A short walk from the Monastery brought us to the gleaming white curves of a completely modern marvel. We spent time admiring the contemporary design of the MAAT museum, captivated by the way the sunlight illuminated its form and reflected brilliantly off the river. This architectural spectacle—particularly its textured, tiled exterior—served as a thoughtful, modern reminder of the art form we had explored earlier in the morning.
A damp morning provided the perfect opportunity to seek shelter and immerse ourselves in Lisbon's indoor treasures, starting with the spectacular Azulejo Museum. While the grand narrative piece, 'The Chicken's Wedding,' was a personal highlight, the sheer variety was astounding—from intricate geometric patterns and profound religious scenes to vibrant, modern displays. What truly surprised us was discovering that a significant portion of the museum is housed within a stunning, tile-adorned old church itself!
Later that evening, we enjoyed a delightful dinner in the old city center near the grand Praça do Comércio. The area provided rich photographic opportunities: we spent time capturing the illuminated arch, the quintessential Lisbon trams in motion, and the peaceful flow of the River Tagus at dusk.
Our day began with a scenic train journey to Sintra, a village we found to be just as charming and historic as its reputation suggests. Although I had recently cycled very near this locale during the 70.3 race, this was our chance to truly explore. While the town center felt quite crowded and tourist-heavy, we quickly found the tranquility we sought. Our steep hike to the ancient fort crowning the hilltop provided an immediate, welcome escape from the throngs, leading us into serene, higher ground and rewarding us with breathtaking views.
The day after the race, time to recover! So we head for Lisbon. After checking into our hotel we go for a little stroll and discover a nice little park where there is a Market today for Irene to browse and get some gifts for Giselle. While I am very impressed by a beautiful Silk Floss Tree in that park. Pink seems to be the team of the day. Until the rains starts, but that is not till late at in the evening...
It really helps, racing with a group from the club and I am proud that despite being the most senior by far (decades in some cases) I was still the fastest!
Having support from family and friend along the course helps too and finally, knowing many club members are tracking us from home ensures you keep giving it all you have got!
