After breakfast, we had a few more riders from the Lisbon BMW riders club join us for our journey south. Getting out of the city was uneventful and easy. Perfect day and perfect feeling after my morning cappuccino.
We got to ride the "Ponte 25 de Abril" across the river (the Golden Gate Bridge) and see the huge Cristo Rei statue protecting the city (just like in Rio de Janeiro).
First, we visited the Cabo Espichel. Another cape south of the city with an old church, a huge esplanade, and great views of the coastline. We could barely see Cabo da Roca way North along the coast.
As we continued south, the traffic died down, the scenery became more spectacular, and the twisty roads became very enjoyable. It is not hard to imagine how Portugal became a maritime powerhouse. Becoming an explorer on a mission to try to find out what was at the other end of that beautiful, endless ocean, seems like a no brainer to me.
Roads became more twisty, with great altitude variations, and very enjoyable. We had lunch at a very remote beach in the Arrabida coast. Fish around these parts is always prepared masterfully. Very fresh. Very flavorful. After lunch, I played with "Rio", an incredibly intelligent dog that liked to fetch a stick by swimming in the ocean.
Touching the ocean and playing with Rio gave me a different experience with closeness with the world. Seeing the beauty of its design everywhere ... water, sun, air, cliffs, life ... and its interplay only made observing it more beautiful and enjoyable. Just taking it in. No filters, no interpretations. Just watching, smiling, and loving.
After lunch, it was time to head to Alcacer do Sal, our destination for the night. We took a quick 20 minute ferry across the bay to Troia, a sandbar that connected to the mainland down the road. Dolphins were around us and people enjoying a nice Saturday on the beach were everywhere.
Once we arrived to the Castelo de Alacacer do Sal, a medieval castle and our hotel for the night, we checked in and headed to the water down the hill to Momento. Apparently, the place to be for dinner in town. I had an amazing "Pico de Pao com Atum" and Portuguese Migas - both incredible dishes.
Tomorrow, we head south along the coast, all the way down, and then East to the border with Spain.
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