BELEM - PORT OF ANCIENT NAVIGATORS
Trip Start
Oct 05, 2009
1
224
322
Trip End
Oct 31, 2013
Belém, Estremadura, Portugal
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 29
Weather: cold and foggy until noon. Sunny afternoon
Through the arch and onto tram 15 and 20 minutes later we were in the town of Belem, 6 kms from Lisbon. This is the town from which the mighty navigators departed Portugal and explored the new world.
It was a strange feeling to look out onto the water and imagine the old wooden ships lurking into the unknown. Portugal was a mighy power then conquering and colonizing lands far away!
The town has a magnificent church where we spotted the tomb of the famous seaman Vasco da Gama, lovely parks and interesting museums.
We visited the modern art gallery: Berardo collection Museum and that kept us busy for a few hours. We had to taste the pastries that the town is famous for "pasteis de Belem" and they were indeed delicious.
After an interesting day there, it was back to Lisbon and dinner at Casa de India where we had grilled Portuguese chicken with rice and salad- and cold beers. $20 in total.
