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Up, UP and AWAY.....

By
Industry Observer DRE# ER40011786

It sure seems like a L O N G  time ago I started talking about moving to Portugal, and today, here we are today!

SO much to do to immigrate the right way, and not be an illegal alien.   It isn't cheap either to get this done, so it is best if you KNOW for sure you want to do this!

Meeting with best friends over the last few days is hard, as you know you won't see them for a while.  Although, one is taking a cruise and docks in Lisbon next May.  I will miss seeing our glorious mountains, the weather (it was 85 today) and low humidity.

BUT, I can only imagine all the destinations I will see for the first time.   Today my friend asked me what the first thing will be when I get to Quarteira - I want to walk the beach!   

Sure hope the kitties will be good with 11 hours+ in their kitty carriers.  I have meds for getting through TSA, and will request a private screening soon as I get there.

 

Just know this isn't GOODBYE, I will stay on and post all about Portugal and places I go and see, and share with you!   The food, the culture, the nuances I find once I walk around as a resident.  That will be the excitement!

ADEUS for now!

 

Comments(28)

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Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Thank you Doug Dawes and I sure hope so too.

May 12, 2026 09:50 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Michael Jacobs I will, and post photos along the way.....

May 12, 2026 09:51 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Thank you Hannah Williams I am always careful of my surroundings!

May 12, 2026 09:52 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Carol, thank you, and a great graphic with everything!!!

May 12, 2026 09:52 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Joan... wishing you a soft trip as we say in Russian. It's taken a lot to get to this point and I hope the reward at the end will be everything you're hoping for.

May 12, 2026 09:54 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nina Hollander, Broker thank you so much, and will be back on in a couple of days.  Should be interesting flying with these kitties.  They like the car, and their carriers, but not sure about the plane.

May 12, 2026 10:01 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner hi Joan... I've flown numerous times with various cats (who had no experience of going out of the house). I've found that they seem to not like being "carried around" but are fine once they are "sitting" in their carrier. On some level flying is a smoother experience than driving on roads. All will be well...

May 12, 2026 10:03 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nina Hollander, Broker I too am thinking they will think they are on a road trip, and they are good with them!   THANK YOU so much!!!

May 12, 2026 10:39 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Joan- I feel as if we'll all be with you in a way because we've followed your preparation for this journey for... what? a year???  Safe travels and enjoy every minute you have!!!!!

May 12, 2026 01:01 PM
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Good afternoon Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner up, up and away you go in hopes for a new treasure hunt. We look forward to hearing about your adventures. I am sure we will hear from you tomorrow, looking forward:)

May 12, 2026 04:03 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner ,

Safe travels and can't wait to hear about all your adventures living in Portugal!

May 12, 2026 05:38 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I look forward to hearing about your ongoing adventure! Best wishes with your explorations!

My son just landed in Italy a few minutes ago, where he is starting a one year+ work assignment. I'm so excited for him too!

May 13, 2026 05:58 AM
Carol Williams

Kat Palmiotti 
Do you and Anthony plan to go visit your son while he is working in Italy?

May 13, 2026 07:33 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Carol Williams - Hopefully but it all depends on our dog sitter, his schedule (he won't be working a normal work schedule) and his girlfriend's claim to his time! 

May 13, 2026 03:30 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kathy Streib it has been a year that I have been preparing for this move!   Thank you for following along!

May 13, 2026 09:29 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308 finally in my hotel outside Lisbon, and wow, that was all that I thought it would be.  Too much luggage (but I am moving), and these two kitties, was a LOT!

May 13, 2026 09:30 AM
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner so happy that you made it safe and all is working out as you planned. I am glad that you still have internet and are  able to communicate. Enjoy and stay off the technical stuff, lol 

May 13, 2026 09:48 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Dorie, kitties did pretty well, considering they were in a pet carrier for 18 hours!  It was a safe trip.

May 13, 2026 09:31 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kat Palmiotti OH MY goodness, that sounds very exciting too, you will need to blog about his adventures.

May 13, 2026 09:32 AM
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Hi Joan,

I hope your trip went well and the kittens were good on the flight for you. I look forward to reading your posts on how it all went and how you are enjoying a new country.

May 16, 2026 02:16 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Steve Higgins trip went reasonably well.  Kitties did great considering they were in their carriers for 18 hours!   No one at Lisbon baggage to help with all my suitcases though.

May 17, 2026 03:07 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I feel like we are all going to get to be on this trip with you. Safe travels and I know that you will have the time of your life!

May 23, 2026 08:21 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Dr. Paula McDonald it does seem like a few want to hear about this adventure.  It has been interesting and fun so far!

May 23, 2026 10:58 AM