Sophie had asked me before arriving here, in Lisbon, to visit several places, out of which Fatima, Batalha, Alcobaça and Obidos. Considering that the daylight is still short and the distances to drive from one place to the other are not short at all, I decided that it would be wise to stay the overnight in Alcobaça. So, we did it.
We drove straight from Lisbon to Fatima, our first stop. Personally, I'm not fond of Fatima but I was pleased to introduce that sanctuary to Sophie. We left Fatima and, after having had lunch at a restaurant off the road, we reached Batalha town, where the imposing monastery welcomed us. As the town itself is nothing special, after a short stroll, we headed to Alcobaça - also famous for its earthenwares, jams, colourful textile fabrics - where we arrived late in the afternoon. It was really cold. On the following morning, another gorgeous sunshine bathed us. While Sophie paid a detailed visit to the Cister Monastery, I stepped into it just for a few photos and then walked through the town, in search of something that might catch my eyes, I did find...
The weekend ended with a visit to the Moorish town of Obidos, with its castle, chimneys and winding narrow streets...
Would you like to join us?
Now I am home, looking through these images, I sliding into the history; the history of myself, the history of Portugal...
ReplyDeletePortugal is a true poet, with such depth that I am not able to say with words, your recent few slid-shows had expressed it all.
Portugal had welcomed me as a friend.
Muito obrigado!
I really enjoyed this trip!!! So much interesting architecture, and so many colourful interesting places!! I always enjoy your photos. I would so like to see blue skies like that here again, it seems so long since I last saw some!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I can't resist to mention:
ReplyDeleteBelita drives like a man! Steady and stable! Never hesitate! :)
Thank you for inviting us. I joined and very much enjoyed what I saw :-)
ReplyDeletewonderful viewing of Portugal ~ and I probably would have wanted to see Fatima too!
ReplyDeletegreat to know what kind of driver Belita is! lol....
That was a marvelous trip we just had Belita, and, what a fabulous place to visit or live.
ReplyDeleteCouldnt be any better and alive.
ReplyDeleteEven thought I have not yet having a good chat with her, I am very sure she liked Portugal! I do too!
ReplyDeleteBelita, besides driving her to such unique places, the best thing you did to her, I want to tell you is that, you pushed her physical strength, which I still couldn't find a way to do so. As a very good friend of her, I give you my sincere appreciation.
At least, I'm confident about my efforts to make her not dislike this country. Marcel, now by reading your words I wonder I pushed her too much. You know, despite the age gap between us, I'm afraid if sometimes I forgot that not everybody has my energy and I have gone beyond what is said to be reasonable. Anyway, I sincerely hope her experience will contribute to improve Sophie's attitude towards the reality. Thanks for your appreciation that has touched me. However, I didn't do anything extraordinary. I was just myself as I'm always...
DeleteSophie did liked your country.
Delete