Lisboa - Oriente Train Station

With inspiration from 2001: A Space Odyssey,  and a four hour wait to match, we took turns exploring the Oriente train station in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal.

Sintra - Palace of Pena

The royal Palace of Pena was originally a monestary. In the 19th century, Prince Ferdinand, cousin of mad King Ludwig of Bavaria, built his own fantasy castle around the existing structure. It incorperates moorish minarets, gothic towers, renaissance domes, and Manueline carvings. It felt like a make believe structure which is kinda what it is but still a home fit for a king. The royal family was overthrown in 1910 and the republic took it over.

Sintra - National Palace of Sintra

The National Palace of Sintra was originally built by the Moors in the 11th century. After King Henriques defeated them, his decendant King Dinis  extended and improved it starting in 1281. New additions were made over time. It was used up until the monarchy was overthrown in 1910 and a republic established.

Braga Restaurante and Grill

The Braga Restaurante and Grill is frequented often by a friend's mother and step-dad. They took us there for dinner and what a dinner it was! The appetizers were baguette style bread, fried potato skins with tartar like sauce, a soft cheese with a pimento rind, and olives. For a main we had a shellfish extravaganza with crab shell stuffed with seafood pate, crab legs and clams cooked in white wine, olive oil, butter, garlic and the best tasting cilantro we have ever tried although it was all good. For a second main we had prawns cooked with the cilanto again, olive oil and we think it was red peppers. That we had on rice and it was extraordinarily good. For dessert we had rice pudding (blah, my wife had this) and almond cake.

Sintra - Moorish Castle

The Moorish castle was built around the 10th century by the Muslims that used it as a control tower when they occupied the area. It was an excellent way to observe the boats travelling down the Iberian coastline. Due to a betrayer showing enemy forces to a secret escape door, it was taken in 1147 by King Afonso. It was renovated in the 1800s and again in modern times. The last picture shows the castle from the Sintra National Palace.

Sintra - Cafe Saudade

This morning we were quite hungry and asked the lady at the inn where she would recommend. It was at a cute cafe called Saudade. I had the Urban breakfast and my wife had the traditional breakfast. They both came with delicious yogurt and fresh blueberries and mango and fresh squeezed orange juice. Mine had the xl scone and apple cinnamon tea and my wife had the coffee and homemade bread with butter and a pasteis de nada. Delicious and a great way to start the day. They also have a B&B.

Sintra - Day 1

My wife and I arrived in Portugal and took a taxi to Sintra. We checked into our inn, Monte de Lua.

We then took some time to walk off the jetlag and took a little break at the Legendary Cafe.

We had pasteis de nada, another unknown pastry, a bika (expresso) and a hot chocolate. All was delicious.

Then we headed off to the mother of a friend of ours and had a long afternoon meal. The have a nice green view.

Then it was a bus ride back with us both falling asleep. Castles tomorrow!