Here is the first appointment of this new column dedicated to curiosities in / about Portugal. A column that will reveal some information you won't find in tourist guides; I will give you important and succulent information about new attractions, advice on routes, new urban artworks, new places and food, museums and much more. Ready to take notes?
1- LANGUAGE ODDITIES / POPULAR SAYINGS
It always makes me smile when Portuguese people say "barata tonta" (stupid cockroach) to indicate a disoriented or disorganized person. Also curious is the expression "ter muita lata" (having many cans) when a person is shameless, shameless, similar to our "cheek face".
2- VERY TOPICAL CURIOSITY IN THIS PERIOD OF BORDERS AND "FOREIGNERS"
Did you know that in a small fishing village in Indonesia lives a blue-eyed people descended from the Portuguese? Their name is Lamno, they are endangered and live on Samatra Island. After the tsunami of 2004 the village has been reduced from a hundred people to just ten.
3- A BLUE BUT DANGEROUS CAVE
In Portugal near the mines of Queiriga (Viseu) there are secret caves with blue waters bathed by the sun, but they cannot be visited because the protection and illumination provided for the visits have been subject to vandalism. Will they reopen? It seems so. We'll just have to wait.
4- THE SHORTEST ROAD IN LISBON
I'm talking about Rua da Betesga, a street that connects Piazza da Figueira to Piazza Dom Pedro IV in the middle of Baixa Pombalina. And it also has a beautiful view from the bottom of the castle of S. Jorge. I still haven't convinced you?
5- FOR LOVERS OF SPRITZ IN LISBON
Very few years ago in Portugal they didn't even know what Aperol was. Today, kiosks and bars that prepare it rise every day like mushrooms after a rainy day. Did you know that in the Mercado da Riberia aka Time Out Market you'll find an orange kiosk that prepares the legendary Venetian drink dated 1919?
6- THE ENCHANTED FOREST OF BUÇACO
Did you know that from Luso to Buçaco (not far from the ancient capital of Portugal Coimbra) there is an enchanted forest created with vegetation from Australia and New Zealand? Mata Nacional do Buçaco is called Mata Nacional do Buçaco and is located at an altitude of 549 meters and the route, easy to walk, is about 8 km. Starting from the spa town of Luso along the way you will have a beautiful view of Coimbra and Aveiro.
7- ROUTE 66 OF PORTUGAL
Did you know that there is a national road in Portugal that cuts the country in two? A road that runs through the whole of Portugal from north to south (from Chaves to Faro) and passes through delightful little villages? They call it the Portuguese Route 66, but it is officially called the N2.
8- SLEEP IN AN ANCIENT CORK FACTORY
Soon it will be possible to sleep in a luxury hotel that will take possession of the old cork factory of Mundet which was the largest in Portugal. It is located in Seixal about 30 minutes by ferry from Lisbon and opened its doors in 1905.
9- SUMEDHÃRÃMA BUDDHIST MONASTERY
Did you know that there is a Sumedhãrãma Buddhist monastery in Portugal? It is located near the Fonte Boa dos Nabos, near Ericeira and can be booked for meditation periods (just send an email to the monastery). These resident monks follow the Vinaya teachings of the Thai forest tradition of the Wat Nong Pah Pong monastery founded by Ajahn Chah.
10- TRAVEL THROUGH THE ORIENTAL FLAVORS WITHOUT LEAVING LISBON
I conclude this list with a tip for lovers of Asian cuisine. Did you know that in Martim Moniz there is an oriental market where you can enjoy a variety of Asian flavours without leaving the same room? It is called Mercado Oriental and it is located at 41 Rua da Palma.
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