Portugal Vibes

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would visit Portugal several times before I turned 30, I would've given you my politest confused grimace while thinking to myself, Portugal???  Where is that again?  I'm pretty sure that the only time I had acknowledged the country was when I was studying for my Countries and Capitals tests in 6th grade (which I rocked, thankyouverymuch).  I knew then that Portugal was in Europe, next to Spain, and the capital was Lisbon.  But that was back in 1996.

Now it's 2015 and I have visited Portugal 4 times with my Portuguese husband and his parents.  Funny how life works out.

The first time I went to Portugal was in December 2009.  Victor and I did lots of sight-seeing on that trip.  It was my first Christmas away from my family and I ran upstairs and cried on Christmas day when Victor's mom showed me a pot of SQUID cooking on the stove.  Where was the ham and mashed potatoes?!  Despite the sadness of being away from my family in a land where very few people spoke English, I still had a great time.

Albufeira

Castle in Tavira

Albufeira

Church of Bones.  We saw many of these.  Creepy.

Sao Sebastian church in Moncarrapacho.  Victor and I would later have our marriage blessed here.

Faro

Citrus trees in the city center in Faro

Fishing boats in Fuseta

In front of one (of many) Nativity scenes

Sagres.  People used to believe this was the end of the world over here.

We went back in August 2010.  We explored Dublin, Ireland on an extended layover on the way, as well.  LOVED Dublin!  Once in Portugal, the trip was dominated by the beach.  Beach, beach, and more beach.  I loved it even more.

We took a catamaran cruise of the southern coast

Victor's cousin's little duckling.  They got him for 2 Euros at a local market.

Lagoon in Tavira.  Water was ice cold but it was so beautiful

Vilamoura Marina

Then we visited in August 2013 at the end of our honeymoon (we spent a week and a half in London and Paris, then spent 10 more days in Portugal).  Again, that trip was all about the beach.  And reading on our Kindles.  And drinking sangria and espressos.  We also had our marriage blessed in a tiny little Catholic church, the same church where Victor's parents were married and where Victor was baptized.

Every day, after the beach, we'd get a bica (espresso)

The bolinha guy!  He sold delicious pastries, like a donut filled with cream or Nutella (Nutella was my fave)

We'd always get some sangria or a beer here while at the beach

Sunset from Victor's parents' veranda

Gettin' hitched again...

Picnic at the campo, where Victor's dad and his family used to live

In Vilamoura

At dinner in Fuseta with Victor's mom, her sisters, and Victor's godmother

Earlier this week, Victor, Max and I returned from a 12-day visit to Portugal.  Stop back tomorrow to see photos from our trip...I've already shared too many in this post!