from braganca, portugal to pau, france

I had a great time in portugal.  the people were polite and the food was excellent as well.  The weather was almost perfect with hot sunny days lasting from lisbon to the last day in portugal in braganca.   so it was hard to leave this country and continue into spain.  i would have to leave those peaceful little villages behind and find out how i would enjoy spain. 
       this was my second time traveling by bike in spain.   last year heading down to morocco and through the african continent from madrid was the first.  i found it hard to focus at the time and just enjoy spain without being consumed by what lay ahead in africa.  this trip has a different feel,  its like the vacation that i never got traveling through africa. i also think experience helps one manage. so my travels this time brought me through northern spain over hills, plains, and mountains.  i was somewhat familiar with the food but on this trip endulged more in the tapas and smooth lagars at the cafe/bars.  even though it was frustrating at times to cycle into a village during the siesta, after getting use to it i to found myself taking naps during the afternoon hours or wandering through the narrow alleyways, a rithem i was beginning to enjoy.  at night i would find a spot to camp for the evening, which was never a problem, and enjoy the singing of the birds while i read.  the birds singing was always a treat for me.  iv noticed one call that i constantly heard in mali last year.  i guess that makes sense as birds also do a fair bit of traveling. so just an overview of my travels through spain, pretty mellow. this is a nice break before central asia and possibly some winter biking.

tabara

madina de rioseco

ampudia

ampudia

prusuitto

cuerda del pozo

villerfas

tarazona

ayerbe

pirineos occidentales

maria de gallego

accous, france

gave d aspe

pirineos

castle bagging in portugal

Linhares Castle

Castle of Penela

Castle Vila Nova de Ourem

Ourem

Castle of Braganca

After a few days in Lisbon I head north and in search of castles.  After a rough afternoon getting through the traffic and staying off the auto piste roads I finaly ride into the country and everything slowed down a bit. In Portugal there is always something to see along the roadside, some historical ruins, farmers in their fields, or  castles on the hilltops.  Cycling through this country was already going to be tough enough, for those of you not familiar with the geography here, its quite mountainous.  Just from Lisbon to where i entered Spain i logged in over 9000 meters on the bike. Thats a lot for such a small distance.  But it was worth the effort and i came away with a good experience. 

    The feel in Portugal is very relaxed and tranquil.  I would pedal up to a town and it would almost seem like it was abandoned. That was before more observation.  Eventually i would notice a lady tending here garden or a kid walking down the road, but the point is that you will usually see someone before you hear them.  The locals like their peace and quiet and i was loving it as well. 

     My plan has been to camp as much as possible out of the larger cities and this has worked out.  Iv managed to camp my way though Portugal since Lisbon.  I enjoy the fresh air and freedom that camping offers and its much cheaper.   I spend all my money on good coffee and beer along with local food at the pastalarias. Thats been another highlight cycling here.  I kept is simple with a toasta mista, or bifana sandwich, a grilled ham and cheese or chicken sandwich, usually washed down with a superbock beer.  The portugese also enjoy pasteries and you can find row after row of all varieties wherever you go.  its good energy for pedaling i tell myself as i pop two or three.

   It was sad to leave Portugal behind but i had to press on.  This morning i crused into Spain and now im in San Vitero.   I will head up to Leon more or less and then east twards France.  Until next time...

lisbon, second day

So this trip kicked off in Lisbon Portugal after 30 hours of travel from Alaska.  I opted to cycle from the airport the the address of the hostel i planned on staying.  In hind sight it was a bad idea as i was soon lost and then came the rain.  Cycling in this historic city is actually quite fun with all there is to see, i kept optimistic and eventually found a small local hotel near the square.  On acount of the previous two days of travel i crashed out early.