Swept Off My Feet by Portugal: Spring Break Ensues

The Chew		The View
Pasteis de Belem!		Tower of Belem

3/25~Loping around Lisbon

What´s the first thought to hit you when you think Portugal? To be honest, I used to draw a blank. Egg custard tarts? Fish? Coastline?

I really need to see more of this world.

The City of 7 Hills

I landed in a city that looked back with cold respect at a 1755 earthquake, which decimated most of the city. Mostly rebuilt, it´s infused with Mediterranean influences and it´s own unique ocean mythology. Explorers of the new world are celebrated, songs of regret known as fado are sung over swoony, candlelit dinners. This is what I´ve been thrown into.

After dropping my things off with Lauren, who´s joining me on the journey through Portugal and Southern Spain, I was off.

Stunningly quiet

One of the most breathtakingly quiet courtyards. The Convent do Carmo is an oasis of calm (the rest of the city aint bad either). Also destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt only to be sacked. Funny how humans can be more destructive than acts of nature.

Forbidden Garden

Where I was literally kicked out. See what I mean about hidden oases in Lisbon? Though the guard did share some cool tidbits of info, like how it was owned by a mysterious American.

These hills kick butt

It´s funny how the Portuguese deal with rain. The moment rain falls, you see crowds of varied people under awnings, watching as if some sports spectacle was occuring in the streets. You almost expect to see a parade pass by. They know that the rain comes in short bouts, and wait quite patiently.

                            3/26~Belem: Pastries & A Tower

Our traveling trio!

With Amy here, it was time to get down to business. The funny business of sushi in Portugal.

SUSHI BUFFET

Belem is the coastal part of Lisbon with history, sushi, pastries, and sights. The problem with a buffet is that it´s imperative for us to eat pasteis de natas. More on that later.

Prison with a View

Dear god, the Tower of Belem is amazing. A former chapel turned military reserve turned prison, this beachside fort has seen some serious happenings.

I´ve never gotten such pleasure from material items

Just to show it off again

This place is MAGICAL. The pasteis de natas are a lovely Portuguese pastry of egg custard filling with a burnt top, and cruncy pastry brushed in butter. What I thought would be similar to the Chinese version of the egg tart (dan ta) is actually closer to a creme brulee. You add your own cinnamon, powdered sugar topping, which only enhances the creamy custard within.

 

The Pasteis de Belem has their own religiously guarded recipe. Seriously, only 3 people know the recipe. They come in every morning, oversee the mixing process, then leave into their appointed lockboxes where their secret is hidden away.

 

I´m not a coffee fan, but the galao was a perfect accent to the dish. It´s a shot of espresso with milk, making it closer to a frappe than anything else. The bitterness helped balance the richness of the tart--though I´ve never been one to complain of things being too sweet. What a silly concept.

 

Getting ready for another gorgeous day in Lagos, here in Southern Portugal. Tanning today, bbq tonight, surf tomorrow!

 

Until the ocean waves,

The Chew