Portugal

Elona Typing

Ok well we need to admit that we hadn’t made any plans when boarding the ship as to what we were going to do when leaving the ship hence we ended up hijacking ‘the boys’ (Dave and Patrick) holiday. Actually they invited us which was nice but it was in the first part of the cruise and we thought we should let them get over the ‘honeymoon’ period of meeting us and see if they still wanted to travel with us by the end of the cruise. Thank God they did!!!!

Our first stop was renting a car from Budget at Lisbon airport. Can I just mention here that Lisbon is really Lisboa – why on earth as English people we have to change that to Lisbon is beyond me but we have found that it often happens where we don’t actually use the correct names of places – weird!

After Dave took over the computer at Budget – see photos – we hired ourselves a fabulous Renault called Megane (no kidding!) We set off on our adventure to Costa de Caparica – a place that Dave had been to many moons ago where he apparently was arty and poetic (hhhhmmmm things change don’t they?) We eventually found our hotel with the fabulous navigational skills of Megan and the occasional back seat driving of Patrick. Lovely hotel and on the beach – yeah. Of course the weather could have been a little kinder; it was overcast and drizzling but we headed out none the less to explore. The boys, no matter what situation they are in have Megs and I in absolute hysterics most of the time. Of course the funniest comment of the day came from Patrick who said that us girls made them look normal – now there could be two sides to that!!!!!

We spent 2 nights there and were lucky enough to meet up with Carlijn and Roel and we went back to a lovely little, well not so little but quite secluded beach; Hula Hula that has a lovely little bar and seating area and sun lounges on the beach!! We had a fabulous afternoon, shared many stories, future plans (Oh my god you should hear some of the future plans – here’s hoping!!) and of course laughter. Megan managed not to get burnt (yeah – I think she actually has some colour now – well…for her anyway!) We all traipsed back to the hotel in the one car – again a hysterical situation with me on Patrick’s lap in the middle of Carlijn and Megs in the back seat and Dave and his now ‘son’ in the front seat – bumps were not pleasant!

We shared some drinks and farewelled Carlijn and Roel and told them that we would be dropping in to see them in about a month but for the boys it was a goodbye and hopefully one day to catch up when they came back to work for the boys in their new Justified Business…future dreams - people they can happen!

The following day we headed south to the Algarve region where we were able to see the forts of Sagres (see photos) and the beautiful coastline of Tavira. The little town Tavira was very much like Cusco in it’s set up; cobbled narrow streets with hills but just a more modern version. We walked this town in both the night and the day and the photo opportunities were just amazing – check them out.

We also ventured to the little island that Dave remembered and unfortunately for us was absolutely inundated with young folk on a 3 day festival of fun and festivities but you could still see that the place would be a lovely haven to visit without so many teenagers about drinking. Have to say we got some great mojitos there and an eventful wait and boat ride back in the rain!!

Megs typing:


The week was just flying by and we were now making our last trek north with “the boys” to the town of Fatima.  Some of you may recall the events surrounding Fatima in the early 1900’s where 3 young children were presented with visions of the Virgin Mary over many months.  Fatima has built a chapel on the site where the visions occurred and then a huge outdoor alter and church for people to attend services.  There is also a shrine where people make a pilgrimage on their knees from the entrance to the church down a marble pathway, around the shrine before coming to pray.

Fatima was not quite what we expected as to get to the church you need to walk passed what seems like hundreds of street stalls all selling the same cheap and gourde relics and statues including the ever so classy plastic statue of Mary that is in “glow in the dark” yellow. Oh dear!!

There were many people lighting candles but not as many as you would expect giving that it was Easter weekend and the place where they ignited the candles was to me putting your life in danger - big flames I'm telling you; to be honest I thought to myself "Oh isn't that nice they are having a BBQ/sausage sizzle!" Not very reverent I know - sorry guys!

Easter Sunday saw us all packed into the car making the trek back to Lisbon where we would part ways – the boys for a many stopover trek home and us to the bus station to head to Elvas.  With hugs and kisses we said our goodbyes with promises to visit soon.

Though our history with bus travel is not by any means fabulous – this one is the exception.  3 hours from Lisbon to Elvas with no delays – excellent.  We passed through some lovely country towns including a picturesque walled town surrounded by vineyards called Evora – which has now been added to the ever growing list of places to visit.  We were a little surprised when the taxi driver said he could not fit both us, and our luggage into his car and that he would need to make two trips?????  No choice being Easter Sunday and only one taxi at the bus station – 2 trips it was – lucky Elvas is a small town and the taxi ride was only 5 euros each.

We leave our home away from home; Vision of the Seas

Many farewells and promises made to stay in touch

Lisbon airport was a short bus ride away and Megs enjoyed

a coffee whilst Dave organised the car

Dave thought this looked lovely on our first shopping expedition

Love this shirt - Summer Camp - Top or Bottom?

Dave tying me up with a belt!! Bless him! This was

going to be an interesting week!

First Aqueduct seen in Portugal on the way to Costa de Caparica

Our gorgeous navigator; Megs

The shorties in the back!

Christ!!

One of the unusual decorations in someone's front yard at Costa de

Caparica - we actually think they are for a parade

The world is my oyster!!! 

Dave the sailor man!

Local shop

Local market - fabulous strawberries!

We collected our lunch from here and headed to the beach

Another shopping expedition

Oh aren't they gorgeous!!!

The other happy couple!!

Well maybe!!??

Flag opportunity!

Hula Hula Beach - our hang out!

The boys enjoying the sun and a dip in the water!

Us at the beach in front of the hotel - a little cloudy this day

But Patrick's happy!

One of the many cafes/bungalows on the beachfront

Nice day beds and seats :)

Megan

and our car Megane!!

Hula Hula Beach

Aaaaahhhh just lovely!

Painting waiting to happen.

Roel and Carolijn came to join us for a day at Hula Hula

Roel couldn't work out why the sand only stuck to this part of his head

- nor could we!?

Hula Hula Beach Dog

Another painting

Hula Hula Beach shop/cafe/bar - what more could you ask??

Frivolity on the boardwalk!

This is quite an unusual sign in the Hotel - we were trying to work

out what each one meant and it became hilarious with some of

the suggestions!!

God knows who this is??

But we flagged him anyway!!

This is a little port you get at the end of a meal - very cute

in a little pottery cup - it also got flagged!

See!

I don't know but sometimes he REALLY scares me!!

Dreams - the house the boys would like to do up

and the car...they want a few of those too :))

Dave and his new home :)

Dave is a fabulous accessoriser  - can you tell??

This was taken in Tavira - Argarve - beautiful little town in Portugal

Ooohhh sweet!! We love these boys!

Again the lovely church

Central Park in Tavira

Such a picturesque little town with some cobbled streets

and some fab restaurants

Don't know??

One of the many narrow streets

Aaahhh Pipis - delicious!

But look closely - they have eyes!!

But Patrick and I ate the whole thing and scraped our bowels clean with the bread!

This street reminded us a little of Cusco but quieter

Up in the historic part of town - night time stroll

Not very clear Patrick!!

This one's for Dana - still thinking of you beautiful man!!

Luggage of four is a little hard to organise

Patrick's got it sorted with guidance from Megs

Dave's just being silly

But it all works out in the end - nice shot boys!

Me in tree ??

Me just before I was attacked by Dave in tree! Look at those sinister eyes!

Lovely blue skies and fluffy clouds

Nothing like local cheese, ham and tomato sandwiches for lunch when

 it's raining - this is our first day

Trip back from the island - Dave was keeping me warm, bless him!!

There are just so many different little streets - very easy to get lost in!

I think I managed at least one Portuguese tart every day,

there may have been a day I had 4 but the other pastries were just not

as nice!

Meg's mocca

Heading up to the historical part of town in what Dave calls my Hari Krisna

outfit! He helped me pick those pants out!!!!!

Historical stairs are just plain scary!!

This is the lovely garden next to the ruins

The roses smell beautiful

This was a huge tree!!

This is out of order - sorry - this is the fort as Sagres. This is

also where we worked out the Patrick has a greater fear of edges

than we do!!!

Back to Tavira and the historical ruins

Meg's contemplating

The boys in the garden!

The view from one side of the ruins

Love this photo - Patrick and I on a wall with a fairly hefty drop - very brave Patrick!

I seem to like going in all the sentry boxes that stick out of fort walls -

they do have lovely views and they are built for people my size!!

See!!

The people of Tavira are very house proud and have lovely window boxes

and plants at the front doors - very pretty

Local plaza

Dave waiting for us to catch up - this is usual!! He keeps

a brisk pace our Dave does!!

I'm sure it's this way!!!!

The boys stayed in this hotel by the water - beautiful

Lunch out the back before our trip to the island

Church at Olhao - we decided to name this place Aloha because it was easier to say

It had beautifully tiled malls

And REALLY nice shops - a lot of shops for boys clothing - very chic!!

This is where we had coffee but I was so impressed with their dessert window

Chicks and Ladybirds

Birdies and strawberries

and even seafood - shrimp and stuff

But the pigs and bunnies were very cute too

This is a traditional Portuguese Easter cake

It has real eggs in their shells inside

This one has little chocolate eggs inside

This is dried fish!!!!! Local supermarket

The beautiful tiled malls

Preparing for Easter

We have to admit that we really are not used to looking at mannequins

with hair especially in religious ceremonies and I couldn't quite help

thinking they should have left one in red out as it looked a little 'Drag Queenish"

not entirely appropriate for the parade!

Another lovely building - the history in these places is amazing!

Ohhh damn I hate it when I forget who they are!!!!

Dave and Megs discussing travel stuff I'm sure -

notice the jackets...it got really cold!!

Megs got tired

Our Mexican meal in Tavira - not the best but nice waiter and atmosphere

Now can you imagine how a person copes being looked at like this???

I'm not sure he's enjoying the attention!!

Again with the looks!!

Not a real smile - still a little sinister!

Yes I guess he's fed up trying to find a smile!

This is as close to the edge as we could get him - Fort at Sagres

Us at Sagres

Beautiful coastline but a little chilly

Panoramic view

Sun did come out occasionally

One of the views from the port

Dave once again waiting for us!

Heading to the lighthouse at the Fort

Arty shot

Wind was really strong!!

Dave has been thoroughly flagged!

Another painting waiting to happen

Megs and the world

Australia on the other side! Flag moment

Aaaah Fatima

Somebody was kind enough to leave some roses for me to smell

Hey Zeus!! Well that's how they pronounce Jesus!

The church at Fatima

The Chancel

This is a lovely beach we went to for lunch after Sagres

It got a little stormy but we were lucky to finish our meal on the beach

and then the sun came out :)

Faro - a lovely town as well where we did a little shopping and

purchased some paintings - couldn't resist it - oil work done with a palette knife!!

Dave looking for Megs and Patrick

A little street in Faro - I bought another pair of sunglasses as the ones

I bought no less than two days ago broke whilst on my face - unbelievable!!

He didn't realise he still had Meg's hat on - very funny!

These are some of the palette knife paintings - Dave and I both bought the

monochrome but what you can't see is they have bits of red on them - fabulous!

Lovely African look :)

This is me trying to give Dave the African look!!

Da Daaaaa!! He looks thrilled doesn't he?!?!

Fatima at night

some of the lighting was very well done

Much more impressive at night

This is our hotel lobby - interesting hole in the ceiling

That's what you see up the hole

Hotel Santa Maria where we stayed - just a stones throw from the Basilica

Some of the stalls - and there are hundreds all selling nasty plastic

religious items - very little good quality found at all here

More stalls - same stuff

The Basilica of Fatima

What I'm not holy yet?!?!

All good Patricks here

and hey zeus

This little bird seated on this statues head was singing his little heart out

- he had more spiritual energy than a lot of Fatima which was a shame - 

but the bird did sing brilliantly!!

Lighting candles for loved ones

the heat was sooo much that most of them melted

AMUSING ANECDOTES FROM PORTUGAL

The art of applying sunscreen:

Part 1

Pat: what are you doing? You’re layering it like lard – you’re white washing yourself!!

Dave: Well, here you have some (swipes it on Pat)

Pat: No!  I’ll be all spots!!!

Part 2

Roel borrowed our tanning lotion, which is 50+.

Roel: "50 plus! Isn't that for 50 plus people year olds!! (Laughter all round)

Roel: "Well they have lotion for babies!"

Title of a new book:

"Just Saying - Just Asking!"


With the sequel titled - "Just Saying - Who's Asking?"


A lesson from the Queen of indiscretion:

Carlijn – not the most subtle of beautiful people – and she is beautiful!! Stunning! 

After a day lazing in the sun, Carlijn walked over a little tipsy and sat down on the end of Elona's sun lounge.  Carlijn exclaims loudly and pointing no less – "ooohhhhh!!! Look that’s the guy who likes you and the other one with the great teeth and hot body…" 

Oh dear!

Now talking about hot guys, it is amazing how much more efficient it is finding good looking guys around Portugal when you have 4 sets of eyes to point out the sights worth seeing!

Talking Code:

When a good looking man walks by you can count on two things Patrick will say:

"That’s my favourite colour!"  or "That’s a nice blue, green etc even if there is no colour!"

The Elf Walk:

We were (6 of us) watching a man walking along the beach. He looked in our direction.

Dave: "Ooh! He’s looking over here, Elona!"

Elona: "He’s looking at me!" she said with a giggle.

Dave: "Nooo, he is wearing jeans and a sweater and shoes and socks!!" 

         (just an aside – we're not sure what this form of dress indicates!?!?)

Pat:  "He’s not wearing shoes and socks."

Dave: "Yes he is! Look at the toes!!!!

They curl up!!!"

Pat:   "So do yours – you’re an elf!!!!!"

Innovative ways of staying dry:

Dave: "How long is that guy going to stay fresh in the dry cleaning bag??!! 

A good sense of direction - do you have it????

When travelling, a good sense of direction is a handy companion to have when negotiating the smaller roads and alleys of Portugal. Dave would often tap into his adopted uterus (apparently that is where the sense of direction is located) and was often heard saying:

"Left (or whatever direction) on uteractic advice" and "My uterus is never wrong"

Something borrowed from the older generation:

Patrick:  "My father once said, 'You won’t melt with hard rain but it has been known to wash a few turds away!!'"

Speaking another language:

Good evening in Spanish is "Buenos Noches"

Keith interpreted this as "Buenos Knockers!!!"  This became a common saying from this point on!

We have made reference previously to the fact that Australian English can differ from American English which also differs from UK English and any other form of English.  These differences brought up one such question.

Gene:  "What is scalloping??" 

This question was raised when Elona and Gene both had scallops for dinner.  Australian pronunciation approximates - Skolup.  Where as the American pronunciation approximates - Skalup.

Adults only comment:

Patrick:  "Has she had sex????  Hang on I know what that smells like!"