lobo_mau

All Thursdays there are Portuguese style bullfights in Campo Pequeno ring in Lisbon.
A few of them are "antiga portuguesa", meaning an extra cerimonial. And among them, usualy once a year, there is "corrida de gala antiga portuguesa", meaning, that more that a bullfight itself, there is a historical parade, with all the cerimonial of 18th century. In particular, is the John V era (the king who ordered the construction of Mafra convent) that is recriated.
This once a year event will occur this Thurday and lobo, you loyal servant and loba will be present.

lobo_mau

donna, LDC was put on hold. It's uncertain when it is activated again. Nevertheless. the wolves' pack is almost always ready for a drink and a pao com choriço, if it occurs Friday or Saturday, but it's very unlikely that we may attend outside these days.

donnamb

Author: lobo_mau

Thanks Lobo Mau,

I am not sure what this means, "the wolves' pack is almost always ready for a drink and a pao com choriço, if it occurs Friday or Saturday,"
Donna

Nikki

I will attempt a partial translation: "Lobo" means "wolf" in Portuguese.

lobo_mau

Nikki, I sincerely hope that before the end of the week you are able to translate the whole sentence

The good news are that the same atmospheric phenomena which caused the floods in England is causing a mild Summer in Portugal. We have had temperatures well below 30 centigrades. This situation doesn't compare to the last Summer where Lisbon faced 5 consecutive heat waves above 40 centigrades.

lobo_mau

Outstanding show yesterday at Campo Pequeno. Everything perfect. Excellent atmosphere. The bullfighters on horse riding were 6 out of top 10 in the world.
The show began at 9:30 pm and ended at 1:00 am today. Most of it was 18th century cerimonials. A lot of artists and public figures present. It was transmited live on national TV and on the Internet. This current year you can't assist to another show like this kind anywhere in the world.
Portuguese style bullfights are a festival of the Lusitanian horse. Due to centuries of breading and hundreds of hours of practicing, the best of Lusitanian horses can perform the complex movements only inches apart from the bulls horns, with a minimal command from the rider.
The forcados (suicidal gang holding the bulls with bare hands) were great. Two of them were injured, I hope not too seriously.
Next year, God wiling there is another one.

Sher

LObo and Niki. I fully expect both of you to have a drink for me.

Sherry

Nikki

Sher, so those were your drinks! They were lovely.

Sher

Nikki. Hope you see this. I was just thinking about you this morning.

I am off to New York next week for a few days. Hope it isn't too hot.

I am so waiting for you to tell me about your home exchange when you get back.

It is lovely to hear from you.

travelingjeff

Hello, First I want to say how much I enjoyed reading everone's comments and stories on Lisbon. And thanks to all the effort put into this. My question ~ I am going to Lisbon September 20, 2007 and will be there for two weeks. I want to travel to Porto and Braga. I was hoping not to have to keep the apt I am renting in Lisbon while I travel, but I do not want to carry along my very lge suit case plus carryon. Is there anywhere (like the train station) that would have a place (locker)that I could store my suit case in? If not, I will have to pay for two locations. Any help would be great!! Thanks, Jeff

jendelia

Lobo_mau and all; (i originally posted on thread ii, moving over here to see if others can help too...)

My visit to Lisbon quickly approaches; (we arrive Friday Sept 7th) and I am mapping out the few days my husband and I will have to travel together...we plan to visit the Fonseca vineyards but are somewhat stumped on the best mode of transit; the recommend hiring a boat as an option vs driving on their website; has anyone opted for this mode?

We are looking forward to the visit; thank you for helping us shape our stay (such descriptive posts)...we will be dining at Adega das gravatas...do they require advance reservations for only two?

Thank you for your time..

lobo_mau

Hiring a boat? are you sure? please tell me the URL (internet address) you are looking at.
Adega das Gravatas is closed on Mondays. During Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays it should be somehow crowded. Try to go Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. You don't need reservations if you plan to arrive around 7:45 pm. Most locals should arrive by 8:30 pm. Arriving a little bit earlier you got all the attention just for you.

lobo_mau

"...you get all the attention..."
I was checking the Gravatas' site http://www.adegadasgravatas.com
By some reason I can't figure out, the maps in these sites are always so confusing that a person following them can only be completely lost.
The "album" section of this site has pictures of the 17th March LDC, the most international LDC ever since Afonso Henriques and the crusades took Lisbon to the Muslims back in 12th centuty.

jendelia

http://www.fonseca.pt/index_.htm

the visitor's page

I thought it pretty adventurous (difficult to figure out) myself and sent an email to the "contact us" section to clarify...maybe they are talking about a ferry or the like...

It truly may be best for us to get a taxi;driver for the day (especially as we'll be sampling the tasty treats) but not sure if this will be a zillion dollars...

jendelia

we are staying at pestana hotel? and I'm not sure about the location etc (how far; I've used the google map/directions to get a sense of basic directions to the restaurant); was thinking of putting the concierge to work helping me figure out to get around! I'm thinking a combo of either taxi/metro will be our best bet; but again, the hotel seems a bit out of the way...

I do apologize for asking yet another question; I've been scouring the site in between diapers/bottles and so certainly have missed suggestions on this: I would like to spend the day at a beach (if the weather permits) and need suggestions on the nearest/easiest accessed via taxi/bus/train...am looking foward to just peoplewatching, reading in the sun, eating good food.

I see references to Salema and some others but am having difficulty figuring out distance and (again) best mode of transport...i know on an earlier post Matt had mentioned a few (can't findit now) listed based on "best for young people"; best for families etc...I like something in between!

Again, have only short opportunities to hop on...thank you so much for your time...

jendelia

So I now realize there are two distinct sites; JMF da Fonseca reachable via public transit and referred by Matt(got my answer on how to get there...) and the Fonseca Port site (also in portugal but I believe in the North and reachable by boat if you are there!)...pretty funny...I am sure you were scratching your head thinking this woman is crazy about the boat! The perils of using the internet to plan a vacation!

lobo_mau

Pestana Palace Hotel is far from the metro system. I sincerely advise you to take a taxi to and from the hotel.
Salema is in the Algarve, some 200 miles away from Lisbon. You need a car and a full day to go there and return.
You you just want to feel the sand, take the train in Cais do Sodre railways station (metro station with the same name) to Estoril.
The beach in Estoril is called Tamariz. A quarter of a mile inland from Tamariz is Estoril Casino but you need proper attire to go there.
The last stop in the railway line is Cascais. Cascais bay has a tiny beach, a marina and a fishermen's harbour.
You can easily walk from Estoril to Cascais along the beach since it's only 2 miles or so.
Either places, Estoril or Cascais have lots of places to eat. Tamariz beach has a restaurant row just near the sea. Try something grilled (fish with or without shell).

jendelia

this was my worry; the hotel does seem very out of the way. Unfortunately I am stuck there as my husband's meetings are there; but as you mentioned; taxi's to the more connected areas should be okay. I immediately picked up the fodors portugal travel guide; it's helped me greatly picture the area and geta sense for the directions/etc; I so appreciate your time and help with these posts; you and matt have certainly helped shape and maximize many many people's vacations.

Thanks again and if you and your wife are free for a quick cup of coffee/vino I am more than happy to bring a nice bottle of Napa red for you in thanks!

Jennifer

Bev39

I have been looking through this very helpful thread and jotting down names of restaurants but was wondering if there is a blog on restaurants only or if you wouldnt mind giving some ideas. We have 4 nights in Cascais in 2 nights in Lisbon. At least2-3 of those nights we would do nice, expensive restaurants but for the other nights are hoping for really good local restaurants with atmosphere that arent stuffy or overly expensive.

Nikki

Good local restaurants in Lisbon that aren't stuffy or overly expensive? Check out Stop do Bairro, Rua Tenente Ferreira Durao 55A, in the Campo de Ourique neighborhood.

We were there last month and loved it. I describe our meal there in the trip report I'm working on right now:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35062668