Portugal's Maritime Museum...but first a word on Bica...

BICA....ohmygod!


The Portuguese equivalent to Espresso...served in a demitasse and nipped down. This may be my new "Wake-The-Hell-Up" Cup.

Seriously, two of these and you can do anything!!!!!

To try a reasonable substitute if you do not have an espresso machine...try this...the taste is very similar.

In a demitasse cup (holds about 2.5 ounces) put two teaspoons of good quality instant coffee...add one teaspoon of condensed sweetened milk...and stir...then top off with boiling water. It will foam and is very sweet and strong. A pinch of cinnamon makes it perfect. 

Not quite Turkish Coffee...but along that line.  My heart is still pounding...

~laughing~


So...thoroughly bica'd, off this morning to explore the Lisbon Port Area and the Maritime Museum.

And yes...I did manage to VERB bica. If you try it, you will see...it really is a verb. Think along the lines of crack in a tiny cup.

Vasco de Gama Bridge

Torre Le Belem

Maritime Museum

A few of the sights. Everything from full sized crafts, to models and historic paintings. Detailing the navigational historical importance of Lisbon. Part of the museum is still a cathedral, Jerinomos Monastary, where early explorers would often pray before leaving on their dangerous adventures.

And the final resting place of Vasco da Gama

 

A Portuguese Explorer and the first European to successfully navigate a Trade Route to India.

Fun Fact:  He would later build Jeronimos Monastary solely from a 5 cent tax levied on spice (specifically pepper).

Early explorers, poets, monks and crusaders would be immortalized in stone carvings in the Monument To The Discoveries, nearby Port Lisbon.

Such a beautiful place!

Tomorrow we will check out Porto...and learn to make Lavadores (Washboard Cookies) to have with our Bica.

Bica may be what Warren Zevon was referring to when he said

"I'll sleep when I'm DEAD,"

Just saying.




Until tomorrow...