As my time in the Lisbon area had almost come to an end, I wanted leave the city behind me for some coastline! Setúbal had been on my list because like I mentioned Cascais gets all the praise, I wanted to leave those tourists to it and see something more 'local'. Taking the train wasn't difficult from Lisbon, it did see me changing trains unexpectedly at 'Campolide' after getting on the train three minutes previously from Lisboa Rossio! It was amazing to leave the city, the intercity train took me away from the tourist noise with those crystal blue waters ebbing closer! I loved the ordinary vibe that Setúbal's train station served, it was very pedestrian indeed! It didn't take me long to walk from the station over to 'Praça de Bocage'. That pint-size square afforded me the chance to see a lovely looking church as I took my own pew next to a water fountain. No lies could be told, 'Igreja de São Julião/Saint Julian's' looked lovely from the outside in. Chasing pavements sounded perfect, I knew something beautiful lay ahead of me, S!
Prior to arriving in that square, I had really enjoyed the everyday shopping street that I passed by from the train station. I loved the normal 'small town' feel of Setúbal a lot, something told me that I wouldn't need to be following any maps because those streets guided me like a helping hand. Now, I wasn't going to be messing around in that seaside town because I wanted to be back in Lisbon before tea time, I had another day planned for the following day. I took my time as I crossed those roads, leading me closer to the waterfront, something told me that I was going to love that sea-view! Yes! Thus far, I had seen several winding alleys that housed many little apartments, I wanted to view them because you already know that an overseas property is in my mind! That seaside town definitely gave me 'A Place In The Sun' vibes for sure! What was 'Choco Frito?' I wanted to know because those 'almost' beachfront restaurants had me asking questions! The weather was absolutely sublime, it wasn't roasting! Setúbal was giving me everything! Sim!
My plans for that beach day in Setúbal were pretty open, I didn't have any immediate plans penned. It was a bit of a working seaside location with many fishing boats parked within the 'Porto de Pesca de Setúbal/Setúbal's Fishing Port', I appreciated that working class nature! I didn't do any research about the beaches in Setúbal but I wanted to wait and see, allowing the day to take me naturally to the intended spot for me! I didn't want any boujee hangouts like Cascais had looked like on the internet, I wanted to trust the wildcard and Setúbal looked to be my perfect gambling chip! Moving along from that working 'fishing port', I found 'Jardim da Saúde' without looking hard at all, things were falling into place pretty well for me during that 'unplanned' day out! No, I am not a beach person when it comes to a day out like that one, I needed to keep my belongings together and be dry for the return train trip! I don't like the feeling of sand or sea salt! I do not! Of course, I wanted those Setúbal seaside views, regardless!
I found my spot on that beach side park, it was simple yet idyllic from my opinion and that's all that mattered to me in that moment! I sat on the ocean facing bench with the those crystal blue waters looking back at me, it felt like a blessing to be away from any possible summertime crowds because Lisbon had been busy already, I wanted some peace and quiet! You know I clocked that sun-kissed Portuguese brother, he was fishing and also minding his own business. Those views were multiplying, it was a pure treat to be sitting with such a variety of views in front of me! I knew of certain points of interest such as 'Forte de São Filipe/Saint Phillip's Fort' but it happened to be closed when I visited, I wasn't mad! I appreciated that sea-view with much appreciation, I didn't want to take anything for granted and to be honest I wanted a break from running around Lisbon! Catching a tan? Oh, I had no idea that my skin had been cooking like a roast chicken in the oven! The pace of the day was right for me, like the motion of that ocean!
That Lisbon breakfast sandwich had been truly digested by the early afternoon period, I needed to find some local 'fish n chips' on the double! The heat of that beachfront park had quite positively left me frazzled, I needed shade, sustenance and a large cold beer! I kept seeing signs for 'Choco Frito!' I thought they were advertising 'fried chocolate' on those many menus? I was mistaken after I had saw a menu with that dish comprising of local fried fish with homemade chips! I ordered mine with a large Super Bock beer, I literally wolfed the whole lot down because it was delicious and I was starving! The fish was so tasty and the batter was lovely and crunchy also! The chips had been thinly cut and tasted very much homemade, that I appreciated because oven chips are always a let down when you're eating out! The sun felt easier underneath that restaurant canopy, I really didn't want to admit that my skin had been badly burned! Lunch was lovely, it was just what I needed and set the tone for the vibe of the town! I needed help, quickly!
I usually never feel the impact of the UV in Ningbo, China during my worktime, being at work inside my school shielded me from any sun damage! Unlike those predictable shadowed days at work, Portugal changed the type of rays that my skin wasn't used to! Of course, I had naturally acquired a golden brown tan but was yet to discover how I had neglected my skin! Walking from the restaurant felt like a chore because my arms and face were on fire, it turned out to be a nightmare for me to find any SPF lotion with ease! Thankfully, I found some affordable sun screen at a supermarket close to the station! By that time I needed the coolness of the train's air conditioning to sort me out, I needed Lisbon back in my life! Setúbal had served the right amount of everything, I even got to see some lovely Portuguese winding streets but that was on my way to desperately get some suntan cream! That beach fix didn't involve swimming but it allowed me to take it free and easy! Sintra called my name, the wheels never stopped turning!
Scorched In Setúbal!
Desperately Seeking Adventure