Quinta da Bacalhoa, Portugal

Quinta da Bachaloa in Azeitao, Portugal

this estate dates from the 1500's and is obviously much smaller in size

now, but still highly impressive.

I've wanted to visit this palace for quite some timw now, and this year

when in Portugal finally got there, only to discover that you need to

prebook in order to access ... oh well, still got to enjoy the vineyard part of the

gardens, although the building and formal gardens are something to behold.

a Wordless Wednesday post.

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Portinho Beach, Portugal

Images from my trip to Portugal this past June.

These are of the beach area adjoining Portinho da Arrabida - it's
secluded and very scenic. I love the fact that it's surrounded by a huge
mountain as a backdrop, and the sand dunes are covered with
 very different vegetation... see below ...
You might want to check out my previous post on this area here

a My World Tuesday post and

Watery Wednesday post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Lisbon Balcony

a balcony in Lisbon, framing the entry to a local store

A Windows & Doors post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Walls & windows

On the the walls and "windows" from the St. George Castle (Castelo S. Jorge) in Lisbon.   

see another pic from my trip to the castle in yesterday's post here.

A Wordless Wednesday and Wndows and Doors post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Contrasts

I entitled this picture "contrast" because I loved the look of the 

 fragile poppies and wildflowers growing on this embankment against

a rock solid (literally) wall and old olive tree.  

The contrast is also in relation to new life and growth vs. the old, ancient and

 established - the ancient walls of the castle and the very old olive tree

under which the poppies were growing.

 This image was taken during the recent trip to Portugal outside the

St. George Castle in Lisbon.  We were in a rush and a  snapped a few images

in a hurry, wish I'd caught more of the olive tree... alas!! 

A Ruby Tuesday post

and My World Tuesday

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

A Favorite Spot

 One of the pics taken during my trip to Portugal this year - it depicts the beach area at

Portinho da Arrabida - a little piece of paradise!!!  Heaven on earth ....

 It's a little port/ marina/ bay area, surrounded by mountain.  I first went there in my 

teens and to this day it  remains one of my all time favorite places!

This time we visited during a week day, before the crazy holiday season and it was

awesome to be able to enjoy the space and quiet...

 In this shot Portinho (the actual marina and little port) is behind me and ahead,

in the distance is Setubal - a major town and port.

a Skywatch and LATSOF post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Arched Walkway

The wonderfully arched walkway at the Terreiro do Paco buildings in Lisbon

showing part of the fine architectural detail of that era.

 a Sepia Scenes post and a Windows & Doors post

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

The Balcony

ancient architectural detail - balcony in Lisbon, Portugal

View more Monochrome Weekend posts here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Against the Wall

View more Sepia Scenes, here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Santiago Fort: Mosaic Monday

a collage depicting some of the details of the Santiago Fort - Sesimbra, Portugal

link for more info 

also view yesterday's post depicting the yatch harbour in Sesimbra

View more Mosaice Monday posts here

and more Blue Monday posts here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Yatch Harbour Sesimbra

a late afternoon view of the yatch harbour in Sesimbra Portugal

see more Scenic Sunday posts here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Rusty and Worn

a worn and weathered door - obviously no longer in use judging by

the rusty door handle and the wire keeping it closed.

A Thursday Challenge submission emtitled Rusty,

click here for more

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

A late afternoon walk

a beach walkway

late afternoon, Lagoa de Albufeira, Portugal

view more Scenic Sunday posts here

and more Shadow Shots, here

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images

Azulejo: Mosaic Monday

a mosaic made from images of blue and white (predominantly) tiles and mosaics, taken in and around Lisbon. 
The title Azulejo (taken from the word Azul = blue) refers to the art/ tilework which goes back many
centuries - here is a link if you are interested in more information on this work.  

Azulejo  is such an intrinsic part of Portuguese architecture that there is a museum in Lisbon dedicated
 to it - here is the link

To view other Mosaics, visit Little Red House

to view other Blue Monday's visit Smiling Sally

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Copyright 2010 Gena D Images for thinking aloud

At Rest

a fishing boat at rest - Lagoa da Albufeira, Portugal 

to view more Weekend Reflections click here
to view more Scenic Sunday posts, click here

 to view more Blue Monday posts, click here

Image Copyright: 2010 All rights reserved

Gena D Images for thinking aloud

Beach Walkway

a wooden beach walkway at Lagoa de Albufeira in Portugal

to view other Monochrome Weekend participants, click here
Image: copyright 2010 Gena D Imaged for thinking aloud

As time goes by...

This was taken in Setubal, Portugal last year. 

I've entitled this image "as time goes by" because it reflects so vividly 
the effects of time, weather, climate, age - from the "washed" look of the salmony red
 colour on the walls, the faded yellow, the dusty cream architraves, the weathered
 blue door, the worn white curtains behind that, the rusty tones of the
juliette blacony - they all contribute to an image depicting the ravages of time.

to view more Mid Week Blues participants, click here

to view more Windows and Doors, click here

to view more My True Colours, click here

Red Tram

I came across this scanned image today and just had to post is as a Ruby Tuesday!   

It was taken on a trip to Portugal in 1998. This is in Lisbon near the Palace Square,

just off the River Tagus, where, as far as I know the old style trams still run today.

For more Ruby Tuesday participants, click here

A New Allegiance

A Sunset view of the Castle in Penela, Central Portugal, where my parents come from.
OK, so I'm back home, for a week already and still battling to get down to the normal (mundane) things... Horror of horrors I've not even finished unpacking!!!!!!!! My absence is attributed to the fact that I spent a number of weeks in Portugal visiting family and getting to grips with financial and legal stuff that needing attending to. In between we took drives into the country, we visited castles, the coast, and a myriad of other interesting places, granting me ample opportunities to take pictures .....
By my very nature, I am a multi cultural person, of dual nationality - being Portuguese, but born and raised in South Africa, I therefore have always considered myself 100% South African. And yet I found myself loving, no, adoring, Portugal - the scenery, the old buildings, the development that has taken place, my wonderful extended family, the lifestyle, the more relaxed atmosphere, the great food.... and just like that, I now have an allegiance to that country like never before, to the point that I can see myself living there - something which never really occurred to me before......

Ah well, time will tell, but in the meantime, I am definitely making plans to go back soon, to see more sights, to enjoy the people and the great food. And I'll read blogs about people who have made the switch, like Emma of emmashousinportugal.com an Australian lady who took the plunge in a big way!

For now I'll sort through the thousands (literally) of photos and post them on facebook and here so those interested, can enjoy them. Okay, so back to reality and unpacking the suitcase ...

For more pictures on Portugal, see posts on Vintage Rose Studio: click here
For those interested, herwith links to my photo albums on Portugal posted on facebook: Album 1 Album 2 and Album 3
Photo Credit: Gena D Photography

The Alfama in Lisbon

I have a soft spot for old places... old cities, old homes, and even old people!!! They really have nothing to prove, do they? They just are, glorious in their space, as is - warts and all!

I came across the photography of Erik Gauger ... beautiful stuff!! and then found this article and pictures of the old part of Lisbon called Alfama. I love it, have been before and found it evocative - so much so, that I hope to go there again this year.

Enjoy the link and Eric's photos and wonderful stories.

The Alfama in Lisbon

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Picture Credit : Gena D Photography