The Loss Art

05/30/2026

When my flight got rescheduled to the following day, it created an opportunity to see another, really cool, part of South Holland with the best guide ever!

05/29/2026

Hello from The Netherlands! It’s been a whirlwind few days, so I’m catching up with a post of Terra’s and my final days in Portugal.

After A LOT of action in Porto, Nazare, Obidos, Cascais, Sintra and Lisbon, we slowed things down in Lagos. The coastline and beaches in the Algarve are breathtaking!

Terra and I began planning this trip over a year ago. One of the experiences we looked forward to was a catamaran ride into the Benagil Caves. Sadly, the seas didn’t want us to see the caves this time around and our excursion was cancelled. Disappointing, yes. Devastating, no. We were surrounded by natural beauty on land.

I’d also booked a surprise boat trip for us to see the Grotto in Ponta Da Piedade. That trip was also cancelled due to unsafe waters. So, we trekked the boardwalk and I descended 204 steps to get to the Grotto from the shore. Spectacular!

On our last day, we took it easy at the fabulous Belmar Resort and Spa, where we had a large, beautiful apartment complete a full-sized bathroom for each of us. It was a step up from previous accommodations and a wonderful way to finish our trip together.

Terra’s home safe and sound and I’m enjoying time with Marco and Murray in their lovely home in Waalwijk after hitting the highlights in Amsterdam with the most excellent guide ever.

Photos from Amsterdam will come tomorrow, when I’ll be waiting to board my flight home to Barry and Rachel.

05/24/2026

Lisbon was a fast-paced day of touring the city on foot and on a bus tour. I loved walking through the square and the Rodeo Drive of this cosmopolitan city. The best surprise was the 10th annual Motorcycle Movie Festival in the cinema right next to our BnB! Bikes from everywhere growled all night long!

Sintra was like stepping into a fairy tale. The Pena Palace is really special, with so much colour and life. The grounds are exquisite and spiritually centering.

I’m loving the diversity of thrills and calm on our vacation.

05/21/2026

Today, we did a guided tour of Cascais, including the Devil’s Mouth, then visited the western-most point of Europe and a very special restaurant in a garden with a spectacular ocean view.

05/20/2026

Yesterday we went to Nazare, home of the largest recorded waves in the world! We didn’t see the waves that touch the sky, like in the photo of a photo posted here, but it was magical to be there. Last night we arrived in Obidos, where we had our best authentic Portuguese meal yet. More amazing adventures to come!

05/18/2026

Yesterday was packed with touristy bliss in Porto, capped off by the spectacular light and music show at a church!

05/18/2026

Today we toured the Douro Valley, which was beautiful, peaceful and full of baby grapes that will one day become the famous Port. We toured the oldest port winery and cruised the Douro River.

05/17/2026

Today we explored Porto. We visited Livraria Lello, the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and were thrilled by Spiritus, an awesome light and music shoe at a gorgeous church. That’s on the spiral staircase!

05/17/2026

Here we are in Porto for Terra and Julie’s excellent adventure in Portugal! I’ll post just one pic per day that tells a story. On Day 1 (yesterday) FC Porto won the Europa Soccer Championship so we got swept up in a huge party in the city’s centre! Live music, thousands of fans and us!

05/14/2026