This year I spent the Easter in Lisbon and surroundings with Ellie. It was my first visit to Portugal, but surely not the last.

Coming from Finland with temperatures at around zero (c) in March, the 15-20 degrees in Lisbon felt really nice. Most of all, it was great to get some sun.

I had been trying to study some basic Portuguese, but at this visit it didn’t yet give my skills to communicate that much. At least Portuguese is quite easy to read, my basic Spanish and intermediate French was enough to help me understand most signs and posters.

We spent the first night in Odivelas (a suburb north of the centre) at Ellie’s apartment, then two nights close to Troía south of the city, and the last two nights again in Odivelas. Here’s some pictures from the trip.

Ponte Vasco de Gama is the newer and longer of the two bridges over Tagus river. It is the longest bridge in Europe with a total length of 17 km

Spring feelings

A view from the funicular built for Expo 98

Ellie has three cats; Tiguinho is the most social and cuddly

Waiting for the ferry to Troía in Setúbal

In Troía, there is tens of kilometers of perfect beach. Me beating the sea.

This friendly dog made us company for the start of our cycling trip in Troía. After a few kilometers it decided to return home

By far the best cycling weather this year, at least for a Finn

The best matches maybe are already played on this game

Portugal has a really strong coffee culture and great coffee

Troía is full of storks, and they build nests anywhere possible

Orange trees are common in the yards

A beach view near the ferry to Setúbal

Me showing the latest beach fashion

Lunch with Ellie’s father. I loved the fish dishes in Portugal

Ponte 25 de Abril is often compared to Golden Gate

Tiguinho loves to play until he gets dizzy or tired

Pushka is the most shy of Ellie’s cats. Time for some medicine

Tiguinho and I soon became friends

Kelly stayed at a distance, but relaxed more and more when she got used to my presence

Alto de São João is a beautiful old cemetery in central Lisbon

An evening view over Lisbon from close to the castle

Ellie, me and Lisbon

Chapito is a restaurant/bar/theatre that really is worth a visit

Lisbon facade