The Tagus, near Vila Franca de Xira. Here, heading west from Lisbon, the river turns into the Sea of Straw ("Mar da Palha"). It looks wide like the sea, but with a brownish colour sometimes. It can also look like a big lake or group of swamps, with flamingos and seaguls flying around. I was driving nearby and couldn't resist taking some pictures. The Tagus is the most magical river I have ever seen, and I find it soothing just to look at it. Oct. 2004.