Travel Journal
Shanghai To Lisbon
Entry:
Travel Journal from School Magazine
Introduction:
This assignment was on 17th December, 2013. It would be post on the Lifestyle section of School Magazine.
Reflection:
The hardest part was recalling my memories about the trip and showing the experience I had to others who hadn't been there before in order to make them immersive. I did well in giving the readers basic impression about Lisbon by presenting facts as well as photos that I took. If I had to do it again, I would add more descriptions to my writing. I learned that writing a travel journal is not as free as I thought and it requires good writing skills.
Travel Journal from School Magazine
Introduction:
This assignment was on 17th December, 2013. It would be post on the Lifestyle section of School Magazine.
Reflection:
The hardest part was recalling my memories about the trip and showing the experience I had to others who hadn't been there before in order to make them immersive. I did well in giving the readers basic impression about Lisbon by presenting facts as well as photos that I took. If I had to do it again, I would add more descriptions to my writing. I learned that writing a travel journal is not as free as I thought and it requires good writing skills.
Facts about Lisbon:
Name: Lisbon (Portuguese: Lisboa)
Country: Portugal
Population: 547,631 (2011)
Timezone: WET(UTC0) –summer(DST) WEST(UTC+1)
Climate: Mediterranean climate (warmest winters: December - February average temperature: 15℃ during the day and 8℃ at night/ typical summer: May - October average temperature: 20℃)
The largest city & capital of Portugal/ One of the oldest city in Western Europe
Name: Lisbon (Portuguese: Lisboa)
Country: Portugal
Population: 547,631 (2011)
Timezone: WET(UTC0) –summer(DST) WEST(UTC+1)
Climate: Mediterranean climate (warmest winters: December - February average temperature: 15℃ during the day and 8℃ at night/ typical summer: May - October average temperature: 20℃)
The largest city & capital of Portugal/ One of the oldest city in Western Europe
On the first day of National Holiday, I left for Lisbon, where is the capital of Portugal, I transferred in Amsterdam (a city in the Netherlands) and got Lisbon at almost 11 p.m. It took me about 13 hours to Amsterdam (I was lucky because the flight from Shanghai to Amsterdam cost at least 13 hours according to my research.) and I spent 4 hours on the trip from Amsterdam to Lisbon.
Here’s Lisbon (Lisboa)! Clear, blue sky, few clouds and varicolored pigeons form part of street views.
In Portugal, “Life is enjoyed at a leisurely pace” as I walked down the street at eleven o’clock in the morning, I could see many Portuguese actively chatting outside a coffee shop under sun umbrellas with bottles of red wine, watching pigeons and passers by. I saw warm smiles everywhere and their smiles were contagious. That’s how “smile magic” works. Someone smiles and it influences others smile.
Here’s Lisbon (Lisboa)! Clear, blue sky, few clouds and varicolored pigeons form part of street views.
In Portugal, “Life is enjoyed at a leisurely pace” as I walked down the street at eleven o’clock in the morning, I could see many Portuguese actively chatting outside a coffee shop under sun umbrellas with bottles of red wine, watching pigeons and passers by. I saw warm smiles everywhere and their smiles were contagious. That’s how “smile magic” works. Someone smiles and it influences others smile.
Food
Usually we’ll get something special inadvertently and sometimes we won’t get what we want intentionally. I believe that’s true for finding restaurants. After I woke up on one day morning, I just wanted to have a brief “brunch” (*Breakfast +Lunch*) and searched for a café nearby. Soon I found a small café just for five-minute walk from my hotel and ordered a sandwich with fried egg and ham and a glass of orange juice. Though they’re simple, I felt it’s the best brunch I’d ever had. Orange juice’s fresh and sandwich’s neither salty nor light, its heat warmed me in the windy weather. Great brunch doesn’t mean that’s all, however, because of short-term trip, I was not lucky enough to taste other delicious dishes. (Tips: Menus in small restaurants are mostly in Portuguese rather than English. Be careful what you order and it’s probably best to ask the waiter what he recommends.)
Usually we’ll get something special inadvertently and sometimes we won’t get what we want intentionally. I believe that’s true for finding restaurants. After I woke up on one day morning, I just wanted to have a brief “brunch” (*Breakfast +Lunch*) and searched for a café nearby. Soon I found a small café just for five-minute walk from my hotel and ordered a sandwich with fried egg and ham and a glass of orange juice. Though they’re simple, I felt it’s the best brunch I’d ever had. Orange juice’s fresh and sandwich’s neither salty nor light, its heat warmed me in the windy weather. Great brunch doesn’t mean that’s all, however, because of short-term trip, I was not lucky enough to taste other delicious dishes. (Tips: Menus in small restaurants are mostly in Portuguese rather than English. Be careful what you order and it’s probably best to ask the waiter what he recommends.)
Shopping
I’d already known prices in Europe were really attractive, but I’d never imagined that Lisbon was a shopping paradise. Luxuries (Especially clothes, shoes, bags, watches or others) here were less expensive than other regions (About 30% - 40% less). On the Liberty Avenue, the most famous avenue in Lisbon, you may see more brands that you imagine. You can be refunded tax after you leave Portugal or other EU (European Union) countries.
I’d already known prices in Europe were really attractive, but I’d never imagined that Lisbon was a shopping paradise. Luxuries (Especially clothes, shoes, bags, watches or others) here were less expensive than other regions (About 30% - 40% less). On the Liberty Avenue, the most famous avenue in Lisbon, you may see more brands that you imagine. You can be refunded tax after you leave Portugal or other EU (European Union) countries.