Lisbon, Portugal
“By day Lisbon has a naive theatrical quality that enchants and captivates, but by night it is a fairy-tale city, descending over lighted terraces to the sea, like a woman in festive garments going down to meet her dark lover.” – Erich Maria Remarque
Most of the United States celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. I want to add my own thanks for all the places that I’ve seen this year alone, the cultures, the food and the people I’ve gotten to meet and the strong friendships that have come as a result. I also want to take this opportunity to wish all my friends and family the best of the holiday celebrating with friends and family.
To wrap up my wandering in Portugal, it would be remiss not to include Lisboa. I had been to Lisbon before but my traveling companion on this adventure, @SabinaSikand had not so we revisited some places and I got to see some new places as well.
Thank you, Offbeat Portugal who did such a superb job of, pulling together my thoughts and making this a trip to remember.
It is only fitting that this adventure begins on the North Bank of the River Tagus in the Belem district and the monument of the discoveries which celebrates the Age of Exploration in Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Jeronimo’s monastery as viewed from across the street. Originally, we planned to enter the church but it was not open yet and so we wandered along the riverbank exploring all the monuments along there. When we came back the line was really long, and we decided to skip the interior.
Instead, we decided to go to Belem’s Pastries. I had tried these earlier on my previous visit but this time we wandered into the restaurant section and made a brief stop in the kitchen to watch the production. Yum! you just can’t stop at one.
Graffiti is becoming increasing popular as an art form all over the world. It is a treat to experience local artists and the statements that they make with their art.
We took a Tuk Tuk tour to experience the 7 hills of Lisbon. Y’know I thought only Rome was built on 7hills, but Lisbon is also. Along the way the narrowest street in the Alfama area in Lisbon.
Originally, we had intended to take the tram 28 that takes you along all the way to the summit but tram 28 has become so popular with the tourists that it’s almost an hour and a half to a 2 hour wait.
The oldest bookstore in the world and it has a UNESCO stamp on the outside. While the neighborhood is interesting the bookstore at heart is a bookstore. For a book lover like me it was the thrill of wandering through the bookstore that gave me chills.
But we did have to try one of the alternate transports in Lisbon. The elevators also were very crowded so in the end we took a cable car to the top of the hill for a fabulous view of the city.
We had a totally gastronomic experience all over Portugal but most particularly in Lisboa. We followed all the recommendations and when the taxi driver, the hotel concierge and Offbeat Portugal all give the same recommendation one better pay attention.
The wines, the food, Ooh la la.
The Tuk Tuk ride as something new I hadn’t done before. First, our driver is late, telling us that he was really on time but the traffic on Liberty Avenue just did not allow him to move at the pace he needed to then his vehicle was wet because he forgot the covers and last but not least it died at the top of the hill and the company had to send a replacement.
Regardless Sabina and I found the funny in the experience and actually quite enjoyed it including some superb photos as we traversed the various neighborhoods in Lisbon.
Rain greeted us on our day trip to Sintra and it rained all day long. We visited the Quinta Regaleira and took the garden tour, photo courtesy @SabinaSikand.
Pena Palace in the rain looks almost mystical but let me tell we were sodden and miserable in our raincoats. @SabinaSikand was laughing that all her pictures in Portugal and have been wearing her raincoat.
With the sun breaking out finally we left Sintra for Cabo da Roca. With the surf soaring high against the cliffs, it was a scene to be seen to be believed.
So here ends continental Europe and the Atlantic takes you away to unknown parts of the world. I can only imagine the sense of adventure and excitement the sailors felt as they left land behind and embarked on their voyage of discovery.