WE'RE BAAACK ! Well, almost back.

But if we're not careful we won't make it back. Here in Portugal, we often find that businesses like restaurants are built right along side the road. But we braved the walk along side the traffic to eat lunch at the Templar Knights restaurant. Picture below.




In this photo you can see just how close the road is to the restaurant. The white line behind Cathy is the edge of the road.


Last Saturday we took a trip downtown to see old Lisbon. We visited the port (even got the military police to let us inside to see the ships). The picture above is one city block square and houses the courts, including Portugal's highest court.


The two towers in the background were built to celebrate the world's fair several years ago. The theme had to do with the ocean so these two buildings were made to look like twin smoke stacks that are typical on ocean liners. A mall was built between them to give the impression of the center of the ship. Even the sidewalks were build to look and feel like the waves. BTW, I don't know how the print for this picture became blue and underlined. Oh, well.


Click on this photo to see the 6 mile long bridge we had to cross to get to church last Sunday.


People here just LOVE eating outside. There is at least one of these cafes every block or so.


Back in the 1800's when the King and Queen set up housekeeping in this area of Portugal, the Queen, who loved water foul, had several mini lakes built on the Castle grounds, and they were filled with birds of all sorts. Trees and plants from all over the world were imported and made into the walking garden you see in the next couple of pictures. Imagine the Queen being carried in her horse driven carriage throughout this garden.


Here's Cathy walking where the Queen once walked. Cathy wouldn't wash her feet for days. LOL


The next eight pictures are of the Castle the King and Queen lived in. There are literally scores of room in the castle. Of course the King and Queen had their servants, both had secretaries, the King had his financial advison, the Queen her nanny, etc. etc. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the inside because the rooms were filled with hundreds of antiques--actual pieces the King and Queen used.


















This is NOT part of the castle. It's a castle wannabe. Some rich guy bought land below the castle grounds and built his own castle/house.

THE END