So i know i owed update on my trip, im doing them now :) I decided to make it in listed formats, hopefully i wont be rambling wayyyyy too much. But it's just so much to share and say about, anyway, we'll see how it goes.
~ LISBON ~
1) Monument of the Discoveries
This monument is in remembrance of those 'warriors' that contributed to the discovery to the east. Remember Alfonso d Albuquerque? 1511 malacca? He's the 3rd from the left =)
This is built supposedly for defence purposes, but later lost the function due to its strategic functions. I think it's mainly bcuz there's only a single-lane of staircase in the tower, and it's very very squeezy. I cant imagine how the soldiers were to run up and down carrying their weapons during emergencies. They ll probably knock each other or alternating up and down to gv way to each other. Sighhh..
~ SINTRA ~
This place wasnt in our original plan initially. But given the strong recommendation by our hostle manager, we decided to squeeze everything in lisbon in one day and head off to sintra for a one-day trip. Located somewhere (west i think) in Portugal, the town is becoming more n more popular after being awarded UNESCO Heritage status. It's a very small and simple town, with 5-6 major attractions, in which u can hop on n off from the tourist bus from stations to stations: National Palace of Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira Gardens.
Amongst all, the two adventurous ladies decided to go on foot up the Moorish castle, built by the Arabs. It's really really tremendously high and scary to hike up from the foot of hill. I actually thought i wont be able to make it, i thought i ll faint half way. Haha.. But when we saw some senior citizens walking up, we thought that it would be shameful if we took the bus instead. Actually i wonder why these elderlys in european countries are so much fitter than asians.. Throughout the trip we saw lots of old couples travelling tgt, walking step by step to every destinations.
It does resemble the Great Wall of China in a way. Step by step, when we reached the peak after 40 mins, the sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction is awesome!! Really. But honestly it was so funny to see pui yee so terrified because of the height. She's the one who urges me to take roller coaster all the time, but then she was even more afraid than me tat day. I still think roller coaster is scarier..
~ FOOD ~
I forgot who told us we can hv spicy baby nyonya food in portugal (hmmm.. u better stand out urself). TAT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG OKAYYYY =(( We were so excited and then disappointed to find no curry or even minimal spicyness in portugal. It's just mainly fish or meat, with salad and potatoes (which i dont eat at all). Nevertheless, tis' grilled sardines.. Quite okish, provided tat u know how to get rid of the bones.. Some are eatable, some are not..
Lisbon has great appreciation towards coffee, in which they call it bica. Unfortunately u r reading this from a person who's not good in tasting. I would say it's not much difference to regular coffee except tat it is more bitter and it's very small cup, really.
Modes of transportation available here: metro, bus, trams, train, and of course car and plane. The interesting one to point out is demonstrated in the following picture: the new, modern electronic and mini, conventional tram. Take tram 28 if you come here, it chauffeurs u around the city of lisbon and u can sit inside comfortably whilst enjoying the picturesque =)
~ PEOPLE ~
Being a malaysian or understanding the baba nyonya culture doesnt really help much really =)) But u do can find words similar to BM, eg. gereja, sabun, meja, jendela, boneka etc. Most portugese can speak english, but not very i would say. And in fact, when we mentioned that we are malaysians, they said tat ' WOWWW, ur english is incredible'!! LOL =P Anyway, portugese ppl are generally more friendly compared to (you know where), and very helpful when u ask them for directions or eating out suggestions. Still, i would say malaysians are best! No wonder malaysians are always quoted as being friendly, helpful, nice, lovely, awesome by tourists around the world!
