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Portugal Adventure
  • KimErinAllanah
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  • KimErinAllanah

Portugal Adventure

6 months of travel starting in Portugal and ending who-knows-where... Read more
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    KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Italy - Day 4

    June 5, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    I am not sure if it is because we came from Morocco to Italy - but this country is beautiful, friendly and easy to get around. We fell in love on the first day.

    After a quick intro to Rome seeing a few of the tourist spots like the Pantheon, coliseum and Trevi fountain, we headed south to Salerno.

    Our first full day we caught a train to Paestum (40 mins south of Salerno) on the recommendation of our host. We passed the Roman ruins dating to 600BC and walked to the beach. Rows of umbrella’s and chairs where we played in the sun, swam and drank Lemon Granita’s.

    Our second full day we ventured to the ancient city of Pompeii. Paying our €20 for our mobile guide (well worth it) to listen to the history as we strolled through this huge city that was covered in ash from the 62AD eruption of Mt Vesuvius.

    Needless to say that I was knackered each day trekking home after an average of 16km walking ...

    We head back to Rome for a few more days to see the old town and maybe a catacomb visit - whatever takes our fancy before we meet Dinny in Florence as our tour guide. Looking forward to it.

    Cheers,

    Erin    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Italy Lesson #1 get your coffee right!

    June 4, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    For lovers of coffee looking for tips - in Italy there are a few things you need to get right.

    First of all - you need to know what you want. I asked for a cafe latte with half milk. I basically got a glass of warm milk - weak and gross. I asked for an espresso to add to it. They watched with a horrified look as I poured the espresso into my latte!

    Secondly - say it loudly! My first mistake was asking for a cafe macchiato meekly amongst the noise of the morning rush hour. I ended up with an Americano. I also received rolling eyes and I am sure some Italian swear words when I said I wanted the macchiato.

    Thirdly - skull and go. Yup, more eye rolling and Italian swearing (with a bit staring from others in the cafe) when you take your little coffee (and the bonus glass of water) to sit down.

    No fear - I have been able to order coffee properly after 3 days in Italy with the compulsory cornetti!

     I have made the mistakes for you so you can thank me later 😂 cheers, Erin    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Morocco reflections - ticked that list

    May 30, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    So we arrived home (in Portugal) after 10 (long) days in Morocco. It was an interesting trip to see how life outside of Australia operates.

    The Medina’s (markets) that have been around for 100’s of years haven’t changed - with open fruit/vege stalls, hand made goods (although these days they are mass produced imports - so sad) and butchers where they kill the chicken that you want - right in front of you 😫 with camel heads and hoofs to boot.

    Needless to say, that after 5 days in Morocco we all went vego.

    Disappointing to experience poor hospitality from locals in both Fes and Marakech just wanting to scam you for money at every turn😢.

    We did see some great things like Ouzod Falls and Chefchaouen - Blue City.

    For anyone wanting to visit Morocco - don’t stay in the Medina and book day trips before you arrive!

    Oh - and don’t brush your teeth with tap water - maybe a rookie error we learnt the hard way!    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler
    1

    Blue City Morocco

    May 28, 2018 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Looking for ways to get out of the Fes Medina, today we drove 4 hours north from Fes to Chefchaouen to see the ‘Blue City’. Yup, it’s blue. And there is a Medina and there are people selling the same things as in Marrakech and Fes.

    What we did find though is that overall Chefchaouen was more calm and peaceful compared to our other stops. We had a nice lunch with views to the towering mountains above the town.    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Morocco Lesson #3 haggle or bust

    May 27, 2018 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    So after 5 days in Morocco it is official that we suck at haggling. Allanah is probably better than Kim and I. Everyone it seems, is trying to take money from you - because you can travel they think you are rich! We we say from Australia, there are $$ because we are so far away!!!

    Yesterday, we were looking for a particular restaurant in Fes which has vegan and Moroccon. Like Portugal, when we say Allanah is vegetarian they say ‘ah, so you like fish and Chicken - or just a little bit of meat’. The problem was, we had to walk through the part of the Medina (which we had done earlier in the day with a guide - who also swindled us!) which is the butchers area - live and not so live (being killed and plucked as we walked by).

    A young guy (20’s, gel in his hair and leather jacket - that should have been a give away) said he will show us. Taking us the long way!!! Well, we finally found the restaurant - lost 20 dirham!!!    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Morocco Lesson #2 La,shockrun

    May 21, 2018 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    After a mint tea on arrival we walked through the Medina(market). Bustling and noisy with motor bikes and bicycles zipping through the narrow streets ( hence refer to Marrakech Lesson #1!). ‘La, shockrun’ means no, thank you.

    We were set upon by every stall seller and eventually gave in and bought some cooler pants.

    Later, a snake charmer draped Kim with a snake and tried for us to take a photo - Allanah and I ran away!    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Morocco Lesson #1

    May 21, 2018 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    TIP: Always stay on the right hand side, preferably right against the wall or edge.

    So we arrived today with a driver taking us to our Riad (hotel) Holy Moly - it is scary on the roads.

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Last Portuguese food wish ticked

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    When we come to Portugal there are a few things we always have but a couple we have been waiting for. The leitão near Coimbra was Erin's first. Another tick was the pork marinated in a pimentão sauce and roasted in the oven. We found a roadside diner the first time Erin came to Portugal where we tried this and have been unable to find anywhere else on later trips. So we looked for the same diner today and found it.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Beja castle

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    This morning we grabbed a coffee and the headed in to see Beja castle which has great views over the town and surrounding farm land

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Castello do Beja

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Arriving yesterday we had time to wander through the celebration of Romans. Beja, in central Alentejo was the birth place of Pax-Julia after the war to conquer the Iberian coast by Dom Dinis. This castle commenced construction in the 1100’s.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    An afternoon in Beja

    May 19, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    A bit of a drive to the East of the Alentejo region but Beja is a lovely little town with a good feel and a very long past. We stumbled into a celebration of the Roman occupation of the area when Beja was called Pax Julia (under Julius Caesar). Topped off the day with a plate of porco preto and a bottle of rosé at the restaurante Adega Tipica 25 de Abril.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Hidden Gem

    May 17, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We headed east from Porto this morning on our way to the Alentejo. This little town, wedged in the mountain had a beautiful town park and garden. Oh - it is here we had second breakfast too!

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler
    Main square with beautiful azulazues
    Waiting for the tram in Villa nova ds GaiaSandes de pernil from Casa Guedes - OMG just as good as we remembered 😍Clerigos - at nightJustice House at sunset

    Porto Pics

    May 16, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After a rest from travelling and an earlier walk, we headed back into Porto for some Vegan (yay for veges) and a stroll through the town. Porto has grown since the last time we were here (5yrs ago) but some of our old haunts (foodie related) are still there and are just as good!Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Alcobaça Monestary is a must

    May 16, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    In 1153, King Henrique gifted 44 hectares to the Monks and construction began in 1178-the monks moved in 1223. Built over a river - you can see the river flowing through the kitchen where they caught fish and cleaned the huge chopping tables! The king and his lost love Ines are buried here.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Portuguese Lesson #4

    May 11, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Duck! Living as a local in an old Portuguese house may sound quaint but these places were built for (very) short people. I have to duck everywhere I go in this house.

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler
    1

    Sardinhas. YES!

    May 10, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    After smelling sardinhas for the past week we finally found a place to try them. Restinguinhas is a restaurant on the outskirts of Setùbal with lots of workers stopping there for lunch. Always a good sign for quality and value for money. The sardines were excellent. Easy to eat which means they were fresh and well cooked.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Portuguese Lesson #3

    May 5, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    You will learn more swear words on a Saturday night watching a soccer game than in the school yard.

    A quiet Liquor Beirão after a lovely Robalo grelhado (charcoal grilled sea bass) watching the final minutes of todays hotly contested soccer game in a very interesting bar ...Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Portuguese Lesson #2

    May 5, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Smoking is everywhere! Hopped into the local 25m pool and punched out a slow 1.5km. The piscina is located at the top of Nazaré with a beautiful outlook - beats MSAC!

    There were half a dozen kids in the pool and a lifeguard watching. Halfway through I looked up and saw him smoking out the front with the receptionist !

    The no smoking sign was an after thought I think ...    Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    Procissão religiosa

    May 5, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Most saturdays in Nazaré around 3pm the religious procession starts downtown and winds up through the streets of Nazaré. Haunting drum beats by the scouts and women/girls in traditional Nararé dress - 12 skirts - A Nazarena.Read more

  • KimErinAllanahPortugal AdventureTraveler

    No place like home - A Tasquinha, Nazaré

    May 4, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    12 months go by and the memories of the food don’t disappoint. A Cataplana (silver dish) is like a seafood stew - there is no limit to the type of seafood - it is just freshly caught! And for Kim and I - the amazing Carne de Porco a Alentejana (pork and clams with potatoes) which I have antihistamines before I eat it so I don’t die 🤪Read more

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