Actually, Portugal wasn’t even on Crocodile’s list of dream travel destinations. So why did I go? It all started with a trip to Spain in 2015. During that journey, I bought an illustrated book called “Lisbon.” Crocodile really liked the cityscapes in the book, so I looked up the word and found out it was the capital of Portugal – Lisbon. At the time, I also met two other backpackers from Taiwan who talked about Portugal, saying it was a lot of fun and assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed. And so, the tiny seed of wanting to visit was planted in my heart.
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As June ushered in the peak of summer, I bought a non-refundable plane ticket and decided to visit Portugal during the winter. Back in 2011, Crocodile spent 29 days traveling solo around Taiwan, which gave me the courage to travel alone. In 2015, I traveled to Spain for 34 days with two other illustrator friends — Iris Chang from Taipei and Stella So from Hong Kong — trying out an overseas trip with minimal planning for the first time. In 2016, Crocodile mustered up the courage to go abroad solo, adopting a spontaneous, go-with-the-flow approach, venturing into Portugal with a carefree attitude. (Just go!)
Crocodile’s little journey of walking and drawing has now brought her to the vibrantly colorful Portugal.
◎ Sweet Portuguese egg tarts, classic European scenery, and the clanging trams on the streets of Lisbon all became the most vivid subjects in her sketches.
◎ A bit of impulse and a great deal of courage — even without a perfect plan, you can still set off on your own. Crocodile shares ten tales of ten thoughts, recounting the various emotions before embarking on a trip. (Just go!)
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Fun Facts About Portugal
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Heading to Lisbon
Crocodile buys plane tickets quite casually — she doesn’t specify an airline, just picks the cheapest one that fits her departure time. She likes to book six months in advance, often scoring great deals and cutting down travel costs. This time, Crocodile managed to snag a surprisingly affordable British Airways ticket: NT$24,000 for a flight from Kaohsiung to Lisbon and back from Madrid to Kaohsiung, saving quite a bit on travel expenses. (Just go!)
Recommended Must-Do Experiences in Portugal – Century-old Trains, Belém Tower, University of Coimbra
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Two days before departure, I called a shuttle bus service to pick me up from home and take me to the airport. Today, I headed to Kaohsiung International Airport alone to check in, adjusted my mood, and officially launched my solo trip — a journey accompanied only by myself. After booking my flight to Portugal, Crocodile reserved three nights’ accommodation on a booking site near Praça dos Restauradores, tucked away in a lane by the Elevador da Glória cable car. So finding the cable car meant finding the hotel. (Great lodging secured!)
I arrived in Lisbon at 11 a.m. After buying a one-day metro pass at the airport, I happily hopped on the subway to the hotel. I’d heard that Lisbon had a reputation for being unsafe, so as I entered the subway station, my heart was filled with anxiety. What if I got unlucky and ran into a skilled thief who stole all my travel money? Then I’d be completely stranded. Crocodile, with her crossbody bag on her back and suitcase in tow, looked like a panicked little deer, nervously glancing at the other passengers in the train car.
Was it him? Or her? My mind kept playing guessing games... (Just go!)
Recommended Must-Do Experiences in Portugal – Century-old Trains, Belém Tower, University of Coimbra
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After dragging my luggage up the lane for a while, I finally understood why there was a cable car here. Oh my goodness — nearly a 40-degree slope was truly a test of stamina. My first day in Lisbon came with a real shock to the system. I really admire how the locals here manage to climb up so effortlessly. By the time Crocodile reached the hotel entrance, she was panting heavily. Even though it was only 14°C in winter, she was drenched in sweat. After settling in and freshening up briefly, it was already 1 p.m. The staff skillfully marked the locations of the hotel and the cable car on a map, helping the unprepared Crocodile quickly get her bearings. She quickly grabbed the map and headed out to start exploring Lisbon. (Just go!)
It takes about seven minutes to walk from the hotel to Praça dos Figueiras, passing by Confeitaria Nacional, a Lisbon institution founded in 1829 and one of the city’s oldest pastry shops, originally supplying coffee and pastries exclusively to the royal family. Their signature items include the Bolo Rei, also known as the King Cake, and Rabanadas, a Christmas treat, both still made using the original recipes from back in the day. Their commitment to tradition earned them a spot on CNN’s list of the five oldest pastry shops in Europe. The shop is still run by descendants of the founder. The interior retains an elegant style from the last century, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time while enjoying your sweets. While sketching there, a local at the next table became my unwitting subject. When he noticed me boldly drawing him, I showed him the unfinished sketch. Delighted, he said it was the first time someone had drawn him in a quick sketch. Before leaving, he secretly paid for my bill as a way of saying thank you. (Spontaneous trip, anyone?)
Who would have thought that sketching could lead to such a heartwarming experience?
Recommended must-do experiences in Portugal? Century-old trains, Belém Tower, University of Coimbra
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This article is excerpted fromA Solo Girl’s Spontaneous Trip to Portugalby HowToTrip.
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Author / Chen Guifang
A curious traveler with a passion for exploration, Chen worked as a graphic designer before turning to creative pursuits. She currently spends half her time teaching art and the other half illustrating. Her published works include children’s picture books such as Lola’s Treasure Map, The Lantern Festival in the Forest, and Postman Adi, as well as travel books like Exploring History in Tainan, Solo Island Adventure, and more.
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