Portugal – a country of astounding beauty and diversity
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
“The earth has its music for all those who listen”
Truly this is a very apt quote and I realized it when I had visited a marvelous place, full of greenery and filled with amazing scenic views. This place is none other than Portugal. Though it is a small country it is filled with so many exciting places to see. The view in each and every place was spectacular, each place had its own charm to offer.
Making the famous Belém Pastery
On the first day, we went to Lisbon. Lisbon is a delightful capital as it is very lively and energetic. In Lisbon, we had visited the sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei) which is like a miniature version of Christ the Redeemer, from here we saw breathtaking views of Lisbon. On this day we also saw many monuments like the Torre de Belem, Jeronimos Monastery, Padrao dos Descobrimentos and the Castelo de S. Jorge and the Marqueses da Fronteira Palace which were designed so beautifully. We also visited the most expensive chapel in the world Chapel of St. Rock. When we were hungry and wanted a quick snack, we visited the oldest bakery “Pasteis de Belem” which is famous for a pastry known as Pastel de Nata which is a cream custard tart and when you bite it, it oozes out in your mouth. We also crossed the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge which is the 27th largest suspension bridge.
Oldest Wine cellar
On the 2nd Day we visited the Arrábida region which is a surprising Mountain chain with outstanding views of Tróia’s Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean that goes from east to west along the coast, between Sesimbra and Setúbal. We visited the Castle of Sesimbra and the Espichel Cape and also went to the Livramento Market in Setúbal which sold all home grown organic vegetables and it has a huge fish market too..this was a truly memorable day.
Sanctuary of Fátima
On the 3rd Day we visited Sanctuary of Fátima. Many people come for pilgrimage over here. It is believed that Mother Mary had appeared to 3 children in that very place. That is why it is very famous. On the way, we also visited Batalha monastery at a place called Batalha. We then went to Óbidos which is medieval village. We visited the marketplace there which was very peaceful as there were no much people living over there. All the shops in the place sold pots and other ceramics which really reflected the culture of the people there. We also visited Nazaré which is an old fishing village. This turned out to be a very interesting day where I learnt a lot.
Pena Palace
The next day we visited Sintra & Cascais -Sintra, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most charming fairy-tale places in Portugal. We visited the Quinta de Regeleria. In this historic town, you will find unique palaces, monuments and gardens of rare beauty. Cape Roca, the westernmost point of Europe, offers stunning views of the Atlantic coast. The ride along the coast brings you more fascinating views of white, sandy beaches. Cascais is a lovely fishing village where you can find some of the most beautiful buildings in Portugal (it was here that the Portuguese Royal family spent their summer vacations).
Chapel of Bones
The last place we visited was Évora, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a museum city with a vast historical and cultural wealth. The ruins of the Temple of Diana are a good example of the Roman presence in the city and the cathedral is an example of medieval times. The historic centre of Évora is surrounded by walls built in the XVII century. We went to a chapel in Evora. The name of the chapel was the chapel of bones because it was literally made up of bones. It was very shocking at the same time it was exciting as it is something you do not see in your everyday life. A walk through the medieval village of Monsaraz is a journey through time. In Monsaraz you will find unforgettable landscapes. We had also visited a vineyard in Monsaraz. It was an exciting experience as I had never seen one before. It was well maintained and kept and you could see the rows of green and purple grapes. The view in this place was similar to the African savannah.
These 5 days in Portugal really taught me a lot and showed me the beauty of nature in such a small country like Portugal.
Christo Rei
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