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Portugal Adventure

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

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Day 35
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 8:13 AM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Italy Casa di Stallius Eros 40.750553, 14.48953340°45’2” N 14°29’22” E
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,

ErinRead more
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Day 34
Monday, June 4, 2018 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Italy Piazza Sedile di Porta Nova 40.677738, 14.76185540°40’40” N 14°45’43” E
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, ErinRead more
TravelerNo complimentary glass of water in Florence. And you can sit if not in a tourist hot spot
6/5/18Reply
TravelerGood to know!
6/5/18Reply
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Day 29
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
🌙 15 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Portugal Praia da Califórnia 38.442053, -9.09568938°26’31” N 9°5’44” W
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
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Day 27
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 12:04 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 619 m
Morocco Uta el-Hammam Plaza 35.169498, -5.26519235°10’10” N 5°15’55” W
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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
Traveler It's blue
5/28/18Reply
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Day 26
Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 8:10 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 360 m
Morocco Oued Boufakrane 34.058012, -4.97706434°3’29” N 4°58’37” W
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
TravelerGotta have your wits about you!
5/27/18Reply
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Day 20
Monday, May 21, 2018 at 6:52 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 467 m
Morocco Marrakesh 31.63096, -7.98931131°37’51” N 7°59’22” W
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
TravelerMarrakesh stall holders are vultures. The ones in Rabat don't pester you at all (or they didn't). I steered well clear of the snake charmers!
5/21/18Reply
TravelerPalais Bahia worth a visit
5/21/18Reply
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Day 20
Monday, May 21, 2018 at 4:08 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 466 m
Morocco Marrakesh 31.630871, -7.98926931°37’51” N 7°59’21” W
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.
TravelerAvoid the donkeys
5/21/18Reply
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Day 19
Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 1:02 PM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 80 m
Portugal Foros de Albergaria 38.28688, -8.5369538°17’13” N 8°32’13” W
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
TravelerWell done. Hope you wrote down the address, took a photo of the outside, etc
5/20/18Reply
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Day 19
Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 10:22 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 285 m
Portugal Castelo de Beja 38.01709, -7.8654938°1’2” N 7°51’56” W
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
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Day 19
Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 8:18 AM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 296 m
Portugal Beja, Rua dos Infantes 14 38.014878, -7.86429538°0’54” N 7°51’51” W
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
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Day 18
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:22 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Portugal Beja, Rua dos Infantes 14 38.015, -7.86538°0’54” N 7°51’54” W
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
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Day 16
Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 11:18 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 264 m
Portugal Sever do Vouga 40.734283, -8.36958340°44’3” N 8°22’10” W
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!
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Day 15
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 9:33 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 72 m
Portugal Palacio das Cardosas 41.146, -8.61126341°8’46” N 8°36’41” W
Portuguese Leason #7 strike anytime
May 16, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Today We were reminded that the Portuguese can strike anytime. It’s quite common to catch a train or tram and then - pfft there are no drivers as there is a strike.

Be thankful in Australia for advanced warnings people - first world problemRead more
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Day 15
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 8:00 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 102 m
Portugal Largo dos Aviadores 41.12643, -8.60561341°7’35” N 8°36’20” W
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
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Day 15
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 97 m
Portugal Largo dos Aviadores 41.126353, -8.60539441°7’35” N 8°36’19” W
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
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Day 14
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 11:19 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Portugal Jardim do Rossio 40.642881, -8.65726940°38’34” N 8°39’26” W
Aced it in Aveiro
May 15, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
Beautiful vegan for Allanah. Kim and I had an amazing meal in the old town. This is somewhere we will be back!
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Day 14
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 10:10 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Portugal Fonte da Libateira 38.569733, -9.0999238°34’11” N 9°5’60” W
Portuguese Lesson #7 Sardines on bus
May 15, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We 3 must seem like Amazons! On the hour bus ride from Sesimbra to Lisbon - we squeeze into the seats. We are jammed like sardines as these seats are made for very short people!
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Day 11
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Portugal Largo Euzébio Leão 38.442172, -9.09730338°26’32” N 9°5’50” W
Portuguese Lesson #6 dont get an EBW
May 12, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Don’t get an eyebrow wax where you are not fluent in the language!

Oh well, I have six months to grow them out before I get home.
They look good. maybe a bit swollen
5/14/18Reply
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Day 11
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Portugal Praia do Ouro 38.443438, -9.10980838°26’36” N 9°6’35” W
Portuguese Lesson #5 try not to drown
May 12, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Whilst walking today we came across the Sesimbra lifeguards practising for the summer. Let’s just say that is was no Bondi Rescue! I almost jumped in to teach them how to swim properly!
haha
5/14/18Reply
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Day 10
Friday, May 11, 2018 at 8:52 AM
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Portugal Largo Euzébio Leão 38.44318, -9.0979738°26’35” N 9°5’53” W
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.
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Day 9
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 12:55 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Portugal Saúde Beach 38.51667, -8.9066738°31’0” N 8°54’24” W
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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
Traveler Yumsville
5/10/18Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 10:39 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Portugal Praia Nova 39.600208, -9.07339°36’1” N 9°4’23” W
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
TravelerNice (tv) set
5/15/18Reply
TravelerWow... wouldn't see that in Aus!
5/17/18Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 5:18 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 105 m
Portugal Nazaré 39.608917, -9.06162239°36’32” N 9°3’42” W
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
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Day 4
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 3:22 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Portugal Praia Nova 39.598683, -9.07261739°35’55” N 9°4’21” W
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
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Day 3
Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10:00 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Portugal Praia Nova 39.601089, -9.07243339°36’4” N 9°4’21” W
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
TravelerYum
5/14/18Reply
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