The Best of Portugal

Day 10 - September 12, 2002 - Tomar to Lisbon

Wake-up call was at 7 AM and then a nice continental breakfast. Problem was that there were four tours in the same hotel and there were many people trying to get breakfast with us.

We had 45 minutes to get a shower, dressed and luggage out and then 45 minutes for breakfast. It worked well but we had to stand inline for the buffet - too long. At least two couples did not get their wake-up call!!!

Once out of Tomar we drove through a very winding road (like most) and arrived at the pilgrimage site of Fatima where we visited the Basilica at the spot where the three young shepherds (7, 8, and 10 year old) saw the vision of the Virgin Mary for six straight months (May 13 – October 13).

This place was awe inspiring in that we saw people (pilgrims) walking/crawling on their knees to the shrine. One young mother was carrying her baby as she walked on her knees on the polished marble. We were very moved by their devotion and commitment to their faith. We had time at leisure to wander through town and the auxiliary facilities for Fatima.

We went on to Batalha with a visit to the monastery. We liked it because of their Gothic architecture. We went through the facility and it was very well preserved. There were a lot of tourist buses and people. This is the location where Prince Henry the Navigator is buried.

Next on to the coast and the fishing village of Nazaré where we had a small lunch of hamburgers and fries. It is a city with one of the best known beaches in Portugal. While there we got very warm as the sun came out for the first time today.

Even for mid-September, there were many people on the beaches and it was crowded. I walked the back alleys and photographed the people of the city. People in Portugal are very friendly and allow one to take their pictures. When I let them see their digital image they are thrilled.

We began to go south on a route to Lisbon, but we paused at the medieval city of Obidos, a fortified city once on the seashore, but now 6 miles inland! The best thing about this is that the city is enclosed in high walls and it is very well preserved. I walked to one end of the city and saw a modern picture window on the stone tower.

We got back on their Interstate 8 and drove to Lisbon. We saw several of their beautiful windmills and a large grass fire. There have been may of these as we have traveled through Portugal.

At 5:45 we arrived at the Hotel Metropolitan where we will stay the last two nights in Lisbon. The room is smaller than most but we are on the 9th floor with a view of the city.

The hotel people said that if we have our own computers we can hook up to their line. So I will try this after we get back from the Optional Dinner.

We had an evening with entertainment Portuguese style. We savored a typical meal with local aperitifs and wines. Then we watched the Portuguese demonstrate their folk dancing before listening to the unequaled ‘Fado' singing.

Fado is a sad song performed by either a man or a women accompanied by two guitars and a viola. I liked the men singing but Mom did not like any of it. People we too noisy and disrespectful and the waiters were surly and never smiled. People we too noisy and disrespectful and the waiters were surly and never smiled.



  Comments

Post a Comment!

  Featured Journal

Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos


Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.

Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...

Continue Reading Day 13