20 km to Óbidos

I would like to preface this post a bit and express that this was probably my favorite day in Portugal thus far.

Heather, ever the researcher, found several destinations that we should make an effort to see in Portugal and more specifically, for now, places near Baleal. Some of which (or most of) would take resources beyond our now increasingly humble economic status. Nevertheless we/she discovered a location that wouldn't take anymore than sweaty backs, bicycles and a can-do spirit to get there, Pousada do Castelo-Óbidos. So with great optimism we decided this adventure would be the best way to spend our day off work. We went to sleep a bit early the night before to ensure energy for the 20 odd kilometer cycle. We wake up and it's raining, a lot.

(http://www.reactiongifs.com)

The next week, with pessimism, we repeat the cycle and this time the weather was perfect. So we threw some vitals in our day pack and grabbed a couple, for lack of a better term, bicycles.

We hit the road with a cool breeze in our hair, Portuguese directions and less than charming pants that conveniently transform from trousers to shorts by the tug of a zipper. Shortly into our escapade we realize the directions, Heather painstakingly wrote down, not only looked like gibberish but would only be applicable to clearly marked streets. Since I don't read gibberish (I only speak it) and we didn't have the latter we where left with an over arcing concept of "go east, we'll probably end up somewhere," and that we did, eventually.

I used Google maps to recreate our course.

We only got off course twice. "B" happened because we followed a sign up a very steep hill, and "C" happened intentionally, out of curiosity. Neither of which are regrettable considering we still saw some neat things, but only have the one picture.

Heather

Next stop, a grocery store to replenish a bit.  A bit being a banana for each of us and some bread. I previously mentioned our economic standing but to be more precise we have budgeted (U.S.)$3.00 per day as a couple. That itself will be an in depth blog but that topic will have to wait because we have dreams of Óbidos.

With a few more rotations of the petals we found ourselves on the outside of a castle/walled in town.

A few pictures can't do it justice but they'll have to do.

With our castle conquered and the sun beginning to sink we hopped back onto our bicycles and began the journey back. That could be the end of the story but I assure you it isn't. I'll refer to Google once again for assistance to illustrate our course on the return trip.

Looks pretty standard, a nice straight-ish shot but what is that "B" doing there? That "B" represents not only a place but an event.

This event.

Our "ride" home turned into a "push-your-bike-down-the-road" home, and we did just that. Luckily this area of Portugal is rather hilly, so there were opportunities to coast a few times.  Even with this mishap, as I said at the beginning, it was my favorite day so far in Portugal. 

When we finally arrived home, after dark, the evening was just getting underway. Our new friends, knowing our budget, shared their food and drinks into the morning hours. I don't have any pictures just fond memories, and slight dehydration. A nice way to end a long and fantastic day.

-T. Cullen Morris