Lisbon

Dawn broke with cloudy skies. By the time we docked and disembarked intermittent showers convinced us to hire a driver for the day. Humberto was a little funny. And very knowledgeable of his city. We took in views of the city and our ship from Lady of the Mountain. Humberto said he liked this view better than from Castelo de Sao Jorge, which we saw on the hill to the left, because it was free! Drove past the Royal Pantheon, where monarchs and their families are buried. Snaked our way through the Alfama district

commenting on how the windy, elevated streets, trams, and 25 de Abril/Salazar Bridge (dead ringer for Golden Gate) reminded us of San Francisco. A major difference is all the tile work instead of paint on buildings.

Next stop was St Vincent (Saint watching over sailors) Hill for another view/perspective of the city. The red tiled roofs reminded us of Florence. Built in the mid-twelfth century, Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or Se de Lisboa was the oldest cathedral we have seen on this adventure. Debye reminded me that was probably about the time period that Pillars of the Earth was set. If you haven’t read that Ken Follett book, I’d highly recommend…especially if you’re going to go traipsing through European cathedrals. Reading it bore in me a true appreciation of the generations of stone masons who toiled on these structures.

Headed downtown. Went in the train station. Did a little shopping. Walked by the Elevador de Santa Justa. Drove down ritzy Liberty Avenue on our way to Parque Eduardo VII. Was raining too hard to get a good picture, but of course we tried. The Aguas Livres Aqueduct was built in the 1700s, a masterpiece of engineering from the Baroque period. The more amazing fact is that it is still functioning providing Lisbon with clean drinking water.

We then headed west to Belem to Jeronimos Monastery built in the 15^th and 16^th centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Crossed the street to partake of a pastry legend at Pasteis de Belem. Filo dough, custard filling, cinnamon sprinkle = delicious dessert. Belem Tower, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was our last stop before lunch. On the bank of the Tagus River this fortress has been protecting Lisbon for over 600 years.

We asked Humberto’s recommendation for a good, mid-level seafood restaurant. Thank goodness we didn’t say expensive. Pinoquio’s had the best sangria Debye & Pam have found. Jody & I didn’t think the wine was too shabby either. And the seafood…ah…perfecto.

Leaving Lisbon we took to the deck to see the Cristo Rei, Christ the King statue, inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro as we passed under the Salazar Bridge. Most places we visit internationally are on a one-time only basis. We would consider revisiting this lovely city to see her really shine in the sunlight.