Two Hours in Cascais

The ship docked in Lisbon early Wednesday afternoon. We boarded our bus for Cascais, a cute little seaside town, in the rain. The one thing we really, really dislike about big boat crusing is the mob scene. People really lose dignity and manners where food, seats and shore excursions are concerned. Ugh. Our sarcastic mantra on the boat is, “I like coffee (vodka) and maybe three people.”

After a 40 minute bus ride, equipped with a tour guide, we arrived in Cascais and stummbled upon the best little restaurant. The main man at Luis Vaz de Camoes restaurant fed us authentic Portuguese dishes: freshly harvested clams (two minute old), garlic prawns, clam, potato and pork stew with arroz and the traditional condiments of bread, butter and olives. With so little time in rainy and foggy Cascais, we simply ate and ate and ate and sipped a couple of bottles of red wine. Just like the locals. They’re on to something.

Back on the boat, our feisty game of Spades continued until bedtime. Another night at sea with a time change. I suppose losing an hour each night is better than losing five at one time. Bilbao Spain is next.