Mr. B and Me (Adventures in Saudi Arabia and beyond!)

A Glimpse of Portugal
(September 2006)

	I had a most wonderfully relaxing and refreshing trip to Lisbon, Portugal!  I spent a week visiting with dear friends, checking out some of the local sites, and just enjoying!
Cabo da Roca The western-most point in Continental Europe.  The lighthouse here is 165m high and dates from 1772.
Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) - The surf pound into the rock from the Atlantic Ocean.  Over the years the water has forced itself completely through to the other side.
	Torre de Belém (Belem Tower) - Finished in 1520 for the defense of the entrance to the Tegus River.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) - A monument built in 1960 for the Portuguese World Exhibition.  It takes the form of a caravel, the ship used for the Porguguese Discoveries.  A mosaic in the pavement outside shows the world-wide discoveries by the Portuguese explorers in the15th and 16th centuries.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jeronimo's Monastery) - The monastery was begun in 1501 and took about a century to build.  The building is over 300m in length and now houses a national museum in addition to the church.
	A view of Lisbon from the Belem Tower.  After visiting the sites in this area of town my friends took me to the famous Pastéis de Belém.  They are said to make the best of these famous custard tarts - and they make and serve thousands of them every day.
Carcavelos is the town where my friends live.  Located on the train line between Lisbon and Cascais, it is within an easy walk of the beach where surfers wait for the best waves.
	One of my special memories is the opportunity to sing with the Lisboa family on Sunday morning!  Some folks couldn't understand how I could sing in Portuguese even though I can't speak the language! Ever notice how "Alleluia" sounds the same in every language?