your taxi driver...had I realised he was driving taxis in foreign countries I would have warned you lol You guys seem to be having such an awesome time and it is so great to see pics!! Myk and I went back to dancing 2 weeks ago with the chicky from idol. Definitly one of my better decisions! This week is week three of lessons with her and we have learned more in the last couple of weeks that we did in years with Kasey!! Oh yeah, I started seeing a guy about 2 weeks ago, Rodney. Long story short, he spoiled me on valentines day, he spoiled me last weekend and looks like this weekend will be much of the same! I'll catch you guys up on all of it another time though! Had a few cooler days here but now it's all warm again! Aunty Myra is jetting off to Tassie next week for about 7 days...she's not even excited!! I have to go take some tops up for her so I'll do that now! Take care and much love Naomi and Myk xxoo