Nazare, and departing Portugal thoughts

Our final day in Portugal before returning to Lisbon to fly back north, was in the picturesque fishing village of Nazare. Words can hardly describe the 1/2 mile long beach, with wide sand, the occasional fishing boat, a board-walk all along paved with small squares of basalt and limestone, and lots of locals walking about.





The women here wear knee-length skirts over many petticoats, sweaters, head scarves. They are seen everywhere, talking, drying fish on large racks at the beach, selling nuts, fava beans and confections, sitting in chairs along the road advertising "Quartos, Rooms, Chambres, Zimmer", trying to eke out a very basic living.









The men are out fishing. Or surf fishing out on the sand. Or drinking. Or just standing around talking. After driving through pouring rain leaving Porto, we were blessed with beautiful sunshine and heat! A funicular runs up a steep mountainside to the 'Sitio"--another part of the town perched on the cliffs 500 feet above. Absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed a wonderful Cataplana Moriscos--a big copper bowl filled with a broth, onions, lots of garlic, fish fillets, shrimp, mussels and clams. Boiled potatoes on the side. The local favorite, and one of the best meals we have had. The north beach here has incredible waves due to an extremely deep trench, and was the site of surfing's biggest wave ever ridden recently (we didn't see it). Problems with our "four star" hotel with at least three different people's hairs on the floor and in the bathroom led to a room change and wonderful views. The next morning we were off to Lisbon. We returned the car to the airport, stayed in town, and were amazed that after three weeks of cold (40-55 degrees) and rain, we were suddenly in 80 degree weather. Short lived. We flew back to Amsterdam on the 10th to start the second part of our adventure. Light rain. Cool.
Thoughts on Portugal after three weeks. Beautiful. Very disorganized. Dirty. People not as friendly as we had come to expect. Horrific komekaze drivers. Cheap wonderful red and white wine, much of the latter lightly carbonated giving your mouth and tongue a buzz. A deep love for dried, salted cod (bacalau) which we did not share. Did I say disorganized? Things get done when there supposed to, but not necessarily when scheduled. Architecture everywhere the same--white stucco, tiled roofs, with lines painted in blue or yellow along the bottom, and sometimes around windows, the gold to keep off evil spirits, the blue to keep away flies. So glad we came. Would recommend doing this trip in the sunshine (but not the heat of summer). Back to Holland, below.



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Location:Brugge