One of the most breathtaking experiences during my travels was the standing at Boca del Infierno, or Mouth of Hell, in Lisbon.
During my time in Barcelona, I found that it was easy to become used to seeing beautiful things – buildings, artwork, the city – everyday. Having been in Barcelona for over a month, I remember having a visiting friend marvel at the architecture on our walk to breakfast. I too looked up and thought about how truly beautiful the city was, and how in the following months I should make sure to take in as much as I could.
One of the most breathtaking experiences during my travels was the standing at Boca del Infierno, or Mouth of Hell, in Lisbon. After a relaxing day soaking up the sun on the beaches of Cascais, I went for a walk to find Boca del Infierno. The waiter where I had had lunch said it was a quick fifteen minute walk. Even though fifteen minutes turned into forty-five, the investment was well returned.
Plummeting cliffs met an emerald green and aquamarine ocean as the water crashed bright white against the rocks. I think I sat on a rock for thirty minutes, without a word to my travel companions, breathing in the sea air and trying my hardest to remember what was in front of me. I felt that if I stared hard enough, I might be able to imprint the image into my memory forever, so that I could come back to the beauty and calmness that the moment held. Looking back on my trip to Lisbon, I can instantly recall the experience of standing before Boca del Infierno. While the natural beauty of the site itself is enough to make the cliffs noteworthy, the time I took to bask in nature’s grandeur is what made the experience memorable for me.
