“Travels to a Different Time” : 19July2005: Estoril, Portugal: Portuguese Strongmen Lift Massive Bus

Breakfast buffet service at the Palacio Hotel has been exceptional but today they could not keep up with replenishing the scrambled eggs and bacon. The fruit is plentiful and top rate. The peaches and oranges from the Algarve are superb. We headed off to Sintra after breakfast but this time along the coastal road thatContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 19July2005: Estoril, Portugal: Portuguese Strongmen Lift Massive Bus”

“Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra

Alex is flying back to Toronto from Lisbon today. Breakfast is so “dignified” here. Low voices, Formal settings and service. Might I say “stuffy”? A tremendous buffet breakfast. Years ago while travelling in a just opening up Greece I was starving most of the day particularly with such meagre breakfasts. This breakfast would have beenContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra”

“Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: A Visit to Guincho Beach: A Real-Life Rick’s Cafe

Packed up the Megane and off southbound to Estoril. Uneventful drive although finding the entrance to the Hotel Palacio was a bit tricky. Alex and Andrew had a suite beside ours. Two levels and three bathrooms in each suite. We are right beside the Orson Welles Suite. He stayed here when in Estoril. We faceContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: A Visit to Guincho Beach: A Real-Life Rick’s Cafe”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 6July1978: Lisbon, Portugal: Dog Peeing and the Stoners

A rough night for sleeping. Probably too many naps and jet lag. The first few days are rough and at times surreal. Went downstairs for breakfast and my friendly waiter engaged in more political discourse. Had a long walk along the grand Avenida de Liberdade. Booked a bus to Lagos on the Algarve. Lunch wasContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 6July1978: Lisbon, Portugal: Dog Peeing and the Stoners”

“Travels to a Different Time” :4July1978: Lisbon, Portugal: The Overwhelming Decadence of Lisbon

The flight from Montreal to Lisbon on TAP was uneventful. We stopped in the Azores for cleaning and refuelling. Fresh local pineapple was delicious. Arrived in Lisbon around 10:00. First impressions that Lisbon was once a grand city as after all Portugal was a colonial power at one point. But it seems falling apart inContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :4July1978: Lisbon, Portugal: The Overwhelming Decadence of Lisbon”

Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog Is Back: Reggie’s Alliance with Kim Jong Un and We Open Trial Restaurants in Portugal

You may recall I delivered a message from President Biden to Kim Jong Un, The Supreme Leader of North Korea, that if the United States provided massive food aid to the starving masses of North Korea then North Korea would scrap its missile launching tests. Well the offer was accepted and it worked well forContinue reading Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog Is Back: Reggie’s Alliance with Kim Jong Un and We Open Trial Restaurants in Portugal