Sometimes, the best adventures start with little to no sleep. After waking up at 1 a.m. (thanks, body clock), we were out the door by 4:15, met by a cheerful driver who whisked us through the dark, freezing morning towards Heathrow. The airport experience was mostly smooth—check-in and bag drop were a breeze—but security was another story. The secondary bag check was painfully slow, and my bag was randomly flagged for a liquids check. The agent was unimpressed that I was unimpressed, and we had a bit of a standoff.
With that behind us, we grabbed a quick coffee and a wrap before hopping on the shuttle to the B gates. Our British Airways flight was packed, but being at the front meant we boarded last and got off first—a small win! However, an accident on the motorway disrupted the catering, so it was a snackless flight. BA even sent an apologetic email, which was a nice touch, but let’s be honest—no snacks was not ideal.
Touchdown in Lisbon
Passport control was quick, and our bags appeared almost instantly—off to a strong start. Then, there he was: Tim! After two years apart, it was so good to see him again. First stop? Pastelaria Careca for their famous croissant. It’s not like a French croissant—more of a dense, sweet, moist pastry in a croissant shape. Hard to describe, but trust me, it was heaven. Paired with a coffee, it was the perfect Lisbon welcome.
Mountain Biking in Sintra
No time to waste—we were straight into action! Tim had everything ready for us: bikes, helmets, knee and elbow guards, water packs, and goggles. Off we went, climbing 328 meters up to Santuário da Peninha, a historic sanctuary finished in 1710. The views were incredible, and the ride down was even better—single trail all the way. It took me a little while to get my confidence back (it’s been years since I’ve done proper single trail), but Jase was in his element, absolutely flying down the hill. So. Much. Fun.
We finished at Mar do Guincho, where we waited while Tim rode the roads back up to collect the car.
Praia da Ursa: A Hidden Gem
Next stop: the trailhead for Praia da Ursa, supposedly one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches. Jase and I hiked down (not all the way, but close) and just sat, taking in the breathtaking view. The cliffs, the ocean, the golden sand—it was spectacular.
Exploring Ericeira and an Evening of Celebration
Back in the car, Tim took us on the scenic town roads rather than the toll roads so we could get a feel for the place. We stopped for a little tour of Ericeira, a charming coastal town with a laid-back vibe.
Meanwhile, Carmen had been working all day, and it was actually her last day at her job—perfect timing to celebrate before she starts a new one in a week! Naturally, we did so with port (because, Portugal) and a bottle of bubbles.
For dinner, we piled into their three-seater van (one of us in the back, true adventure style) and headed to their favorite restaurant—only to find it unexpectedly closed. No problem, Plan B was Marisqueira de Ribamar, a seafood restaurant where we feasted on the freshest seafood. Watching Tim and Carmen seamlessly chat with the waitstaff in Portuguese was like witnessing magic.
Exhausted, Happy, and Ready for More
By the time we got back to their place, we were absolutely shattered. Straight to bed, heart full, already excited for the next few days of adventure.
This was just Day One in Portugal. Tim and Carmen are really turning it on for us! We are so lucky.
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