Costa da Caparica, Setubal, PortugalCOSTA DA CAPARCIA
On to our last destination
Packing up for the last time on
the go, we are leaving and heading further north towards Lisbon. With sun and
clouds a not to exciting drive, except at one time we saw several stork nests
in a power pole or that the sand dunes are literally inland.
The Pharmacy in Armadas
Gine said we go to the Pharmacy
and check out regarding booking a COVID test, we even found a none approved free
parking right there and got an appointment for the next morning, perfect, and
it’s only 15 Min from where we are staying.
In the shopping mall
As we are already in the area,
we decided to stop at the shopping mall, getting more shorts for Paul, do some
grocery shopping and having a coffee… so far all we did was organizing and half
the day is gone so time to head to Costa da Capricia.
We check in – no water this
afternoon
We found it right away and were
a bit early, but our host was too, perfect - so we could do the check in and
make a coffee and unload everything in the car to get everything ready for our
final packing. Only downtime, they had a problem with the water lines and the
water is shut off for the whole afternoon, that was not really in our plan, as
we wanted to do some laundry.
A Walk to the beach ends up
with staying on the beach
It’s a big cloudy and windy
today, so we decided for a walk to and along the beach: it’s only a few minutes
and we are up on a cute boardwalk, from here we can see over to Lisbon. We
walked out on one of the water breakers and the view is super, and the wind is
fairly strong, perfect for the surfers. We were astonished on how many were
still lying on the beach, we went down and along the stones it is really nice
and protected: we decide to sit down and soak up some sun.
Gine went back to get the beach
bag and then Paul relaxes that means people watching, sun tanning and enjoying
and Gine goes and walks along that endless beach – no there is no way to walk
all the way to the end.
We go out for supper: we
don’t have water
No water – so we better go out
and that is what we did. Coming back, we hoped to have the water and that we
can do laundry (and go to the bathroom) no luck there… still no water. Ok that
is now a bit annoying!!
Our last day in Portugal
starts
I can’t believe it our six weeks
around Portugal/Andalusia are coming to and end, today is our last full day.
With blue sky and sunshine, it is a perfect start of the day. Coffee in the sun
on the balcony. Gine started the washing machine super early, as we couldn’t
run it last night, and the water only came on around 9.30 at night. I guess we
did an overload on the electricity once Paul plugged in the water kettle and I
think the washing machine thought she should restart after putting the fuse
back – so the clothes washed for a long time, good thing we have a sunny
balcony – so hopefully all will be dry by the time we are leaving – and it is
very clean too.
And the COVID Test
Yesterday we booked the test and
today we went there to get our tests done: and another swab up the nose. The results
will be ready within 45 Min of testing and an email will be send. Let’s hope
all works out – we both feel well, but then it is always a bit exciting when
you have to wait.
On top of the Cristo del Rei
- The Santurio de Cristo Rei is a catholic monument shrine dedicated to the Sacred heart of Christ overlooking Lisbon
- The Sacred heart if Jesus is a catholic devotion where Jesus’ heart is viewed as a symbol of God’s boundless and passionate love to mankind
- And yes, in case it reminds you: it was inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro/Brasil
- The Giant statue was erected to express gratitude because the Portuguese were speared direct destructive effects of WWII: the construction was approved in 1940 as a plea to God to release Portugal from entering WWII – but the original idea came when a Cardinal visited the opening of Christ the Redeemer in Rio in 1931
- It is on a 133m high isolated cliff – so you can see it from far away
We saw it when we were in Lisbon
and now, we are finally visiting it. Lots of parking – and the line up didn’t
look that long – but it is amazing on how long it takes. Finally, we are on the
way up and we have an amazing view on Lisbon and the Tagus River, the April 25
Bridge and we recognised some of the monuments we visited before. Back down we
walked along the terrace and looked up to that huge statue – which is kind of
cool as well the view from here is as nice as it was from the top.
Google send us around the
coast
Time to head back: Gine put in
the address and we follow google – why make sure google does it right??? Ok
that was not a good idea as google send us 9 km south of where we should have
been and the funny part: on the way there we came by lots and lots of gas
stations and now not one!!! Paul also is not very impressed today with the
Portuguese driving: narrow roads, in and out of lines, no space, no parking…
and lots of stupid drivers on the road. Finally, we are back at our apartment:
we need a coffee!! After all that detouring
A hot windy day on the beach
Time to head one last day to the
beach: today it’s super warm but close to the water it’s also windy and that is
when Gine discovered she forgot her camera – can you believe it. As we relax,
read and only enjoy some warm weather Gine survived!!! I think we got a lot of
sun today.
We need to pack
Now it’s time to start with some
packing… so that we don’t have to do all tomorrow. Because we want to leave on
time. You know we have a lot of staff that needs to go in the suitcases…. One
suitcase it packed only one more to go tomorrow morning!! And as it being the
last evening we decided to go out for supper and finally Paul get’s his
spagetthi carbonara and Gine gets the Portuguese meal: sausage with egg, rice,
French fries and salad… yes that is there combination.
One more relaxing evening and we
are heading to Germany.
We return our car
Gine makes plans as we knew from
before, that it took a long time to pick up the car – so Gine planned in an
extra half hour for returning the car – as we never know correct. It was no
problem going there, no traffic over the bridge, once inside we parked the car
all staff out and then Paul went inside to stand in line, in between they moved
the car around a corner, when they told Paul that he first needs to have a look
at the car with a guy before he can stand in line, so Paul stands with the car…
they didn’t even look at the car (good for us, so they didn’t see the loose bumper
and the dent in the back bumper). Then back inside and finally all the papers
are signed. The airport transit comes, when Gine went to the guy he said I’m
full next run – what!!! But then last minute he said I have enough space for
you, if you sit in the front seat – no problem đŸ˜Š.
In the airport
We wanted to be here on time –
as you never know with COVID. Ok we were now so early Eurowings was not even
open – but had a huge long lineup. So with a lot of people we stood in line to
wait that they open. The line was so long that you literally had to go to the
beginning and walk along it, to find the correct end at the other end of the hall.
All went well, except that no one was interested in our COVID test!!
Right away through security
which went super fast – a bit more wait and we are boarding our plane.
Good Bye Portugal
With a few last glimpses and we
leave Portugal.
So: what was our favourite here:
it was clearly the Algarve and the southwestern corner with the amazing beaches
and cliffs of Portugal – which is clearly worth to come here.
2025-05-22