Day: February 6, 2016

Saturday, February 6, 2016

We started out today at the Mãe d’Água, the reservoir that opened in 1834 at the end of the old aqueduct system. It brought fresh water to Lisbon for the first time.

Then we went to Belém a district a couple of miles west of central Lisbon. Although Belém has a monastery that is Unesco World Heritage Listed our first priority was coffee and the custard tarts (pastéis de nata) that are supposed to be the best in Lisbon.

We explored the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos the UNESCO listed monastery and then walked to the Torre de Belém which is also UNESCO listed. It is right at the entrance to the harbor. The wind was really blowing.

It was pouring rain when we walked to dinner. We walked a lot today. Although we are tired and in spite of what theses pictures might make you think, we are having a great time.

Friday, February 5, 2016

We started out our first day in Lisbon by figuring out how the Metro system works and buying us each a zapping card with €10 on it. Each ride cost €1.25 and you just put your card next to the reader as you are entering and leaving the metro.

When we leave Lisbon next Tuesday we will have a rental car. Duke wanted to go by the rental car place to ask some questions and to make sure he will fit in the car he has reserved. The agent was very helpful. He assured us the car would be plenty big but he was skeptical about Duke’s ability to drive a stick shift since we are American!

After taking care of business we went exploring in Central Lisbon. This square is right on the waterfront.

The bridge we came into town on is a Golden Gate look alike.

We took the number 28 tram to the north end of its route and the Estrela area. The trams remind me of the ones I used to ride when I was in Brisbane back in the 1960s. You can see a couple in the picture below.

After exploring a bit and walking through the park we had coffee and headed back to the hotel

For dinner we went to a tiny little restaurant. It only seated about 15 people but it was really fun and the food was delicious. We started with mussels.

Then Duke had steak and I had my new favorite food, octopus.

Desert was four little chocolate cups. Two had Madeira in them and two had Port. We enjoyed both the cups and the drinks!

Then we went to the Hot Clube de Portugal Jazz Club for their 10:30 show. They had a 10:30 show and a midnight show. So we were at the early show! It was full and there were about 35 people. I think it was the first jazz concert I’ve been to with an accordion. It was fun and I really enjoyed the show.