Arrivederci Italia, Olá Lisboa e Portogallo!
We’re staying in an apartment just off Praça de Dom Pedro IV – ‘The Rossio’, which is one of the main squares in Lisbon. The view from our window is the National Theatre D. Maria II, and the door behind the columns in the photos is the actors’ entrance. Our apartment is on the 4th floor and there are 84 steps from the ground floor. We’ve walked up and down them 4 times today – great training for our long walk, and a good way to walk off the rather large number of Pasteis de Nata Portuguese custard tarts we have consumed today.
We caught the number 28 tram this morning with an interesting mix of locals, tourists and a pick-pocket or 2 …. or maybe more. A man made a bit of a fuss trying to open a window behind where Greg was standing, whilst his female ‘helper’ tried unsuccessfully to help herself to the contents of Greg’s shirt pocket. The tram winds through side streets and up amazing hills. We just happened to hop off at the Flea Markets which are held very Tuesday and Saturday. Had a wander around, didn’t buy anything and kept on walking along the tram route. We found morning tea in one of the many, many cake shops, then kept on walking until we found a metro station just a couple of stops away from Rossio, which is the one on the main square and the closest one to where we’re staying.
Most of the streets and footpaths are paved with cobblestones. We have seen lots of shoe shops selling high-heeled shoes, but I can’t imagine wearing them around here, the streets and paths are so uneven.
This afternoon we caught a bus a few kms north to the National Tile Museum. It had been recommended to me by someone in Adelaide, and it was well worth a visit – beautiful displays of wall and floor tiles, a lot of them blue & white or blue, yellow and white.
And tonight we cooked dinner, for the first time since we left home, and enjoyed it with a glass or two of Portuguese red wine which was given to us by Travelling to Lisbon, the tour company who organised the apartment.
View at night from outside our apartment in Lisbon Portugal
the same view the next morning
The Rossio Square (click for larger picture)
84 steps up, and thats after walking up the hill!- the apartment (arrowed)
There is a bakery evey 100 metres in Lisbon. With Portuguese Custard tarts in every one
Has anybody said anything to you about Climate Change.is this the start of the big slog if so best of luck may the force be with you as I may have said before may the wind be always on your back
Climate change? What’s that?
We start walking on Thursday, so we have a couple of days to explore Lisbon, and eat as many Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts) as possible. I’ve just had 4 for breakfast. Greg had 2, and cornflakes
Love the tram ride Judy. Saw the graffiti on the walls .
Hear the weather is not too good in Portugal .
Weather’s okay here in Lisbon Margaret, although I must admit I haven’t been keeping track of what it’s like elsewhere. Sunny and around 18 yesterday, cloudy this morning and some rain forecast for tomorrow when we start our walk. I hadn’t realised Greg took that video – it’s great!
Yes , watch out for the gypsys . Mum was robbed while we walked through a cathedral in Lisbon . Are you visiting Oporto ? Have a custard tart for me ! Sal xx
Thanks for the warning, Sal. That must have been a nasty experience for you and your Mum. Yes we’ll be walking through Oporto, and we’re planning on having a rest day there. I keep meaning to reply to your q. about whether we’re going to the chapel made of bones …. no, it’s further south-east of Lisbon and we’re heading north.
I think I’ve eaten enough custard tarts for everyone! Time to see what else the pastelarias pastery shops have to offer, I think!
Will we ever go back to build building with caricature ever again something worth looking at big turnout at local Anzac Day dawn service
Judy, tarts look lovely. Where ever you go on the continent seems to be cake shops .
Today the walk starts for you . Take care of the feet and have a great time xx
Thanks Margaret!