Portugal.

It was a long, long travel from Pau. We had to endure 17 ungodly hours at the old train, together with the man who smells like he has not bathe for a year. Despite the seemingly eternal travel duration, we were charmed at how different Portugal is from the rest of Europe.

It was a blessing that our JTA blockmates, Issa and Nina, are studying at Lisboa. It was the first time that we travelled without the boys, hence it was a great transition that we had tour guides who restlessly toured us around enigmatic Portugal. Zara was like 7-11, it’s everywhere and is 10-euros cheaper from the rest of Europe. To say shopping was good is an extreme understatement. 

Sintra was magical, indeed. The Moorish Castle kinda transported us to Middle Earth and we spent good few hours mountain hiking with only our tattered boots and flats. However, reaching the top gave us a sense of achievement, seeing 360 degrees of edge of Europe.

We can’t dismiss the fact that heaps of fun heightened upon the arrival of JTA-Lyon boy Richard, who travelled by plane (sosh!). It was a sweet reunion of 5 Comtech blockmates. And Cathy (hahaha kidding :D).

PS. Taste the best egg tarts in the world at Belem in Lisbon. It is to-die-for.

Meta: