Travels with Louise-Cabo de Espichel

After the exciting journey exploring some of northern Portugal we were ready for a less strenuous day. I was sorry we missed the national parks and the walled city of Braganca where Montezinho natural park extends to Spain. However, there is too much to see and as it was late I did not mention the Park of Miniatures and the enormous library in Coimbra.

So in the morning we returned to Boca de Inferno as it was windy. You could hear the wind through the many halls and stairways in the hotel. Boca was at its best with waves crashing above the big hole and making it's famous roar.

As we were at the adjoining nice market we collected more tees and elected to see Cabo de Espichel which would give Dean a thrill as he is not fond of sheer heights sans rails or rocks. But such a unique place should be seen. The long U shaped two story buildings which were built for pilgrims are populated with gypsy families now. The lighthouse is within walking distance but the cliffs are closer behind the buildings and we went to see them. It is very windy and the waves were noisy so I went to the edge and watched. But where is Dean? Did he blow away!! No. He was a few feet behind me and was planted there. I laughed which did not go over too well but I never realized he was really nervous around heights. These are scary and signs say beware of winds. I tried to get him to crawl over and he did quite well. This part of the cape is absolutely straight down and I was jumpy too, just wouldn't admit it! We wandered around-there is a little round building for a purpose we didn't know. A lookout? Perhaps.

Then it was time for lunch and Dean drove eight desolate miles past the castle into Sesimbra. A really beautiful fishing village with a promenade along the harbor and nice small homes, shops and hotels. A very pleasant place to vacation.

It is just starting to build larger hotels on the hill adjoining, as it is a great view and near to Serra Da Arrablda Mountain Park and beaches.

We moved the car further down to the fisherman's section with plenty of small busy restaurants. We chose one and took a table and the waiter sent us out to a huge tank and gestured-pick your own! Good grief. We at least should have sense enough to get different ones but we got two pretty pink ones who soon were served to us of course whole as usual. Unfortunately, these little guys had more bones than food- it was lucky we were served boiled potatoes and some veggies with the always delicious bread and flan so it wasn't a lost cause and a laugh on us. Flan is caramel custard.

We drove back through Lisboa and beat the traffic on the Ponte, a huge bridge which you can't avoid unless you are going north or west. So as long as we were passing the Alfama and I realized Dean had not seen this amazing place we parked. The myriad of alleys are easy to find yourself lost. It is one of the two very poor areas in Lisboa and the most fascinating with dozens of businesses and restaurants plus tiny shops of all kinds, all connected to each other except for small paths to reach stairs to flats above the shops-laundry flutters above everywhere. We spent a couple of hours enjoying this ancient part of the city which the dreadful earthquake of 1755 had left intact.

The city of Lisboa is so beautiful and enormous it deserves a month to explore. There are castles, all types of museums, a five

story shopping mall, monuments. A zoo palaces, nightclubs (no closing laws), parks. Gardens! You name it, it is there. We would love to see all of it but time goes by much too quickly.

As we were hungry again after the light lunch we decided to try Chinese place Peter recommended. It's in Estoril on a tiny side street. You must ring a chime to be allowed entry. It is tiny and discriminating! Luckily we were shown a table and were served ne of the most delish dinners ever. We love Chinese food when it's good and out came the banana fritters-the best yet. I've never had them in several Chinatown's I've been in New York, Vancouver etc.,

This was enough excitement for me and I went home to relax, write cards soak in my giant tub and read while Dean went across to the cafe to visit with Peter and Kiko and take a break from Mom for an evening. The quiet end to another lovely day.