17 - 21 October 2016 : Trip to Lisbon, Torres Vedras & Lourinhã
AAA Time travellers
In October our AAA group made an excursion to Lisbon and Torres Vedras. We had a very varied programme moving through time, from the distant past - the time of dinosaurs, on view at the Lourinha Museum - the history of medicine from ancient times to the modern age at the Lisbon Pharmacy Museum - the prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and Peninsular War histories of the area around Torres Vedras, on display in the town's museum, followed by visits to see prehistoric cave sites, a Bronze Age hillfort and a Peninsular War battle site. We also had an afternoon sightseeing in Óbidos (medieval city and World Heritage site).. sampling local 'brew' of ginga in chocolate cups! Many different nationalities in the streets which are full of souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. Also included was a tour of the impressive monastery at Alcobaca.
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On the first day we first visited the Pharmacy in Lisbon where were privileged to be guided by the Director at the Pharmacy Museum.
After the visit to the museum we continued our trip to Torres Vedras where we were lodged for 4 nights.
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The next day we had a tour of Torres Vedras (museum,castle and Forte de São Vicente), Castro de Zambujal and the Azinheira at Praia de Santa Cruz. Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable.
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On the third day we went to the dinosaur museum at Lourinhã where we were guided by Octávio Mateus, (who spoke to the AAA in January about his work).
After lunch we visited Bombarral. |
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On day 4 we visited the monastery of Alcobaça where we also had an excellent guide. In the afternoon we visited the village of Óbidos.
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In the morning of the 5th day we visited the museum and Teatro Romano in Lisbon.
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We ended the morning at Nova University in Lisbon where we were again guided by Prof Octávio Mateus, his Head of Department and students.The staff had set up a programme for the group... the laboratory work to recover dinosaur remains from rocks.
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After an excellent lunch at the University we had a 'class' about geology and the use of stereoscopic viewers to produce 3D images of the landscape, a 'water tasting' session looking at different brands of bottled water and the geology of their sources. The final session allowed us to view examples of minerals, fossils and rocks under a microscope.
Everyone in the group found the whole programme interesting and inspiring, promoting much discussion and for some further research on the topics covered. Members of the group took photographs which will appear on the website in due course together with more information about the tour.
We thank Ruth Gale and Shirley Dunne for organising the tour, hotel and meals. Thanks too, to Manuel, our driver, who unfortunately had to return to the Algarve early having injured his shoulder. Another driver from EVA took over from him so that our excellent trip could continue.
