Happy Fourth of July…Bulls, Beach and Other Stuff

As I have already mentioned, and I am sure you are tired of hearing, I am so far behind on posting.  So I am thinking my next few posts will be all over the map.

First off, Happy 4th of July to everyone!  This actually marks 2 years that we have been on the island.  I can hardly believe.  Just a few more weeks to go before the big move to Japan.

My first set of pictures for this post are of one of the first bullfights of the season, from back in May.  It was on our street and it was nice to be able to walk there.

 

This area of food and beer stands was just outside of the house where we were standing to watch the fight.

 

However, we had plenty of food at our disposal at the house where we were watching.  I think it was a relative of someone who Ryan knows from the base.

Ryan still made sure to grab a bifana, which is a pork sandwich, and a local treat.

As you can see the weather was not super nice, so we only stayed for a little bit.

Just long enough for me to enjoy a local made donut, some favas fritas and papas fritas (fried fava beans and potato chips).  Ok, Ryan helped, I didn’t eat this all myself. :)

Look at everyone taunting the bull.  Nope, he didn’t jump, but he looked like he might want to.

Next up is my new hobby.  My grandfather sent me golf clubs.  No, not the ones pictured on the box, but this was what he could fit them in to ship to me.  so far I have taken 2 lessons and I like it better than I thought I would. 

When we paid rent for June, our landlord’s gave us a loaf of Portuguese sweet bread.

I made sure to make a tasty sandwich with it.  It is egg and cheese on toasted bread.  Yeah, I cut the slices to thick and couldn’t even finish it.

Next up are the pictures from this random rocky beach Ryan spotted from afar one day.  He was determined to find it.  After we paid rent we went on an adventure drive to locate the beach.  I am glad we were successful because it was really pretty over there.

Here I am.  Enjoying the view and the sun!

 

Last for today will be a new restaurant we tried.  Not sure how we never noticed this before, but this is actually on a little side street just off the street we live on. 

 

It was a lot roomier inside than I had original thought it would be.

As usual there was bread and cheese to start.

Ryan had the steak and I ordered the boca negra.  I am starting to feel like we are not so creative in our ordering, but the Portuguese food is very simple, so it is prepared and served the same at almost every place, making it hard to order something different all the time.  The standard steak dish and fish dish on the island is served just like both below.  That is why it might look familiar to you.  I am not complaining though.  I have come to love the boca negra and it is always fresh caught just off the coast of the island.  Our friends ate here and were much braver than us.  They thoroughly enjoyed the goat, which is a specialty at this restaurant.

For dessert, we actually ordered dessert.  Ryan had the tiramisu ice cream and I had an orange cake with chocolate sauce.  It was really good.

Also nice here was the view and their courtyard.  So peaceful!

 

Well, that is all the randomness I can take for the day. :)

Happy 4th of July!  Be safe and enjoy your freedom!

QUESTIONS:  What are you doing for 4th of July?  Any new (or new to you) restaurants in your neighborhood?