July 19 - Last day - Lisbon and Sintra, Portugal

So, this is our last full day - we leave tomorrow. We had a short drive to Lisbon after leisurely sleeping in and eating breakfast in our condo. Beautiful day - perfect weather the entire trip!  We decided to drive straight to Lisbon - not knowing the traffic and timing it would take. It took less time than we thought - so we had time to kill. The folks were staying for another 5 days in Lisbon and had done some research - so they suggested that we visit Sintra. What a spectacular place!!! Could have spent at least 2 days there to see everything. It is/was a vacation place for the aristocrats and royals. There were SEVEN royal palaces. We just saw the closest one in town. It was amazing - and turns out - it was the "ugly" palace compared to the others. We bought some food at a bakery for lunch - I bought some traditional food for Sintra - kind of a quiche that was more like the texture of custard and some cinnamon/egg yolk pastries. We drove to a grassy spot and had lunch before checking into our hotel in Lisbon. Jeff finally got rid of the salami he had been packing since Arles - ha ha! Since it was siesta time again - nothing was open to eat again until later. We did find a traditional Portugal steak house and splurged. It was... interesting. Thin, dry steaks with a fried egg on the top. Passed on the octopus tapas - the tentacles just weren't doing it - plus it was a pricey item. Then, back to the hotel to say our goodbyes and pack up for tomorrow's departure. Great trip and great company!! :-)

Sunflower fields as we were driving!

Another view

The awkward panoramic of me getting that last shot ;-)

Rest stop on the road - Magnum bars. Ted has an awkward seat ;-) 

Side of the castle in Sintra

Main entrance

Great hall

View of the courtyard

Another courtyard view - I like the gargoyles on the closest wall

That is a horse galloping away in the background... ask Sheree what she thought it was ;-)

Really really strange painting of John the Baptist... in lingerie??

really narrow staircases to get to each floor

Gifts to the royals - I like the lady holding up the chest

balcony - loved the ivy tiles

Tile work around the room - amazing!

Check out the detailing in the tile on their clothing

Painted ceiling above the tiles. If you turned on the spot in the center - you could get the deer to gallop in the pictures

Hand painted doves - no two the same - in the chapel hall

Trying to take away the treasure

Cool door!

Dad and those cool Portugal 3-D tiles

Now THAT is a kitchen!!!

View of Sintra from the castle

Map of Sintra

Picnic lunch

Dinner in Lisbon

The rest of the dinner crew