The lofty heights above Baixa contain some of the more interesting displays of life in Lisbon.......and life abounds in the streets, avenues, squares and of course bars above the lower town. It is in these upper reaches of Lisbon that you really feel like you are part of the mix...Bairro Alto, Chiado, the Alfamo or Graca are the places to whet the whistle. To get there, one must ascend the steepest gradients by funicular or even by elevador for the highest hills. You can of course walk but...why? For such adventures, gird your loins with a Lico Beirao, a traditional herbal liquor that not only girds but also gets you going.
A quick jump over the salty pond and a whole other world.....
There are few cities that excite the imagination as much as that first glimpse of Lisbon's eccentric centre.......it is truly stunning. White cobblestoned promenades leading skyward to mysterious lane ways, the dark and looming Castelo de Sao Jorge, funiculars that lead impossibly upwards, Lisbon is my kind of place. I have perched myself precariously in a small fado club in the Bairro Alto inconspicuously (I think) grazing on a plate of marinated olives and soaking up a delightful local Ginja. Ginja is a liqueur made from cherry-like ginja berries fermented in brandy. It is traditionally served in shots with a fermented cherry on the bottom of the shot glass. I have however, dispensed with the cherry for the moment but have followed tradition by downing it in shots (plural). I will eat the fermented cherries for desert.
You know, despite all of the negative things I have heard about Casablanca, I actually like it. Yes it has the problems of any huge city; traffic, fumes and the general chaos of business, but a long stroll around town reveals a very chic Art Deco glory to it. I certainly managed to track down a couple of interestingly smoky salons and some noble beachfront views of the Corniche. Mind you, I fit in pretty well with faded glory. Despite the Spanish influence in the title of this entry, Casablanca abounds with its French colonial past and it is this heritage that leads me to this evening's tipple....Dubonnet Rouge, a red-wine based aperitif flavored with spices and hints of quinine.
Still in Morocco but what a place to be. Bracing sea breezes and uber artsy attitude make this 18th century port town the place to unwind after the dusts of the desert. The walled medina has all of the beads, baubles and back scratchers you could possibly want on one holiday. There is even a good selection of hammans where you can be truly scrubbed and scoured as you decide where and what the first drink of the day will be. I chose a spot high on the ramparts to enjoy the setting sun. A cliche I know but you have just got to do it. As the winds whips up from the sea I settle in to my gin and tonic made with Boomsma Gin from Holland. Not always easy to get, particularly in Morocco but...where there is a will, there is a good time.
Marrakesh. Palm trees, dates and desert...but there is much more. Sitting on a balcony overlooking the medina at dusk and it positively heaves and I plan to heave along with it. Snail soup in the souqs, keftas and meguez smoking on the grills and it smells fantastic. The view is enjoyed with a Charbay Pomegranate Vodka infused with mint syrup.
