Come December and smiles start
getting wider on faces in London. It’s the favourite time of the year and
nobody can keep calm. For me, it is also a reminder to finish off annual leaves
and seek slightly warmer, sunnier avenues.
So off we went to Portugal for a
small quiet holiday. For better weather, to relax after a hectic year. We are
now so used to travelling in Europe that I have given up researching the places
before and take the best out of moments itself. (Yeah! I know, the 30s probably)
We landed in the northern city of
Porto and stayed in a lovely apartment by the River Duoro. The city is so small
that you could cover the historic downtown’s cobbled pathways in a day.
The potterhead in me was thrilled to visit the oldest bookshop in
Europe – Livraria Lello for apparently J K
Rowling was inspired by its spiral wooden staircases and the stained glass
ceiling. It’s a bit touristy now but its totally worth it for Eur 4.
So, we spent most of the evenings
lazing around in the apartment, reading a book and overlooking the river and
the famous Ponte Louis bridge, designed
by Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel.
Of course, the real reason for
visiting Porto, was sampling the famous Port Wine. After all, Port Wine is the
first alcoholic beverage I have had! (Thanks Dad) Its synonymous with Goa,
after Feni of course.
 |
| Port Wine tasting at Grahams Wine, Porto |
But Port Wine has been a Kanvinde
family favourite especially on a Sunday afternoon after a fish curry or mutton.
Glorious childhood memories.
So, we crossed the River to the
neighbourhood of Gaia where all the warehouses of all the famous Port Wines
companies are based. There we did some sampling of the popular after dinner
wine.
 |
| View of the Pena Castle |
We also did a day trip to Sintra,
to visit the must see Pena Castle. The bright yellows and oranges surrounded by
Moorish fortified walls, surrounded by lush green parks is a remarkable place
indeed.
Straight out of a fairy tale. The
gorgeous sea views were a bonus and a trek down from the hills was a great way
to end the day.
 |
| At Pena Castle, Sintra |
The next city stop was Lisbon,
the crown jewel of Portugal situated on seven hills. The upcoming IT hub as per
husband’s trivia. The city is quite
densely populated, and the old town’s narrow winding streets add to an old
world charm of an era gone by.
There is so much to see in Lisbon
that perhaps we may need another trip to give it complete justice. Not to
forget, gorging on as many Custard de Natas (Custard Tarts) as possible from
the city’s many Pastelerias. Of course, as a dutiful wife, I saved husband’s day
by asking him to not eat a certain appetising looking pastry. It was actually a
raw egg and I spat it out with passion before he took a bite. (For those who
know Aditya’s love for eggs)
 |
| A feast of savouries and Custard de Natas at Pasterlia de Belem |
Our picks for this trip in
Lisbon, were riding the famous Tram Line 28, walking on the breezy sea-front, and
visiting the stunning Jerónimos Monastery.
The Jeronimos Monastery is the
resting place of Vasco Da Gama. Lisbon has several monuments dedicated in his
memory to acknowledge the great voyagers contribution to the world. Some may think otherwise and indicate the Age
of Discovery leading to colonise many regions worldwide.
 |
| A Memorial to mark Vasco da Gama's voyage at Lisbon |
But to a millennial me, I look at
how one country’s culture influenced the other and the beautiful amalgamation
that we experience today in Goa. Goa, the Kanvinde family’s ancestral land. The
reason for migration of several families during Portuguese rule. The bright
yellows and oranges and stained glass paintings make today's vibrant Goa due to the Portuguese influence indeed.
Pao, Batata, Tomato are the staples
of everyday India today and several loaned words in Konkani and Marathi have Portuguese
roots. Some of the spices in Indian cuisine are thanks to the Portuguese. (Of
course, I am still clueless on the many Balchao curries in Goa. For Balchau in Portuguese means salted cod
fish which is available in many recipes.)
As I stood by the Belem Tower
which is strategically located near the confluence of River Tagus and the
Atlantic, I had a saudade for Goa. A
place which I visited every year without fail. I also wondered how a small
nation influenced the world and also left a powerful impact on a smallish coastal
region in India. I also thanked the sea for bringing into my life all those
wonderful people, who have taught me something or other, a friend, a teacher, a
relative who have left lasting impressions. Some whom I have lost due to Fado whilst some whom I long to see yet
again.
 |
| Belem Tower |
Saudade: A Portuguese word for a deep longing.
Fado : A Portuguese word for Destiny or fate. Also, the local form of music to Portugal.
