Portugal 2008: Nazaré/Lisboa

Sunday, 12 October 2008

Another transit day, from Abrantes to Nazaré. Very nice drive with a picnic lunch near Aljubarrota.

Steve studies up on vinho verde, on the patio at Quinta das Rosas. It is our third stay here (and, won't be our last). — Steve studies up on *vinho verde*, on the patio at **Quinta das Rosas**. It is our third stay here (and, won’t be our last).

Thursday, 16 October 2008

An exciting afternoon at the intersection where we are currently staying in Lisboa.

It is an interesting intersection and caused quite an interesting accident. But Carris carries on!

A delightful wine from Madeira that we were able to purchase here. Sercial (which is one of four varietals used to make Madeira wine) is relatively uncommon. However, we have developed a taste for it. And, today we purchased several bottles, one of which is pictured here.

Saturday, 18 October 2008

Saturday in Lisboa means fado at O Jaime. When we are here, we always try to go and catch a set.

One of the regulars on fado night at O Jaime. — One of the regulars on *fado* night at **O Jaime**.

One of the singers tonight at O Jaime. He was quite good, and we had not heard him before. Regretfully, we did not get his name. — One of the singers tonight at **O Jaime**. He was quite good, and we had not heard him before. Regretfully, we did not get his name.

Sunday, 19 October 2008

Today was a stunningly beautiful day. We started out with café e queijadas, at Az de Comer, one of our favourite local pastelarias. This trip we have been frequenting Café Lomar which has amazing pasteis de nata, amongst the best we have eaten. We plan to head out to Belém on Tuesday for a comparison test. But today, we felt like queijadas, and the ones at Az de Comer are excellent. After coffee, we headed down to Rossio and wondered around, taking lots of pictures. The weather is often lovely in Lisboa, but today was virtually perfect – the bluest possible sky, no clouds and a perfect temperature. For lunch we had carne de porco a Alentejano at Stop with a nice wine that we didn’t know – Paulo Laureano Clássico 2006. Sunday lunch is an event in Portugal; everyone seems to go out to eat and Stop is really popular. Back home an unexpected rain shower (with sun still shining) resulted in a gorgeous rainbow … what a great day.

In Casa do Alentejano. — In **Casa do Alentejano**.

The blue and the red in Casa do Alentejano. — The blue and the red in **Casa do Alentejano**.

Column study (Susan's favourite) in Casa do Alentejano. — Column study (Susan’s favourite) in **Casa do Alentejano**.

Unknown sculpture in Casa do Alentejano. — Unknown sculpture in **Casa do Alentejano**.

Eden Teatro in the Praça dos Restauradores.

Blue on blue, in blue (with apologies to Lou Rawls) in Amoreiras.

After a gorgeous Lisboan sky for most of the day, suddenly there were some clouds and a shower and this view from our apartment.

Monday, 20 October 2008

Another lovely day in Lisboa. Among other things, we went to the recently re-opened São Pedro de Alcântara, which has the best views of the middle of the city. We also went to the Palacio de São Bento, to try and tour the parlamento, but tours are not available this week 🙁

Palacio de São Bento. This is also the Assembleia da República. — Palacio de São Bento. This is also the **Assembleia da República**.

Overview of Lisboa from São Pedro de Alcântara. — Overview of Lisboa from **São Pedro de Alcântara**.

Lisboan blue sky in São Pedro de Alcântara. — Lisboan blue sky in **São Pedro de Alcântara**.

Convento Nossa Senhora da Graça is at the very top of the photograph, underneath the trees. On our first visit to Lisboa (2½ years ago), we stayed just to the right of that copse of trees. — **Convento Nossa Senhora da Graça** is at the very top of the photograph, underneath the trees. On our first visit to Lisboa (2½ years ago), we stayed just to the right of that copse of trees.

After dinner at Casa do Alentejo. Rui, Susan and Kimon are looking very chic. Steve is wondering if the remote camera trigger has worked and if the composition has been acceptable. A great evening! — After dinner at **Casa do Alentejo**. Rui, Susan and Kimon are looking very chic. Steve is wondering if the remote camera trigger has worked and if the composition has been acceptable. A great evening!

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Another leisurely day, unusually cold and blustery for Lisboa. So, we took the opportunity to explore the Museu Gulbenkian, which was well worth the effort. We had previously visited the gardens there (which are very, very nice), but never toured the museum. There are other things there as well (all under the umbrella of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian). Non-flash photography was allowed, and the light was (of course) not the best for photography. So, most of the photographs are of less than stellar quality.

After dinner at the Páteo de Alfama. Helena and João treated us to a very nice evening. — After dinner at the **Páteo de Alfama**. Helena and João treated us to a very nice evening.