Summer vacations synopsis: Portugal

While in Portugal, Nuno and I managed to attended a very special wedding that had been marked on our calendars for quite some time. This was the second time we got married to each other (but not any less special) and we were happy to share it with our family and friends, some of whom actually flew across the Atlantic to be there.

Ceremony at praia da Murtinheira

Wedding reception at Casa da Praia

S. João in Figueira da Foz

Of course showing our guests Dilly and Greg around our hometown was imperative. But before that we stopped at Montemor-O-Velho where Greg visited his first castle and I displayed my amazing hidden talents as a tour guide... luckily I had some signs to help me with that.

In Coimbra, they did get a little carried away during the University tour but didn't misbehave too much at the Botanical Garden... just entered a few restricted areas, no big deal. Afterwards, we visited the Old Cathedral and went down Quebra Costas (which literally means "back breaker"). Wisely enough, the tourists got frightened at the Back Breaker and used extreme caution while walking down its steps. Dilly was successful in avoiding to slip and fall. The same can't be said about some of the locals though... we actually witnessed a couple of falls.

the University

tourists invading a class room

"chained" to the wall until he finishes studying

Botanical Garden

Dilly at Quebra Costas :D

Old Cathedral, or as we say it Sé Velha, built on the 12th century
Greg I hope you're happy, my guess was really close :)

And after saying goodbye to our friends we had a short honeymoon in Berlengas, a group of small islands a few kilometers off the coast of Peniche. The boat ride alone is quite worthwhile but the island itself is beautiful, most of which is charmingly wild - but you'd better love seagulls cause they're everywhere! The beach is a very small calm bay with cristal waters and around the island there are several amazing caves you can visit by boat. Apparently this is also an awesome scuba diving spot, guess I'll have to try it next time.

the visit to the fortress, which is also a hostel

the lighthouse

the island circuit to visit the caves

the beach: please be advised that seagull's poop may fall from the sky.

and the boat ride back to Peniche

Unfortunately, after being wowed by Berlengas, Peniche doesn't look that great. Still, it has a few things to offer. Besides beaches and amazing seafood restaurants, Peniche also has a 16th century fortress, that was once used as a prison during Salazar's dictatorship, now turned into a museum. The city itself is a peninsula  partially surrounded by 16th century wall and its western end is Cabo Carvoeiro, a rugged cape with bizarrely shaped pinnacles and sea caves that offers panoramic ocean views all the way to Berlengas, great for pictures.

the fortress prison

Cabo Carvoeiro

Baleal

Eventually, I had to take Nuno to the airport and since I was already there decided to spend the day in Lisbon. After having lunch in Boca do Inferno and taking a nap on Cascais beach, I finished the day with a jazz concert in Parque Eduardo VII.

Boca do Inferno

Outjazz

Now, if you think this was an intense summer vacation wait until you see how Canada went ;)