Day 4: Lisbon & Sintra

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Our second day of sightseeing did not start off so well. Around 5:00 AM this morning our fellow traveler, Ron, was admitted to a local hospital with an irregular heart beat, where he spent most of the morning before being released. Lady Luck seems to have it out for Ron and Sally this trip after their cancelled flight, inoperative ATM card, and now this. Ron's condition is something he has been dealing with for a while, so he and Sally have put on their happy face and have chosen to continue the trip with us. As much as we were reluctant to do so, the other four of us went ahead with the Lisbon-Sentra tour that we had scheduled beforehand.

Our first stop was Torrre Belem (Tower of Belem). This fortress sits on the banks of the Tagus river that is the southern boundary of Lisbon looking out along the river to the sea. It was built in the 16th century to defend the city.

 

Next stop was the Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument of Discoveries), a 150 foot high monolith that honors Portugal's Golden age of Discoveries. It's shape represents a Portuguese explorer's ship lined with major figures of the Discoveries including Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama.

 

This mural at the Monument of Discoveries depicts the extent of the Portuguese Discoveries across the Atlantic. Similar discoveries occurred throughout the Indian Ocean into the Western Pacific.

 

Pastelis de Belem is a famous pastries shop in downtown Lisbon that has been producing a tasty egg tart since 1837. This local favorite is best when eaten warm, fresh from the oven, and sprinkled with cinnamon. Our tour guide got us there just before the crowd arrived as shown in above picture above.

 

The chapel of the 16th century Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery) contains the tomb of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. That's Elaine and Carol approaching the entrance in the foreground.

 

Beautifully ornate cloisters decorate the inner court of the Jeronimos Monastery.

 

Thy tomb of Vasco da Gama, one of the most notable figures in the Portuguese Age of Discovery. He established a sea route to India which allowed the import of goods without use of the arduous Silk Road through the Middle East. This resulted in Portugal becoming a major trading center and economic power.

 

Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace) was residence of the monarchs of Portugal during the 18th-19th century. It is located near the little town of Sintra on the outskirts of Lisbon.

 

The "Wanderers" at  Pena National Palace. 

(Thanks to David Heatherly for the tip concerning the travel vest. Love it!)

 

Portugal, being the western-most country in Europe has, within it, the western-most point in Europe, marked by the Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) monument. (The young lady is hurrying to have her picture made by the monument before the next group of tourists arrives.)

 

Granite boulders and sea cliffs along the coastline at Cape Roca, the western-most point in Europe. The Romans called this place "End of the World" because there was only water as far as the eye could see and they assumed there was no more "world" beyond this point.

 

Picturesque fishing boats along the western coast of Portugal near the town of Estoril.

 

Carlos was our personal tour guide for the day. He, like most Portuguese, is proud of his native country and loves to show it off to visitors. He exemplifies the warm, accepting, nature of the Portuguese people.