Gonçalo's parents own a bungalow near a seaside village called Sesimbra, near Lisbon, tucked away between several hills. The house is quite large, and the nearest neighbours are quite far off. This house is their holiday home, and apparently they get away there quite frequently.
It's about a 45 minute drive from their house in Lisbon, and so the night before, Gonçalo drove his mum's car down with Isabelle and I, with Papa and Mama Costa in another car, leading the way. I very intelligently decided to tell ghostly stories along the way - which was a HUGE MISTAKE - because the roads leading to the house are really dark and mostly unlit - and we ended up sleeping in a room which had a window in it.. and Isabelle made me sleep next to the window! Fortunately I was dead tired by 3.30am or whatever time it was we arrived, and I fell asleep quite quickly! I had told Duarte and the rest about pontianaks earlier that night, and so, everyone's imagination was more active that night... mine especially.
Anyway, we went to sleep, and the next morning, Papa Carlos drove all 5 of us to the Sesimbra village to buy fresh fish! I have never been more excited to have fresh fish - I had been deprived for much too long. We were going to buy fish to be grilled on fire (the house has a little fire-grill-place-and-chimney) for lunch. The people at the fish market were so intrigued by us and asked so many questions - I don't think Sesimbra sees many Asian tourists - Sesimbra isn't a very popular international vacation spot - and so we just walked around and smiled in the market. One of the fishmonger ladies has a nephew who lives in Malaysia because he married a Malaysian girl that he met in Scotland. (: So sweet!
We also took some photos along the beach, tested the seawater (WHICH WAS FREEZING BALLS), and saw a bit more of the town on foot while Mama Guida bought fruit and vegetables and octopus. :D
After getting home we helped Papa Carlos to set up the fire and clear up the garden a little bit, before actually cooking the dorada (golden) fish on the fire, served with salad and boiled potatoes and some wine. It was AMAZING. The fish was so fresh and so simply seasoned.. I was so happy to nom it all!!
After lunch we hiked up the little hill to reach the Castle on the hill. The view from there was mind-blowing. It was so beautiful and peaceful and removed from the bustle, and so we sat there on an old castle defence wall just talking for a bit and for some photos. We walked along the walls and buildings - which were all so quaint - and what I loved about it all was that the sound of the wind was insanely quietly loud. There's this feeling you get... sigh.
After that we went back and changed into our swimwear - we were going to the beach!! I was sooooo excited! We drove to the beach and then I went into the very, very cold water - 13*C at the time. It was actually PAINFUL to jump in, but after you get out of it the first time, everything else seemed much warmer. Gonçalo took AGES to join Isabelle and I because well, he has 'obstacles'.. xD we did have a good time in the end, although rather hypothermic hahahaha! We walked along the beach for a bit to reach a floating plastic dock of some sort - which Gonçalo dared me to jump off - and I did...then when I was in the water I realised I was too heavy to pull myself out of the water! -___-" I had to climb up again with some help - and I managed to cut myself in 3 places doing that. I was bleeding quite a bit on my right shin, and Gonçalo dabbed some blood off that cut and asked me what he should do with it. He is a bit crazy..
After that I wasn't feeling too good so we decided to head home - rushed like crazy to get ready for evening mass at 7pm. We were early, in fact.. Isabelle and I are speedyyyyyy! :D Mass was sponsored by the Scouts or something - too cute! I wore my colourful kimono dress to mass which I looooveeeeee. So pretty :D
After that we had CRAB AND OCTOPUS FOR DINNER. I NEARLY DIED OF HAPPINESS. Mama Guida is an EXCELLENT cook!! She had a colleague over for dinner as well so we had some wine and chitchat after, while Gonçalo, Isabelle and I just hung around resting. We had an early night that night... we were expecting more guests the next day and well, a drive off to the Algarve!
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