Sintra to Lisbon
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| Sintra Castello |
Our drive from Nazare to Lisbon was supposed to be through Sintra as it is a WHS town. As old as the hills it stands on it is old. We rode out to a private garden that is called Montserrat however it was like the Butchart gardens. The Castelo there was beautiful and old, just like Convento do Cristo designed by Manueline.
From there we selected the waypoint of our Ibis hotel in Lisbon only to have the GPS come back Route construction error. What the ?? Turns out when downloading the map sets for this area there was a small part of Lisbon that wasn’t selected so we pulled out the netbook and downloaded the proper map set. Later when I checked the route set I found and caught that I failed to select the maps for Seville. Oh well, now I know.
On arrival at our hotel we were deluged with Goldwings, mostly from Morocco since they arrived first. One of the organizers came up and offered us his card and any help he could provide in Casablanca where he lives and found out we are headed.
The Ibis hotels offer a reasonable value, not as good as the Holiday Inn Express versions but they are good. This one, the Alfragide is conveniently located and fairly reasonable in price.
On arrival at our hotel we were deluged with Goldwings, mostly from Morocco since they arrived first. One of the organizers came up and offered us his card and any help he could provide in Casablanca where he lives and found out we are headed.
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| The Find Waldro (VStrom) version of the game |
The Ibis hotels offer a reasonable value, not as good as the Holiday Inn Express versions but they are good. This one, the Alfragide is conveniently located and fairly reasonable in price.
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| Monastery to Vasco de Gama |
The night before in Nazare we watched our downloaded version of the Rick Steve’s guide to Lisbon so we were ready after a quick shower to go down to Belem.
Belem was where Vasco de Gama sailed from to discover the trade route to India for Portugal. Sandra did such great research on this area we accomplished so much in just a couple of hours. At the end, we sat on an outdoor patio, by the water and had pasta/wine/beer and finally gelatos. Hey, we’re on holidays remember!!
The next day we set out to go to the town centre and catch tram 28 which is a tourist tram that passes by the Castelo d’ Jorge. Well after I almost missed a turn on the autobahn I looked to cut in to an exit only to have the Policia forbid me. BUT BUT my GPS says I have to go this way. Forbidden to turn I have to have the GPS find an alternate route and it does, down a 30 degree slope that the tram comes up. You won’t believe it and I wish I had the helmet cam on. Down these ultra steep streets crossing tram tracks and cobble stones it was some of my finest slow riding I’ve ever done.
Then I turn into the plaza only to be denied again by Policia. Around I go to find a place to park only to be denied again by Policia. Finally I get a place, right beside one of their bikes and park. I made sure the rider would have to pull out to mount the bike after. I did utter some expletives that they don’t understand. We hope………..
We decided since we rode the tram line and were warned of pickpockets on the tram that we’d just walk up to the Castelo. And during the tour we enjoyed the 360 degree Leonardo D’ Vinci periscope designed by him. Man that guy was super bright!
Later we went to Decatholon a super sized sporting goods store that has great stuff at super reasonable prices. Weather again was hot, in the neighbourhood of 28-29C and sunny. We have sure been lucky. Riding most days in ‘air’ mode with our jackets which we had hoped for at some point, but May. Wow!
Belem was where Vasco de Gama sailed from to discover the trade route to India for Portugal. Sandra did such great research on this area we accomplished so much in just a couple of hours. At the end, we sat on an outdoor patio, by the water and had pasta/wine/beer and finally gelatos. Hey, we’re on holidays remember!!
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| Tomb of Vasco de Gama |
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| Prince Henry the Navigator and all the support people |
Then I turn into the plaza only to be denied again by Policia. Around I go to find a place to park only to be denied again by Policia. Finally I get a place, right beside one of their bikes and park. I made sure the rider would have to pull out to mount the bike after. I did utter some expletives that they don’t understand. We hope………..
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| Castelo d Jorge |
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| The Beautiful streets of Lisbon |
Later we went to Decatholon a super sized sporting goods store that has great stuff at super reasonable prices. Weather again was hot, in the neighbourhood of 28-29C and sunny. We have sure been lucky. Riding most days in ‘air’ mode with our jackets which we had hoped for at some point, but May. Wow!
1 comment:
Thanks for taking us along! Know your efforts to keep your travels updated are appreciated! Sorry we couldn't get together before you left - but your stories will probably be better once you get back to the Island (lol).
Joy and Roger Brown
Nanaimo
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