Sintra in the Summer Time
Through impeccable planning we managed to arrive in the tourist town of Sintra on the National Republic holiday. Not only a public holiday but a hot day to boot. I would not like to be here during the height of summer. The crush of people in the town centre was unpleasant.
An overnight train from Madrid to Lisbon saw us arrive in Lisbon at 8am, a quick connection and step off the train into the strange town of Sintra. After an ordinary breakfast we decide to cab it to the apartment, just too tired to muck about. Firstly ask the waiter which way our street is "It is just around the corner." And so it was, literally around the corner. Saved our selves what would have been a 50cent cab fare not to mention some embarrassment
We have a beautiful apartment. With some nice views. Sintra is a rather surreal place it's almost a caricature of a Disney town but that's just a first impression. Having a brass marching band heading up the narrow streets added to it. The road block this created built rapidly and long.
Headed up to the folly that was a royal palace up until 1910, Palacio Nacional de Pana. It is beyond description. What the monks, who built the core building as a monastery in the 15th century, would make of the Royal additions I don't know. Hopefully they would laugh. The edifice has every architectural style and indoor styling that has ever been thought of. Often in the same room.
Heading off to look at the Moorish Caste today. It is still hot, it's no longer warm. Yesterday was mid 30's. The bus trip up to the castle had a mix of beery BO, no deodorant BO, to much perfume and BO mix.
Our internet connection is slow. So will post pics later. To add to the technical fun the phone isn't working either. Please use email to contact for the time being.
An overnight train from Madrid to Lisbon saw us arrive in Lisbon at 8am, a quick connection and step off the train into the strange town of Sintra. After an ordinary breakfast we decide to cab it to the apartment, just too tired to muck about. Firstly ask the waiter which way our street is "It is just around the corner." And so it was, literally around the corner. Saved our selves what would have been a 50cent cab fare not to mention some embarrassment
We have a beautiful apartment. With some nice views. Sintra is a rather surreal place it's almost a caricature of a Disney town but that's just a first impression. Having a brass marching band heading up the narrow streets added to it. The road block this created built rapidly and long.
Headed up to the folly that was a royal palace up until 1910, Palacio Nacional de Pana. It is beyond description. What the monks, who built the core building as a monastery in the 15th century, would make of the Royal additions I don't know. Hopefully they would laugh. The edifice has every architectural style and indoor styling that has ever been thought of. Often in the same room.
Heading off to look at the Moorish Caste today. It is still hot, it's no longer warm. Yesterday was mid 30's. The bus trip up to the castle had a mix of beery BO, no deodorant BO, to much perfume and BO mix.
Our internet connection is slow. So will post pics later. To add to the technical fun the phone isn't working either. Please use email to contact for the time being.
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