So after Croatia my next stop was Portugal. I’ll admit it got me into a bit of a “lull” after being so active in Croatia and trying to get my bearings. Fortunately I had never visited Portugal so it was a new experience. I had always been a bit fascinated with Portugal given their dominance years ago with ocean exploration around the globe. Portugal always seems to be a little off the radar compared to other European countries, but I would bet they will continue to become a bigger destination. The geography is incredible, the people are super friendly, and the architecture is gorgeous.
The Earthquake: I was unfamiliar with this, but Lisbon was struck by an earthquake in the 1700’s that was supposedly over a 9.0 on the Richter Scale that subsequently led to 100’s of aftershocks as well. The earthquake demolished the city then caused significant fires and pummeled the city with tsunamis. It’s estimated that 90% of the buildings were destroyed with the city essentially on fire for 5 days after the earthquake. The earthquake also was on All Saints Day so most of the city was in church with many questioning whether it was the end of the world. The city started to rebuild after a year and took a proactive approach that would allow the city to withstand earthquakes in the future. This resulted in narrow cobblestone streets, implemented a grid system, and flexible support systems in the buildings.
I found it interesting the influence from around the world. Lisbon is like San Francisco and has the same style. It has the tram cars going down the hilly streets, and even has a bridge that was the same designer as the Golden Gate Bridge. Also they have a lift/elevator by the same architect as the Eifel Tower. Lisbon has a “Christ Rei” or “Christ the King” statue similar to the one in Brazil. In an odd way, it doesn’t seem Portugal has a specific identity since they’ve taken bits of so many different
cultures.
Portuguese culture: I mentioned earlier it seemed the Portuguese culture is a bit of several cultures smashed together. I think there’s a mix of Spanish slow style of life, yet a bit more relaxed and like to have a good time. One of my favorite traditions was enjoying sunsets that are some of the best given their coast faces West. Lisbon is home to dozens of “lookout” points where people gather to enjoy the sunsets and some drinks. The culture of “fun” was apparent with many streets packed with younger people drinking starting an hour or two before sunset. The Portuguese were also passionate about their futbol and we went out with a few locals and enjoyed the experience.
Some things I’m thinking about:
Balance: The trip has been a whirlwind, but I’ve found it difficult to maintain a balance. Although with more spare time on my hands, I’ve found it difficult to do everything I want. There’s a need to say “no” to things, but still makes for a bit of fear of missing out. After a while, I wanted to start getting back in shape but it makes it difficult to maintain a schedule. The allure of exploring new towns/places is tough to balance with the need to maintain some regularity. The constant push/pull is something I’m working on and looking to focus on what’s important to me.
Sustainability: Recycling/Energy Use/Etc has always been an interest of mine. Whether global warming/climate change is real, I don’t know, but I do believe we should try and take care of the planet. Europe seems to be far ahead in this realm with most homes lacking dryers, ice machines, and A/C. Also the ability to recycle is much more plentiful here. It seems we don’t focus nearly enough on this in the States and I hope it’s something that will pick up more steam in the U.S. Regardless in what we believe, I think the less trash/pollution we have will always be a positive.
Some fun things I did:
Algarve was one of my favorite side trips I’ve done. The beaches here are simply awe-inspiring and there were so many of them. We were able to take a sail boat and tour some islands/caves/beaches with the group from Remote Year, which turned into a great time. We attempted to kayak one of the caves as well with several caves scattered throughout the coast. I drove back from Algarve and we stopped at several beach towns on our way back, which could have lasted a few weeks. The sleepy beach towns each had something unique to offer making an everlasting impression that I need to come back and visit.
Our group did a really fun kayaking and hiking trip in the Albuefuera region of Portugal. Weather was great and got to see some great views while doing some kayaking. We got to do a little snorkeling although the water was a little cold. Amazing geography continued to impress.
Sintra was one of my favorite days of the trip so far. Everyone from the program, which was about ~25 of us, boarded several open air Jeeps and ventured around the Sintra area. Sintra is approximately 30 minutes outside of town and the home of several patriarch castles that are stunning and breathtaking. The Jeep trip focused primarily on the coast of Sintra where the cliffs overlooking the beaches were exquisite. After taking in the amazing views, we went to a small town and had an authentic Portuguese lunch. After our adventure we recouped at one of the more stunning beaches I’ve been to that gave us one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. Moments like this continue to put life in perspective.
I found the history of Sintra interesting and continue to find the stories of conquests around Europe fascinating. Sintra was originally under Moorish rule and I have come to appreciate Moorish architecture in Portugal and Spain (and the palm trees they brought!). After Christians took over the confluence of different cultures is apparent in the architecture. Eventually the area and palaces became home to the Royal family, but today they are more simply a tourist destination.
We ventured up north to Porto, which I was also unfamiliar with. The town is famous for Port wine and has several famous vineyards outside the city. It’s known as a pseudo-honeymoon destination given the river running through it makes for a beautiful backdrop from the hills. The town is also near a beach 15 minutes away, and although the weather was less than ideal the stunning geography continued to impress. Porto reminded me of a bit of a mini-Paris and the chill vibes were similar with stunning architecture in the background. The people moved slow and enjoy the slower pace than their up-tempo rival in Lisbon.
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