Travel on Nathan Heller

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:06:14 +0700

Yesterday we patrolled the walls of Óbidos like proper 14th century guards. The only vagrant we spotted was a cat digging through the trash. We let him off with a warning.

🗺️

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 23:29:02 +0700

Visited Pena Palace yesterday where I found this intricate stained glass window in a chapel. If you look over the king’s shoulder you’ll see the palace itself in the distance. If you squint, you can see an arched window. That’s this window! The art contains a depiction of itself, ad infinitum.

🎨

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:47:48 +0700

View of Lisbon from Miradouro da Graça (Grace Viewpoint). Almost too much to take in at once. After losing our sense of direction in the labyrinthine side streets of Alfama, this was like coming up for air.

I bet the sunsets are hideous here.

🗺️

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:31:53 +0700

Slept in past 11 for the third day in a row since arriving in Lisbon. I think it’s a combination of the time change and having completely empty schedules. The comfy bed doesn’t help either!

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 04:04:13 +0700

Made it to Lisbon and our first meal was pasta and tomato sauce from the grocery store. Sometimes you just need comfort food after a long travel day. We’ll make up for it by finding a local tasca just as soon as we kick the jet lag. Obrigado!

Last day in LA

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:59:43 +0700

Spent our last day in LA in Santa Monica walking the pier after breakfast at Rae’s. Apparently a scene from True Romance was filmed there. Whatever happened to Christian Slater?

Had dinner with Neil at a ramen spot in Culver City where the waiter was very particular about how we should eat our Yuzu Cheesecake. It was good advice!

Then back to the Airbnb to pack and watch House Hunters before an early morning flight.

Now we’re sitting in the terminal and I have one final remark: dear LAX, please have mercy and refrain from blasting Taylor Swift dubstep remixes into the terminal at 6am. Thank you.

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:25:57 +0700

Had breakfast at Pann’s in LA this morning. Great retro futuristic vibes, friendly service, big omelets. Felt like a time capsule. I could see us becoming regulars at a place like this (if we weren’t leaving in two days).