Another beautiful day .. We started with a quick stop over at Caso Paco to see our friends. Layde had made laser cut earrings for all the women.. Diane and becky got to pick some

 

From there we headed back to Mafra AGAIN.. it was only 30 min away.. and we wanted to see inside the palace… whihc had been closed yesterday. Walkling aroudn inside the palace was amazing.. so much space.. so much opulance. It was built by King  Joao in the 1750’s just as portuguese empire was at its peak.. and earthquake in 1755 began he decline of Portugals power throughout the world. 

We enjoyed seeing both  the  king and queens chambers.. and the many,. many rooms for all of their courtiers.   There was a ton of ‘trompe l’oil ‘ paintings on the wall.. that used color and shade to imitate depth. The effect was used to create false doorways, reliefs and statues.. very cool !

 

Our favorite part was the library.. it was one of the largest in the wold in the 18th century. To this day there are 3 kinds of bats allowed to live in the library since they eat the bigs that might otherwize destroy to many old manuscripts in the place

 

Then we took a quick look in the cathedral.. its’ famous for having 6 pipe organs.. pieces were written for the 6 that can only be played in this building

 

 

We headed back tot he car.. then back to eriricera

 

We changed clothes, then headed into ericera for a dinner cocktail evening for brit and bran.. we were all given sunglasses that said ‘booya baby !’.. and all wore them for the toast. It was super fun.. lots of good food., drink and music as wel as a skate ramp and soccer field.. Supper good to meet Brit and Brans friends and family from everywhere !

 

So  fun to be here with our friends .. what a beautiful couple !

nite all. nite sam

-me