We liked Vienna, We LOVE Lisbon. It is everything and more than I had anticipated. I have dreamed about going to Portugal for many many years. My sister Mary Jo learned Portugese in College and went to Portugal twice. Her stories have always been my inspiration to someday go. It is every bit as beautiful as she described and what I have read about all these years.
Our flight from Vienna took a little over three hours. Our lunch was not impressive as it was shrimp which Tom can't eat and I have never learned to like. TAP airlines is a Portugese airline and everything was on time, however, it was a bit difficult with lots of steps to get out onto the tarmac both going and coming.
Our hotel, the Rossio Garden is PERFECT. It is on a narrow pedestrian street with cafes and shops which turns into another small street which has no cars either. Our room is quiet as it faces a courtyard and it is just great.
Our first day was spent on the Hop On Hop Off bus but we did not Hop off! We road three different routes and saw so much. Our ticket is good for tomorrow too and we will take it again and get off at several museums. Today is Monday and most of them are closed.
The streets are very narrow especially in the oldest part of the city.
This museum was designed by the same man,
Calatrava, who designed the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Beautiful buildings, many with tiled walls.
Tiles on the bridge underspass leading to the Zoo. The entrance to the zoo is ready for Christmas.
A ride down a steep street on the funicular.
Blooms in November. The weather was beautiful this morning with a temp of 65.
Monument to the explorers, Belem Tower, replica of an old airplance and a beautiful old church where DeGama is buried.
The red building it the bull fighting ring.
They do not kill the bull in Portugal but they all jump in the ring to wrestle it down.
The old man was selling umbrellas and he was quite a show.
Views from the high streets in the Rossio district where we are staying.
We got several different treats to try for dessert after our dinner of salad, bread, and the scrawniest piri piri chicken you ever did see and taste. Tom called it the road runner! Tasty and spicy but no meat on the poor bugger. So the desserts were in definite order tonight.
I am glad that Lisbon feels more "comfy" for you and that you are able to live out this dream of visiting the country that your sister visited! You are covering a lot of territory in a day, for sure! I am glad they do not kill the bull. That always makes me sad and also makes me mad.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you'll get better piri piri than that, Dad!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are loving it there. You certainly have captured the beauty of the old buildings and the animal tiles on the entrance to the zoo are amazing! I love how you are attaching so many photos this time around. And I knew you would find the desserts sooner than later. If you are a fish lover, Lisbon is the best. Don't forget to go into the shops and look at lace -- table cloths, napkins, etc. Gorgeous things.
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