FADO IS PORTUGAL

Lisbon, Jeronimos Monastery, Portugal

Fado is Portugal’s folk music, the very 1st time I heard it was a song called 'Coisas Pequenas' by Madredeus. I am so angry at that time because my date stood me up, I was outside FNAC in Oporto in North Portugal and this song was playing, suddenly I feel relaxed and I listened closely. My anger went away, and I smiled. No other music have that kind of effect on me, so I guess that is good therapy for me! And from that day, I became a fan of Madredeus and Fado music.

The music brought me to Lisbon and I was there in November 2006.

Lisbon-Tram, Portugal

I stayed only 4 days in Lisbon and there are so many places to see and visit.

Lisbon-Local Delicacies at Republica da Cerveja, Portugal

I went to Lisbon Cathedral, built after 1147 over the remnants of the mosque of Islamic period, the Moors was there for sometime, it is beautiful. Then I went to Belem Tower, it is in front of the Cathedral which I must see after seeing it on Amazing Race(my favourite reality TV show!). The next day I went to Lisbon Castle, still standing strong and the view from the top is breathtaking. There are two squares that’s not very far from my hotel, Rossio Square and Camoes Square. You will enjoy walking along Augusta Street and this street lead you to a Statue of King Jose the 1st in the Commerce Square. Very touristic area and along the street are shops and cafes. If you are a woman, I think you better bring a lot of money, I saw many shoes, hats and handbags ;-P not as expensive as Paris, I think.

Lisbon-Belem Tower, Portugal

The most interesting place I found in Lisbon, a place where not many tourists know of was a restaurant called Casa Do Alentejo. The design and decoration was an exact replica of the Al Hambra and Moors, it brought memories back to Granada, nice place and I had tea there with a nice Brazilian lady friend, sweet moment. Someone told me, the owner loved Al Hambra so much that he designed the restaurant like that, well, how far that is true? I don't know. The other place that everyone must go are Cafe A Brasileira in the Chiado neighbourhood, it is like a meeting place. In front of the café there was a bronze statue of poet Fernando Pessoa, someone told me that every tourist who come to Lisbon must take a photograph with him, if not, no validation that you were in Lisbon, sigh!

I had a great time in Lisbon, I regretted that I didn't stay more days there but at the same time I am glad that I was there.

Lisbon-Me and Fernando Pessoa, Portugal

By the way, I did asked my lady friend, what the meaning of 'Coisas Pequenas', and she said 'small things', well maybe I shouldn't sweat on a small things then, J.