Portugal and Spain

We were able to take a wonderful family trip to Portugal and Spain. We spent 4 beautiful days exploring and "experiencing" (as read in my previous blog entry), and spending time in the most interesting little towns. Here's a recap and a load of pictures!


We flew in to Lisbon, and drove 1 hour North to the resort, where we stayed for a few nights! We were hoping for the weather to be warm enough for outdoor swimming, but unfortunately it was a wee bit cold!!! The water was anyway. So we swam in the indoor pool and visited a town just South of us called Peniche.


Peniche had these amazing cliffs that dropped right into the ocean. To see the water hit those rocks and spray 40 feet in the air was intimidating! The kids and I could barely managed to look over the edge. We did find the lighthouse there and climbed down some stairs that led us to a cliff below. It was so nice sitting there watching the ocean and feeling the sun beat down on us, it made a great shield from the wind!

Later that night we forced ourselves back out to the beach to greet the ocean and form a truce. Rylie cried the whole time and Carson panicked. But we managed to collect our shells and thank the ocean for making such a wonderful treasure for us to take back with us. Sort of helped Carson, but Rylie's opinion of the sea is forever tarnished with the memory of it blasting her down!

The following day we visited what I consider to be the highlight of the trip, a small medieval town called Obidos. It was built in the 1300's and a stone fortress was built around it. All of it still standing. The streets remained the same as well, cobblestone streets in place and small town shops lined up the small narrow streets. The girls bought the cute hand stitched bags, Carson bought his very blunt (thank goodness) wooden sword, and Rylie, well she is too young to care so we skipped her in the gift giving.

Later that day, we drove 3 1/2 hours inland and crossed the border over into Spain. We stayed in a cigarette invested hotel, but it was only a walking distance from the most amazing Roman Ruins. Which brings us to the following days events!

The following day we walked to the Roman Ruins and gazed at structures that were over 2000 years old! Unbelievable! It is hard to describe the feelings that arise when you are gazing at something built by man in 25 B.C. Respect, Admiration?! And then Wonder, as you try to imagine what life was like back then and the events that took place.

Afterwards, we drove another 2 1/2 hours back to Lisbon, where we boarded our plane and left our balmy 70 degree weather and were met with our 40 degree weather!!! So in 4 days, 2 countries, 5 hours worth of flying and 7 hours worth of driving, we have come to the conclusion that we are TIRED!!! But we had a blast and made memories that will last forever!