Three days in Lisbon

The internet connection here at the 4U Lisbon Guesthouse, has not been consistent, so there is only one post for the 3 days we have spent here.

Weather has been fabulous, if you like 18 to 20 degrees in brilliant sunshine.  Mornings are just under 10, so I have needed my jacket, which due to the breeze, I have happily worn all day.

First day -- Tuesday.  Learning to navigate the public transport in a city is always a bit challenging, and then when one has used it a few days, it becomes ordinary.  The metro here is no exception.  Our stop was about a km away, but just a nice walk to get the day started.  Our Lisbon card was a very good investment -- 72 hours of unlimited transit, and lots of free entrances.  So our first ride was down to the waterfront where the gates of the city face the Tagus River/estuary which provided the water access for all those Portuguese explorers.    We got an overview of the history of the city at the Lisbon Story Center, complete with a simulation of the 1755 earthquake.  Lunch of grilled sardines on an outdoor sidewalk -- mmmmm.  Then it was off to see the Music Museum which is in a metro station.  It was a grand little museum and to make the experience complete, there was a free concert at 6 pm of violin, clarinet and piano.  The students from the university music program did a very nice job -- especially the clarinetist who, according to Ian, was the best he has ever heard live.

Second day -- Wednesday.  Having mastered the metro, today it was off to the west using the local train system.  Here the national pastry was first made -- the Belem tart-- and they still make it exactly the same way they always have.  An espresso and a tart in the adjacent park was fabulous!  The Monastery of St. Jerome has wonderful cloisters and the remains of Vasco de Gama.  The Tower of Belem on the river bank reminded us that the peace of today was not always enjoyed in this area.  The monument to the explorers and discoverers is a contrasting modern monument.  The walk along the river is so pleasant.  We did not enjoy the 'art' in the modern museum. but the exhibits in the old electrical plant were very well presented and interesting.

Third day -- Thursday.  Any day that starts with chocolates being brought to you for breakfast, gets a positive kick.  Today we visited the art supply store that Ian found online.  Very Impressive in terms of scope of materials.  We mastered the bus system and made our way to the Tile Museum.  What a fabulous collection of historic and modern uses of this very Portuguese product.  We finished the afternoon with a circuit of Tram 28 which traverses the city and all the ups and downs of the many hills which are in this place.  We were very pleased that someone else was driving.

We saw lots, sampled new and different foods, saw the regular life of an old city and enjoyed some of the unique sights of Lisbon.  Highly recommended to all!