Monsaraz - not to be missed!

We hired a taxi to take us to this hill top town.  In the 8th century it was occupied by the Muslim invaders.  In 1167 it was conquered from the Muslims but was taken back again until 1232 when it was given t the Order of the Temple. It is completely fortified since the 12th century.  It is rich with wine and handicrafts. It is surrounded by The Great Lake, a artficial lake which porvides drinking water to 200,000 people.

Small village streets

The fortified castle is still used for bull fights in August. 

The Megaliths, menhir and dolmens.

This is the largest megalithic monument in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the oldest of humanity's monuments in Europe. They are from the 5th century BC. They were built about 7,000 years ago at the dawn of the Neolithic, the time when the first communities of shepards and farmers were emerging in Europe. This monument comprises around 100 monoliths someof which are decorated with circles,triangles and shepards hooks. 

The solitary menhir (right) is characteristic of others in the Evora area. It is engraved in shallow relief on the uppper part of the side which now faces west. 

The megalithic cathedral (upper left) Is a dolmen which is a collective funereal monument which was built at the end of the Neolithic, 6,000 years ago This is one is probably the tallest one in the world.  It had a stone cover which was removed in the 1960's when it was discovered. 

Tom is talking to our amazing guide Mario. He was VERY knowledgeable and we so enjoyed the personal tour. It was like a crash course in archeology-geo-politics. Well done Mario!

Evora, the capitol of Alto Alentejo, city of outstanding beauty, a World Heritage by UNESCO

The hotel Albergoaria do Calvarlo - an old convent and olive oil factory. 

We stayed in the little cottage in the courtyard. 

A cork carving of a cork harvest. Very intricate.

The Roman forum Diana.

Roman aquaduct and homes between the aquaduct arches.

This is the Palace of D.Mauel, the residence  of the Portugese Kings in the 16th century in the Jardin Publico Gardens.    

Sites in the city. Lower right is Vasco de Gama. Lower left is an old family restaurant where Tom had "black pig"  The pigs are only fed acorns. 

Chapel of the bones. 

Church with beautiful blue tiles. 

The museum of crafts and designs and the arts and crafts store. 

More city sites. The sculptures are made of the pink marble from Portugal mined in the Alentejo region. 

Loios Church next to the Cadaval Palace. The statue of Mary in the Lower left shows her pregnant.

Cadaval Palace 

Evora Museum 

The main Cathedral 

Vasco de Gama's home. 

The Roman baths discovered when renovating the Town Hall.

More churches and sights in Evora seen on our walking tour with Maria. 

This isThe University of Evora built in the 16th century by the Jesuits. 

Lower left is a typical classroom. The middle lower is the refrectory of the Jesuits. 

Happy Birthday Tom and so long to the Algarve

The Villa Petra sent up a chocolate cake on Tom's 70 th birthday on Feb. 16. They were so sweet.

My swim exercise class and teacher (the gentleman) at the Villa Petra. 

We sure had a few laughs. 

Busy fingers while in the Algarve. 

More busy fingers painting. 

Carnaval (Mardi Gras) in Loule and few snaps of the grands.

Rain and shine at Carnaval in Loule, Portugal. 

Many of the floats had political figures on them making fun of the politicians. 

Angela Merkl took a beating. 

Lots of dancers

Joseph at the winter wonderland dance at Prune Hill Elementary 

Kit with her friend Ann Porter in New Orleans at Mardi Gras.

Meave's class picture. Front and center with a BIG smile on her face. 

Mail from home and a few paintings from the Algarve.

1500 piece puzzle Tom did. It was a real bugger.

Mail from Joseph. Such fun to get your beautiful work.

A series of whimsical fish.

Bottom left is the Alhambra castle. Lower right is Paulo, Picasso's son. 

Eastern Algarve - Faro, Olhao,Tavira, Cacela Velha, Monte Gordo, Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Our first stop on this tour was Faro, the capital of the Algarve province with its 13th century city center.  A tour through their cathedral and museum was first on the list.

If you look very closely, you will see storks in their nest on the top of the bell tower. They are huge imposing birds.

These are scenes from Olhao, a key fishing town and important fish and fruit markets. 

This is the city center of Vila Real de Santo Antonio which is the border town with Spain which is separated by the mouth of the Guardiana river. You can take a ferry boat across to Spain.  We ate lunch in this little town. 

This is the historic town of Cacela Velha which is protected from building. No new buildings may be built and the existing buildings must remain in their historic states. There is a cathedral, the remaining castle wall, beautiful ocean views, and this sculpture. 

Tavira has a 4th century Roman bridge across the river and many churches (23) along with remains from their castle and gardens. 

Plants in Tavira - bottom is a pointsettia tree. 

The Roman bridge and view of the city from the castle walls. 

Historical Algarve Day trip to Silves, Monchique, CApe Saint Vincent, and Lagos.

Cape Saint Vincent, the most westerly point in all of Europe. 

Did you see us in the states? We were waving.

Lagos, another small town on the Western Algarve.  Middle left picture is the African slave market, the oldest in Europe. Nothing to be proud of. The ship in the upper left is a replica of a Caravel, similar to the ones Columbus used.   Upper right is a beautiful church with an interesting museum in it. The treasures in it ranged from old priest vestments, coins, bones in an

 old stone coffin and a helmet from the 5th century B.C. The statue on the bottom right is Henry the Navigator.  

Oranges here are fresh off the trees and they are very juicy and sweet. One of my favorite drinks here is the fresh squeezed OJ. Middle photos is a couple who paint tiles as replicas from old tiles.  He shared his portfolio with us and their work was lovely.  Bottom right is a type of chair they build in Silves and sell for 50 E. Really cool chair that folds. 

This is the castle in Silves and the archeological dig going on to restore the palace that was part of the castle. The big guy was the first king of Portugal. 

Artifacts found in the castle. 

Cathedral of Silves. 

Monchique is the highest point in Portugal. The wind was really wild up there but the views on the way up and down were stunning. 

Some souvenirs from Loule.