Posts Tagged ‘Portugal’

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Portugal, Day 10 – Lisbon Walking Tour

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Jeronimos Monastery Entrance

It was the last day of our adventure tour, so we were sad to say goodbye to Pedro. He was an excellent guide throughout the tour and we really had a blast hanging out with him.

Show Me Where You Live
Stand in the place where you live…!

Portuguese Discovery Monument and the 25 of April Bridge

For our last day on tour, Pedro took us on a walking tour of the Jeronimos Monastery and the Portuguese Discovery Monument. It was a gorgeous warm fall day in Lisbon, so walking around with him was super.

We were sad to be done with the tour, but excited to see how we would manage the second week on our own. We normally don’t have any problems in foreign places, but so far on our tour, we had really leaned on Pedro quite a bit. I figured we’d be fine, but there was a small bit of separation anxiety!

Coimbra With Moon Rising
After the tour, we travelled up to the university town, Coimbra, and arrived just in time to get settled into the Quintas Das Lagrimas.

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Portugal, Day 9 – Mountain Bike Riding, Bacalhoa Winery, and Tile Factory

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Clare and Dennis Mountain Biking in Portugal

Dennis was super happy, we finally had the chance to go mountain biking. Pedro drove us out to the country and we road down a gravelly jeep style road. It was slightly hilly, but beautiful terrain.

Bacalhoa Winery - Odd Statues
At the Bacalhoa Winery there were these odd sculptures out in front!

On the way out there, we stopped at the Bacalhoa Winery and bought some delicious Moscatel Roxo (Red). I wish we could have purchased an entire case, but we were going to be travelling over the next week and didn’t want to lug it around from place to place!

We also visited a Mom and Pop tile factory named Ceramica Do Lapidario (email them at lapidario at clix dot pt or call them at 212191123, for tour information and products). We met with the crafts people and purchased some hand painted mosaic tiles. It was neat to take a small tour and learn how they make the tile. The gal who painted our tiles has been doing so since she was a little girl.

Clare Playing on Beach in Portugal
Later that afternoon, Pedro drove us to another area and we rode the bikes downhill to a very nice beach. We lounged about on the beach for an hour and then called it a day!

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Portugal, Day 8 – Day Hike, Cabo Da Roca (Westernmost Point of Europe)

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Lighthouse at Cabo Da Roca
Approaching Cabo Da Roca and the Lighthouse

Clare and Dennis at Cabo Da Roca
We Hiked for 6.5 Hours to Get to Cabo Da Roca

Clare and Dennis Reach Destination
View of the Atlantic

The Atlantic Ocean From Cabo Da Roca, Portugal
Can you see New York?

We completed a lovely but strenuous seaside hike to Cabo Da Roca (The Westernmost Point of Europe). The trail wound it’s way up and down multiple ridges which abruptly cliffed out into the Atlantic.

We scaled up and down these undulating spines and enjoyed the path most when it wasn’t covered by this evil spikey bush. At times, we each were writhing in pain as the little needles stabbed our calves and ankles. Luckily, Pedro usually charged ahead and managed to find the way. But he was the least prepared to bush whack, having worn 3/4 length pants.

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Portugal, Day 7 – Rock Climbing, Sintra

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Rock Climbing is below the Moorish Castle
We Climbed on Granite Domes Just Below the Moorish Castle!

Clare Climbing Into the Light
Clare Bathed in Sunlight On Solar

Dennis Climbing Solar
Dennis Climbing Solar

Two days of climbing in a row, how lucky am I? We drive to Sintra and park the truck. From the truck, we wander around a bit and then head up to the climbing crag. I’m just itching to sample some granite…Pedro said we would climb underneath a castle on granite and I had him repeat it to me, just to make sure I wasn’t day dreaming!

More Pictures Below:

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Portugal, Day 6 – Rock Climbing, Cascais

Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

Dennis Climbing Adamastor
Dennis Climbing Adamastor

Nice Finger Crack on Astrolabio
Clare Leading Astrolabio (I placed a couple of supplemental cams on my way to Bolt number 3).

Clare and Dennis at Cascais Crag

Top Floor View from Hotel Cidadela
The View from the Top Floor of Hotel Cidadela…Not Bad!

After 6 days in country, I finally get to go rock climbing. Yay! We drive from Uchas Country House, back towards Lisbon and stop in Cascais for some beach cragging. We park the truck, grab our gear, walk down the stone steps, and we’re there!

Dozens of bolted climbs await. I have a hard time picking which one I want to do first. We head over to the easy moderate section and I fire up a climb. I climb Adamastor and Astrolabia and then it starts drizzling. The rock becomes very slick, so we decide to call it a day.

We checked into Hotel Cidadela, which used to be a 4 star hotel. It’s been knocked down to 3 stars, but it still has the amenities one needs. It also sports a very nice private pool area. We ate dinner there one night and it was adequate, but definitely nothing special! Better bet is to eat somewhere in town!

More climbing pictures below.

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