We will start our homeward journey when you were sound asleep: Before midnight Thursday Vancouver time. My next blog will be from Vancouver, Friday Night, Lord Willing: If I can stay awake!
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Our last day was uneventful. Fellette and most of the others went on a lengthy bus tour to a town in the hills called Sintra. It was, no doubt be 'One of the highlights of the trip!' Only because I choose not to go! I have felt a tickle in my throat for a day or so and this morning I did not feel like sitting in a bus full of people sniffling and sneezing. If I do indeed have a cold, it will last for two weeks. I did not want that fact to be my parting 'Gift' to people we have met so, I had a nice, quiet day, and I did end up walking for about 2 1/2 hours before getting back to the hotel where I met Fellette minutes after 3:00.
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This has been a great trip for both of us. We knew not a soul when we came to Madrid two weeks ago. We met some lovely people, most younger but only by 10 or 15 years.
Another nice thing was that our Cruise Manager has been with us since day one in Madrid, and, on the ship, the ships guides accompanied us each day. It is nice to have that continuity with leaders or guides.
The hotels in Madrid and here in Lisbon were both five-star, in the true sense of the word. Big cities are not our thing as you may know, but when in a big city, why not stay at the best!
We found eating out was easy, rather inexpensive by other European countries and North American standards as well. The wines, beers and other beverages were also modest in price. This trip was a far cry from my days in 1960 when we never did make it to Portugal. Heck, I spent more on tea and a snack this afternoon than I would have spent in two days in Spain, including petrol and the hostel cost!
As far as local people are concerned, the Portuguese are, in my opinion, happier and easier to deal with, although more Spanish folks spoke English than Portuguese.
We had a wonderful lat evening at an Argentinan restaurant where we each had a steak. Great way to end the trip. As we were leaving, a group of about 12 Ukrainians came to eat, with their guide. Nice to see as the world is changing so fast.
The following were taken by Fellette today...
We had a wonderful lat evening at an Argentinan restaurant where we each had a steak. Great way to end the trip. As we were leaving, a group of about 12 Ukrainians came to eat, with their guide. Nice to see as the world is changing so fast.
The following were taken by Fellette today...
The Palace of Pena at Sintra. Formerly a Monastery.
'Recuperated' in 1842 by the King and Queen of Portugal.
It looks like a Fairy Tale Palace for sure.
Early history noted.
Lots of visitors for sure. It is about an hour's ride from Lisbon.
All of above were taken by Fellette on her excursion today.
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Typical street scene, taken on my morning walk to the Farmacia!
On the way back. Looking down to the River, the Atlantic is a few kilometres to the right.
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I left this one in just to show you how darn hard it is to do the blog every day when travelling. The computer certainly does not like strange places. This photo somehow got mixed in with my photos today!
About 1952[?]: We were living at 1907 Laburnum Drive in Kerrisdale. Left to right: Doug, [17], Dad, Graham, [6], holding our dog *Snibor and Mom. Good times!
[Sinbor is Robins spelt backwards!]
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