Evora Portugal
“Portugal is a high hill with a white watch tower on its flying signal flags. It is apparently inhabited by one man who lives in a long row of yellow houses.” – Richard H. Davis.
There were nine of us in Morocco. As that wonderful interlude came to an end, six flew back to the United States to pick up the threads of their lives though for the next few days, Instagram and the shared chat buzzed with their stories and their laments. One stayed back to spend family time with her Moroccan family and two moved on to Portugal.
We arrived in Lisbon to spectacular sunset, a wonderful omen to our next adventure. A night to refresh and recover, an amazing dinner, a total change of pace and we were ready to head to Evora.
The train journey with us heavily loaded with our luggage, trying to herd moving luggage in the carriage every time the train rocked and curved, playing musical seats to keep a hold of said luggage had us in splits of laughter.
Evora, the heart of the Alentejo region of Portugal with its narrow winding lanes, striking monuments fabulous food is an enchanting place to spend a couple of days.
After checking into our hotel, dropping our luggage, we set off to wander and explore despite the threatening rain which at times was a sprinkle and at others was a full-blown downpour. Since it was Sunday, many shops and restaurants were closed which bothered us not a whit in our wandering.
Our first stop was the cathedral that stood at the highest point in the town and only a quick 3-minute walk from our hotel. We had scoffed a bit at the three minutes that the reception in our historical hotel had promised us but this time it was true.
First built in the thirteenth century after the city was recaptured from the Moors, this world heritage church is the heart of the medieval city. As we walked the cloisters and grabbed a few pictures we saw three ladies seated on a bench, a part of a tour group. I was reminded how often I find a seat closest to the attraction the guide is extolling about even as the rest of the group strolls and climbs.
The beautiful interior features a baroque style with paintings lining the walls. After wandering and enjoying all there was to see we sat down in one of the pews to see if we could wait out the rain.
This Roman temple to Diana was built during the reign of Augustus Ceaser and dates back to the first century in the center of what is believed to have been the forum at that time.
We strolled along the narrow cobblestoned streets in search of lunch and shelter from the rain. Can you imagine a shop just selling sardines? actually they did have salmon and other canned fish, but this colorful shop just called us to step in. Mmm perhaps it was the hunger rumbling in our stomachs that might have something to do with it too.
After being turned away from two restaurants that had been highly recommended because they were too full of people enjoying their food and disinclined to move fast because of the rain, we ended up at this delightful restaurant and enjoyed the local food.
Over lunch we met a couple who were on their first group tour, and we had a delightful lunch discussing pros and cons of group travel versus independent travel. One of the great perks of travel, making new friends everywhere you go.
The rain was playing hide and seek with us all day but when it decided that it needed to dump some significant water on us, tired and damp we decided to retire for the evening.
Waking up to the most gorgeous sunrise we decided to get our butts in gear and complete the rest of our itinerary before we needed to leave for the train station.
Navigating a new direction, we decided to head straight for the chapel of bones.
On the way we crossed the Portas Da Moura fountain.
After touring the next door church, we headed into the macabre chapel of the bones.
Emerging, we made our way to the nearby park and the royal castle.
After crossing a host of peacocks resting on their butts in the garden we haded towards the medieval walls that surround the old city.
But time was running out as we made our way to the central square where we took a load of our feet and enjoyed coffee and a treat even as we people watched and enjoyed the sunshine.
But our train was calling and soon we were chugging along quaint Portuguese towns and beautiful landscapes on our way to the Algarve.
Since I travel solo, I often do group tours and even when I am on my own, I set up a guide or a day tour. It’s been fun traveling with a friend with no agenda, armed with the tourist information and just wandering around on a voyage of discovery.