it all started with my cancelled trip to sikkim and bhutan this summer vacation. i was like a caged animal with an itch and couldn't scratch. so when i was invited to attend a conference in portugal i saw a glimmer of hope to satisfy my wanderlust. i had never gone on a trip without my family, so putting it to my wifey and kids was sort of uneasy for me. but wifey sensed my hearthrob and readily agreed. first hurdle crossed. next was the visa. i was called to the portugal embassy in New Delhi on the 4th of june. flew to delhi on 3rd evening and returned back on the 4th evening. on the 10th of june flew to mumbai from calicut. and caught an Emirates flight to Dubai and another from Dubai to LIsbon, reached lisbon on 11 th 6pm. our accomodation was arranged at the Mariott hotel in lisbon