Around the World in Nine Years

Olivia and Pat Murphy set off in 1999 in their 41ft Sloop called Aldebaran. I worked with Olivia in the Irish Red Cross. They set off in 1999 and crossed the Atlantic. They spent quite some time cruising the Caribbean, visiting the Islands and kept sending back reports of their adventures. After about a year they passed through the Panama canal, visiting the Galapagos and many other islands on the way to New Zealand. During the years They both returned to Ireland for Weddings, Births and to catch up with friends. They also spent quite a long time in Australia in a camper van. Their trip continued along Indonesia, Singapore, Malasia and Thailand. In 2007 they made the perilous passage from Thailand to Turkey via “Pirate Alley” in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. They finally arrived back in Ireland late this Summer.
They have their own website www.patandolivia.com

Cafe in Lisbon

There are so many cafes in Lisbon, so much choice from fresh fish restaurants, cafes selling home made soup for 60 cent, Portugal also has their own local versions of MacDonalds with local meals and a drink and a dessert for really good prices, about 6.00 Euro I think. Above the Baixa Chaido Metro station there was 4 floors of small cafes and restaurants both local and american types to please all tastes and budgets. On the first night we arrived quite late so stumbled upon the centre over the Metro station, The local cafe was a tiny bit like McDonalds but much better food and offered beer and wine included in the meal. Cafe was also spotless as seemed most cafes in Lisbon. The Santa Justa Elevator is a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower with excellent views of the City and also has a little Cafe serving snacks and drinks. Thats about it for 2008, have started looking for new places to go in 2009. Also hope to get a few more Family stories but awaiting input from family historian.

December 2008 Lisbon

Went to Lisbon last year but returned again, its a good place to visit in Winter or anytime. We visited mainly the same places. We went on a boat trip across to Cahicas and got another boat back to Belem. Went to Sintra, this time went to to historic area, it was mainly full of shops and cafes. The castle is Sintra is up a very steep hill and simply too many steps there. So gave it a miss this year. On Sunday we discovered there is a Parade of Horseguards in Belem, unfortunately it was finishing just as we arrived.