Gibraltar

It was time this morning to leave Portugal. We went through Spain to Gibraltar. Christof has arranged a place to sleep via Couchsurfing which was great. We’ve allowed us to spend 3 nights there.

However we were some nervous and also curious what was comming up on our first Couchsurfingexperience. Nicky, our host was a nice and funny man, born in Colombia, grew up in London, adopted by a family from Gibraltar.

There were already two other Couchsurfers in his house, Emilio from Argentina and Lorena from Valencia. This couple traveled through the world for the last 5 years. A lovely couple, real nomads, we are far away from that.

Gibraltar is something special. It is United Kingdom or something entirely own. Actually, it’s both. The border between Spain and Gibraltar is so surreal. Even the airport is a challenge, not only for the pilots. The runway crosses the main road which is also the entrance and border to the city. Unbelievable.

The interesting thing about Gibraltar is really the history of this 6,5 square kilometer thing on Earth. Spain, GB… Moors, Arabs etc all lived here and left traces.

Then there are the monkeys of Gibraltar. This funny and cheeky animals are something like a tourist magnet. But please do not feed them or take food with you on the mountain. They can become pretty annoying and aggressive then.

We went up the rock with Emilio and Lorena. It took us over 2 hours to the top of the mountain from which you can enjoy a wonderful view and look over in good weather even on Morocco.

On the way to Algarve…

After a cup of coffee with Anita and a wonderful Pastéis de Belém, a pastry that has its origin in Lisbon, we spent our last time together with a walk in a park close to the CCB.

With a heartfelt goodbye, we went over the giant 17-km-long bridge towards the south. We’ve decided to take the slower route along the coast on the way to Lagos. Passing many beautiful and breathtaking beaches with empty parking places and park grounds filled with camping cars from people of all over europe. Passing surfer beaches where boys and girls already jumped out in the morning before sunrise with their surfboards to get some good waves.

We slept there several nights, at these beaches, in our car.

Nights, where the background noise was determined by blowing wind over the car which went into the sound of the sea in complete silence.

Lisbon

We’re in Lisbon YEEEAAAHHH!

We were very curious and excited. Anita offered us a bed for 3 nights which was really nice. Thereby we knew eachother just through texting on mobile. Arrived in front of her house we called her shortly and she came running down the stairs. Together We had a wonderful and long first evening with delicious food and great conversations. Anita, is a great and warm person.

The next morning she took us on her way to work and dropped us off at the next Metro station. In the city we met Svetlana at Parca do Comércio. She came together with her two sweet kids and we walked together through the city. Thanks to her, we had our first drink around noon. „You don’t know Ginjinha?! You have to try it! When my girlfriends from Moscow are in Lisbon this ist he first thing we do.“

Some minutes later, we stood in front of a Ginjinha-Bar, a very small nice bar surrounded by elderly portuguese men and she invited us for a drink. Very tasty thing! „Whenever I fly to Russia I have to take a few bottles with me…“ After that we went, through fairy-tale streets with charming buildings and decorations from other times. Trough parks with views over the city and haunted trees which we previously so have never seen before.

We had a cup of coffee and a rest in one of these wonderful parks. That was the moment to say good bye to this wonderful woman. Afterwards we had an appointment with Daniel from Germany and Angelica from Italy. They live since two years in the city after living for 13 years in Egypt.

As drinking some portuguese SuperBock we talked with the two minds behind Lisbon Insider about personal stories, which had space for several days. They showed their home and then we went to a nice wine bar where Anita joined. A unforgettable night and stay in Lisbon.

Cascais

Last week we left our beloved Porto around 14 o‘clock. Full of anticipation and excitement on the way to Lisbon. 2.8 million people live in the city. 

During the trip our car started to make some trouble. What a beast, thats what you get when u start with a 10-year-old Korean car. It rattled while driving like on off on off while the engine warning light flashed again and again. Just keep driving with some hope would help we thought. Fortunately, this problem has solved itself. Good kid. Don’t let us down Kalli (that’s how we call him)!

Somehow we arrived after 3.5 hours of driving and almost 40 € toll (what the hell) at a seaside resort before Lisbon. We decided to stay, at the campsite in Cascais, in the middle of a beautiful pine forest to take a look around the day after.

Everywhere Porsche, Lamborghini and other luxury fuss. Well, Cascais is a beautiful little seaside resort like from a postcard. The guys from Porto helped to get connection to Anita from Lisbon. She recommended some nice places, so we had to see a lot more.

In the evening on the campsite there was a heated „Office“ (the TV room of the campsite with all Wi-Fi) for the first time. Unfortunately, the internet access was very slow. The red wine form the Tetra Pack helped at work. Good Night.

It rained the next day,  for the first time ever since we are in Portugal. Marcus is from birth into a rain depression. There is no way to change this. First of all, a coffee from the gas stove, which tasted delicious and we had to do some laundry. The good ting, on the campsite, there are washing machines and dryers, the bad thing was was the pricing, 18,90€ for two times washing and drying. Thats a real rip off. After all, everthing was clean and dry.

Wild bus rides and wonderful people

Last week we reached Porto on Tuesday after the long drive around midday.

Arrived at our campingsite after a small tour through the city. Already liked the city right after the few impressions we got, so we decided to take a one and a half hours ride by bus to get back.

The bus driver was racing like a wild boar on speed through the streets just like to scare away an enemy from his kids. I would not want to sit drunk in this bus, without heating on board and partly with open doors. A beautiful adrenaline experience for everyone.

In Porto we walked through the historic center. Simply stunning and beautiful. We walked through the narrow streets down to the river and the bridge Ponte Luís I. The construction of the bridge calls some losses for some residents of Porto. Thus, the upper line was built across a house. It’s pretty romantic when the tram goes through your living room.

Nevertheless, Porto is a wonderful city. With the vivid architecture by renowned Portuguese architects. The combination of old and modern architecture in a wonderful mix. 237,000 people live in the economic capital of Portugal which are very kind people.

In the city we met up with Daniel and his friends Luís, Rodry and Márcio to spent a wonderful day together. We walked through the streets, drinking coffee, photographing, having great conversation and lots of laughs.

After the others had to leave we drank a few beers with Rodry at his favourite bar just to get a great dinner afterwards. A must in Portugal is the typical dish Francesinha, which comes from Porto and tastes there the best. The little French consists of bread, Linguica, steak, sausage and served with melted cheese and a hot delicious secret sauce. Fantastic.

We didn’t dare to the Bacalao (Stockfish) already. Maybe later …or not…