The train to Cascais is a scenic route along the shore. We got ready kind of early and were out the door at 9am. The 746 bus was across the street and took us to Alcántara-Terra, which was a short walk to the Alcántara-Mar train station.
We got to Cascais and joined the tourists walking through the village streets to the marina. We got pastries in a very busy shop. By the time we finished eating, it wasn’t overloaded-busy anymore. Maybe their business booms with each train arrival.;
Down at the marina, a stage was being set for the concert finale of the Festas do Mar. Tonight was a symphony orchestra, but it didn’t start until 10pm, alas.
It was the first Sunday of the months and the museums were free. We visited a seaside villa built around 1010 then sat in a nearby park to listen to call-and-response roosters.
We had a Portuguese lunch and Pam got to tear apart and debone grilled whole sardines. David had chicken piri-piri (with extra piri-piri sauce for dipping). Piri-piri sauce is made with various hot peppers, but it’s not too hot and is often used as a barbeque sauce.
We got back to the train and made a stop at Carcavelos to check out the neighborhood and see what we thought of this small suburban town. There were many single-or 2-story homes with flowering vines and bushes. By the Jardim de Quinta de Alagoa, there were a group of attractive apartment buildings of approx. eight stories. Some overlooked the park and would be a charming place to live. The food options were more like suburbia though — snacks and quick meals, kebabs, and traditional Portuguese.
Tired of walking so much, we headed back to the train, ending with a subway ride to our apartment. For some reason, Pam had less money on her Viva Viagem card than David and she couldn’t get into the last subway entrance without recharging. What gives? Did I double charge myself at some turnstile? The metro and the bus sometimes have electronic displays that tell you what’s left on the card, but they’re hard to read and you’ve got to hurry through.