Lisbon 21/10/2010 - 25/10/2010

We stayed in a stunningly stylish apartment in the Baixa and Avenida area of Lisbon, which offered views of Praca da Figueira. Our central location meant that all the sights were within easy reach. We strolled down Rua Augusta which is a lively pedestrianized street leading to the triumphal Arco that frames the statue of King Jose I, with river Tagus in the background. Lisbon is a lovely city, with a rich history and friendly people. An easy way to see the sights is to use the hop on hop off tour buses which include the old trams. On our second day in Lisbon we started off the day doing a round trip on the tour bus before spending the afternoon exploring the Bairro Alto area. It is a hilltop district with cobbled streets and countless small bars and restaurants offering a lively nightlife. We visited the Igreja do Carmo, a Carmelite church that is built on a slope. The gothic ruins now appear in the skyline with it's skeletal arches that act as a constant reminder of the earthquake of 1755. That evening we found a cosy restaurant in one of the side streets, where we sampled their tasty fare. Claudia had a go at the octopus which received a lot of stares from the neighboring tables.

The next day we got up bright and early and headed to Belem. En route we passed the Ponte 25 de Abril (inspired by the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco) and the Cristo Rei monument overlooking the Tagus river. We stopped for a break at a 19th century cafe for the famous pasteis de Belem which are the best pasteis de nata (custard tarts) we tasted in Lisbon. We definitely recommend stocking up on them here, so scrummy. The afternoon was spent exploring the Alfama area, reached by tram as the roads are narrow and steep. There we visited the Castelo de Sao Jorge with its promenade that offers spectacular views of Lisbon. In this area there are many belvederes with views of the city and walking around the tightly packed alleyways decorative tile panels adorn many of the buildings giving Lisbon a unique character and charm.