Singapore Feb 3/26

 Lisa took us to the airport in the afternoon (Thanks!)

The airport was really empty so we were through check-in and security in 15 minutes!. One new thing for me is it is no longer a security requirement for me to pull my CPAP machine out of the bag which is awesome.

The flight to Vancouver  was good. The fellow beside me is also going to Singapore so we may see him in the next few hours at the boarding gate.

We had a free entry into the Plaza Premium lounge courtesy of my Mastercard so we went there for supper and an “adult beverage”. We are really thinking that in the future when we have a long wait it would be a good thing to get into a lounge ($US32 each) rather than sitting in a restaurant near the boarding gates. We think the value we get by being here in the “relative” quiet with food and drinks in a comfortable chair is a good way to pass the time. 

Homeward Bound

We walked a lot yesterday!!

Time for new shoes.

Our air bnb had a constant low level smell of urine and sewer gas ( which “really” bugs Caro). During the day we left the window cracked which solved the issue but at night the smell got strong enough to bother Caro. Last night the same thing. We had contacted our host earlier in our six night stay and he has tried in the past to find out the issue ( which he says is “occasional” ). Hmmm OK I guess but if we had been in a hotel we would have asked for new accommodation. 

After a light breakfast in a nearby hole in the wall cafe we finished getting ready and by about 9 AM or so we were on the metro. 

The airport is very busy. Air Canada had us together in row 60 of a Boeing 777ER which was fortunate as we only booked yesterday ( and the flight looks to be fully packed). I made the comment that the airport was so efficient. We were through security in no time and on a way to our gate. 

Here is where it got lousy. Our gate got changed three times and at our final gate it became quite funny (to me). We  got there as zone two was loading (so the high priced tickets were already through the check-in). We,in zone 3, were ID checked together with zones 4,5, and 6 at the same time and we then proceeded down the stairs to a small, very cramped holding area with “everybody” waiting for “people mover“ buses. Too funny!

Anyway the flight left 30ish minutes late as the airport is just too small ( and seems to have just one runway) so the controllers had to slot us in as best they could. 

We arrived in Toronto in good time, but the airport is large so it took a while to get around. I couldn’t get my new passport to work in the  immigration,customs machine. Turns out  I have to hold it down quite hard on the scanner in order for it to read properly ( but at least now I know).

We were 30 minutes late taking off but it was a fantastic takeoff because this Airbus A321-200 has both a tail and belly camera. What fantastic views as we rolled down the runway and took off. So COOL!

Mike and Hannah picked us up. Thanks!

Last night in Lisbon

Last night,after a late night (for us) call from Pat we decided now would be the time to come home ( while we are still in a big city with good airline connections).

This morning, first thing, we went to the airport as there was an Air Canada office located there (according to the “never wrong” Google search).  Well there was no office, and all the “Air Canada” people actually work for a third party so it was a stressful waste of a trip. Adding to the stress was the information Caro had from the Air Canada website last night saying there were only three seats left! OH SHIT!

Back at our place we decided to try the AC website even though my original idea was that we needed to talk to someone as our situation was difficult (I thought). After a few fits and starts we were able to enter our new dates and location and soon it was time to pay through the nose to Air Canada. I used my EQ bank card ( like a dummy I should known  better than doing that on a big dollar charge ). The card required me to receive, then enter in the number that was sent to my cell number( which of course I cannot do as I am using Data over here). Anyway the five minute timer for me to enter the special number finally wound down to zero and with that the transaction went through???? Weird; of course I was happy for that to happen. I should have used my ATB Mastercard as I have it set up that if I need to utilize a unique number they send me it through e-mail. 

We had not planned to go to Castelo de S. Jorge up on the hill however we decided to do so. We walked up through the winding streets and joined the crowds waiting to get in (it didn’t take long). The claim to fame of this place is the great views and even though today is overcast and muggy the views did not

Upon finishing the Castelo and museum we started walking down the hillside using the numerous steep curvy streets. We went by one of the MANY souvenir shops and one of them “hit the jackpot” with Caro and I finishing our “surprise gifts” purchases for everyone. 

Afternoon lunch was a typical sub and pastry ( with red wine) purchased on the street down below us. 

We had a nap before we headed back to the river/sea and caught one of the famous trams for a bit of a ride. It wasn’t long before we hopped off, went to a market, then after a one stop metro ride made our way home for a late supper our remaining cheese, and freshly purchased ham. 

While at the river/sea Caro had to dip her toes in the water

And the tram mentioned above

After catching up with Lisa, and then Vanessa on FaceTime we packed our bags for tomorrow’s return home. 

We went out about 8:45 to see the city night life (Friday night). 

Thursday means Evora

Caro woke up feeling a bit bad. Her eye hurt and she suffered all day with sinus issues 

We caught a 9:30 bus to the ancient city of Evora. 

I was originally planning to stay over night here when planning our trip but decided to go there as a day trip ( better connections to our next stop, Seville from Lisbon rather than Evora). 

Evora is a 2000 year old city. It has Roman ruins, medieval churches, and largely intact medieval streets and buildings located within the old city walls

The city map:

The Roman ruins

We paid to see the cathedral (unlike yesterday). We wound our way up narrow steps to the roof. Up there you could tell why Evora was built here. You could see for many kilometres in all directions. 

The cloisters were nice and the cathedral ( construction beginning in 1280) was also nice 

After checking a few more of the city highlights we found a restaurant where locals eat and Caro,after looking her list of Portuguese foods to try, picked a pork,clam potato dish while I had breaded chicken,salad and rice. They serve rice here without any sauces or anything. Pretty blah (!) IMHO. Overall the food was good. 

We had pretty much “had it” by 2:30 and so, with a 4 PM return bus ride to wait for we found a shady park to relax ( 34 degrees today).

At the bus station we needed 20 cents each to use the bathroom and as we needed change we went to a store where I asked for a pop and change for the bathroom. The lady there got snarly and said “no change” ( at least I assumed so as she spoke in a torrent of Portuguese ) and then asked if I still wanted the pop. I don’t think so!

Anyway we got change elsewhere and all was well in the world. The buses are very nice here (and have wonderful A/C )

Later: how ironic I wrote the above comment about the bus!!

About 20 minutes into our 90 minute trip we heard a helluva BANG!  The driver stopped and checked and found we had a destroyed tire in the back right hand

We limped into a town nearby and an hour later an empty bus arrived at the same time as our original bus was repaired by a fellow with a service truck.  We loaded up with our original driver taking us in the new bus. 

Interesting to see all the stork nests on the high towers

We arrived in Lisbon about one hour and fifteen minutes late. We grabbed the metro and were in our place 30 minutes later.

Lisbon Wednesday

We both slept pretty good last night. 

We lazed around for a couple of hours before heading out around 9 AM. 

The first order of business was to get cash. This is always a bit of a stressor for me as I had a card eaten by the ATM in Mexico. However we had success and I got €200 from my chequing account. 

Next we bought a 24 hour metro/bus pass for €7 each. 

We wandered down to the cathedral but were unwilling to pay the entry fee. We have seen numerous churches in our travels and a certain point looking at their alters etc becomes a bit repetitive. 

This cathedral is located near the cruise port so lots of tourists nearby and it wasn’t long before we left the area. 

We ended up back in the main centre of town ( actually only five minutes from our place)

We took a chance and went via metro and tram to the “must see “ Monastery of Jeronimos. 

  We knew the lineup would be long however we had time so we bought entry tickets (half price for seniors!) and began, what we were told to be, a 90 minute wait ( in the hot Sun).  Surprisingly within 25 minutes we were in and while there is virtually nothing inside the monastery the building itself is phenomenal. 

About 30 minutes later we were done and hopped across the street for a pop and pastel de nata ( custard tart). Yummy as always. 

Once we started walking again Caro spotted a world famous Pastelaria called Pasteis de Belem (established 1837) so of course we lined up to get some more pastel de nata and a empanada. Caro enjoyed the empanada so much that while I relaxed in a park nearby she walked back to the store to get more empanadas for tonight’s supper (at home). 

Afterwards we walked for about kilometre down the street to the world location of the famous Belem Tower. Even though we couldn’t go in it due to renovations it was easy to imagine its grandeur. 

While on our way back to city centre on Tram 15 we stopped and then the driver made everyone get off. Turns out the tram in front of us had been involved in an accident and we were stuck. We waited for a regular bus and within about 15 minutes we were on our way again. 

At the metro station there was a very good supermarket, jammed packed with people as its’ location was a gold mine. They did good business with us too. 

We are only two stops away from home so we returned there to relax a bit.

Our neighbourhood is really cool. Even though we are only a five minute walk from the city core we are in a different world. This area is FULL of African immigrants with many in traditional garb and speaking their specific languages. It is really a neat experience to walk by their little street sales, corner stores, and hear them talking to each other. As I write this we can hear their everyday goings on just below our second story apartment. 

It is 31 degrees today and our window is open to enjoy this weather. 

In the evening we walked across the valley and up the hills to a beautiful location to view sunsets. 

Yes we walked up that (typical) hill

Castle of Saint George (Castelo Sao Jorge ). Across from us but not on our radar to see as it is a rebuild, not the original.

Our location had a very busy restaurant and a couple of fantastic buskers. The walk up there and back through narrow winding streets was pretty cool. 

We waited a bit for the city to light up before venturing back home

We are making use of the apartment washing machine tonight

Now “that” was a long day

 For the last two trips I have been writing “notes” as I go along during the day and then at night I copy/paste and work from there. Today I was unable to do that as if we weren’t visiting a place (and we visited many) then we were bouncing around in a 10 seater van.

We met Eduardo at 7:15 AM and with a family of four from Brazil/USA and a young couple from London,Ontario (IIRC) we were soon on our way to Sintra.

Eduardo was really good (and got a nice tip at the end of the11 hour day). Many of the photos in today’s post are taken by him as it seemed that every place we stopped he knew of a good photo location and he took many photos of all of us and then posted all of them on WhatsApp. I can’t remember a time when there was so many photos taken of the two of us.

Our first location was in the town/city of Sintra, a “must see” stop while in Lisbon. It is CRAZY to try and do this place on your own with timed entry into the main palace and NUMEROUS tiny, twisty roads to many of the stops.

Our first stop (and the reason we left Lisbon before normal wake up) was because we HAD to be Peña Palace well before the opening at 0900. This place is like Banff with hundreds and hundreds of people of people all over the place

                                                  

The photo above is the Moorish castle in the distance (we didn’t go there).

Peña Palace was wonderful but to see the place you had to follow a specific path through the place and of course deal with everybody else also doing the same route.

Quinta da Regaleira is another of the numerous palaces in the area. At this place Eduardo had to let us out of the van with specific instructions on what to see. He was unable to park nearby so the eight of us met at a specific time and contacted him through WhatsApp for our pick up. This place wasn’t so nice as we hard time trying to figure out the maze of paths and interesting thing to see. The highlife was definitely walking down a circular staircase. The photo op at the bottom was pretty cool.

First photo looking down and the second looking up

From there it was lunch time at Colares and while the rest of our group had a big meal Caro and I opted for yummy fish soup and then left everyone so we could walk on the beach and see a bit of the town.The large meal for everyone was a waste of time IMHO

We went a few miles up the coast and had another photo op.

Then we went to the farthest western point in continental Europe called Cabo Da Roca (and again another great photo opportunity)

Here is a screen shot from google maps showing where we are for these photos. The suitcase shows where we are staying. The purple castle show Peña (and other palaces) in Sintra and the blue dot is the Cabo Da Roca.

Our final main stop was the very fashionable city of Cascais.  While SIntra was a place where all the Royals used to build their castles and enjoy the cooler summer climates Cascais became a popular beach vacation spot (and is still a very popular place). The photos below show the high rocks and pounding waves of the area just north of the beaches (which looked very nice as we drove by them).

Back in town by 6:30 we walked a short distance to “our “area and sat down for supper. Car ordered a fried fish supper and I blew it again by ordering pasta. They just CAN’T do pasta the way I like it.