Buns of steel

This phrase has been uttered a number of times on this trip as we've climbed various hills, mountains and staircases.  Sintra, Disneyland for adults, provided many such occasions.  We visited twice: our first day in Lisbon and this morning.

The Moorish Castle is like a giant folly.  The walls are really all that is left and some archaeological sites.  Quite interesting and some great views.

Pena Palace is incredibly ornate and colourful, great views and lovely gardens.  It is heaving with people.

(Tip of the day: tag where you parked the car on maps cos it's a bitch to find it again after a half day wandering the hills.)

Montserrate Park:  lovely, light-filled summer house in grounds of gardens from all over the world, including a very large pohutukawa.

Quinta da Regaleira: this was my favourite with its underground tunnels and cool upside down staircase.  The house itself is pretty from the outside, nice views from the tour but fairly meh inside.

The roads are tortuously narrow and windy, requiring some reversing skills if you meet one of the many buses.  Tourists are disinclined to move off the road when cars are coming.  Sintra itself is slightly stressful with  all the people and cars.