Over the Spring Break, I went to Portugal with my friend Destin. Although I already traveled in Portugal last summer, I was only there for three days. There was also a very nice deal with Ryanair...
Because we flew with Ryanair (which, as an aside, is something I will never do again) we flew out of Bordeaux and arrived in Porto. Porto was so beautiful! We stayed in a great hostel, the Wine Hostel, right in the center of the student quarter. This allowed us to see all sorts of weird hazing rituals for Portuguese students.
Our hostel was in the center of town and also in the heart of the tourist district.
The gorgeous architecture and beautiful natural setting of Lisbon are contrasted with signs of poverty. We saw extravagant castles, but just across the street were heaps of rubble. We walked down grandiose boulevards, but there were drug sellers at every corner.
Castle of Sao Jorge
Moments after this photo was taken I hopped around gleefully and almost fell off of the interior ledge!
View from a cafe on the hill.
We went to the beach. It was kind of cold.
We took a ferry to the other side of the Tagus River.
View of Lisbon.
This may be the restaurant where Destin got horrible food poisoning!
Then we walked over to the Statue of Christ designed after the famous statue in Rio de Janiero.
We took a train to the nearby town of Sintra.
National Palace
Quinta da Regaleira
This Initiatic Well or "subterranean tower" is touted to "make the relation between Heaven and Earth intensely felt."
Moorish Castle
Pena Palace
Costa da Caparica
Guard in front of the official residence of the Portuguese President. Unlike similar guards in the UK, these guards follow you with their eyes. Creepy!
Monesterio dos Jeronimos a Noite
Belem Tower
Monument to the Discoveries
This Wind Rose was donated by the Republic of South Africa.
We had a great time in Portugal! Now I'm back in France preparing for final exams.
A plus!
