After leaving Oporto we continued driving south to Peniche. The weather was a little drizzly and windy so we were a little hesitant to post up in an apartment out on a pennisula in Peniche but decided to go for it....and we weren't disappointed!
The clouds parted and we even got a little sun! Peniche has become somewhat of a touristy place since the World Surfing tour now makes a stop here and is home to the famous "Supertubos". The beach is lined with people from all over the world, eager to learn the sport & plenty of surf camps to accomadate them.
There are a few cafes along the beach which is a great place to "people watch", check the waves, and watch the kids play in the sand.
We spent 3 nights here in Peniche and saw a little sun, a little rain and some very heavy wind. Whenever the sun was out we headed to the beach. One morning we woke up to drizzly skies and decided to go "sight see". We headed into town and walked around an old 16th century fortress which housed refugees from African colonies. It has also been used as dictator Salazar's jail for political prisioners.
(This surf spot is called Lagide, it was about a 2 minute walk from our apartment. Despite the crowds and the urchin- infested reef, Alex got some of the best surf of the trip here).
After our 3rd night in Peniche we decided to continue heading south, ending up in Ericeira. This was one of Alex's favorite towns when he was in Portugal 9 years ago, so we definitely wanted to stay a few nights here. Ericeira is also a mecca for surfers but also has a super cute town square and the typical blue and white painted buildings and tiles.
After having lunch we started looking for a place to stay. We checked out a few hotels but the biggest room we could find was one with 3 single beds. Alex popped in to a real estate office and managed to get us a 3 bedroom apartment overlooking the ocean for the same price as the hotel room ( He absolutely amazes me...I don't know how he does it!)
(view from the apartment)
After a little stroll around town we found a restaurant called Tik Tapas. This ended up being our favorite place to eat. Thinking we were going in to have a few tapas we were shocked when food kept appearing on our table. Everything from chicken, pasta, 4 different kinds of steak, potatoes, vegetables, creamed spinach, bread with herb butter, octopus salad and the BEST sangria we've ever had! Our kids still refer to this night as "The Feast".
(The Feast)
The next morning we took a day trip into Sintra (about 30 minutes south of Ericeira). This town was one that could be in a movie. Thick, lush forest lined roads with ferns popping out of every crack of the old stone walls, mist lingering in the air, grand palaces and casltles high up on hilltops, and don't forget the tour buses! I guess anything this magnificent and beautiful will attract lots of tourists.
We walked through the Palacio Nacional de Sintra which is in the heart of town. A palace built in 1261 was home to King Joao I. The hand painted tiles were stunning!
Then headed up the hill 400 meters above sea level to Castelo dos Mouros. This 9th century Moorish castle has views that extend for miles!
The next couple days were pretty mellow. We enjoyed a few sunny (and windy) afternoons by lounging in beachside cafes nuzzled into the cliffside protected from the wind and watched the kids play in the sand.
After 4 nights in Ericeira our trip was coming to an end. We had a 6 hour drive back north through Portugal and into Spain. We spent our last night back in Santiago de Compostela in a charming hotel overlooking the San Fransisco monument. We enjoyed a nice dinner and a few drinks out. Up early the next morning we headed to the airport and the journey home began.
With over 20,000 kilometers and 26 hours traveled by air, 3,000 kilometers traveled by car and 3 unforgetable weeks of laughter, fond memories, good food and family our time here in Europe came to an end. I will forever be appreciative of this life I have been given!
Until next time...
SALUD y SAUDE!
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