Apple Bottom Beaches and Rocks with the Roars

Portugal knows how to market itself. Every beach I visited had a sign telling me about how it got its name or something intriguing about the place.
If you read my previous post then you will already know that I walked from Praia das Maçãs to Praia da Adraga. However, I didn’t actually tell you anything about the walk itself.
Praia das Maçãs literally translates as Apple Beach. During the Autumn, the river used to carry lots of apples down to the beach from the farms that it swept through.
It’s currently Portugal’s winter so, instead, I saw some giant waves that put me off trying to learn to surf.

I visited the beach again a few days later and did a very quick painting while sitting on some sandstone.

The pathway takes you up over the headland and is marked by lines such as those below. Crosses may or may not indicate that the offshoot of the path should no longer be used. I have to admit that I took that direction several times by accident. Woops.

The view descending onto Praia Grande was shocking for multiple reasons. One of them being that there were people trying to surf in that weather. I only saw one person manage to stand on their board while I walked that section of coastline.

The sign for this beach also mentioned that there were 66 Dinosaur footprints viewable on the cliff face. I wasn’t sure if what I was looking at was actually what I was looking for BUT the child in me was excited either way.

I got thoroughly soaked before reaching Praia da Adragas.

This beach is known for:

• Its historical trials of people climbing the Alvidrar Stone, in order to prove themselves.
• Triton, a demigod. The Romans believed that he was sounding a conch shell at the bottom of the Fojo cave located there (they even informed the Emperor)!

Drinking Wine at the End of The World

Lots of people used to think that if you went far enough then you’d fall off the edge of the Earth. Some people still do.
I went to the most western point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca, and part of me now understands why they might think that.
I managed to keep my feet on the ground (just). However, I couldn’t tell whether my face was stuck in a permanent grin or if the wind was so powerful that it wanted its captives to appear to have died happily. I’m actually surprised that I still have any hair left on my head.
It was an amazing spot and I found myself feeling elated from the pure energy of the place. I would thoroughly recommend visiting if you are nearby and the whirlwind doesn’t drag you there naturally.

I’ve previously taken it for granted that when I look out across the water I might see another country. Before travel became easier, it must have been lonely for those who always looked out at the Atlantic Ocean and never saw anything. Perhaps people focused more on the moment. Or, maybe, there were those who it inspired to think about magic, mystery and mayhem.
After exploring the area, I sat and contemplated what it must have been like to think that you’re at the end of the world.

The Palaces and Castles of Sintra

Sintra is well known in Portugal for its abundance of architecturally diverse historical buildings. Day trips to see these buildings are offered from many of the nearby towns/cities and the actual town itself also runs multiple tour buses.

What would be my recommendation?

• Either do a day trip from Lisbon or,
• If you want to visit the coastal areas as well, stay one night in the CENTRE of town.

People can be a little cheeky with putting ‘Sintra’ in the title because it’s also a municipality. It felt like a trek from my hostel, especially with the hills.
You can easily use hop-on hop-off services that will take you from directly outside the train station. The bus I used was ‘City Sight Seeing’ and they had a blue line and a red line which will take you everywhere you might want to go.
My first stop was Pena Palace.
The palace is a sight to behold, being a cross between Middle Ages, Classical, and Manueline architecture.

With funky doorways/entrances:

And you don’t see anything like these masterpiece ceilings being made nowadays either:

Just a short walk down the hill, the Valley of the Lakes was a place after my own heart. These people obviously understood the value of ducks because they had built them several of their own “little” houses and surrounded them with koi fish friends. I don’t feel like I need to say much more about this place, the pictures say it all 🦆🦆🦆

Finally, the Moorish Castle. I decided to just have a walk around the area. Here’s a snap so that you get an idea of what I’m on about:

What did I miss? Plenty of other palaces with funky architecture. Why not look up Quinta da Regaleira Palace, Monserrate Park & Palace, or Sintra National Palace? Let me know when you’re planning on visiting and then maybe I’ll join you.
Until next time.