Portugal Day 3: Mon 24/1/11: Braga, Nazarre, Obidos

Being part of northern Portugal, Braga was as cold as 2-3 degree at night. I could not sleep well because the heating in the hostel room was not warm enough. Woke up in the middle of the night to add another layer of thick blanket. The breakfast was great though: 2 big bun with jam, milk and cereals, yoghurt and hot chocolate. Although the hostel provides free indoor parking at night, I had to remove my car from the courtyard by 9am to park at a nearby private car park. 


Braga is reputed as one of the most beautiful city in Portugal hence the crazy idea of driving up north despite having only 4 days to cover Portugal! It is a also a religious city with many sanctuaries nearby.


It was a short walk from the hostel to the city centre. The Praca de Republica is a large scenic square in front of the Igreja e Convento dos Congregados, Arcada and tourist office. The famous Braga cathedral is just few minutes away.  No photography allowed inside the Se though.


Left Braga early to visit Bom Jesus, a hilltop pilgrimage site with famous stairway. One can choose to climb the long staircase (pilgrims sometimes climb on their knees!) or hop into a funicular train to reach the top. It has few chapels, allegorical fountains, a church and a panoramic view of Braga. The fountains signify the five human senses. Inside the church is very beautiful sculptures on the altar depicting the event of crucifixion. 
Santuario do Sameiro is located just nearby and is the second largest Mary sanctuary in Portugal after Fatima.

Bom Jesus

 Nazarre

Obidos at sunset

Next, was a long drive down south towards Obidos. There was not enough time to visit Fatima, the place where the Virgin appeared in 13 May 1917 to three children on top of a tree and revealed three secrets to them. The virgin appeared every month for the next successive 5 months and on the last apparition was on 13 October 1917,  when the Miracle of the Sun took place. Every year, million of devotees come to Fatima on 12-13 May and 12-13 October for pilgrimage.


Stopped by Nazarre, a place reknown for its gorgeous beach. By the time I reach Obidos, it was near sunset and all places of interest were closed. Obidos is really a very charming walled village with romantic atmosphere. The rustic charm and the lush green landscape really help to relieve stress.It is after all, a wedding gift from Dom Dinis to his wife, Dona Isabel. Outside the Igreja de Sao Joao Baptista , there is a stall that sells sweets. I bought a Bombokas (chocolate crusted ball with marshmallow filling) and ate it while climbing the wall to get fantastic view of the city. The wall is high and the staircase has no railing so is definitely not for altophobic or the faint hearted. It is a lovely walk cruising through the small alleys to reach the hilltop where the Castelo is. Behind the castle is the medieval market which is closed of course.  Near the St Mary church, there is a square and row of shops that sell Portuguese handicrafts. 


After sunset, it was time to drive to the Lisbon airport to return the car and then took a bus to the city. Due to the obvious scratch, I had to pay some money to the car rental agency :( Wasted significant time at the car rental agency because of that.
It was a nightmare waiting for the bus in the airport. Waited for more than hour for the bus to come which never appear. Later I board another bus that go to Santa Apolonia and change to another bus to Cais do Sodre. It is a good thing I bought Lisboa Card that is valid 24hr so all public transport was free. I could have taken an aerobus but it is not free though one can get discount with Lisboa card. It was very late near 11pm when I reach Cais do Sodre and I had to climb the steep Rua do Alecrim and Rua do Ataide to reach my hostel. All with my limping right leg....Except for the hidden location, my hostel is a lovely stay. Free internet, warm room, good breakfast  and I had an empty room all by myself is more than I can ask for. Tried using my new Garmin for pedestrian mode and it worked! Cool...