First day in Lisbon

May 29, 2024

Having arrived at the hotel about 8:30 last night I didn’t do anything except catch up with H&C. After breakfast today we found the hop on hop off bus people and took 2 tours. One went through the modern city by bus and the other was an old trolley that went through areas that buses could not go. We bought a 3 day pass so we can use it again plus take a river tour.

I learned lots about Lisbon that I did not know. The city is divided by the Tagus River and is very hilly. Parts were destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century but rebuilt. It is a very old city and has been inhabited by many conquerors from the Romans to the Moors (muslims) to Spain to name a few.

Tomorrow we officially start the river cruise with 2 days in the area with tours courtesy of Emerald River cruises.

Lisbon is located on an estuary of the Tagus River. The longest bridge across the estuary is the Vasco de Gama bridge and is 17km long.

Christopher appearing to be lost in front of a statue to the war against Spain.

Portugal is know for its ceramic tiles. They even cover the houses with them

The building in the foreground is the military museum with a church dome in the background.

There is a museum to the history of tile making that I hope to visit

We toured the modern city so here is one of the buildings.

The Vasco de Gama tower the tallest building in Lisbon. If you remember your childhood geography you learned all about the famous Portuguese explorer.

Fort George above the city built by the Romans and was where Lisbon was founded.

Tiles are also used inside as decoration.

A victory arch on entry to the city from the river

From the tram and attempt to show how hilly Lisbon is.

Jacaranda trees are prominent here. Previously I had only seen them in Australia and South Africa. They are native to Brazil.

There are several modes of transport to get up the hills, here is just one.

Saint Vincent the patron saint of Lisbon. He is supposedly being protected by crows on his death but my theory is that they are there to pluck out his eyes.

A beautiful fountain lined with tiles and a pooch enjoying a swim.

Lisbon is known for its cobblestone streets in decorative black and white cobbles in beautiful patterns.

The patterns vary depending upon the workers who were usual prisoners working off their sentence.

Avenida da Liberade a tree lined boulevard to resemble the Champs Élysées.

Some vino verde as afternoon refreshment, a speciality of Portugal.

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Tricia GrahamWe are on th cruise at the moment and loving it. Get off on Saturday and head for the cycling part of our journey. No doubt you will begetting on the same boat. Just missed you!
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6 months ago

Beth KavanaghI'm certain that Hilary's dinner was fantastic, but dealing with the perception of it would have been my challenge.
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6 months ago