A slower start for Raym and I today - a sleep in, washing, sorting our next stop etc. Roh took off into Lisbon earlier but was late morning for us for the walk down to Cascais for coffee then caught the train the 40 minute trip into Cais do Sodre - the main railway station of Lisbon where the Metro begins. The train line follows the beach then port area. Quite scenic especially through Cascais and the next suburb of Estoril. Interesting architecture, terra cotta roofs - and widespread graffiti!
Once out of the station we found our way to a massive market area called
“Time Out” ... amazing food outlets of
all descriptions as well as beers, wines, fresh produce...Looked unreal! Too early for us to settle in but couldn’t resist another Portuguese tart!
Our mission was to do a “hop-on-hop-off bus tour...so eventually found the option that best suited and took a route that headed back the direction we had come into the city, to Belem. First major point of interest was the extensive Ponte 25 de Abril- a replica bridge of San Francisco’s Golden Gate designed by the same person, spanning across the Tagus River with massive imposing statue (Cristo Rei) on opposing side.
The shopping area of Belem was a highlighted by the extensive queue of people outside their famous patisserie - supposedly the best Portuguese tarts!
So many impressive buildings and monuments including Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Tower of Belem (we were really taken by the mobile “wine with a view” van) and the Monument to Discoveries. We walked a section along the marina then continued our bus trip back through the city enjoying the informative commentary. So many sights including Botancial gardens, the zoo, imposing buildings, Grand architecture, statues, cathedrals and of course a bull ring. We then changed to a smaller bus after a quick drink and snack, to cover a route of the old town. Narrow winding streets, quite difficult to manoeuvre around at times impeded by horrendous traffic. After a loop around the Castle St George we jumped off to meet Rohan in a bar he had found - on a terrace in the Alfama district. Hard to find but fabulous spot. Wandered down through the winding narrow alleys of this area full of bars, cafes and restaurants. Selected a lovely one down the bottom for some Sangria and tapas before walking back to the train station for our trip back Cascais. It was almost 8.30pm when we arrived back - just enough time to pick up some supplies and be back at the apartment up at the roof top pool for a drink (a swim for Roh! ) and to watch the sunset! Great day!