Portuguese Voyage - Day Trips: Cascais and Évora - Day trips from Lisboa

Just a 30-min train ride away from the Lisboa's Cais do Sodré railway station is the pretty coastal town of Cascais - former fishing village and the birthplace of Belcanto's José Avillez :D

View from the train

Cascais

If the weather is right, you can tan on the beach or take a dip in the inviting waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Quaint alleys

Looking for a place to have a delicious, healthy treat? Head to Cafe Galeria House of Wonders. When I heard of this restaurant that serves raw, organic, vegan food, I HAD to go there. It screams my name! (I am no vegan, but I am into all these raw, organic kind of food).

*Raw food diet: uncooked, unprocessed or foods cooked using very low temperature (<118 degree Celsius) to preserve the natural enzymes in the food, ensuring they are closest to their natural form. The foods used are usually organic.*

The selection of the raw foods of the day- usually changes daily

The person who makes the raw food is an ex-model - awesome right!

Instead of the raw food option, you can opt for the salad buffet instead, which comes with some special bread. :)

View from the roof of the cafe

You can spend some time basking in the sun, after lunch, sipping meia de leite, whilst enjoying the view :)

Desfrute de Cascais!

Évora - the capital of Portugal's south central region of Alentejo whose roots go back to the Roman times. (And more vinho! :D)

Templo Romano de Diana (Temple of Diana) with a traditional Pousada on the right 

Templo Romano de Diana (Temple of Diana)

Another distinct quality of Évora is the whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies dating back to the 16th-18th century.

Historical city of Évora

View from Jardim Diana (Diana Garden)

View from the Sé de Évora (Cathedral of Évora)

Traditional alleys

Another unique monument in Évora is the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones), which I unfortunately, or fortunately, didn't go to. Apparently the interior walls are covered with human skulls and bones. *Eek!*

From Lisboa, you will need to take a bus from the Sete Rios Bus Station to reach Évora. The Sete Rios Bus Station is located on the north side of Lisboa and you must take a metro from the city centre to the bus station. The bus ride to Évora is approximately 2 hours, but it is a pleasant journey. It is your chance to go on the 25 de Abril Bridge and see the Cristo Rei and the famous Aqueduto das Águas Livres up close.

View from the bus

*Note: In Portugal, you will notice there are many products made from sobreiro (cork) sold as souvenirs (a variety of things including shoes). This is because Alentejo is the world's most important area for growing cork. The cork-oak has been grown commercially for the past 300 years!*

That's a wrap! See you in magical Sintra!

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 3: Lisboa (Days 7 - 11) - Slowly Falling In Love with Lisbon......(Almost ending)

Belém. Due to its location - at the mouth of the Rio Tejo (River Tagus),  it was a site for the Portuguese explorers to set sail - Vasco Da Gama set sail from the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).

There are a few significant landmarks located in Belém that warrant a visit!

Torre de Belém (Belém Tower)

You can take a city bus to Belém, which is only a 15-minute bus ride away.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries)
In commemoration of the 500th death anniversary of Henry the Navigator

The Portuguese are very proud of their discoveries and zest for exploration that there is a museum, Maritime Museum in Belém, dedicated to all aspects of their discoveries and naval achievement! It is an interesting museum and one of the most important in Europe. Why so? The moment Vasco Da Gama steered around the Cape of Good Hope, completing Bartolomeu Dias' voyage, and docked in Calicut, India - from then on, it was the most GLORIOUS period in the Portuguese history. They monopolised the spice trade, which evoked the jealousy in other European nations. After a century, the Dutch, British, French and Danish finally broke the Portuguese monopoly and colonialism.

*Way back then, Asia, to the Europeans, were synonymous with luxury, exquisite, precious - just like France in the 18th century - unbelievable right?*

The taxes earned from the monopoly of the spices funded the construction of the enchanting Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery). It is one of the most important examples of the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture. The monastery was built to support pilgrims who travelled the region and served as a church for seafaring individuals who embarked during the Age of Discovery.

Captivating isn't it? The details and intricacy of the carvings are fascinating. As you can see, I didn't take many pictures as I was just so mesmerised!

As mentioned in my previous post, the Manueline-style architecture incorporates elements of discoveries brought from the voyages of Vasco Da Gama and others. I wonder, could it have come from the carvings of the Indian temples?

Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India

Just a thought......

*Both the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower were classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1983.*

There are not only landmarks to see in Belém, the best Pastel de nata (Portuguese egg tarts) are found here as well - at Pasteis de Belém.

The tart is not too sweet, not too egg-y and the pastry - flaky and puff-pastry like! They also serve it piping hot, fresh out of the oven...Divino!
If you have time, do explore the cafe - the story of the making of the Pastel de nata is depicted on the walls of the cafe and you can also see how they make the Pastel de nata.

You cannot leave Portugal without having at least one egg tart!

Other things to see in Belém: Praça Afonso de Albuquerque (Afonso de Albuquerque Square)
He captured Malacca in 1511

After exploring Belém, you can walk along the river bank from the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) to the Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge) - a scenic 30-min walk.

The bridge and Cristo Rei in view

Once you reach the bridge, you can walk another 1.5km to LxFactory. It is a former factory area which has been converted to an area with many independent retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and a club - a really cool concept!

The LxFactory is located in the Alcântara area of Lisboa. To head back to the city centre, you will need to take a bus.

Now, why is the bridge called the 25th of April? Let's take a look at a very summarised timeline below:

Please bear in mind this is extremely summarised and more focused on Lisboa :S.

Back to the bridge - there was a revolution on 25th April 1974 that led to Portugal's independence. Hence the name of the bridge - to commemorate the Carnation Revolution. Although it is often likened to the Golden Gate Bridge, it was built by the American Bridge Company, which constructed the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, not the Golden Gate Bridge!

I was surprised when I found out that Portugal was under a dictatorship for approximately 40 years. Like most dictatorships, they retard the growth of a country. However, in my opinion, it could have been a reason why Portugal is quite progressive and modern now - the independence from the dictatorship probably jumpstarted their growth to the latest infrastructure, technologies, etc.

Ok, I thought this would be my last post on Lisboa, but it is already wayyyy too long! One more post - that's it! I promise! Just 2 more things to highlight... :D

Boa noite!

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!!