To get to the frisbee tournament (Bar de Pexi)I was to be picked up from the airport. I arrived early and was trying to juggle my hot chocolate, all my bags (not an easy feat) and find a seat. By chance I sat next to some other frisbee players.I was stunned with how friendly everybody was and only more excited about the tournament. Our driver made a wrong turn so we took the scenic route to the tournament. It was fine it just ment we gt to tease him throughout the weekend. We went over the longest bridge that I have ever been on and the scenary was quite pretty too. This is where I met Yann and Mike, in other words trouble.:) Patrick (the organiser) kindly lent me a tent and also help me set it up as I a little devoid of brain power. The weather was looking a little over cast but actually turned out quite good for the weekend. Games started at four. The each where games where held was a short bus ride from camp, but it was not a problem as shuttles where free and regular. The beach was gorgeous and the water cold!! The teams were picked and we decided on the name NFC (No Fuckin clue).In my team we had Jana, Luise, stoffel, Cos Cos, Momment, Di, Daniel, Gunta, Puto, Jose and I. Puto was the captain and loved long speeches and made up and sang a great team song for us at the endof each game. It had me in stiches every time. After the first few minutes of the first game I was stunned and terrified at the standard of play. I was definately not up to stndard but everybody was vry supportive so it didn´t matter. I am excited to say that I made my first layout. I was running flat out towards the end zone with the disc coming my way. I made a running dive and caught the disc centimeters from the ground. I was shocked and very winded but it didn´t mattter I made the point. After each game each team had there own way of celebrating, which was always fun and a showed a great spirit.In the end I think we came abuot 6th in the tournament.Every night there was a party and I met more and more great people. The first and last night involved dinner and dancing at the bar. The other two nights were more chilled back at camp and with singing around Freak the man with the guitar. Of course the soccer was always on and had a big crowd. It would be unlike me not to mention food so the most interesting thing I a ate was a shellfish that is black and grows on rocks in wavy areas. I dont know what it is called but very tasty. I met so many fantastic people, too many to mention, but I do hope to see them all there again next year.On Monday I returned o Lisbon, I didn´t realise how tired I was until I fell asleep in the bank. I was so embarassed I ran out. After a nap I met up with the other frisbee players I went to a bar to hear a friend of a friends band. They where fantastic. Despite the fact that I was so tired I had to dance, particurlarly to the la la song :). I was really quite sad to say good bye to everyone, butI was determined to makeit to Braga and villa de Gere´s which is where am today. By the ay the bet every mango moouse stuff I have ever had is it Gusto superior, thanks for the tip Atlanta.

Atlanta and I spent 3 days in the Penha de Senaude (I think that is how it is spelt). It was obviously the low season as we felt like the only people there. THe town itself was a little isolated in that we could not get any transport other than a taxi. The hostel was nice and clean but the food was horrid. Luckily there were cafes near by. The surrounding terrain was stunning. We went on hikes and picins each day, not really anything eles we could do. :) I ended up with some massive blisters. One day we were accompained by these two dogs that looked like wolves but they were very sweet. As we walked through the wild flowers (hoping that we would not get too lost) every now and again you would hear tingle that would get louder and louder. Soon after you would see a heard of goats walking thought the flowers and scaling the rocks along a near by hill followed by a dog that lived with the goats and usually a herds man too.
Atlanta and I went our seperate ways at Covilha. Atlanta north and me to Lisbon. Lisbon is a great town. The first night hear there was a festival. A huge march was going on in the main street. People of all ages were everywhere eating and drinking. It went to all hours. I met a group of people (girl from china, a guy form india and another girl from Brazil quite a mix), at the hostel and had a fantastic time. The following day I went to Belem. Most importantly I went to the Pastilla of Belem and had the best Pastilla de nata (custard tart) ever. Actually, not one but multiple. WOW!!! Belem was pretty too with lovely parks, monastery and museums. Since being in Lisbon I have also tried the Sardines, which are very tasty.
I am very excited as I the frisbee tournament starts on Thursday. YEAH!!! Today I am going to go to Sintra, which is also meant to be quite pretty. Oh, Atlanta will be very glad to hear (as I complained quite alot) that I have finally replaced my broken thongs (flip flops for the none aussies). :) I will probabaly be in Braga next time I write.

My last two days in Seville turned out to be fantastic. I met an Aussie girl Claire and a guy called Nathan. We spent the day together wondering the streets and visiting the Real Alcazares, which was impressive but nothing compared to the Alhambra in Granada. On our wonders we stopped in at the Museum of Flamenco and met Daniele. He invited and organised for us all to see a flameco show that night and to go out with him and his friends. The show was stunning. The flamenco dance strongly demonstrates the proud nature of the spanish. It was amazing to see the dancers move with such speed and controlled force. The following day Claire and I went to lunch with Daniele and we had some fantastic tapas. In the evening we went to Daniele place for Bosciola with his friends Leo and Sarah. We spent the evening hanging out, the guys played the guitar, playing drinking games and of course great food. It was quite funny trying to play a counting game when it was partly in spanish and partly in Italian. Though I have to say I can actually count alot better in Spanish now and did not suffer too much the next day. It was a great night. Sadly, I had to go to Lagos early the following morning and would miss the oppurtunity for Jose (Daniele spanish flatemate) to convince me of the value of bullfighting.
Lagos is a beautiful town. As I got off the bus a hawker started to hussel me to stay at his pension. I told him a few time 'no, I have a reservation'. I told him where it was and then he gave me the correct directions to the youth hostel. I was shocked. Yeah, I am in Portugal!!! The weather was fantastic and the beaches gorgeous. So I met some girls at the hostel and we spent quite a bit of time on the beach. Even I have got a base :). I went sea kyaking. On the way out it was stunning clear waters, fantastic rock formations, gorgeous private little coves. On the way back the wind pick up and so did the seas. I was sharing a boat with Atlanta. We struggled to row a straight path, so with the ways it was difficult ride back. It was great to do some exercise, I have missed that alot. The night life was interesting, but sorry girls I still have no stories for you. I liked the Lagos but it is VERY touristie and I was keen to see the true Portugal. Atlanta and I decided to travel together. She is very easy to travel with and I have really enjoyed it. First we went to Evora. A lovely town with with a great history. We visited the church of bones, which is decorated with real human bones. Quite strange. The other main thing of interest is we did a tour of the local Megaliths. They are stones not unlike stonehenge and caves with a drawings and etches dated 10,000 and the oldest around 50,000 years ago. That was amazing, particularly as I am reading abook about that sort of thing at the momment. Now, the food is great!!! I have had salted cod, which is very tasty as is the portugese tarts. We had some local cheese that was a liquard and the taste was to die for. Very happy!!
Next we made our way in to the hills to Castel de vide. A lovely little town with beautiful small wynding streets with all the buildings being white with yellow trimmings. We found a place to stay with a tiny bent over little lady. We had our own little apartment with all the old lady trimmings. We stayed a few days and always ate at the same resturant so we almost become locals. :). In the evening we we sat on the front step ate cheese and drank red whine and watched the locals sitting on there front steps. We made a day trip to Marvoa, population 100. It has the most stunning and well maintained castel I have seen. Also, we were quite high up so the view was amazing. We climbed all over the castel town and finally found a a bakery. It was so simple it could have been out of medieval times. The old man in side was so sweet. I was dying to take photos of all the old people on there steps but it was not allowed. Dam!!!! Before we left Castelo de vide we had snails. Fantastic!!!! We are now in Covilha (living it up in a hotel) and about to go into a national park for a few days where we can hopefully get a few walks done. Next I will email you from Lisbon!!!