My beloved wife and I celebrated what I consider to be a milestone in our lives a few days back. We arrived on the shores of Portugal 20 years to the day from where we were married by a JOP on a cold, desolate beach on Nantucket, roughly 3200 miles across the cold north Atlantic.





We had no clearly defined plans, other than to enjoy each other, celebrate our union, eat some great food and to bounce around a bunch of fun places for a few days, playing it by ear. This is pretty much how we roll wherever we go, and as usual, our plan worked out great.

Mrs. KG has been to Lisbon before several times, so knows the city a bit and knows enough to be able to comfortably get us around with no issues.

I'll not bore you with many details, and will just post a bunch of pics that some may enjoy. A few observations: Lisboa/Lisbon is a beautiful, old world city. It has lovely and friendly people and a rich history. Modern Lisbon has every modern amenity one could ask for, if wanted, but we tend to lean toward a more old school type experience. Fancy isn't a priority. Having fun is.

Lisbon suffers from urban decay. The infrastructure leaves much to be desired, with grafitti everywhere, many buildings abandoned, potholes in streets and walkways everywhere. A fair number of homeless and of course, the immigrant population seems to represent a high percentage of the street vermin. There is said to be a fairly brisk trade in pickpocketing, but that said, at no time did we feel unsafe or threatened in any way, though I did ID a few of them looking to find an easy mark. Sorry, chum. Behave yourself and move along, there's a good lad...

Lisbon's people are super helpful and very friendly, and with English and some basic Spanish, zero language issues existed for us.

Lisbon is largely made up of steep hills with streets of cobblestones and sidewalks of sandstone/limestone tiles that are slippery when wet and decidedly uneven. I did not see a single woman wearing heels. To do so would 100% result in injury, even over the course of a single city block. The first day we walked over 9 miles, with most up and down steep hills. Over the course of four full days we walked just shy of 30 miles, and again, with precious little of it flat.

Within easy striking distance within city limits and beyond Lisbon are many wonderful places. We visited a few and enjoyed it all, and never felt rushed or like we weren't seeing things we should've been.

Lisbon is very affordable and has tons of things to do and see--and EAT. I feel like we just scratched the surface in the 4 nights we stayed, but given the fun factor that's a good thing and we'll be back for sure. Next time I'll rent a car and plan on taking in more of Portugal as well as driving into Spain.

With that out of the way, here we go. Hope some folks enjoy.

Anyone spot the pickpocket?

Our base camp for the duration. An old 'palacete' built in the 17th century for guests of a Lisboan Duke. Very charming, and quiet. Lovely staff. Incredibly inexpensive, with full breakfast included. Typical for us was freshly squeezed juice, cappuccino or espresso, eggs cooked any way or omelette with meat and cheese or veg of your choice, as well as sausage or bacon sides warm, freshly baked rolls and breads with jellies and jams, fruits with cereal and yogurt, mashed avocado or fresh tomato slices with olive oil and chives. Great way to kick off the day and maybe shake off a bit of a hangover. Awesome place and perfect for us.

Directly across the street from our hotel lies the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, or the National Museum of Ancient Art. We had big fun there. Some 40K works are there, I believe. Ten bucks a head entrance fee. Amazing collections. Could easily spend a couple days there, but we had other plans so only spent a few hours. Well worth it and highly recommended.





















The works by Bosch were particularly amazing. Blew me away.

Wiki on him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch

A few more works we really enjoyed. No camera flashes allowed so what you see is what you get.





















I'll maybe post some more later, but that was the first 24 hours or so.

Your lady is truly adorable.

Great pics once again my friend.

Awesome post. Great pics!

Lot's of violence and poverty in those paintings.

In the pic of the first street scene, what are the metal things running down the middle?

Best wishes and congratulations!

Handsome couple, unaged by time.

JUST WOW!!! Congratulations! What an epic adventure and I hear Portugal is a great place to live, work and retire. Best Wishes!!!

👍👍👍

If I'm following you, those are rails for the old school trolleys that run in many parts of the city. Both trolleys and trams, as well as a elevator designed by the same guy who did the Eiffel tower in Paris. Been in use since 1902 and still used daily. I'll share a couple of pics of it.

Thanks for the words, gents. I'll plug away with some more shots. Still a little bit jet laggy, but nothing a bout of hard drinking this evening can't fix.

Living your best life!

Love the Zebra rug and Gemsbok at the Palacete.

kamo gari;
Good afternoon to you both sir, I shall dispense with my usual salutation as I'm of the belief you're fine as can be.

Congratulations on the milestone, it's wonderful to see folks find a life partner and be happy.

Thanks for the photos too Leighton, as always they're just stunning.

As it turns out this is a wee bit of a milestone at our place today too, as 8 Leap Days ago we moved in.

I believe it was a warmer year back then, but as with many things, time has dimmed some of the details for me.

Thanks again and all the best.

Dwayne

Cool pics and congrats on the 20 years!

Here's that old elevator. Takes riders up/down five stories and saves a steep slog up for locals and touristas alike.

Lunch at a tapas joint in the Bairro Alto on the top of one of the many, many hills. Cod cakes, thin sliced octopus with paprika and olive oil. Deep fried baby sardines, steamed mussels with vinegar and chopped herbs and veg as well as an incredible gazpacho. Excellent wine.







Entering the neighborhood at the top of the lift.

Famous daily Portuguese snack. Pastéis de Belém. Sweet and creamy egg custard with flaky dough. Served hot. Perfect with a nice coffee.

Tinned fish shops abound. Frankly, most of these are for sucker tourists. More on that later.





More cod cakes, more octopus served cold in a salad with apples, orange zest, red onions and olive oil. Tuna and seabass with olives and rice with roasted peppers on the side. And sangria and cold beer.

Congratulations. Enjoyed the write up.

Congrats and some very cool pics !

🥳 congrats. Way cool write up and excellent photos. This is what makes the fire great.

Vary cool, KG. Congrats to you both on 20.

My wife and I just hit 15 on Fat Tuesday. It sure goes by quick.

Great write up as usual and congrats to you both. I always enjoy your wife's smile, truly lights up a room.

Congrats to you both, Leighton!

I live my cultural existence through you!

Wow, what an awesome trip brother! So happy you and the Mrs.can enjoy these adventures together! Enjoy every second of it!

Most excellent, my beloved pair. Should opportunity permit, visit Porto. I think it is even better than Lisbon.
RB

Brings back good memories. I spent a couple weeks in Portugal back in 1987. Enjoyed it very much.

Leighton, bravo on another awesome trip and the usual superb pics!



I am curious about the tin fish.

Have a good time.

Looks like an awesome get-away for you 2,
Is the car painting a "Banksy"?

Warms the pumper to read your words, Wiley. ASH passes on her warm regards and hopes that you'll reach out. Me, too. Best to LRHG as well.

Porto was on the hitlist, but we ran out of time before getting that far north. We did spread our wings some, however...

Gus Fring from Breaking Bad. Very cool dude.

Amazeballs!

Congratulations to the both of you for fulfilling your dreams……and Thanks for sharing! memtb

Way cool

Congrads on your 20 years, you my friend know how to Live! Always enjoy your posts!

Last few shots from Sintra and Cabo Da Roca, which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Stunning miradouro (overlook). The winds were fierce and sustained at better than 60 mph with howling gusts to 75 mph.

Little Mrs. KG originally refused to come out on the cliffs until I explained that the wind was blowing from the east and as such would not be snatching her off the cliff and flinging her 110 pounds over the edge and down into certain doom in the rocky surf below.

Thanks to all of you folks who commented and offered kind well-wishes and congratulations. I fell for my lady in Tokyo when I was 11, some 43 years ago. Found her 25 years after that not in Japan but in NYC. Last 20 years we've spent together in married bliss and look forward to every minute of however many days we have left together. God willing, we'll see our 50th anniversary.

Carpe diem and live and love. There is no guarantee of tomorrow.

KG

Friend Sam,

Tinned fish is sold everywhere in Lisbon in huge varieties. Sardines, anchovies, tuna, mackerel, squid, octopus, oysters, clams, mussels, squid and many other flavors of sea goodies are tinned in everything from good oils and herbs and spices with many types in vinegar and mustards to many kinds of tomato based sauces. Smoked, cured, you name it, they likely have it in tins. I love it all. BUT, beware the stores in touristy areas dedicated to the sales of same. Most are wildly and ridiculously overpriced. One shop we went into had all kinds of stuff but offered at as much as 15 Euro for a single 3 oz tin. Well, yeah, no sale mayn.

Thing to do is get yourself to a proper supermercado that really caters to locals, and locals only. The very same products that are for sale at 18 bucks a pop in the sucker, er, specialty stores can be had from about 99 cents to 2 bucks and change each in said supermarkets. We happily stocked up to the tune of around 25 pounds of canned goodness. That was fun hauling back to the hotel with about 3 miles of hills tossed in for fun. .

I have a bunch to gift to friends and family here but I'd say I have a solid year's worth of Portuguese marine happy snacks put up for myself now. Shoot me a PM and an addy and I'll send you a few tins, if you like.

Leighton, first of all thanks for the explanation. I had a hunch you were referencing over-priced tourists shops but had to ask as I enjoy the occasional tin o' fish.

Secondly thank you for the very generous offer but I will politely decline as your post prompted me to make another order last night..... Blame it on the beer munchies and your great pics......lol


Not to hijack but I'm sure you've heard of this hippie outfit. Rancho Loco told me about them last fall and I've been 'exploring' a few times since. I know they are probably over-priced but I get a kick out of trying new things. That and if you like to read their local news they expertly pack each order with pages of the local newspaper.

https://rainbowtomatoesgarden.com/product-category/conservas/


Now back to your thread. Please let us know what is the best of your tinned fish haul, I look forward to hearing what is good!
(Minerva sardines are my favorite of the few I've tried)

You could have been a professional photographer. Beautifully done.

Leighton,

Thanks for posting. Wonderful pics my friend.

A Warm and Hearty Happy Anniversary to you and your lovely Bride.

May many more be in your futures.

Cheers,
seafire

Amazing artwork and architecture, thanks for sharing your journey. And congratulations to you and your lovely bride, may the next 20 be even better.

Compa

Congratulations on 20. I wish you many more.

Looks like an awesome trip. Lots of photos of really neat architecture and food. 😁

To me, it appears that everything is uphill both ways. 😳

Great pics, Leighton! Congratulations on the anniversary and what looks like was a wonderful vacation. As always, Mrs KG with her beautiful smile sure makes for a great thread.

Happy Anniversary!


Looks like a cool trip.

Best Post Ever -

I'm 'saving' it for re-visiting and spending more time with those extraordinary photographs...

Artful, Historic, and Beautiful.

Oh, but the food! Wowza. Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations to you and your lady. Great pictures and as usual I gained weight just looking at some of them!

Kamo gari: Congratulations and many happy returns of that day.
Thanks for sharing the pictures - never been to Europe myself.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Congratulations, you 2 love birds !!!



Sorry to be late to the party, Deb & I just got back from Aussie, Sunday evening !

Awesome posts KG! Thanks for sharing.

Leighton, Congratulations to you and your girlie on the twentieth. Looks like you two had great fun in Lisbon on the celebration of your promises. Great story in itself.

I have a friend I used to work with whose wife is from Spain. They lived and worked from Miami for a time but his wife got homesick. He told me he didn't really mind going back to Spain because that meant he would be able to go to Portugal more frequently and easily to eat and drink the wonderful food and wine.

Fantastic pics, as usual for you and your wife. The art is tremendous. Bosch alone will suck you down a beautiful rabbit hole. The Dutch Masters are my favorite group and time. I've stood in front of their work with my jaw dropped in several museums around Europe.

Again, Congratulations on the celebration of your marriage, unsullied by humanity, nature and time.

Leighton - grand congrats to you and your lady at your 20th, and for celebrating in such fine style. You both look wonderful.

Of course, thanks for the excellent photo album and travelogue. The scenes of Lisbon look much the same as when I last visited, and the museum photos especially touching. I well remember that one ancient triptych. You captured it all so well.

The last few took me back to sights in the Algarve - some interesting windy high bluffs and endless Atlantic.

Thanks again.

Thanks, gents. CCCC/Paul, leave it to you to know what a triptych is.

Hey, my man New_2_99s, where are the Ozzie shots? I know you're holding back. Let's have 'em!

Magnificent! Yours is a love story worthy of a celebration in Lisbon. Always look forward to seeing Miss G's smile in your posts; truly the brightest light of this forum. The sights, the food, the history...what a great way to spend your anniversary. Well done, yet again!




p.s. did I see salt cod in those pics? I assume it's a preservative, but how do you reconstitute the fish and get that salty briney flavor out?

Link here in the "prime time" thread, buddy !

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/19310646/re-prime-time#Post19310646

+ extra food pics, in the cooking dinner/supper thread, I think ?

Just two crazy kids in love! Congratulations, my friend.