Strolling Around Lisboa

We started our last day in Lisbon out just right for me. Breakfast at a French cafe complete with a gigantic croissant roll. And see that little jar of jam? It came with it, and of course, I brought it home with me. Who can resist a miniature glass jam jar?

We didn’t have big plans for the day, so we simply walked around the old part of town, around the fortress and up and down old streets with tiled walls. It was a grand anniversary vacation and perfect for Daniel and me to get away alone for a bit.

 

Now, it’s time to take another family trip, and this time, it’s New Zealand. We leave…in about 2 hours for the airport. Me oh me oh my, I think I need a piece of pie! Ever heard that saying? It’s just the thing to say when feeling ever so slightly overwhelmed. Ever tried packing for 3 months with 3 carry-ons and personal bags, with a 15 lb. weight limit for the carry-ons? It’s challenging to say the least. No checking bags for us this time; we are flying light. More details later, I’m sure.

Cheerio!

 

Photography Session and New Friends in Portugal

The second surprise Daniel had for me was a private photography session in Portugal with Kali Jade Photography. Maya and her husband Miguel were very accommodating and drove us all around the area for fabulous locations to shoot at. We started at the Palace of Monserrate at Sintra, where we toured the gardens complete with waterfalls and moss covered rocks. The palace itself was stunning too of course. From there we went to the western most tip of Europe and admired the sea at Cabo da Roca. Oh my was it pretty. Green, green grass, the bluest water and sky… We finished up with a spontaneous stop on our way back to Cascais, along the side of the road at a ruins for some last minute pictures with the sunset.

So, because I’m lazy, I’ll just send you over to Maya’s blog to see these pictures they took! Please click here. :)

Before catching our train back to Lisbon, we snapped a picture with Miguel, Maya and their children after having supper with them at a local restaurant in Cascais. It was such fun to get to know them and now we have connections in Portugal! It’s really fun having friends all over the world.

Tschüss Germany

 

{October 2, 2013}

Headed home.

 

The Last German Castle

{October 1, 2013}

We are finishing up here folks…! Documenting our time in Germany is practically over. On our way back to the hotel for our last night in Europe, we stopped by one last castle. This one…had a moat.

We had a funny little experience here, in which Natasha hopefully learned the meaning of “Nein”. As we were touring the grounds, a fella came up to mechanical gate on his bicycle with a dog. Natasha was dancing and twirling and generally walking in a haphazard fashion, and she just sashayed right up to the gate, assuming he was pushing the button to open it for us all to walk through. The fella, speaking in German, tried to explain that it was going to swing out, and might hit her in the head. However, she didn’t understand anything and simply stood there. Daniel was calling out for her to back up, but she moved forward instead, and the German cyclist sternly said, “Nein! Nein!” I wasn’t really in the area, so all I heard was a very loud voice saying, “NO!” and wasn’t sure what was going on. Natasha wasn’t hurt, and nothing really happened, but it was amusing to hear “Nein” being said so firmly to our little girl. :) I don’t think it bothered her in the slightest. She was pretty exuberant, full of energy and being her silly self when we headed to the car.

I must highlight the road signs before closing out. Typically, in the States, we list the town that is farthest away, on the bottom on signs. Not so here. They list the town farthest away on the TOP. Also, instead of clarifying which direction you want to go, such as North, they list the town names in the general direction of those towns. So if you’re headed North, you’d better know which towns are North, so you can look for the proper town name on the signs.

This one, we rather liked. Any guesses to what it means? This is the equivalent of, “Corporation Limit Ends”. Or, you’re leaving town. :)

So, we not only headed out of Lembeck, but the country as well. The rental car was returned, we walked to the airport terminal, and got on our flight back to the States after a month long trip staying in Germany, and touring some surrounding countries.

Holten, Holland

{October 1, 2013}

Suddenly, there were thatched roofs. :)

Since we were flying out of Dusseldorf to return home, we stayed at a hotel near the airport. But we still had the rental car and wanted to see Holland since we were so close. Therefore, we drove across the border and spent part of the day in Holten.

We walked around town and fed some goats in a…petting zoo? of some sort. Not sure what the purpose of this little menagerie was. There were a few turkeys, some guineas, and goats in a pen across from a miniature playground. While we were watching this dear lady came up with her walker and emptied a bag of old bread slices over the fence for the goats. We couldn’t help but wonder if goats were really created to eat bread…

Here’s where I confirmed my desire to own a lovely European bicycle.

Why are there not more roundabouts in the States?

So, I know this is a very dark picture. This is what happens when you’re riding along at say, 70 km an hour, and the camera is in your lap, turned off, on the manual setting, when you suddenly need a picture right. now. I had to do some serious lighting adjustments to even get this picture as viewable as it is.

But it’s a good example of what I’m learning the more I travel: There are plenty of methods of transportation that don’t include carseats.

I had to include it, because it reminded me of another momma in another bike riding town. This was taken when we were in Bocas Town back in 2012. Now why can’t I rig up something for my one child and ride my bike around town? If the Netherlands and Panama can do it, certainly I can!