Portugal Travel Sketchbook

Returned from almost a month in Portugal.

We had many stops along the way, so we traveled with very little luggage. My sketchbook for the journey was Procreate on my iPad.

The vast majority of the painting was done using just two of the Procreate brushes, the Round Brush and Succo.

Let’s just say many photos were taken.

Most of our stays were for multiple days, so we had the opportunity for side trips to nearby locations.

New York City

Stayed and enjoyed the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport for two nights. Went into the city for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

TWA Hotel, JFK Airport

The TWA Terminal - designed by Eero Saarinen - has been repurposed as the public space of the TWA Hotel.

Turbulent Study

My study of Umberto Buccioni’s “The Street Pavers” completed durning a rough flight out of JFK.

Air France Lounge

Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal

Ponta Delgada is a fascinating island. On the first day we found the Saturday public market held inside the municipal parking garage.

Two additional days were spend touring the volcanic craters, including having a meal cooked by volcanic heat.

Mercado de sábado em Ponta Delgada

Albufeira

The costal town of Albufeira was our hub while in the Algarve (the southern coast).

Farol em Sangres

The mid-century modern lighthouse caught my eye.

Gato de bar

Bars and restaurants in Portugal tend to have well kept named cats. Their bowl of cat chow is often inside by the door.

Flores silvestres e oliveiras

Wildflowers and olive trees near Benafim.

Albufeira beach

A quick study of all the motion on the beach. Sometimes empty, other times quite frenetic.

Évora

Évora is know as the second university city in Portugal (Tech Vs. State?). We took a side trip to explore the interior of Portugal, including investigating the agricultural heartland, visiting three towns - two of which were mountain top walled towns, learning about cork harvesting, and other products. Often our stops were filled with the sound of sheep bells.

Templo de Diana

Almonds

Monsaraz

‎⁨Vila Viçosa⁩

‎⁨Castelo de Estremoz⁩

‎⁨Castelo de Estremoz⁩

Quarto um, banheiro

Train to Lisboa

Lisboa (Lisbon)

Lisboa is the biggest Portuguese city. We took a day trip out to Sintra and to Belem.

Grevistas

The hotel workers held a rally to popularize the strike on the upcoming weekend. Folk music and local media.

Os ouvintes

In the corner of a photo taken in the castle town of Monsaraz two gentlemen are entranced in a story while their trusty hound has other interests.

Lírios de calla

It took three tries to find the tropical garden, but it was worth the extra transfers to get there.

Obidos

Obidos is a small walled town with multiple book stores. It was getting ready for its annual chocolate festival while we were there. Friends nearby rescued us and took us over to explore ‎⁨Caldas da Rainha⁩.

Coimbra

Coimbra is the largest university city. The university is steeped in tradition and a tour of the library is a must.

Esperando o trem

While waiting to catch our train to Porto, I liked the fellow travelers waiting on their train.

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is a city where directions include go up the street (vertically) or down the street.

We took a tasting tour in the Douro river valley, tasting both still (table wines) and ports (fortified wines) at the Sandeman winery. Lunch was at a local cafe with three different stew dishes, beef ribs, goat, and pork.

Papa Figos Douro

Tasting a rose table wine made by Sandeman.

Vovó curiosa

Gentlewoman investigating the construction project down on her street.

Wine Tasting

This couple was pondering the menu in Pinhão, enjoying a day by the Douro river.

ATM e batata

The Euro is Portugal’s standard currency.

Miami, Florida, United States

Leaving Porto we took the high speed train to Lisboa, overnighted, and then flew out the next morning.

Our stopover in Miami was to investigate the new Brightline railroad. We traveled from Miami to Fort Lauderdale by train - on time - and then aircraft - a day late.

White Ibis

This fearless fellow was walking around in front of The Bass, a wonderful modern art museum in Miami Beach.

Summary

Enjoy a month (or two) in Portugal is my recommendation.