Monday, June 25, 2007

Number 9, day 1

After some sleep and a shower, at noon on Sunday, we met up with our guide Joanna in the lobby. First I should say, this was no easy feat. The hotel is several buildings with many hallways, stairways, and pathways. I got lost several times but feel determined to master it. Leo has it all figured out of course. So when we finally were all together we went to the restaurant for lunch. Or I should say Lunch. Four courses and perhaps two hours later we were stuffed and ready for a long siesta - but alas we climbed in to the bus for the ride to Sintra.

Sintra is magnificent - a little micro-climate in Portugal, protected from the winds by the mountains, and full of trees and plantings from Brazil and Africa. We tromped blissfully around the Regaliera Palace, privately owned and inhabited up until ?1940? but now owned by the town and open to the public. The kids loved climbing all the towers to the tippy top and we all loved the deep well with the 135 (equals 9) steps down the 27 (equals 9) meter deep well with the 45 (equals 9) columns and the 9 statues.... The number nine seems quite sacred! We loved this whole place, it was great. (Roman Polansky filmed The Ninth Gate here with Johnny Depp ...) Then we walked through tiny narrow streets, one car width only, where Lord Byron, Strauss and Chopin all came for inspiraton. Before heading back, as if we might be hungry, we stopped in a cafe for a Portugese delicacy called a 'pillowcase'. A light pastry in an oblong shape like a pillow, with a filling of almond, egg, and sugar, all warm and fresh from the oven. Yum! We were back at the hotel with time to unwind before a 90 minute dinner (we asked them to be quick):

-caparota fig and goat cheese in a purse (fine pastry)

-swordfish with a shrimp crust

-some cookie with cream and cocoa sorbet for dessert

-and one glass of a Portuguese white wine, nice

After dinner the kids went for a swim, discovering the outdoor pool as well as the indoor pool with jacuzzi and sauna. I'm afraid if I head in that direction I'll get lost and won't find my way back...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Moo the blog is great, and I love reading it! A suggestion: at the top of each new blog put the exact country and city you are in. If someone new "stops by" they won't know where you are!
xxSB