ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 7

March 27, 2009

On our own in Seville. After breakfast several of us made the walking trek to the city center for shopping. Ceil bought sensible shoes. I bought these:


Yep, they are PURPLE.

After lunch, 5 of us ended up at the Cathedral, where we all decided we wanted to go to the Macarena, no not the dance, the church. Not knowing how to get there, we negotiated with a carriage driver to take the five of us for 40euros. A deal, considering it was quite a trip.



When we got there the Basillica was closed until 5:00, because everything closes between 2 & 5. We wandered down the old wall-fortress of the city and ended up at a little cerveceria across from the church.



After seeing the crying virgin and praying for World Peace, we took 2 taxis back to the hotel. Dinner was an adventure. Try to find something open in Seville before 9:00pm. We found a place down the street from the hotel and were the only people there. However, as we were leaving the locals were coming in.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 6

March 26, 2009

Seville, pronounced Se Vee Ya. Started the day with a guided tour with Mariangles who asked us to call her Maria. Seville is a beautiful city. We drove past the Parque de Maria Luisa. A beautiful park and gardens. The road led to the area designed for the 1929 Ibero-American World’s Fair and still contains the buildings that were exhibits for most Latin & American countries. At the end is the Plaza de España, the center piece of the fair, and the palace of Star Wars’ Queen Amadala. The Plaza is massive and has a intricate tile display from every Spanish province.



This is only about 1/3 of the full size of the Plaza





From there we visited the Alcázar (in Spain pronounced Al Cath Ar), built by Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century and later the home of Prince Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The Alcazar has a very Moorish influence. It borders the Jewish district of Santa Cruz, with very-very narrow streets. The walking tour ended in a flower-lined courtyard in which we stopped for coffee (Bica is Café Solo in Spain) and I got Strawberry Ice Cream…which was my fave on this trip since I couldn’t have chocolate.





Next stop was the cathedral which occupies the site of a mosque built by the Almohads in the 12th century (yes this is out of the guide book). The cathedral is the 3rd largest in the world according to Maria and contains the dna-proven remains of Christopher Columbus.





Chris is in the casket that the lords are carrying

We were turned loose after the Cathedral. Ceil, both Pats and I ate Paella at an outdoor café. After lunch we wandered the streets of old Seville and then met Roberta at the appointed spot at 3:00. From there we walked (me, very slowly) across the Rio Guadalquivir back to our hotel. It really wasn’t that far, I’m just out of shape big time.

The day ended with a carriage ride through the old town to a Flamenco show. Loved both the carriage ride and the show. We had front row seats and were encouraged by Roberta to shout ole when there was something we liked. We each got a free drink...water, soda or Sangria. I had the Sangria and survived, even though red wine makes me ill.





Our bus driver picked us up after the show and dropped us at the hotel. From there most of us walked to the river with Roberta and had tapas on the sidewalk/riverbank. It was about 9:00 pm and Seville was just revving up. Most restaurants don’t even open until 9:00. After dinner, Ceil, Pat and I stopped in the hotel bar for a nightcap.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 5

March 25, 2009

On to Seville and a five hour bus ride. Outside of Seville is the town of Italica which has an excavated Roman amphitheater.



We made a brief stop and then on to Seville. Our hotel had a nice little courtyard with a patio. After unpacking, Ceil, Pat & I headed for the bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. The tiny bar was smoky so we took our drinks outside. Already there was a couple from Connecticut whose daughter was in school in Seville. They were eating the most wonderful looking olives, so we ordered some from the bar. Big Spanish Olives soaked in garlic…heaven. Pat doesn’t like olives so Ceil and I gorged ourselves. Later the couple went in and gave us what was left of their olives. By that time we were joined by others from our group and shared the remaining olives with us. This started our trend of olives at every meal and bar stop. Dinner was at the hotel and so-so. For dessert we were offered ice cream or fruit. Those who chose fruit got a tangerine and a hard pear.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 4

March 24, 2009

TRAINS, TROLLEYS and TAXI CABS

Excursion to Sintra, the quaint town in the hill’s beyond Lisbon and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Sintra Palace once served as the summer home of Portuguese royalty. Our guide was Annabella, who we all thought would be a great EF tour guides handling kids. Directive would be a good word to describe her. She steered us towards a pastry shop and then almost got into an argument with Roberta over which pastry was best. I ended up going with her suggestion only because Roberta's had almonds in it.




After Bica and pastries in Sintra, we took a trip down the hill to the Atlantic Coast. Several of our group were disappointed that we didn’t have more time in this area, so Roberta gave us the option of staying in Cascais and taking the train back to Lisbon, or going back on the bus with her. Most of us stayed in Cascais for a new adventure. that would have never happened on an EF tour.







More narrow streets. I like the wave effect.




Our lunch view.





and of course, tourists (Ceil, Bev & Julie) with their feet in the Atlantic.

The trip back went very well considering none of us new what the heck we were doing and it was "rush hour". We had to change trains about 2 stations after Cascais, but the next trip was right behind us.





We got off in Belem and attempted to find the Starbucks. After significant walking, we did. It was right across the street from the Monsteiro dos Jeronimos, one big-honking church built in 1502. Barbara, Carol, Pat & I went in to the Church, prayed for World Peace. When we came out the monastery and museum was closed, so we headed back to Starbucks. Met up with Julie, Karen and Jennifer and decided to tag along with them to find a place to eat. They guided us to the trolley, which we rode to the end of the line and then walked up hill to the Barrio Alto to eat. I almost thought I wouldn't make it. Ceil and Virginia took pity on me and stuck with. Which almost got Ceil hit by an ambulance when it when up on the sidewalk to get around the traffic that wasn't moving out of it's way. The 7 of us ate at a very nice sidewalk cafe and were given mega-attention by the waiters. Although I didn't have it, this was my introduction to Garlic Soup, which I had several times following. After dinner, Julie, Karen and Jennifer hung around and took the metro back to our hotel. Ceil, Pat, Virginia and I completed our multi-mode of public transportation with a cab ride.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 3

March 23, 2009

Our day started at 9:00 with a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon with Raphaella, our local guide. In Portugal, R’s are pronounced liked Hs, so Raphaella was pronounced Haphaella. Raphaella also taught us the word for very strong espresso "BICA", which Ceil and I tried often.



Raphaella showing us the Explorers map in Belem.

To quote from the GoAhead Guide “recall the great explorers from Portugal’s past as you stroll the riverside Belém precinct, and visit Ajuda Palace, a former royal residence. Travel through the narrow streets of the Moorish Alfama district, along the Tagus River, and into the Barrio Alto”, which is exactly what we did. I was awed by the narrow streets that are still used by cars (very small cars).


Ceil, Pat & I at the Belem Tower






The afternoon was on our own. We “wandered the streets” of Lisbon and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. No running to keep up with our guide, no having to be at a specific location at a specific time. Leisure time really was leisure time.


strolling Lisbon's version of the Champs Elysee



the tram to the top of the Barrio Alto. The picture does not do the incline justice.


Overlooking Lisbon from the Barrio Alto


Wandering tourists seeking liquid refreshment


and, the obligatory stop at the Hard Rock


Day 3 Evening was spent at a traditional Portuguese tavern listening to “the beautiful and haunting strains of fado music”, one of the oldest urban folk music in the world.



a good time was had by all

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 2

March 22, 2009 - Lisbon

Our guide, Roberta, was waiting for us at the airport. We were in and out of there quickly, amazed that we did not have to clear Customs again. As long as the countries visited are in the European Union, tourists only have to hit Customs at the point of entry.

Roberta was a doll. She was from Brazil, but lived in Spain and spoke fluent Portuguese. She quickly became one of the girls.




After dropping us off at our hotel, we had time to get settled, then met back downstairs for a quick briefing. There were 15 in our group, but 10 more travelers were added to bring us to 25, a very manageable number…and all adults!

Roberta gave us options for the afternoon on our own. She strongly recommended the Museu Gulbenkian which was within walking distance and free on Sunday. Several of us took off for the museum and FINALLY found what we thought was the correct museum. What we found was the Modern Art museum and weren’t real impressed with the display of “arranged chairs” or the “toilet paper roll” sculpture. We got a little too close to the toilet paper rolls and were admonished by the guard. Feeling totally uninspired, we wandered the grounds and found the cafeteria. After lunch about half of us went back to the hotel. The other half actually found the real museum…right behind the cafeteria. Apparently it was worth the hunt.

Our first night, we had a welcome dinner with traditional Portuguese food. What stands out was the egg and cod mixture that is a company tradition in Portugal. I at least tasted it.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN - Day 1

March 21, 2009 - the Flight Over

My day started, technically, at 2:15am, when Lark dropped me at Pat G’s house to wait for our driver, Virginia. From there we went to Riverbank to pick up Barbara. Arrived in Sacramento at the required time of 4:15 AM! The flight left at 6:30am. I pissed off the gate guy immediately by informing him that I am allergic to Peanuts. He was pissed because I hadn’t notified them earlier. I tried to explain that I just found out a week ago, but he wasn’t pacified. When the airlines are notified, in time, they order extra pretzels for the passengers 3 rows up and 3 rows back, who aren’t served peanuts. Luckily most of those passengers were our group, who knew about my allergy and who gave me a bad time, most of the trip.

Met Pat S and Jennifer in Atlanta. Other than a really long flight, everything went fine. My one compensation for the long flight was the cute French guy sitting next to me, who spoke very little English.

Paris – Charles DeGaulle Airport. I think we walked the entire perimeter. We were filtered through Customs since this was our first port of entry into Europe. That went smooth. To get to our hop to Lisbon we had to walk and walk and walk…to get to a bus that took us to the plane out on the Tarmac. The bright spot – the plane was not full and we all got our own row of seats.