What does ANRBC mean? "Another Really Big Church!"
There is a rail strike in Portugal today, [of course]. So, we were bused to Lisbon, from Porto, at the end of the cruise. It is not by any means a long drive and it is on excellent highways in a very comfortable bus. We stopped for lunch in a lovely town called Fatima. Sound familiar? it should.
Fatima is where the virgin Mary is alleged to have appeared several times in the spring and summer of 1917. I am fully aware of the existence of Fatima and the importance of it to people of the Catholic Faith. I however was not aware of how BIG a thing it is. The whole town/city of Fatima is rather impressive but the area around the two huge Basilicas are jaw-dropping. I will let the photos try and illustrate the scope of the place.
The smell of burning candles permeates the air for hundreds of yards up wind from the place they are lit. People are walking in with handfuls, no, armfuls of them. Each about 15 inches tall. Some are walking in with FIVE FOOT HIGH candles. I did not feel comfortable photographing these people.
There was one lady on her knees moving along the 600 yard marble walkway to the original Basilica, others in wheel chairs, walkers, etc. A bit moving to see it I must say.
We had a quiet lunch in a little cafe off to the side before boarding the buses to continue for another hour ride to Lisbon where we were greeted by sunshine and our Five Star Intercontinental Hotel.
Good to be here and, to some degree on our own!
After getting organized we went for a short Orientation Walk around the area around 6:30, lead by our Cruise Manager. It is a good thing to do in a strange city. After that we decided to have a dinner at a Brazilian BBQ house where the main course is MEAT, and lots of it. Of course we ate in moderation. Great food and good company with a new friend from Atlanta.
Good day today.
After getting organized we went for a short Orientation Walk around the area around 6:30, lead by our Cruise Manager. It is a good thing to do in a strange city. After that we decided to have a dinner at a Brazilian BBQ house where the main course is MEAT, and lots of it. Of course we ate in moderation. Great food and good company with a new friend from Atlanta.
Good day today.
Three sleeps here, and then home, flying early Friday Morning!
Sorting the luggage to be put on the bus.
Gift shop at a pit stop.
The Basilica at Fatima.
The Basilica is at the end of a massive square. Not the white marble path
that pilgrims walk, or crawl, dow.
This lady is near the end of her ordeal. Impressive.
Looks like Rome!
The tower.
Inside, simple, neat, clean, quiet.
Heading for the lunch spot.
Available all over the area.
Our elegant lunch spot, soup for Fellette, veal for Doug.
And now for something completely different...
A massive, no-waiting urinal. The secret is to use the ones at either end as if you don't you get to examine the urine of people on your left or right. Sorry girls, a fact of life inside a mens room!
The view from our lovely room.
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