{"id":3528,"date":"2012-05-28T17:20:45","date_gmt":"2012-05-28T21:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=3528"},"modified":"2015-07-02T15:00:36","modified_gmt":"2015-07-02T19:00:36","slug":"day-1-sunday-may-27-cascais-to-setubal-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=3528","title":{"rendered":"Day 1, Sunday, May 27 – Cascais to Setubal, Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"

I will have to admitted I was a bit intimidated and concerned by the hills that I saw through the window as we flew in the other day. \u00a0That and knowing our training had not included anything but flat land, plus a new bike and cobblestones. \u00a0 There, all the whining is done; let’s get this started.<\/p>\n

Our first 16 miles to the Port of Lisbon was along the coast road with no shoulder, in fact not even a white line to ride on, but the drivers are very courteous to bicycles so it was no problem. \u00a0We did<\/em> have a lot going for us though,\u00a0beautiful sunshine, cool breeze to our back and some beautiful sights along the way and it really was <\/em>SO good to be back on the bicycle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>As we pulled away we were able to catch a final glimpse of Lisbon\"\"<\/a>and the hills that stood before us.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The hills turned out to be not so bad in the beginning. \u00a0The morning was filled with the smell of Eucalyptus trees and every kind of meat being grilled on outdoor fire pits. \u00a0Luckily the small villages were few and far between.<\/p>\n

After a quick picnic lunch\"\"<\/a> the hills began, \"\"<\/a>but they wound through wine fields\"\"<\/a>so we were pleasantly distracted.<\/p>\n

Our last climb finished with a drop into the town of Set\u00fabal.\u00a0We checked in, quickly took a shower and were out of the door again to stroll the streets\u00a0in the fabulous weather.\u00a0\"\"<\/a>Actually, we had no particular reason or anything to see to leave so quickly, but it was worth it nonetheless.\u00a0 Though there were people everywhere, it wasn\u2019t loud, no particular chaos, just everyone enjoying the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The town was in the middle of a festival of \u201cchoco\u201d, which we thought was chocolate; better yet\u2026..octopus\/squid; which they consider to be the same animal?!\u00a0 The town of Sentubal is also know for their fish, \u201cbest port for fresh fish\u201d.\u00a0 We of course, must test their theory.\u00a0 On our first lap around the town we stop for some fresh squid, to help them celebrate.\u00a0 We opted for the grilled instead of fried and were quite (delightfully) surprised\u2026..the squid came with INK (and boiled potatoes) and it was Fabulous!\u00a0\"\"<\/a>Needless to say, our lips, teeth, smiles were black.\u00a0 Do you realize how impossible it is NOT to smile when you know you look like your made-up for Halloween?!<\/p>\n

Managed to put a few hours of touring in<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>in between our 3:00 \u2018inking\u2019 and dinner, since we were not at all hungry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We were pulled into a restaurant by a very gregarious waiter, who insisted we try the wonderful fish\u2026\u2026..his recommendations were \u2018spot on\u2019.\u00a0\"\"<\/a>Thank goodness we were not hungry!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You wouldn’t think 45 miles would cause us to eat so much, but we were tired and we have a long few months ahead of us, so off to bed.\n\t\t