Chefchaouen

June 2, 2019

Chefchaouen is a beautiful city established in the Rif mountains in the 1400s.  It began as a fortress to defend potential attacks from Portuguese invaders & eventually grew into a walled medina.    There are many theories as to why it is painted blue...
Some say the indigo color helps to keep the mosquitos away.  Some believe that the blue symbolizes the waterfall that provides the water for the city.  And others say that the large Jewish community that inhabited the city began the tradition because the blue is representative of the heavens & God.
No matter the origin, today's friendly inhabitants work diligently to keep their city freshly painted.

This is a place to just to wander through the winding colored streets...it is a feast for the eyes and really does give one a peaceful feeling...

You are welcome-

Tiny house of 2 rooms

One of the many souks along the medina streets-

Fresh squeezed juices available-

Local woman heading to the neighborhood oven

Entrance to the Mellah (Jewish neighborhood)

Small square with a big view-

Local man in traditional djellaba

There may be more cats than people in the medina...

Each traditional neighborhood has 5 elements:  a mosque, a school, a community fountain, a hamman (bathhouse) and a large oven where everyone brings their breads & cakes to be baked.  This couple was firing up the oven in preparation for the day.

We took a short hike up to the Spanish mosque for a view of the sunset over the city.

Rooftop dinner with a view of the Kasbah

Matt ready for his first trip to the hamman

The Lina Riad

Morning view from our bedroom window-
the blanket of fog over the Rif mountains looked like snow...

Off to Morocco!

June 1, 2019

Today we fly from Lisbon to Fez, Morocco. with our final destination a 3.5 hour drive northwest to the small but infamous 'blue city".  We will have 2 nights and 1 day to explore the ancient medina of Chefchaouen as our introduction to Morocco.

Dad's favorite airplane snack now a tradition when flying internationally.

Our drive took us 200+km along a 2-lane highway in the Rif mountains flanked on both sides by fields of wheat, barley, and olive & orange groves & roadside stands selling local wares.

(Olive trees)

We made one stop along the way for some Moroccan "whiskey" which is actually a very sweet hot mint tea.  Our driver, Abdel, informed us that Moroccans use this sugar-filled heated beverage to quench their thirst all throughout the day (even though it is 100+ degrees outside!)

An entire spring of mint fills each glass- the aroma is wonderful!

It is hard to miss the "Blue City" from the roadway-

Narrow cobbled medieval streets leading to the Lina Riad.

First tagines-
The boys chose meatballs in tomato sauce, & mom settled on chicken but dad's GOAT tagine won the prize for the tastiest and most tender dish.

No parents allowed in this room-

Morning view of the city-

Perfect spot for relaxing-

Lisboa Day 2 & 3

May 30-31, 2019

We gave ourselves a  total of 3 days to adjust to our new time zone & leisurely explore Libson.   Our final 2 days included free time just walking around the city, another guided tour of the historic Alfama district and some time at the beach!

The waterfront-

"Breakfast"
Great shot captured by Matt

Our guide informed us that the very best way to arrive to Portugal is by sea. He was not referring to the cruise ship industry but the historical significant of the Tagus River estuary to Portugal-
This is the historical Port of Lisbon.

Praca do Comercio- the main square of Lisbon near the waterfront

We wandered upon this market just around the time we were feeling a little hungry...

We didn't know what we would find but sausages, cheese & bread turned out to be an excellent mid-day treat.

I read that anytime one sees a sign that says "Miradouros", follow it.  We learned that this word means "viewpoint".

A beautiful "miradouros"-

A popular "touristic" attraction is riding one of Lisbon's many historical trams that loop around the city.  We chose to make the loop on foot and avoid the long wait lines and lurking pickpockets.  This funicular had a particularly steep route.

As we have travelled we have come to really enjoy eating at local food markets.
In 2014, one side of the city of Lisbon's main wholesale market, Mercado da Ribeira, was turned into a curated collection of restaurant & bar stalls run by Portugal's top chefs.  For us, it was a "not miss".

Chaotic & full of options!!

We all tried something different, aiming for Portuguese dishes- we tasted steak, salt cod (bacalhau), several kinds of savory pastries, and these fist-sized figs with prosciutto- delicious

Local art made from trash fished out of the river

ALFAMA DISTRICT WALKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

The Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest church in the city dating back to the 12th century.
Surprisingly it survived the Great Earthquake of 1755...

Majestic doors-

The Romans were everywhere!  This Roman theatre that originally seated up to 5000 people was discovered in the 1970s & is the only example of a Roman amphitheater found in Portugal.

Portugal is known for the beautiful decorative tiles found on buildings and murals-

  This scene depicts Saint Anthony who is celebrated on June 12-13th.  The festivities actually run all month with a friendly but fierce competition between neighborhoods around the city.  

Medevial gate to Sao Jorge Castel

Another beautiful miradouros

Mural made of individually painted tiles depicting 17th century port of Lisbon

An artist's graphic rendition of the history of Lisbon

Saint Anthony's Festival decorations

Last but not least-  Cascais Beach!
There are many beautiful beaches less than an hour train ride from the city.  We rode about 30 minutes to this stretch of sand & water for an afternoon of relaxation.

The Atlantic waters are a cold 15 degrees (Celcius, that is).
These guys braved the cold but this mom couldn't get deeper than my ankles!

Our little green umbrella provided just enough shade...

It seemed fitting to end tour time in Portugal with a seafood feast.

"Ate breve" Lisbon  (see you soon)