Obidos, Portugal, December 2023

December 2023 was another wonderful time spent in Portugal, enjoying both my home in Óbidos and some of my favourite places nearby. Before heading to Dubrovnik for my Balkan trip, I had a chance to reconnect with familiar sights in Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha, Foz do Arelho, and Óbidos. The quiet winter season made these places even more charming, with fewer crowds and a peaceful, festive atmosphere.

Welcoming Taheeni to Portugal

After returning from the Balkans, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting my dear friend Taheeni, my Austrian friend with whom I used to work in Bangkok for ECHO. It was her first time in Portugal, and I was excited to introduce her to the country. From the moment she arrived, we had a fantastic time—chatting, catching up, and reminiscing about our time in Thailand while exploring the beauty of Portugal together.

Exploring the Silver Coast

We started our trip by exploring Óbidos, where I could show Taheeni my Portuguese home. The medieval charm of Óbidos never fails to impress, with its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and the impressive castle walls. We strolled through the narrow alleyways, stopping at small bookshops, artisan stores, and of course, enjoying the famous Ginjinha de Óbidos.

From there, we took a trip to Foz do Arelho, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Óbidos Lagoon. Even in December, the sea breeze was refreshing, and the dramatic waves crashing on the shore made for an incredible sight.

We continued to Praia do Rei, a beautiful and somewhat wild beach near Ferrel. The coastal scenery here was breathtaking, with endless dunes and rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean. In Peniche, we admired the fishing port and the spectacular Berlenga Islands in the distance.

Venturing Further – Coimbra and Nazaré

One of the highlights was our visit to Coimbra, the historic university city. Coimbra’s old-world charm is undeniable, and we spent the day wandering through the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe, with its stunning Joanina Library. The city’s hilly streets, river views, and historic atmosphere made it a great addition to our journey.

Later, we visited Nazaré, famous for its record-breaking waves and traditional fishing culture. The views from Sítio were incredible, overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean, and we took time to explore the local seafood restaurants, where we enjoyed delicious fresh fish dishes.

A Final Farewell in Lisbon

Our time together flew by, and soon it was time for Taheeni to return to Vienna and for me to fly back to Caracas. Before parting ways, we spent our last moments in Lisbon, wandering through the city’s historic streets, revisiting Praça do Comércio, and taking in the charm of the Portuguese capital one last time.

It was an amazing visit, and I was so happy to have shared Portugal with Taheeni—a country I love so much. The experience was even more special because of the friendship and memories we created together.

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