Portuguese Voyage - Stop 3: Lisboa (Days 7 - 11) - Slowly Falling In Love with Lisbon......(Last 2 favorite things - END)

Yes... final post of Lisboa! :D

Just like how the Portuguese brought back 'souvenirs' from the countries they colonised, there is one thing I want to take back with me: Mercado da Ribeira!

The market is located opposite the Cais do Sodré train station, at the bottom of the hill of Chiado and Bairro Alto. Mercado da Ribeira is Lisboa's largest covered market. Since 1892, it was a trading ground for fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and flowers. Now, it has been divided into 2 sections. One still reserved for its trading activities from 1892, the other, has been transformed into a food hall by Time Out. 

It is absolutely fantastic! It's like a community that sells local Portuguese and international food, desserts, snacks, Portuguese wines, chocolates, and many others - a foodies' hang out!.

Some may say it is a food court, but, this is way better: first of all it is not in a mall, and most importantly, the people selling the food are passionate about the food they sell. They are not just selling it for the sake of selling. They give importance to the ingredients, the method of cooking, amongst other things.

What I love about it: just like international sports, it is a platform for all nationalities (both locals and foreigners) to share their love of food, sipping a glass of wine (or others) and listening to some good music together - no prejudice, racism, nothing! Everyone just sharing their passion for food. I mean, I even taught a French family how to use chopsticks. A brilliant concept: food bringing people together!

Petiscos (Portuguese tapas)

Some locals may argue it is not authentic Portuguese, but, I have not seen anything like this anywhere else and it is a Portuguese 'souvenir' I would be so grateful for! Lol
Mr. Benjamin Yong - a business idea to consider? :D

Definitely plan at least one dinner here whilst in Lisboa :)

Portuguese Voyage - Stop 1: Porto (Day 2) - Being Artsy and a KL-loving Portuguese!

I love art museums. I try to go to at least one in any city. I used to be crazy and made sure I went to ALL art museums in the city I was at - then I used to get sooo stressed out if I was running out of time! Then I thought: "FTS, I can always revisit the city!" (especially if I love the city!)

I went to the Museu Serralves - it is a contemporary art museum located in a very elegant neighbourhood (near Lordelo do Ouro). The area is so different from historical Porto. Seems like the rich people live there...lol. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures, but I found this image online to give you an idea.

The neighbourhood around Serralves (reminded me of some parts in Vancouver)

Before heading to the Museum, I took the metro from Sao Bento station to Casa da Música, Porto's concert hall. You can take a tour of it, but I opted not to. I spent some time there, then took a bus 502 to Museu Serralves.

(You can get a day card to use any transport within the Porto urban area - it is ~5 Euros. There are a few options you can choose from and can be bought at the metro station)

As stated earlier, Serralves is a contemporary art museum - and with contemporary art, it is an acquired taste.. lol. I like it because it makes me imagine what the artist is trying to convey, but sometimes, I just can't figure it out, "What is the artist trying to tell me!" Some of the pieces are just BIZARRE!

When I told my Airbnb host of my plan to go to the Serralves, she said, "Wow, it is very nice. The garden is beautiful!" I did enjoy the garden. It had some funky sculptures, like a huge spade, and beautiful floral surroundings (like roses and more).

I find most Westerners love gardens compared to those from the tropics - well, I guess there is not much of it throughout the year, and when spring/ summer finally arrives, they take full advantage of the sun, gardens, flowers, beach, etc. Well, it's human nature I guess, we appreciate things when they are scarce and take for granted things we have in abundance - sad isn't it.  

After a few hours at the museum, I walked down the elegant neighbourhood towards the Foz do Duoro. It is about a 20-30 minute walk. I love these long walks because I get to fully absorb the surroundings, the city and walk through the little charming rows of shops - quintessentially European! 

It was FREEZING at the Foz near the lighthouse (and the castle nearby). I was looking at the vast Atlantic Ocean but the winds were not welcoming. The winds were gushing! It was sooooo cold I did not take any pictures (I think my fingers were frozen! lol)

After a VERY short while, I decided to head to the row of shops behind to keep me warm!
I went to a quaint little boutique selling clothes and fashion accessories. When I saw the clothes, I decided to buy something to keep me warm! (The first time I bought something impulsively because of the weather!) - a thin silk cashmere body-hugging dress. Although it is a bit thin, it keeps me warm. It can also double up as a top and worn with leggings or a skirt (just like I do to the office sometimes - yes the temperature in my office is like in Alaska!).
The owner of the boutique is an older Portuguese lady who is friendly and helpful. She asked me where I am from. When I replied Malaysia, she said Malacca! lol (They know us Malaysians cause of history!) Then I explained to her that Malacca is in Malaysia, but I am from Kuala Lumpur. 

"Kuala Lumpur!! That's my son's favourite city!!" she exclaimed... SCOREEEE - KL 1 (made me so proud! :D)

She told me her son is a pilot for Tap Portugal and he always tells her his favourite city is KL and she wants to visit... She also showed me a picture of his son and wife - such a good-looking couple!

She recommend to have dinner at Matosinhos - known for the seafood restaurants. She offered to call a cab, but I declined politely and told her I will take the bus. (Tão amigável!)

At Matosinhos, I walked into a random restaurant facing the ocean. I had the fresh grilled salmon. When the fish is fresh, it would taste good regardless of the preparation! 

(I am so sorry, but somehow, I did not take any pictures this time.... sorrrrryyyyyy!!!)

What I learnt:

1) Most people are nice.... (Always see the positive in people than suspecting the negative)

2) The Portuguese know Malaysia (or Malacca) - the boutique owner is not the only one, there were other people I met who ALL knew of my beautiful land!

3) Something to add on about Portugeuse dining: the food is SALTY!! (This was not the only restaurant, in fact, almost everything I ordered was salty! Makes me wonder: do they have high blood pressure? :S)

I know I said I am not a fan of long blogs/ articles... but...... :SSSSSS  Anyways... see ya later!!