Island of Adventures: Part 2

Adventure #4: Cascais

Hiking down the mountain of Sintra, rests a posh, picturesque beach town known as Cascais.  Historically, Cascais is remembered as a summer retreat for the 19th century Portuguese kings.  Although back in the day it was strictly a refuge for European royalty, it is now a haven for all who come across its waters.

Once entering, the landscape laid before you puts luxury to shame. A look above will unveil the sharpest of skies, a watercolor of baby blues, with paint smears of white swirled throughout.  The houses and shops that surround the town add splatters of colors that derive from various tints of the rainbow.  Following the town’s rainbow path, you are led to the true pot of gold: la playa.

Rather than containing rough waves crashing up against the shore, the sea of Cascais stands silently still, a straight slate of blue, stretching out as far as your eye can reach.  As the water line fades against the horizon, silhouettes of the soaring mountains land as the backdrop to the beautiful painting that is your reality.

Once immersed within the ocean, everything around you becomes clear as the water itself. The sun beats down producing a golden reflection on the water’s surface, and you know you are witnessing true beauty: one that is not artificially produced, but instead pure, raw, and gracefully perfect- no Photoshop required.

Adventure #5: Santa Maria de Belém

The last day of Portugal had arrived, and our final pit stop was Santa Maria de Belém.

Entering Santa Maria de Belém, one gets a view of the 25 de Abril bridge, and for a minute, it feels like you’ve been transported back to the US. The 25 de Abril Bridge is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, but don’t let the color or similar structure fool you. It turns out the same company who constructed the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge built the 25 de Abril bridge, but not the Golden Gate.

If you follow the bridge’s line of sight, you’ll make eye contact with the statue of Cristo-Rei, inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statute of Rio de Janerio, Brazil.  The statue got its inspiration after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited Rio in 1934.  The statue visualizes Christ opening his arms to the people of Lisbon, motioning a blessing to the city.

The last of the main monuments we saw was the Age of Discovery tower, which is a monument dedicated to the Portuguese navigators and kings, with the most prominent ones carved out on the side of the structure.  The tower is in the shape of a ship with the shield of Portugal on its ends, and the carving of Henry the Navigator at the forefront. A climb to the top will produce a jaw dropping view of the River Tagus that spreads across the edge of Santa Maria de Belém. The view showcases sailboats drifting by your side, ancient monasteries to your left, castles to your right, and the entire city right before you.

All in all, Portugal brought picturesque paintings to life. I’ve found myself shaking my head at every turn, in constant amazement of the raw beauty I’m surrounded by and the wonders of nature I’ve had the privilege to witness.

Obrigado Portugal, até a próxima vez.