Lisbon Day Five

A day out to Sintra, about half an hour's drive as the crow flies, but we went via Cascais (coffee stop), and to see Cabo da Roca, believed to be the edge of the world up until the late 14th Century. (Washington is about 6,000 miles west across the Atlantic Ocean).

We were with a busload of Brazilians. The language is the same, just a different accent (like Americans speaking English) apparently. They were a jolly bunch, though didn’t speak much English. The guide spoke four languages.

Sintra is a picturesque village, with gorgeous painted houses and elaborate palaces, but it was shrouded in mist, and decidedly COLD. Most folk were feeling chilly - one man had set off for the day in a short sleeved shirt (and trousers, of course). I very nearly had to buy a woolly hat in Sintra. The fact that they had woolly hat shops there shows it's not uncommon. It was warmer in Edinburgh!

What an amazing place Pena Palace was! We were taken up the hill on the bus, thank goodness, then a small bus. There was no view down to the village in the mist, unfortunately. But the palace itself provided all the selfie spots imaginable. We had those earphone thingies, and the guide was telling us about each room as we shuffled round in the crowds. Unfortunately, he was usually describing a couple of rooms ahead of us, as we were the last in our group. But no worries, all that historical stuff goes in one ear and out the other, but we are checking up on the facts now, at our leisure.

Back to Lisbon and sunshine, where we got dropped off in an unfamiliar area with instructions to take the furnicular up a level, walk a block or two, and we'd be back where we got picked up. But the funicular had broken down! So we set off, like everyone else, and trudged up the 45° incline, stopping frequently for the views and to admire the public 'artworks'.

We found our way back easily, and JR was very impressed with the quality of the shops, and we may need to return to this area. A coffee at our local kiosk, before picking up a few things at the supermarket for tea.

What a grand day out.