Belém Tower, Portugal

i got an email update today from one of my favorite blogs: The Longest Way Home. Lately the author has been in South East Asia, but he did travel extensively elsewhere in the past. One such place was Portugal. Specifically, today’s email showed photos from the atower of Belém. It’s nice to be reminded of such a site! I too took lots of photos here. I wonder where they are? Maybe this is the year we get our blogs and photos and webs organized! Ojalá!

https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/blog/portugal/belem-tower-or-the-tower-of-st-vincent-in-portugal-photograph/

Jamón en Madrid

12/24/17 update: I don’t know what happened to the video I originally posted here, and I can’t find it online. But - I did come up with something  interesting to replace it: a video visit to a Museum of Ham! It’s in Spanish, but even if you don’t understand the language, you’ll still see how interesting this place is. Without a doubt - it’s time to go back!

https://youtu.be/laqAElLMxiA

8/6/21 update: When I checked the blog today, the video said: not available. BUT, I found embed code by clicking the the video link, so now, once again, we can see Jamón!. Persistence...

Day 2 April 18th

Day 2 April 18th Amsterdam and Madrid

Landed in Amsterdam at 0630 [thursday 2330 MSP time]. Outside overcast and cool when crossing to the outside door. Staggered around until we found the entry point. There was a very long line - apparently a very anal [a.k.a. POOPy] official up front. Lady ahead of us said the guy ahead of her was "physically obnoxious" and elbowing her. After we got our passports stamped, the customs part was a wave-by. We found a little oasis of comfy chairs on our way to 83D. We got some coffees and spent some time with Don Pepper, a cute little Australian man with a purported vast travel history. We chatted for about 90 minutes and then headed down to the crowded gate area. We didn't have to wait long...then gate was changed to 79 D.

Long uncontrolled line for boarding. Jan and Judy were 7 C&D; M&D 23 A&B. The flight was just over 2 hours and we got these incredible delicious sandwiches [dark nut bread with soft white cheese and herb white bread with ham]. We also got these really great wafer cookies. We developed obvious brain cloud as we collected our bags - walked right by the guy with our names on the sign. Escorted us to a Mercedes van - didn't speak a Word of English. City seemed immediately foreign and nondescript. Brought us to the Principe de Verga Room 318. Got our room assignment and settled in. Changed our clothes - went down to the bar for some bodka tonkikas, jambon and bread with tomatoes. At 5 pm we headed down to the lounge area to meet our driver and Luis Lopez, our Portuguese tour guide for the next two weeks. He is about 6' tall, rimless glasses, wide smile big teeth, slight paunch - about our age with puffy curly hair. Always well dressed and well spoken - obviously very experienced in managing people and the details of our day-to-day lives for the next 2 weeks. We got the low down on the tour and simple introductions. He gave us the details of optional excursions for the evening and recommendations for warm outer wear for the scheduled walking tour. Got on our darling Mercedes bus and they dropped us off to begin the walking tour. I was not as interested in the details as I could have been. to be honest...what I remember is a horribly windy, cold, exhausting walking tour to alot of squares that I didn't have the energy to learn about.

Then we walked to the restaurant.....Restaurante la Opera de Madrid. Our meals were:
Martha: salad; lamb and prunes; cheese cake
Dianne: veal; salad; ice cream
Judy: duck pate; salad; ice cream
Jan: duck pate; lamb and prunes; chocolate mousse
All: Toasts with kir royale and champagne

Opera lady serenaded us with Carmen and La Boheme. They took us home the scenic route...Martha and Judy missed it. We shot straight up the elevator to bed. I tried the bidet and flooded the bathroom. Judy set the alarm for 0700 Minnesota time on her phone. Twin beds. Took us a while to figure out it took the room card needed to control the lights. Very wakeful night...

1st day April 17th

1st Day - April 17th Mpls to Amsterdam
Got up at 0715. Zipped up the big suitcase last nite. Projects for this morning -finish the details - head out to Kowalski's market for picnic materials. We made many lists and at the end of the day its the same list each time. Judy shopped her brains out over the weekend to get the proper picnic gear - personal igloos, little bottles for nibbles, candy, handiwipes, etc. It took me a while to finalize the carryons. I bought a new roller and Judy brought her Mr. fluffy [the fuzzy carpet bqg]. I downloaded "Eli Stone' overnight to the i-pod. Headed off to Kowaslki's before 0800 and shot through the store - scored an A+ on every requirement. Final picnic bag for each couple:

• red licorice
• dates and chocolate covered almonds
• wasabi peas
• linen napkins
• sporks
• ham and cheese + roast beef and cheese sandwiches
• green and black olive
• mini dill pickles
• mandarin oranges
• light cow triangles
• hard boiled eggs

Got home at 0830. Lorraine is picking up Diane and Martha - they sounded really stressed last nite. Mom is very quiet - the pups are following closely. Went through the check lists many times and headed out just after noon. Darla dropped us off without incident. Looked around for the gals...no sign. Checked in at the International Desk - no hassle, didn't even weigh our checked bags. Going through security the mandarin oranges were nip and tuck but survived the cut. Over to G6 and there they were. We had giddy joyous hugs and immediately dug into the picnics. Bounced over to the NW club to grab a pop and stock up on snacks. When we got back to the gate boarding started shortly thereafter. We boarded at 1430 - on time take off 1500.
D&M were in 34 H&I, judy and I were in bulkhead 29 H&I. Plenty of leg room and not hot! D&M watched "There will be Blood". Judy and I watched Eli Stones. They provided two meals and there were personal tvs. The plane was full. Sat in front of two talkers - they talked and giggled about very personal topics [pregnancy and divorce] ALL NIGHT LONG.
We immediately converted to 1500 + 7 Madrid time. We decided to shut off the tv way after midnight. Breakfast was terrible and we landed to a cold rainy day.

June 1, 2010 5:23 PM

Memorial Day 2010

Jan's first step to documenting/remembering our journeys in Iberia to quell the panic that my notes were lost. they weren't. I have them in hand and find that I had done alot of work to fill in some blanks already especially about the departure and the "picnic". I am thrilled that I can proceed without further guilt.

Jan

Re-ignition

Commitment to adding to the content at least 1 day per week.

Travelers Music for Spain

National Geographic has created a playlist for travelers to Spain.  The music is downloadable for $13.47.  Here's the playlist:

Movable Madrid

Here's a great new tool from Google SketchUp - an aerial tour of Madrid!  It really does give you a sense of the magnificence of the city. Check it out! The article on Goggle's blog is also worth reading.

Lisbon, Portugal

Here's a video of Lisbon, Portugal. Does it bring back fond memories?

"Travels in Iberia"

Today four members of our tour group have been invited to join a wiki called Travels in Iberia. This is Phase Two of the trial stage - we're testing to see how "user-friendly" the Webpaint wiki tools are. Hopefully we will soon ALL be joining this wiki, and sharing our travel memories together online. Won't you join us? Write MailLady Martha for an invitation, and "See you online"!

Iberia 2008 Tour with Luis!

Welcome to the public world of photos, fun, and frolic by members of Grand European Tour's April 17-May 1, 2008 trip to Spain, Morocco, and Portugal! 27 of us traveled with tour guide Luis and driver Paolo for 15 days of adventure and education in the Iberian peninsula. Won't you join us? Don't you want to re-live it all? Add your pictures, and tell your stories!! Comment on what others have posted online. Link to YOUR website, or share whatever info you've found. Let's continue the fun with OUR "Iberia 2008 Tour"!

INSTRUCTIONS

Here's how you do it: the shell of this blog has been set up for you. Every day of the tour has a different posting. Most of the postings can be found by looking for "April" under the Blog Archive on the right-hand column. For each post, I copied what the GET brochure said we were going to do, and where we were going to go that day. This will help remind you of what went on! At the bottom of each post, there is a linked word that says "comments". Just Click that Link! - it will take you to a page where YOU can write whatever you want. If you want more space than is available in the comments section, to add photos, or post your own links, Write to MailLady Martha, and I'll show you how. That's all there is to it. ENJOY!

Technical problems?

I notice that this blog does NOT print well with the Firefox browser. Instead, use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to print this blog. Better yet, let me know how to fix the page's code so that it DOES print in Firefox!!

added to blog on 7/11/08

May 1 - Day 15 - Madrid to USA

"Hasta la vista as we are transferred to Madrid airport for our return flights home. Buffet Breakfast and In-Flight Meal Included"

April 30 - Day 14 - Segovia

"A highlight of today’s journey is a stop in the old town of Segovia, with its medieval buildings, unique Roman aqueduct and the imposing Alcazar standing 300 ft. above the valley. Stroll around the 12th-century walls or explore the narrow lanes of this jewel of Castile. We continue our drive back to Madrid where this evening we enjoy a Highlight Farewell Dinner and toast “adios” to our new friends! BB and Highlight Dinner Included"

April 29 - Day 13 - Salamanca (Fatima)

"We travel north today with a picturesque drive through the Sierra d’Aire Mountains on our way to the Shrine at Fatima to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Then, we travel back into Spain and on to Salamanca where we find the Baroque Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s grandest squares. BB and D"

April 28 - Day 12 - Lisbon

"Today visit the picturesque medieval quarter and Vasco da Gama’s tomb inside the Hieronymite Monastery and admire the Tower of Belem on the Tagus River. BB."

April 27 - Day 11 - Lisbon

"Across the border and into the Alentejo, granary of Portugal this morning. Almond trees and cork oaks sustain traditional villages along our route. Arrive in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon. BB."

April 26 - Day 10 - Seville

"Our morning sightseeing is a step back in time as we observe 700 years of influence by the Moors. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Palace of Alcazar, the old district of Santa Cruz and visit the impressive tomb of Christopher Columbus, housed in Spain’s largest Gothic Cathedral. BB."

April 25 - Day 9 - Seville (Gibraltar)

"A short drive to the British city of Gibraltar where we have a tour of the famed Rock, visit St. Michael’s Cave and see the Barbary Apes! Back in to Spain we continue through the vineyards of Jerez, home of sherry, to a pleasant 2-night stay in Seville, Andalusia’s most beautiful city. Tonight a chance to experience an authentic optional Andalusian Flamenco show. BB and D."

April 24 - Day 8 - Costa del Sol (Mijas)

"A whole day to relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the beach front or even take an optional trip into the hills to visit the quaint village of Mijas. Buffet Breakfast Included"

April 23 - Day 7 - Costa del Sol (Tetouan)

"An exciting morning drive brings us to Algeciras for the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Landing in North Africa, a short drive will take us to the exotic Moroccan city of Tetouan. Visit the Casbah and enjoy a Moroccan feast with local entertainment before returning to Spain this evening. Buffet Breakfast and Lunch Included"

April 22 - Day 6 - Costa del Sol

"This morning, a highlight visit to the famed Alhambra; to pass through its gates is to enter an Arabian Night’s dream! A fantasy of “lace in stone,” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, the Alhambra affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Then, we travel south to the vibrant Costa del Sol for a leisurely 3-night stay. On the way, we visit a working rural olive mill. Taste the various oils and join the locals at the village square for an Andalusian home hosted lunch as part of our Explore & Discover™ series. Buffet Breakfast and Lunch Included"