Bacalhôa Buddha Eden

So since the 1oth and 11th June were public holidays here in Portugal we decided to take the family on a lovely sight-seeing trip to the Buddha Eden Park which we had visited before but a long time ago.  I'd also heard that new exhibits had been added which made it even more appealing.

Info. about the park:- This is the largest Oriental garden in Europe and it's in constant renovation.  I was totally amazed at the way they've used the colours to off-set the gardens!
This park emerged as a protest against the destruction of the gaint Buddhas of Bamyan, Afghanistan in 2001. 
Currently it is part of a huge wine farm, Quinta dos Loridos.  From a total of 100 hectares, about 40 is for the garden with ponds, fish, ducks, turtles and exotic plants.  There you'll also find many works of art of different sizes and materials by artists including Joana Vasconcelos, Alexander Calder and Fernando Botero.  I've heard that there are more than 200 sculptures under the shade of 1000 palm trees.  This is also an open space gallery, with works which are frequently replaced which makes each visit a new experience.  One will also find pagodas and around 700 hand-painted terracotta soldiers, each of which is unique.  
It has been estimated that about 6 thousand tons of marble and granite were used to build this gaint work.  There is a huge central staircase where several Buddha's seem to interact with visitor's.  

For the lazy folk there is a tourist train (4€) which takes you to various stops where you can get off and on as you please.  I still feel that the best way is to go on foot 😜
There is also a restaurant/cafeteria, a shop selling wine where you're allowed to taste the various wines available.  Throughout the park there are also little "quiosques" where you can get something to eat and drink.  They also have a huge car park which is free.
If you don't want to eat in the garden you are allowed out and then back in after lunch, we did just that.   There are also toilets which are very clean and have desinfectant as is expected due to covid.  You'll have to wear a mask to go into the park but once inside you may remove it if you want.  

For more info go to there website https://www.bacalhoa.pt/enoturismo/bacalhoa-buddha-eden

Guide to prices and working hours:-

GARDEN VISITS

Garden, shop and restaurant open every day except 1st Jan and 25th Dec.

OPENING HOURS

 9 am to 6 pm
Note: Gate and Restaurant  closes at 5:30 pm

PRICE LIST

Entrance Fee - 5€ (VAT incl.)

Train Tours Fee - 4€ (VAT incl.)

Booking required only for groups of more then 100 people. 

Free Entrance

Children under 12 years of age.

RECOMMENDATIONS & WARNINGS 

No picnics are allowed within the garden. There is a picnic area 1 Km away at Santuário do Bom Jesus.

No animals are allowed in the garden axcept for dogs that must remain on a leash at all times. Dogs must be identified in some forma with name and adress or phone number of owner.

No vehicles are allowed in the gardens except for wheelchairs and prams.

Now enjoy the fotos!!

It's time to call out China's BS!

❗ SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER ❗ SHE QUIT everything to cross AFRICA in her VAN

Tourist in Lisbon

Today since it's considered a public holiday we decided to go and vist Lisbon.  We left the car in Cacilhas and took the boat to Cais do Sodré and from there started our walk.  The weather was great so everyone was happy.

Our walk started here 

The Praça do Comércio is located in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. Situated near the Tagus river, the square is still commonly known as Terreiro do Paço, because it was the location of the Paços da Ribeira until it was destroyed by the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

The Rua Augusta Arch is a triumphal arch-like, historical building and a big tourist attraction in Lisbon. It was built to commemorate the city's reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. It has six columns and is adorned with statues of various historical figures

Museu do Carmo

Views going up to the Elevador de Santa Justa

Elevador de Santa Justa and the views from the top.  This left is situated at the end of Rua de Santa Justa, it connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo.

Street views going down to Rossio 

The Rossio is the popular name of the King Pedro IV Square in the city of Lisbon. It is located in the Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon and has been one of its main squares since the Middle Ages.

 On the way back to the boat

The beautiful cobbled streets of my Lisbon.

Back in Cacilhas and the lovely view from the top.

Going Home to Africa - by Hebron Muronzi

his music was composed, played and recorded by Hebron Muronzi for Dot Bekker of Going Home to Africa to celebrate her 20000km journey through Africa to return home to Zimbabwe. The instruments are Zimbabwean Mbira and Marimba.

China hotel's hygiene breach !!! Watch out !!!