Westernmost point of continental Europe

A couple weeks ago we got to host our friends the Bayers in Brussels. This weekend, we got to squeeze in a visit to them before they move this summer!

They live in Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal, but I keep having to remind myself we’re in Europe, not San Diego. The purple jacaranda trees, the smell of the sea and eucalyptus, cactus in bloom all over the hills—it all seems vaguely familiar, even though it’s our first visit to Portugal.

The first place we visited today was the westernmost point of continental Europe, the Cabo da Roca. Isaac kept trying to sneak past the “forbidden, unstable cliffs!” signs while we were distracted by the charming lighthouse perched over azure water beating white at the base of the rocks.

Next, up at the Sanctuary of Peninha, the kids got free range to scramble over whatever. Low, wispy clouds blew past, but otherwise the view was clear down to Cascais and even over toward Lisbon.

The extremely cute Cascais was our destination for lunch and a stroll alongside a beach volleyball tournament. Here we saw the classic Portuguese black and white stone streets, colorful tile murals, and loads of cafes. The maritime police and the Portuguese naval officers club sit on the harbor.

It was not quite warm enough to want to swim, but after much kid pestering we in fact headed to the beach. Icy water and steady winds didn’t deter the kids (or Chris) from swimming!

To complete their popsicle transformations, the kids hopped into the pool when we got back and didn’t emerge until we made them. Dinner was roasted chicken with Portuguese wine, bread and cheeses, Spanish olives, and a fresh garden salad, then port and chocolates for dessert (shhh!) after the kids zonked out in bed.

At the end of this amazing and relaxed day, Isaac told me he thought the beach would be more like Kailua Beach. “The waves kept throwing rocks up into my legs, and it was so cold!” Not everywhere can be paradise I guess, but the Portuguese coast does seem to come close!