MACKS MEANDER

Oh my gosh tourists are everywhere. It's like the Mount in the Summer only worse. And of course we're on the tourist trail so adding to the crowds. The tourist season is almost over as in October the sunny weather swaps to chilly. Today we explored Lisbon and the area surrounding. I do love the colourful and decorative homes and buildings. Portugal is known for its tiles especially the blue and white and the cobbled streets are amazing too. So much work involved in laying them all by hand. Producing ceramic tiles since the 15th century. Another castle today but this one not as opulent and the first time we've seen an original kitchen. We drove up into the hills to a lovely quaint wee village called Sintra to see this castle. Lots of magnificent historic mansions here. It was a place the nobles had their holidays. Then headed to the coast to Cascai aka the Portugese Riviera! Nice beach, shops and restaurants and walls of an old castle which would have been protecting the town. so an opportunity for lunch and a coastal walk. Drove back to the city following the Atlantic coastline stopped at a couple of notable monuments. Finished the day with a walk down the main street with the guide pointing out monuments and buildings with historical interest. In 1745 Lisbon was almost completely wiped out by an earthquake and tsunami. When you travel in Europe you sure realise how "young' nz is. Have I mentioned as well as the guide traveling with us each place we stop at we have an english speaking local guide who shows us around and tells us all the history and interesting information. Sometimes it's information overload. 😵‍💫 I haven't told you about Sardines. They are very popular here. We haven't eaten yet but have had lots of encouragement to try and shops selling just sardines and anything representing them. Cooking books aprons t towells and sardines every which way. Ist photo is a gorgeous sardines shop. The big white chimneys in the last 2 pics are over the kitchen sorry its out of order. Had to get from Rog.Leia mais