Summer Travel 2

Bay of Cascais, Portugal













15 years ago, I visited Portugal and took the opportunity to meet Sandra, Ika's pen-friend who lived in Evora quite near the border to Spain. They're still keeping in touch until now but have no opportunity to meet yet. I still remember driving in Lisbon. It was a nightmare, not knowing the language. I have forgotten actually the places we went but was glad that the tour took us there. Leaving Toledo to Badajoz, we stayed overnight in Badajoz. Early the next morning, we crossed the border to Lisbon, There was no border check, so the drive was smooth.



Before going to Lisbon, we detoured to Fatima. Since there were many roman Catholics in our group, this detour was meaningful to them. They believe this is where the three children saw an apparition of a saint, so a chapel was built and the area grew, making it world famous for congregation of Roman Catholics. My friend Fatimah bought a bag inscribed 'Fatima' all over. It wasn't a place of interest for us and we spent our time looking around the shops which sell all kinds of Christian prayer items. It was quite a boring time looking around, for us non- Christians.



We left Fatima for Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, an exciting visit. The Atlantic ocean was open and bluish in colour and in a good day a fuzzy view of America can be seen. The winding uphill road ended at the lighthouse. The wind was so strong that could push you away but the view was spectacular.











At the very windy Carbo da Roca, Portugal.









On the way back we were taken through
the Estoril coastline via Cascais Bay and saw some beautiful scenery that took our breath away. A hot summer day, there were a lot of sun worshippers at the beach. Later the tour bus took us to Lisbon.
















A quaint hotel by the Bay of Cascais.















View of Cascais Bay, Portugal.








Tired, Ces and I decided to stay in and go to bed after dinner. Some young members went out to see the shops and the city near the hotel.







Jeronimos Monastry, Lisbon, a UNESCO World Heritage.










Another long hot day, we went to Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage where Vasco da Gama was buried. This was where we were introduced to the tasty Portuguese tarts. On the way, we saw the 25th April Bridge (formerly named Salazar bridge after the Portuguese dictator) which looked like the San Francisco red bridge.



We stopped at Balem Tower,















and the monument of Navigator at Tagus River and later tasted a delicious Portuguese seafood for lunch. It was heavenly!














After sumptuousPortuguese lunch, with huge Portuguese flag at the background..















Portuguese children waiting to visit Balem Tower, Lisbon.








In the evening, some members went for shopping in the city but Ces and I opted to sleep early to prepare for another long journey to Serville. By the end of this Portugal and Spain tour, though beautiful, I had enough of cathedrals and churches to last me for a long time to come. Inspite of that I still had opportunity to do my prayer at the hotels where we stayed.