Touring. -Setobal, Portugal

25,964 steps, 11.2 miles, 42 floors

Pronounced stubal

We walked from our hotel to the metro and got on at Marquis de Pombal til we got to the Zoological garden, 4 stops away (3.60 RT Euros each). He walked through the station and found the train station where we boarded and headed towards Sebutal (it was (11.80 euros RT).

Once in the city, we attempted to find the water. We walked through the narrow streets, and in the center we found several streets that were decorated with plastic decorations hanging up above and with the colorful houses, it made the streets look very festive. 

We walked down a beautiful tiled tree lined path before we ended up in an industrial section/fishing section. 

We could see the castle up on the hill, so we headed that way. From the tree line path it was one and a half kilometers up to the Saint Phillips fortress. This fortress was built in the 1500s and the original plans were to look like a six point star. It was built to have an outlook over the sea and also be able to watch over the villagers. Apparently, the villagers were not too pleased with this fortress, and the foreboding design of the castle did not endear Saint Philip. There is not much to see within the castle. We could walk up the ramp to the rooftop terrace and there were fantastic views in all directions. There’s also a beautiful tiled chapel and a restaurant that can be visited. There is no fee for this castle considering the condition of it, that seems appropriate. 

Of course, it was much easier walking down the hill and from there, we found our main square. We passed several churches unfortunately, we could not enter. Also, the big market was closed. We decided we wanted fish for lunch and walked around. Looking for a restaurant. We noticed several were closed and thought that they might close midday. We did find a seafood restaurant on the Truline Main Street and had an absolutely delicious lunch. We each had a beer. I had a salad and fried calamari and Scotty ordered spaghetti with shrimp. His bowl of spaghetti came out in a crock and it probably could have fed two people. 

After another long, long day of walking, we finished everything that was served an interesting event happened during the lunch when a one legged man sat down at a table and started yelling at the waitress who is far back in the restaurant she began yelling from the back of the restaurant, it took all my willpower not to be an ugly American and videotaped the exchange, but it was very frustrating not to know what they were yelling about. The waitress was a tiny little thing, and before we knew it, she came running out of the kitchen with a mallet in her hand, and slammed it down on the table in front of the man, apparently she told him she didn’t run off he went. I know the exchange must’ve been interesting because it was complete silence in the restaurant and one Portuguese woman was looking at me in shock. This is where I say, all Americans should experience adventures abroad! LOL after lunch, we again walked through the main Square and over to a park where there were some sculptures by Portuguese artist. They were unique and whimsical, and looks like huge bowling pins. Each statue had a unique personality, like one appear to be a bird watcher with a bird on his head, and appeared to be related to wine as she was covered with grapes. 

We made it back to the train and it was a much lively ride home as it was filled with people going home from work and extremely extremely loud woman on the phone.