SOPHIE IN LISBON: THE LAST POST THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST

Despite the weather that on that day had not been the ideal, I drove Sophie through the Greater Lisbon area. A first stop at Queluz, a small town where we could have visited the Summer Residence of the then Royal Family, but Sophie didn't show interest and we just wandered over there for a short time. Our main destination was the visit to the Cork Convent. After lunch at Sintra, where the clouds didn't stop accompanying us, we drove along ridge roads in the forest that seemed to take us to nowhere but suddenly we saw the signboard we had been waiting for. 

The Convent was built in 1560 and it's remarkable for its extreme simplicity. It embodies the ideal of universal brotherhood lived by the Franciscan friars who dwelt there. It's all covered with cork in order to prevent humidity infiltrations in the walls. Visiting its labyrinth of narrow corridors, chapels and child-sized cells cut out of rock, all lined with cork was an interesting experience. Despite its charming part, the shockingly tiny dimensions made me wonder how it was possible for anyone to live in it...

We still had time to drive up to the Roca Cape, the westernmost point of Continental Europe, where we were gifted with a gorgeous sunset. Sophie got a certificate which states she had been there...

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~~ HAVE A NICE WEEKEND ~~

SOPHIE'S WEEKEND OUT OF LISBON

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...

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SOPHIE IN LISBON : GOING TO THE FLEA MARKET AND MORE....

On the last day of Sophie's stay in Lisbon, we visited the Flea Market in the middle of which there is the city's oldest covered market that doesn't exist anymore as a market but as a center for different exhibits, workshops and other activities.

After walking up and down the Flea Market area, we spent a few hours going through that web of narrow cobblestone streets in the neighborhood, a true step back in time...

 

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YESTERDAY'S OUTING WTH SOPHIE

Both of us had got a bit tired after the weekend spent outside Lisbon and, since yesterday was the day before the last of Sophie's stay in Lisbon, we decided that it would be better to have a calm afternoon. 

We strolled through one of the typical quarters, where we enjoyed shopping and window shopping. There are many boutiques, stores of Portuguese couturiers but we didn't buy anything in particular. We stopped for a tea at a tea-room with a nice ambience. Our order was not the ideal: a slice of chocolate cake. Good one but heavy, somehow. 

We needed to walk further and, by chance, we found a store specialized in cork accessories and complements. I told Sophie how cork was one of the main exports of Portugal and how recently, cork had been used for new products, other than the traditional bottle corks and cork wall and floor coverings. She fell in love with a bracelet and a necklace, and left the store feeling happy with her shopping. I myself had never seen before such a variety  of cork items of good quality and design. I'm very sure sooner or later I'll go back there and buy a hat. The one they had at the moment was not my size, but I found it very practical. It was light and for all-weather use, exactly what I like. 

Then, I took Sophie to the best store of Portuguese-made porcelain and crystal glass wares. The store has been recently remodelled and it looked nice. The shop assistants were kind enough and let us take as many photos as we wanted. We were on a lucky day... not always does this happen...

Sophie wanted to buy some poetry book by the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. All we had found before were written in Portuguese language. It was already late in the evening when we passed by a second hand bookseller and we decided to get in and ask whether they had some in English. Luckily, they had two different ones, which Sophie bought. The bookseller emphasised how lucky Sophie had been as very rarely they have English editions.

From there and prior to heading home, we stopped at a bar that had been formerly a brothel and nowadays it's one of the most popular bars in Lisbon. It still has many of its original features including furry walls. It's spread out over three floors, each one with its own interior decoration... It was a good idea...

It's already late. Sophie is having rest. Today, we will have to get up a bit earlier than the usual. We are going to the Flea Market and from there, perhaps not much we are going to do, as Sophie will  have to pack for her flight back home, tomorrow at a very early hour...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND....

Sophie has been lucky with her stay in Lisbon. The fine weather has been co-operative with our outings either to visit the city or driving to some places she had already in mind to see in person, such as a convent that was built in 1560 up on a hill. Not until yesterday had I been there. Once I had tried to reach it but got lost on the ridgeroad in the forest. When I have time I'll post about that hermitage, where it's hard not to be moved by its simplicity and seclusion.

She is amazed with the variety of interesting places that this tiny country has to offer to visitors. She never misses the chance of clicking on her camera whenever we come across something that appeals to her. Today, she told me she has already taken nearly 1,000 shots!!!

Tomorrow, we are going to drive northside and visit Fatima and two other monasteries that Sophie had already listed up prior to flying over here. We'll spend the overnight at Obidos, a village that was conquered from the Moors by the first king of Portugal. I guess, the weekend will give her subjects for some other 1,000 shots or maybe more... I'll tell you later...

Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend!

MULTIPLY/BLOGSPOT FRIEND IN LISBON....

SOPHIE, the dreamer from MULTIPLY has awaken and landed in Lisbon in high spirits... eyes wide open... camera in her hand ... ready to focus every corner of this city that has welcomed her on a bit windy and cold evening...

To be continued....