Portugal with Road Scholar, 6/12-20/16

We visited Portugal for reasons different from why most people visit distant places. We had never been to Portugal and knew little about it. After we had made our travel arrangements only then did we start reading about sailing ships, the ages of discovery and colonization, and Portugal’s relationship to England and Spain. We consulted geographic treatises, travel books, and Bob made the mistake of reading Fernando Pessoa’s “novel” The Book of Disquiet written in five poorly identified fictional voices.

Travel writers had told us that Portugal was the poorest member of the E.U. (European Union). Our experience did not support this. We saw little or no poverty; houses, towns and infrastructure were well maintained, we shopped in well-stocked stores, and we could drink the tap water. The Portuguese are leaders in several types of agriculture, including two that warmed the hearts of Davis people, viticulture and enology. We visited castles and ancient churches, walked through vineyards and drank wine several times a day. Portugal is known for its port wine (note the semantic connect between port and Portugal). Our favorite wine was the younger and lighter Vino Verde. Pastries were excellent.

Our guide Helena, provided by Road Scholar, was terrific. Extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and well connected; she arranged talks with her friends who invited 22 people into their homes and served them wines and cakes, and in one case, an entire dinner. She was able to answer our questions and suggest other places to visit during our free time. The group was very friendly; the majority were teachers — that provided common interests for us. The European soccer championship games took place during our visit and we watched several games on TV.

Many of the drawings that follow were done quickly so as not to hold up the group (you will be able to tell). Everyone else used cameras — much faster than our drawing pens and water colors.

International Terminal, LAX, escalator to 2nd level
International Terminal, LAX, escalator to 2nd level
Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon
Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon

castleLampostcastelo

Lisbon skyline viewed from castle
Lisbon view from castelo hilltop
Casa de Laeo, restaurant at the castelo
Casa de Laeo, restaurant at the castelo
25th of April bridge, brought to you in the 1960's from the same folks who did the Golden Gate.
25th of April Bridge, brought to you in the 1960’s from the same folks who did the Golden Gate.
Rm. 538, Hotel Mundial, Lisbon
Rm. 538, Hotel Mundial, Lisbon
View from our room
View from our room
Lunch at the Caffe de Villa, Sintra
Lunch at the Caffe de Villa, Sintra
Sintra street lamp
Sintra street lamp
Cago da Roca - westernmost point in continental Europe
Cabo da Roca – westernmost point in continental Europe
Musicians accompanying Fado singer. Casa de Linhares, Lisbon
Musicians accompanying Fado singer. Casa de Linhares, Lisbon

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Chandelier and wall art at the Casa de Linhares
Chandelier and wall art at the Casa de Linhares
1960 monument commemmorating death of Henry the Navigator, Belem
1960 monument commemmorating death of Henry the Navigator, Belem
Museu de Marinha, Belem
Museu de Marinha, Belem
Elevador de Santo Justa 1848 (National monument 2002)
Elevador de Santo Justa 1848 (National monument 2002)
Off of Rua Augusta, Lisbon
Off of Rua Augusta, Lisbon
Statues in the Praca Do Comercio, Lisbon
Statues in the Praca Do Comercio, Lisbon

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Obidos, Portugal
Obidos, Portugal

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Meat cooking outdoors, had delicious grilled shrimp, Obidos
Meat cooking outdoors, had delicious grilled shrimp, Obidos
Figueira da Foz, view from hotel room
Figueira da Foz, view from hotel room
Church of S. Bartolomeu, Coimbra
Church of S. Bartolomeu, Coimbra
Rooster detail on the steeple
Rooster detail on the steeple
Lighthouse, Figueira da Foz
Lighthouse, Figueira da Foz
Some people visited a school, but we opted out for ice cream.
Some people visited a school, but we opted out for ice cream.
Breakfast buffet at the Hotel Mercure, Figueira da Foz
Breakfast buffet at the Hotel Mercure, Figueira da Foz
Worker in the Salt Ponds, Nucleo Museologicco do Sal
Worker in the Salt Ponds, Nucleo Museologicco do Sal
Our bus, driven by the very cordial and helpful Sergio
Our bus, driven by the very cordial and helpful Sergio
Bridge across the Rio Douro
Bridge across the Rio Douro
Rose wine at the Quinta da Aveleda
Rose wine at the Quinta da Aveleda
Amarante -- bicycle race participants getting massages
Amarante — bicycle race participants getting massages
Bicycle parking rack, ocian park, Porto
Bicycle parking rack, ocean park, Porto
Church of San Francisco, Porto
Church of San Francisco, Porto
Refreshment kiosk, Porto
Refreshment kiosk, Porto
Gull on trolley line, Porto, Ribiero district
Gull on trolley line, Porto, Ribiero district
Apartment house, Porto, Batalha district
Apartment house, Porto, Batalha district

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Bob sketches vegies
Bob sketches veggies

chuchu

ferdao

tomate

Adeus, Portugal
Bob & Barbara

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