To the Land of Portugal

Don't know why I still remember Vasco De Gama which I have learnt when I was in school who was a portugese explorer and also Magellan who circumnavigated around the earth.

 As you entered the borders of Spain to Portugal, you could see a great shift in the geographical features of the land . The land moved into piles of trees especially Pine and green instead of dry lands. Started slowly seeing portugese instead of fading Espaniol. I could see a far glance of Sign post as we entering Portugal in 1 km. So happy and grateful the journey reached somewhat the destination country. It was such an incredible journey for us, breathtaking as well as scary to me. But trusting in the mercy of God. He is Faithful and will sustain our journey .

Video of the entry to  Portugal,  Portugal Landscapes.

It took roughly 5 hours to get there in Tomar in Portugal from Avila in Spain. Portugal is more green and with lots of winding roads. The routes are of highlands, driving up alongside you could see mountains ..The parke( services) has more roofed parking areas  and areas to refresh. It is extremely hot, people look very tanned and more Indianish.Lots of bikers passing by. 

Portugal is extraordinary with  their habit of being wild and adventerous tinged in their culture, romance and food. 

Me and annu looking forward to have some Portugese custard tarts which are very famous for.

Some of the portugese words to use like

Obrigada: Thank you

Disculpe; Sorry

Ola sounds as Oh ..La : HI

Bom dias: Good morning.

Por favor: Excuse me.

Sunday: Dimanche( pretty much similar to Spanish).

Portugese worrds use lots of nasal sounds.Bon..turns to bom using nasally. 

We reached Tomar where we sre stopping by for next three days. This is pretty much village area , shops you get to travel at least 4 kms. But its a typical Portugese house , The house owner is very kind and converses in English. Thats what we want most.

  Ginger wine Home made. He is very social and kind. Gave us types of vine and shown through his vineyard, lemons, oranges, pome granates.

Neighbouring areas are full of vines, looks stunning with plenty of olive trees and so on. Feeling glad and enjoyed the land. Me and Jocha went for a short troll  . Some chapels nearby, get the hang of Kerala in some aspects , TV's here are telecasting H Mass in various channels as its Sunday ( Dimanche, Saturday known as Saboth).

There are so many cognates between Spanish and Portugese. If you love languages you can get the hang of basics.

So we went to bed with everyone have tteir own rooms  wonderful jouse to retreat. These days we are all blessed with independent rooms which is a bit weird for us. However, everyone is  enjoying their own space too.

Next day after a pause from our long trip, everyone chilled out and later on we were out to the nearby river to have a time of fun.

 As usual water always sparks the kids, enjoying splashing in water and swimming.

        Kayaks nearby 

    With my Theresu

       Soaking in sunshine

 

    Me and my sweet hearts

          We will be visiting Our Lady of Fàtima tomorrow and visited a little bit today. Woww..so epic.

Portugese foods are mainly seafoods, everywhere you could see ...fish, sepia, shell fish,   others are custard tarts, churascuterie, . 

Vine, olives   pome granates


Some of the very needed portugese usuages

Obrigada (o): Thank you

Oh- La : hi 

Por favor: Please

Bom dias; Good morning 

Places to visit

One of the famous place to visit is Porta, the other one is Nazare which we visited. Such a lovely beach side with strong waves. It is said to be the very goodplace for surfers. A good time ww spent in the beach side , there is a very beautiful Our Lady's church on the beach and the statue of Mary feeding baby Jesus is said to be brought in on 3rd century to Spain fromNazareth and the yo Portugal by a monk on 7th century.

Return

In Spain

We crossed the borders of France to Spain. Welcome sign to espaniol is evident. A bit different from France as they dont mention any Motor ways, less rest areas than France.

We reached Burgosa in France ...stopped there for a night on the way to Segovia. Nearly took 8 hours excluding breaks from there.


There are so many routes you can pick from France to Spain. We took through west, which is interior hopping through Burgos, Segovia to Avila.


Spain is one of the best destination people looking for. People been drawn to vines or to a sunny destination.

There are so many places sign posted on the roads. So famous for cathedrals too.

St Sebastain-


We are not going to highlights or hot spots of Spain . I was chuntering to my hubby for a long time to move to a hot country, perhaps somewhere in Europe. One of the place I was looking for was Spain. Kids are learning Spanish with  a tutor and I adore Spain too.


Some of the common Spanish usuages

Ola : hi
Bonas Dieus: Good morning.
Gracias; Thank you
POR FAVOR: please.
Leche: milk
Como est as? How are you.


I would like to 

Basking in sun

So hot in here by eve, everyone basking under sun, under umbrellas.

St John of Cross: As mentioned above, the relics of Saint John of the Cross are one of the highlights of the Monastery church. The church contains his very elaborate tomb.  You will also find several interesting relics such as an original handwritten letter.

Segovia Cathedrals

One of the second best cathedral in Spain with gothus art from 12tj century I suppose. Full of art works and costlier paintings depicting the differents events from gospel. So epic..we shouldnt muss it. You could pay 6 euro and go to dones with guides to get a stunning site of city.

  Carmel convent- Displaced Carmelites

Her birth house and bed room

Segovia is very famous for aqueducts frlm Roman times.

Palace 

Foods : I woukd live to enjoy Spanish cuisine paella, Choriza, churios, tortillas..

Prayer

St Therese Avila

  St Theres's burth place and her bed room

9

St John's Cross is a wonderful 

   Children having some fun times. Settled well on our long journey.

Bye bye spain

Languages

Day 3- Spending time in Loudes

Third day of the trip , no driving today. Almost spent time in Lourdes. We have been there 15 years back. Groups of people coming and going especially bishops and priest's randomly walking, lot of young Pilgrims for WYD.

1th February , the first apparitions of a beautiful lady to Bernadette ; a young girl of 14 years from Lourdes. Total of 18 apparitions until 16th July 1858.

Bernadeete says- Grotto was my Heaven.  This is the place apparitions happened.  People are waiting to see the grotto with spring water.

The stream they crossed to collect woods.

The landmarks are  Gtotto- the heart of Sanctuary, , Basillica of Immaculate conception and crypt, Lourdes water- It is God hears through intercession of Virgin Mary and the prayer of Faithfull.." This water has no virtue without faith", Lourdes at night- Torchlight procession such an awesome experience to light candle  and join procession following statue of Our Lady of Lourdes with reciting rosary and songs. 

Standing in the dome of Basillica

Following Torchlight Procession

  Euchatistic Procession 

For us two miracles witnessed , one was we bumped into Jesus Youth Pilgrims   group guided by Raiju and International coordinator. Met them and joined H Mass in crypt. Another one was the beautiful Eucharistic procession with long long procession with people on wheel chair pushed by volunteers and nurses. Such a fantastic experience and joy felt watching them processing in large queues un special chair and followed by people. The Eucharistic adoration was led by Archbishop from England, Vincent Nicholas.

         Fun time of the day. As we are heading to cross into Spain today, just had  some lovely moments and at times journey can be hard since many other factors  play a vital role. But after all its a pilgrim journey. Met so many groups of young people going for World Youth Day , Lisbon.