Portugal

Another Wonderful Trip, Another Interruption of Service

One of many homes with incredible flower boxes.

When we traveled to Portugal over a year ago we experienced an interruption of service. We were on a packed, standing-room-only, bus when it stopped part way to our destination and the driver told everyone to get off the bus…he said it was an “interruption in service.” We got off the bus and the driver drove off leaving all the passengers stranded. We managed to hail a taxi to get back to our apartment.

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We just returned from a delightful trip to Austria and the Czech Republic and experienced another “interruption of service”.

On Saturday we parted ways from our travel companions and Gary and I took the train to Munich, Germany for an overnight to catch an early morning flight the next day from the Munich airport. We were weary travelers going home after two weeks of touring with our friends. It was not a restful night and we woke up at 5 am to catch the shuttle to the airport. Once there, we checked our luggage all the way to Minneapolis and got on the plane and flew to Amsterdam for our connecting flight.

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Once off the plane, we grabbed a cup of coffee before heading to the next gate since we had four hours in-between flights. When we went to check the gate number it said our flight was cancelled!

An “interruption of service” I’d say.

We set into high gear wondering what ‘s going to happen. After a series of events (and this is just our story – there were hundreds of passengers on that cancelled flight) we ended up on a flight to Chicago, and a much later flight to Minneapolis.

A young woman in the line next to me who had been scheduled on the same cancelled flight did not have any options for her destination so she was told she had to stay overnight in Amsterdam and catch a flight the next day. She was crying. She told me she had worked on a project for eight months and was to present it to a Board o Regents on Monday. She had to be there, but she wasn’t going to make it.

I thought of giving her my seat but we were immediately whisked away to catch the flight to Chicago…We ran through the Amsterdam airport and a flight attendant came to meet us and escort us to the 747 with only two seats remaining. They reopened the doors for us and we took our seats with a sigh of relief…next thoughts, where in the world is our luggage?

Once in Chicago we were surprised to find our luggage on the carousal. We retrieved it in hopes of getting an earlier flight to Minneapolis. We had to go through customs and that is not a fun thing to do in Chicago. Plus, we needed to go through security again and that is even more not fun in Chicago.

We were put on stand-by for an earlier flight. I said to myself as the plane was loading…it would be a miracle if we get on this flight – so many people are trying to get to Minneapolis… and then I said to myself, but I believe in miracles. Then… our name was called. I was grateful.

Our luggage never did make that flight…the airline delivered it to our house the next day, but we were home safe with many wonderful memories.

We will never know why our flight was canceled but it wreaks havoc for so many people. I do know flexibly and gratitude are helpful attitudes to have while traveling.

Memorable Hikes – Lisbon, Portugal 2016

Continuing my series on memorable hikes…

This is one of my favorite photos of me and my granddaughter taken in Portugal, at Christmastime a year ago. And although we didn’t go on any official hikes the two weeks we were there, we did do a lot of walking around Lisbon and I consider this one of my memorable hikes – on Christmas Day 2016.

Portugal: a few more fun facts & photos

Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world. Cork is the bark of a “Cork Oak” tree. Cork oak: Quercus suber

In 1755 Lisbon was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in European history….9.0 magnitude, which was followed by a tsunami and fires that brought the city to rubble. 275,000 residents were killed and 85% o the buildings were destroyed.

Portugal is on of the world’s top surf spots. Portugal has a coastline that spans 497 miles.

Portuguese is the official language of nine countries.

Overlooking the Atlantic and one of several beautiful beaches below us. I found a lot of sea glass on that beach.

The North Beach, Nazare, Portugal. Waves can get as high as 100 meters…once or twice a year they say.

An old mural made of tiles…beautiful and precious.

Interruption of Service

This was not the trolley we were on...but it's similar. — This was not the trolley we were on… this one is similar but smaller and older.

One morning we walked to the trolley stop to get a ride to Belem. We were among many others with the same idea. There was standing room only on Trolley #15, but we made it, stroller and all. We enjoyed a delightful, sunny day in Belem, a port city, and when we were ready to go back to Lisboa we went to the trolley stop and along with many others waited for the right trolley to come along. Several #15 trolleys passed us by because there was no more room…finally a bus came along with room for all of us and the stroller. We got on.

Ten minutes into the 30-40 minute ride the bus stops and the driver tells everyone to get off…he said it’s an interruption of service. That’s all. We all have to get off and he drives away leaving us stranded. Again we wait for another trolley or bus but the same is true as in Belem, they are full…maybe one or two people can squeeze in an already packed trolley, but not our big family and a stroller. After about 30 minutes we decide this is not working so we hailed the next taxi we saw and it took us back to the plaza close to our apartment.

Interesting.

We had transportation snafu in Mozambique in 2014, a little more dramatic, that I will post soon.

Additional photos from Belem, Portugal

The birthplace of my favorite pastry (and of many others!)…pastel de nata. This cafe opened in 1837 and is popular mainly from the fact that their recipe is a closely guarded secret – or because they crank out 20,000 a day so they are fresh! (according to Rick Steves)

Monument to the Discoveries, surrounded by scaffolding.

Lots of Lights

Because we were in Portugal during the Christmas season we saw many light decorations, in many different places.

Rua Augusta, the main street, had a circus tent theme with moving carousel horses on the light posts.

On another street were big colorful Christmas bows spanning across the street, lining several blocks. Another street had an umbrella theme.

There were Christmas trees and joyful angels and manger scenes.

But I couldn’t capture a photograph of my favorite display of lights. Early one morning as we headed out of town on a National Park tour, I noticed this boulevard several blocks long lined with trees that were draped in long strings of lights, like tinsel. It was a curious sight during the day and I wondered what it looked like at night. I was pleasantly surprised to see it lit up on our way back into town that evening. The effect was stunning. One of the most beautiful lights displays I’ve seen. Unfortunately I could not get a decent photo through the mini-van window. ;-(

Dining Out in Portugal

There are four restaurant experiences that stand out from our time in Portugal.

The first one was a small place on the same street as our apartment. There were several small restaurants along this street that was closed to traffic.

Our rented apartment was on this street, which was closed to traffic.

There is an unusual practice in Lisboa…a lot of restaurants have a person standing outside the restaurant trying to entice people to eat at their place. On our street there were several small restaurants in a row, all with outdoor seating, all with guys trying to lure us in.

We did eat at one of them…I don’t even remember the name but the friendliness of the staff made it an outstanding experience for me. They were all so patient and served us in anyway they could, all the while paying special attention to the children. They loved the kids. I thanked them for their kindness! I had Creamed Cod and it was delicious.

Isaias...a very small local restaurant. — Isaias…a very small local restaurant.

The second place, Isaias, was a stop on our all day tour to the National Park. It was an out of the way place our tour guide knew of and tourists do not. Locals love the place. It is not in Rick Steves book, although we love his tour books! Isaias is run by two older guys, grilling fresh fish outside on a grill built into the wall of this corner shop. Inside in the front room is the counter with the register and two tables, and a narrow room in the back has four small tables. We waited outside for 45 minutes as the tables freed up – they needed to put two tables together for our group. There were five of us that day so they put two tables together to make six place settings. Since there was room for one more a single customer was seated with us! I loved it! They only grill fresh fish and everyone enjoyed their meal. I had a giant Tiger Shrimp. Yum.

The built in grill with the owners grilling fresh fish. — The built-in grill with the owners grilling fresh fish.

A peek in the door to Isaias...very small. — A peek in the door to Isaias…very small.

The third place that stands out is a family-run restaurant we happened upon in Nazare, a fishing town on the Atlantic Ocean. Again, it was small with a few tables, but it was warm and friendly. We decided the grandfather was helping to clear the tables (there were about five tables) and the son was running the place by helping the one waitress – a daughter maybe? – and collecting the money. His wife and the grandmother were in the kitchen, about the size of mine at home, doing all the cooking. I loved the idea of everyone in the family chipping in. I had Grilled Cod.

The fourth place (not in preference order) was not so much the ambiance, although it was very nice (and recommended by Rick Steves), but what we sampled there made it a unique experience. My husband had read about a delicacy enjoyed by the Portuguese that was supposedly very tasty: Boiled Barnacles! They happened to be on the menu so we ordered a plate to taste them. I wasn’t going to try them (I’m not so adventurous in my eating) but since my daughter-in-love tasted one I had to too! They were OK…but I don’t ever need to try them again. My husband and son cleaned the plate!

Grandchildren, Family and Christmas 2016

Zoey, our 26 month old granddaughter, is adorable, adventurous and doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything…and she understands two languages!

Ezra, our nine month old grandson, is cute, happy and growing fast!

We arrived at the Lisbon airport on Christmas Eve day. We hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of our AirB&B apartment we had rented for the week. He dropped us off two blocks away since the apartment is on a street closed to traffic. He unloaded our luggage, gave us walking directions and drove away. We juggled our luggage, followed the directions, and found the apartment. The manager was there to give us the keys and instructions. We asked where we could buy groceries and we asked about a church where we might attend a Christmas Eve service. We didn’t make it to the church service…jet lag kept us away…it would have been a Catholic midnight mass – in Portuguese.

Our flat was on the third floor, the top floor, since they count the main level as zero. — Our flat was on the third floor, the top floor, since they count the ground level as zero.

We settled in and then went out to find the grocery store. We knew we had to buy for the next two days since the store would be closed on Christmas. We picked out things we could recognize… chicken breasts, rice, frozen carrots, bread, eggs and some cinnamon type toast to take the place of our traditional cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.

Our oldest son and his wife chose to stay in a hotel two blocks away from our apartment. After they settled in they came over and we waited for a call from our youngest son and his family. The call came and, of course, their taxi driver dropped them off at a different location a couple blocks away. They told us the name of the street so the four of us set out on a hunt to find them. They had to be within a two-block radius. Rua Augusta, was the street name they gave us and as we turned the corner – joy! – there they were standing their with their two young ones waiting to be found. It was a great reunion.

The next morning after not-so-good cinnamon toast, we read the Christmas story the children opened gifts and I brought a gift for everyone– warm and cozy slippers.

We sat down to a delicious meal. Our daughter-in-love took the few spices that were in the apartment kitchen and made a tasty chicken marinade with rice and carrots.

Later that evening, after dark, we walked to Rua Augusta (a pedestrian mall) and joined the throngs of people out on this pleasant Christmas evening. We walked to the plaza along the Rio Tejo where there was a tall, colorfully lit Christmas tree and vendors roasting chestnuts on an open fire (grill) which we tried and liked.

It was a very festive and wonderful European Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

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A street in Lisbon, looking towards the castle.

Portugal was not a country that I ever considered visiting but it was the only European city with a direct flight to and from Maputo, Mozambique where my son and his family live. So that is why we chose to meet in Lisboa (Lisbon) for our Christmas holiday. I’m so glad we did.

I’m not sure what the attraction was for me. My husband says it’s because we were with family, and of course that’s true, because whenever I’m with my family and grandchildren it’s the best time and place! But Portugal had a lot to offer and I have envisioned myself going back and spending a month or two there.

What made it so special? The people! They were so friendly. Also, we lived in an apartment while in Lisboa, and the bottom half of a house while we were on the coast in Nazare, which seems more authentic than staying in a hotel. I enjoyed the community plazas, parks and trees, the beautiful countryside, the water – the Rio Tejo (Tagus River) and Atlantic Ocean, the history, the quaint cobblestone streets. I liked the unique buildings of stucco or tile, with ironwork, trim painted different colors, all with clay colored roof tiles that made them interesting.

We had a wonderful time with lots of different activities…eating out, but also cooking at “home”. I loved the small mercado’s (markets) where we grocery shopped, and the reasonable prices. It was fun getting familiar with several words of a different language – and I am in awe of my grand-daughter who, at the age of 26 months, can understand both English and Portuguese. I loved the many Pastelarias (bakeries) and discovering a favorite pastry which is called Pastel de Nata…I might try to see if I can make it here at home.

The weather was unusually nice the locals told us. We had two days of rain out of 14 days and the temperature was in the 50’s (F). The natives were wondering where the rain was…we were thankful for the sunshine.

We visited many sites, with two young children who were troopers (as was their mom and dad getting them ready and carrying them many different times). We went to Castelo De S. Jorge (St. George Castle) built in the 11^th century. We walked up, up, up the hill from where we were staying in Lisboa to beautiful views from the castle…a National Monument “that occupies the old medieval citadel and consists of the castle, the ruins of the former royal palace as well has part of a residential neighborhood” (first settlements in 7-8^th century B.C.)”

One day we took a trolley to Belem, the port city where many years ago so many explorers left Portugal to discover new lands. We had a private tour to a national park along the Atlantic Ocean with beautiful vistas and beaches. We enjoyed walking the narrow old neighborhood streets and the big bustling city streets. We went in the oldest book store in the world (1732) and Cervejaria Trindade, the oldest and most beautiful beer house in Portugal (a convent turned into a beer factory).

We went to see the modern section of Lisboa too, to a park plaza along the Rio Tejo, and to Oceanario de Lisboa, an aquarium…how fun to see the wonder and amazement in the children’s eyes.

While staying north of Lisboa we took several day trips to near-by towns. One day we walked around Obidos (means walled town) with a 14th century wall encircling this town on a hill which is very quaint and picturesque. We visited several old churches dating as far back as the 11^th century…how did they build them so large and so straight and so tall back then?

Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria, Alcobaca, Portugal. Construction began in 1178.

Bertrand bookshop is the oldest operating bookshop, established in 1732.

Of course, being with family…both sons and their wives, and holding our nine-month-old grandson Ezra (who wasn’t so sure of us the first few days) and walking hand-in-hand with Zoey, our granddaughter, was the best.

To be continued…

European Holiday

A couple of years ago we celebrated Christmas in Mozambique, Africa. Our son was, and still is, living in city of Maputo. That year I was so excited to meet my first grandchild, little Miss Zoey. We had a great time and many, exciting adventures and the best part…our immediate family was all together even though we were far away from home.

Once again we are very excited and look forward to many, new adventures on our European holiday in Portugal. We will meet our second grandchild, Mr. Ezra Nghala, for the first time in Lisbon. And the best part….our immediate family will all be together again for Christmas, this time in Portugal.