Category: Portugal

Portugal 2009 (Feb): Lisboa

Sunday, 15 February 2009

Maria da Fonte. In the lovely Jardim da Parada, in the heart of Campo de Ourique. — Maria da Fonte. In the lovely **Jardim da Parada**, in the heart of **Campo de Ourique**.

Monday, 16 February 2009

Our favourite garrafeira, wine o'clock is fairly new in Portugal (just two years old). It is quite an interesting approach, with three stores in Portugal at the moment. — Our favourite garrafeira, **wine o’clock** is fairly new in Portugal (just two years old). It is quite an interesting approach, with three stores in Portugal at the moment.

Making the rounds in the beautiful Jardim da Estrela. — Making the rounds in the beautiful **Jardim da Estrela**.

Basílica da Estrela. The vantage point was lousy and the lens wasn't right, but the light here is just tremendous. — Basílica da Estrela. The vantage point was lousy and the lens wasn’t right, but the light here is just tremendous.

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Water ballooning is a very popular pastime during Carnaval here for the 10-14 age group. — Water ballooning is a very popular pastime during **Carnaval** here for the 10-14 age group.

Thursday, 19 February 2009

Park your dog while shopping at the Minipreço. — Park your dog while shopping at the **Minipreço**.

Frango at Xurrex. This is Frango de Churrasco, which we had a few nights ago (para fora). Tonight, we tried their entrecosto (spare ribs). Both were excellent. — Frango at **Xurrex**. This is *Frango de Churrasco*, which we had a few nights ago (*para fora*). Tonight, we tried their *entrecosto* (spare ribs). Both were excellent.

Friday, 20 February 2009

No, 773 wheels around the northeast corner of Praça do Príncipe Real as it heads down into Bairro Alto. — No, 773 wheels around the northeast corner of **Praça do Príncipe Real** as it heads down into **Bairro Alto**.

Another great view of part of Lisboa from São Pedro de Alcântara. — Another great view of part of Lisboa from **São Pedro de Alcântara**.

At Procópio, a very nice bar where we started a most enjoyable evening with Rui and Kimon (this is Kimon). — At **Procópio**, a very nice bar where we started a most enjoyable evening with Rui and Kimon (this is Kimon).

Saturday, 21 February 2009

Uma rua muita linda, recommended by Rui.

Lovely house on Rua de Júlio de Andrade.

Unfortunately it was locked (see padlock).

At the top of Calçada do Lavra. — At the top of **Calçada do Lavra**.

Monday, 23 February 2009

João e Helena. Near the end of the dinner party we held for our oldest friends (in time!) in Portugal. You can tell it is near the end, because the port is on the table!

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Jorge consults. You can just see the sous chef (Bruno) and the chef (Jose) in the right background.

Part of the crew at Verde Gaio. Isabel's right arm · Joana · Pedro. — Part of the crew at Verde Gaio. Isabel’s right arm · Joana · Pedro.

A lovely sculpture that has been vandalised on the front. From this angle (great composition by Susan), you can still see the right arm that has been unfortunately snapped off, but the shadows are great.

The "Radio Raheem" of Campo de Ourique. Annoying comes to mind. Also, very annoying. — The “Radio Raheem” of **Campo de Ourique**. Annoying comes to mind. Also, very annoying.

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Self-portrait at the Gulbenkian. Steve's face might actually look a little better! — Self-portrait at the Gulbenkian. Steve’s face might actually look a little better!

Steve shows his Portuguese ID (Viva transit card) while enjoying a young Scotch at Bar Procópio. — Steve shows his Portuguese ID (Viva transit card) while enjoying a young Scotch at **Bar Procópio**.

As usual, Susan looks better than Steve. But, we are celebrating Steve's 60th birthday tonight, starting at Procópio (with a glass of Cardhu), before proceeding to Verde Gaio (where we had an extremely nice dinner). — As usual, Susan looks better than Steve. But, we **are** celebrating Steve’s 60th birthday tonight, starting at **Procópio** (with a glass of Cardhu), before proceeding to **Verde Gaio** (where we had an extremely nice dinner).

Portugal 2009 (Feb): Algarve/Alentejo

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Susan catches up on some last-minute correspondence in the wonderful KLM Lounge at Pearson Airport while we wait for our flight to Portugal.

Monday, 9 February 2009

Vila Valverde in Lagos. An interior shot at Vila Valverde from the top (third) floor, where our room is. A lovely building - the light is terrific. — Vila Valverde in Lagos. An interior shot at Vila Valverde from the top (third) floor, where our room is. A lovely building – the light is terrific.

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Almoço ao Cabo de São Vicente. Photograph taken by a very nice young Austrian woman who just climbed down the steep path near where we were having lunch.

Petisco means tidbit or small snack and Casinha means little house, but there is nothing small about the meals served here. More importantly, the quality is excellent. Almoço yesterday; jantar tonight. The Rosa family did itself proud both times. Highly recommended; if we return to this area, we will certainly eat here again. — *Petisco* means tidbit or small snack and *Casinha* means little house, but there is nothing small about the meals served here. More importantly, the quality is excellent. *Almoço* yesterday; *jantar* tonight. The Rosa family did itself proud both times. Highly recommended; if we return to this area, we will certainly eat here again.

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Today's almoço as we moved from the Algarve to Alentejo. A very satisfactory meal - the components are listed on the board. — Today’s almoço as we moved from the Algarve to Alentejo. A very satisfactory meal – the components are listed on the board.

The Rio component of Naturarte. Naturarte has two spots, 6 km apart on M532; we are staying at Rio (the other is Campo).

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Cork. Part of the main Naturarte campus (Campo), where we have breakfast. — Cork. Part of the main **Naturarte** campus (Campo), where we have breakfast.

The owner and the waiter at Tasca do Celso (they are the two standing). You will note that the owner looks quite a lot like Tommy Lee Jones, the actor! — The owner and the waiter at **Tasca do Celso** (they are the two standing). You will note that the owner looks quite a lot like Tommy Lee Jones, the actor!

We liked it so well, that we will return tomorrow!

Enjoying the sun in Vila Nova de Milfontes after almoço at Tasca do Celso. — Enjoying the sun in **Vila Nova de Milfontes** after *almoço* at **Tasca do Celso**.

Casa do Poente at Naturarte, #4. — Casa do Poente at **Naturarte**, #4.

Naturarte, Rio campus. Our suite is around the right side (see next photograph). — Naturarte, Rio campus. Our suite is around the right side.

Susan's new series - grain, or grain-like plants. — Susan’s new series – grain, or grain-like plants.

Friday, 13 February 2009

Cabo Sardão. Some fantistic coastline here (and all up and down this part of Portugal).

Scilla monophyllos. Part of the Knowmark Plant Series. This was taken along Rio Mira, just east of Vila Nova de Milfontes. — Scilla monophyllos. Part of the **Knowmark Plant Series**. This was taken along **Rio Mira**, just east of **Vila Nova de Milfontes**.

Saturday, 14 February 2009

Delivering breakfast and flowers at Naturarte-Rio on Valentine's Day, which is growing in popularity (or, at least marketed more successfully) in Portugal. — Delivering breakfast and flowers at **Naturarte-Rio** on Valentine’s Day, which is growing in popularity (or, at least marketed more successfully) in Portugal.

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.