A very close friend to my late Dad, one who has been always accessible to my family in times past, had the wedding of his son in Portugal and I had the privilege of being granted a visa so we turned it into week+ long retreat.
I'm usually not very keen on air travel, mainly cause it stresses me the hell out. Got the ginger last minute and I'm glad I went with it. Spent 8 days in total, 5 days in Cascais and 3 days in Lisbon. Cascais is some sort of amazing beach town, all you're supposed to do there is chill, eat and exercise (which happens to be a new thing my body seems to like). I got one of those Beach view rooms in a 5 Star Health and Spa resort called the Hotel Cascais Miragem, amazing hotel all round, from the meals to ever present staff willing to help you with any and everything you'd want.
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| Hotel Room (Picture from Hotel Website) |
First day in and your boy decided to take a walk and sample the food scene and beach life in general. Must chip in, I expected the weather to be a bit on the hot side because everyone says "Portugal is hotter than other EU states" alas wasn't the case as the sun was always present but you could feel a slight chill (love). Food here is geared towards seafood lovers, seeing as they're surrounded by the thing anyways. I have an issue with boned fish, so I couldn't experience the grilled sardines (which most places I ate were so quick to recommend I try out) and the long list of fish they had. Stuck with the Grilled Salmon (best from Baiuka Grill Restaurant Cascais), which was all sorts of amazing as I visited more places. They serve meat as well, but you can tell from the way the menu is presented that it is to please the tourists or outsiders. The pastry scene got me real bad; there were times I would buy Pastel de Nata (Custard tarts) with a Cheese and Ham melt and just top it off with a cup of coffee, it just put me in another zone. I'm still a shy person, so it was a bit unsettling for me to just whip out my phones and start documenting these moments.
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| The Great Pastel de Nata (Custard Tart) |
After the wedding I shipped myself to Lisbon, the Uber guy that took me was jamming Burna Boy when i came in. Thought he did it cause of me but when he found that I was Nigerian he lost it lol. He even introduced me to his local favourite act called Richie Campbell (amazing vibes). In Lisbon, I stayed at a city centre place called Turim Marques Hotel. Good place, modern, no views, most importantly central. The location made sure most places were 1 hour or less in walking time. Man I walked minimum 5km/day just so I could do tourist things, after a while I had to include Uber to aid before I lost the use of my legs. I wish I had more time; there are some places I'm really regretting not checking out, maybe some other time. The people are amazing tho, smiles and all. Real smiles not the awkward UK kind you get when you lock eyes.
I would definitely go back again, maybe when I have a partner. Solo travel does have its limitations. I must thank Google for the assistance with finding places nearby and restaurant recommendations, it was fun exploring with just my mobile phone and not having to stop and ask strangers. As usual, I have added a few pictures below for your viewing pleasure.
I think it is time I invest in a proper camera, mobile phones do have their limitations. I think I'm trying with the mobile photography though.
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| Postcard worthy |
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| Room service breakfast (found out later there was a buffet downstairs) |
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| Lamb chops in Palmtree Cascais |
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| I wasn't lying when I said I walked minimum 5km/day |
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| Cheese and Ham Sandwich (decadent) |
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| Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara |
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| Lunch at 'The Great American Disaster'. There's a steak under all that sauce |
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| Rossio Square |
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| Restauradores Square |
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| Beautiful Wedding I attended. |
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| Sunset at Aribba Guincho |
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| Sunset at Cascais |
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