Portugal and London

Salt Lake Airport, ready to go!

So for our belated honeymoon that we never really got and still really haven't gotten... Well we went to Portugal where Stephen served his mission. It was an experience that I feel I may not have again so I am grateful for that experience. We flew forever across the atlantic ocean, then arrived to many other airports before getting to our first 'real' destination, Maderia, Portugal. Maderia is pronounced (Mah-DE-Dah), well to my surprise, I actually really liked this little island which is closer to Africa than Portugal but it was so pretty. There was tropical vegetation all over and the ocean was always in sight, a beach girl dream come true...

A park that had trees from all over the world!

Island flower the Bird of Paradise, Estrelitzia (portugese)

After the beautiful island we flew to the mainland, into Lisbon. There we toured all of the great sights of Lisbon. Like towers and elevators from long long ago (we actually paid to ride up and down it). Well then we went to the waters edge and saw many other sights, like a replica of the Christ statue (Cristo Rei) that originates in Brazil. But please let me remind you that the European Portugese language is much more beautiful and originally from Portugal.

The first of many round about towering statues

At the tower, where they used to patrol who traveled through an ocean channel, very old place

After a couple nights in Lisbon we left to drive to northern Portugal, a place called Porto. On our way we stopped in Obidos, Nazare, Guimaraes, Leiria, Batalha (awesomest monestary) and Bom Jesus. We stayed in Leiria (pronounced, Lay-DIea). There was a beautiful castle that was lit at night and it was absolutely gorgeous!This is Obidos, where the city is inside the Castle walls

This is Batalha, this is the unfinished Cathedral

This is the beach at Nazare

When we reached Porto we went to Church, honestly church was church but people in Portugal have a thing with invading personally space and making you do things that you aren't willing to do with force... Well so we left and stayed in Vila Nova de Gaia. There we stayed with a member who Stephen was very close with. Well to sum up that half-way miserable experience, I was thirtsy often, we both got really sick, and she was unintentionally rude to me.

To the left is Vila Nova de Gaia and to the right is Porto

So we finished our Portugal journeys and were off!!

Well we stayed a couple days in London and sight saw. Well the first day was when I actually got sick from the Portugal lady. Then the next day we went out and toured London on double decker buses and a river boat. Quite enjoyable and relaxing I'd say!

In front of parilment and the clock 'Big Ben'

This is London's tower bridge, apparently platform 9 3/4 is underneath this bridge

The trip home was the longest flight trip ever! I was upset that my one real souvineer got taken at customs, and that the trip wasn't all that relaxing and enjoyable. I felt cheated and completely broke all at the same time.

Finally we made it home and we were able to sleep for like a day, and then after that we woke up really early for like a week. All in all we became closer and I have a lot of respect for Stephen's language speaking skills. I appreciate that the United States has a variety of beautiful places so that leaving the country soon won't be necessary to 'escape' the stresses of life.

I want to Stephen to know that even though I am speaking my thoughts and mind over the whole trip, I really enjoyed it and I love that I got to see the two years of your life that you spent for the most important person in our lives, Heavenly Father. I love you Stephen!