I was meant to travel to Portugal one and a half year ago with my friends but
I forgot about a course I signed up for and after paying for the flights and accommodation to Portugal, I had to forgo the trip.
1.5 years later, I finally visited Portugal. I have been traveling around Europe alone when I have the off days in my haphazard work schedule but this time, I found a friend/ junior/ work colleague to travel with.
Having to travel with a companion is very different compared to traveling alone. Besides the constant flow of conversation with another human being, I took more risk and had the courage to do things that I won't allow myself to do if I were alone. A good change I think.
Now, more stories to follow.
Portugal is beautiful but if I were to travel alone, it might be another city to me, but things were more fun with a friend around =P
We went to Lisbon- Sintra- Rabo da Roca- Coimbra- Porto.
Lisbon had a lot of history, culture and pastries. I found the person who colonised Melaka- Alfonso de Albuqueque and the locals were amazed that I knew him. There is a famous Portuguese poet named Pessoa who amazingly created multiple (I think >100) pen names with personalities, background stories and signature for each pen names. How cool is that?
Now, Belem is a part of Lisbon that has beautiful buildings, breathtaking cathedral and of course the one and only Pasteis de Belem- Portuguese tart. Other Portuguese tarts besides the one made in Belem are called pastel de nata. Rumour: there's 3 pastry chef for the Pasteis de Belem and they can't eat, fly or travel together in case all 3 dies at the same time and the secret recipe will be lost forever.
Another interesting part of Lisbon is Alfama, here the architectural is so different as well. Had the chance to listen to their local music- Fado music which is in the UNESCO cultural/ Hermitage list. Interesting city. Oh ya, there's a cherry liqueur called Ginja which is absolutely lovely. It is served in a small edible chocolate cup and on a cold rainy day, this liqueur is really really good.
Sintra was a day trip where we visited the few touristy places- Pena Palace which was like a fairy tale castle as it was so colourful and architecturally interesting; Castle of Moors which was like another castle but at this place, we could see the whole Sintra; National palace of Sintra and Municipal of Sintra. Travesseiro aka pillow is the pastry that needs to be tasted and it reminds me of my home pastry- kaya kok/ puff =P
Next, we went to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost of mainland Portugal and continental Europe. We watched the sunset and caught the last 2nd bus back to Cascais for the train to Lisbon.
For tourist looking for a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra then to Cabo da Roca, you can get the day pass for metro + bus pass for 15 euros. Start travelling from Rossio station in Lisbon to Sintra, take the bus 434 (included in the day pass) around Sintra then bus 403 (included in the day pass) to Cabo da Roca. The last bus from Cabo da Roca if I am not mistaken is 1945 back to Cascais then train (also included in day pass) to Lisbon but the train will stop at Cais do Sodre instead of Rossio. If you have the time, stop by belem (on the way to Cais do Sodre station) and have the Pasteis de Belem =P
Next we went to Coimbra, the city of students because the oldest and largest universities in Portugal are here, The historical universities buildings are classified as World Herritage by UNESCO in 2013 (according to wikipedia). Unfortunately it was a rainy stormy day so most of my time in Coimbra were spent having coffee and cakes in the cafes.
Porto, the city of port wine =)
On arrival to my hostel, I was pleasantly surprised as it was cheap and the room was large spacious and multiple beds to choose to sleep. We ended up rotating on different bed each night. (1 double, 1 couch, 2 single beds) Oh, did I forget to mention that there was a TV with multiple channels showing American series? Perfect activity before bedtime.
Now Porto is beautiful with the Duoro river running through. But this city left a deep impression in me because in this city, I learned to properly let my hair down and went a bit wild. Remember I said when travelling with a companion, there's more courage and risk taking? Yup, that was what happened. Yup, lots of alcohol involved too but nope, I did not get drunk, was sober throughout =P
Traveling around Europe, mingling with locals, I have experienced
in almost each travel, a lot of catcalls or being approached by creepy men. Portugal did not miss that opportunity too. Just to name a few that stood out:
Edinburgh- I was carried down Royal Mile in a fireman's carry position by a random stranger
Italy, Belgium, Ireland- was offered drinks and hinted for something else out of it
Paris- was starred at, followed then asked to sit beside him on a bench while he mumbled French
Portugal- walked pass me a few times and each time mumbled some Portuguese while smiling creepily
I have indeed enjoyed this trip and after returning home, I had 5 days rest before getting back to work. How did I spend my last 5 days? Stalking people with the power of Google, Facebook and Linkedin. It's bad, I know, but I have achieved my goals for stalking and will start work in a few hours time so no more stalking for me
until the next travel.
Obrigado =P
