----- Cascais -----
We visited Cascais briefly during our daytrip from Lisbon on Sunday, Sept. 30. It was jam-packed with Ironman participants and their friends and family and other assorted tourists.
On our return we were pleasantly surprised how calm and peaceful the place was.
We were happy with Hotel Baía. Our room faced the water and had a nice, private balcony.
This is the room but we couldn't check in until later.
So we explored part of town which we had not seen the first time. This is the main shopping street
This is along the walkway that parallels the bay.
The weather was getting a little ominous.
Looking back toward town.
An inviting guest house
Maybe next time we'll stay here.
We had heard all about Santini's ice cream but this was our first taste. Usually there is a line out the door.
It was good but it didn't knock our socks off, Look! "Desde 1949", just like me!
OK, not sure what it is, but it looked serious about something.
The old soldiers' home
The view from our hotel room
Also from our room
Also from our room. All the paver stones seem to be around a 2 to 3 inch irregular cube with one finished side. They are set in sand, like pavers. I know this because I saw a repair crew fixing an area that had been disturbed.
The commodore of the Cascais Yacht Club
The Forte de Cascais
The lookout part of the Fort. How would you like to be up there on a 12-hour shift on a cold and rainy day, keeping your eyes peeled for pirates, or Moors, or Vikings?
We took a walk through the Municipal Park. It was populated mostly by chickens, roosters and peacocks.
Video of "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
Actually the question is "why did the ROOSTER cross the road?" and I think we all know the answer to that one. You will for sure after this video:
Chickens, Roosters, and the House
Of course! To get to the chickens!
Hey there big boy!
Something fishy about this sculpture.
All that's left is the feet.
The agony of da feet! This must have been a really huge statue when the rest of it was still attached!
Farol - Museu de Santa Marta
Casa Santa Maria in the background. See below.
"Monument of Public Interest"
So this was part of a sign out in front of the high-end Farol Hotel. Who would have thought someone (besides me, of course) would think about matching gin and sushi?
Don't know if this O'Neill was related to the one who commissioned the Casa de Santa Maria, but this Irish Pub was right next to our hotel. How convenient!
According to Google Translate, Mariscar means "to fish" and Mariscara and Mariscaria both mean "shellfish". I'm guessing it means a place to buy fish, sort of like a cervejaria is a place to buy or drink beer. At 18€/kg (about $9.50 US) the tuna looked like a good deal!
A nice sidewalk cafe
A side street off the main street
A deserted beach on a cool, rainy day.
This was the only day out of the three weeks we spent in Portugal that we wore our rain jackets. It actually rained for a while!
So naturally, it seemed like a good idea to take refuge in a tavern, have a refreshment, and wait out the storm.
Reminded me of the Tobin James Winery logo except that has seven points, not eight.
Paver waves
A different wave pattern. Sorry if I'm boring anyone (everyone?) with all my paver photos but to me, in all their various patterns, the pavers are Portugal.
OK, so this photo has paver patterns but it also has four shiny depositories sticking up in the foreground. They are for glass, paper, plastics, and then anything that is none of the above.
Then, a truck comes along, they pop the lids, pull out the underground containers, dump the contents in the truck and haul it away! I think this is a much better system than big green ugly above-ground dumpsters that are ubiquitous in the US. OK, now I know I AM BORING everyone! Sorry. By the way, this photo was taken from the side balcony of our hotel room.
Our last evening in Cascais. We splurged on a nice bottle of red and a seafood boil for two. The wine was excellent! The seafood was disappointing.
Cascais is the "Youth Capital of Europe" for 2018, but they let us in anyway!
