Lisbon - Sightseeing

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
10/12/2024	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	680.8 miles

Our last day in Lisbon. Tara was still feeling sick, so she spent the day in the hostel again. In the morning, I helped a couple visiting from Charlotte to find a flight to Spain and to book it. They were sweet, but not technically savvy. We talked with them about the hurricane.

Phyllis and I walked in the Bairro district. We visited the Covento do Carmo, Praca Luis de Camoes, and Praca de Figueira. Here I had to sit down, as I felt like I was finally getting sick (amazed I didn't catch what everyone else had until my last day). I did get a bad cold, but luckily not covid.

Then on to Marim Moniz plaza, Praca dos Restauradores, Avenida da Liberdade, and Praca Marques de Pombal. We visited a park next to the square and then took the metro home. At this point we are "citied" out. This has been a lot of time in a city for me. I rarely spend much time in cities on vacation, preferring to hike instead.

We were craving veggies and couldn't find a restaurant near us that served salad. We ended up back at the grocery store, and I bought some frozen veggies for dinner. 

I flew home the next day, and as luck would have it, we got our water back the day I returned. It's not potable, but at least its water!

Elevator

The castle above the square

This is a drink in Portugal. 
I was feeling too sick to want to try it

Lisbon - Aquarium

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
10/11/2024	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	680.8 miles

Tara was feeling sick, so Phyllis and I went to the Lisbon aquarium by ourselves. First stop when we arrived - tea and a pastel de nata. Then into the aquarium. Unfortunately, despite having timed entries, the aquarium was packed. Often 5 people deep to see exhibits. It was claustrophobic & tiring & hard to see anything. I was glad when we were done. We then went on a gondola ride over the ocean. That was fun. I've ridden in gondolas before, but not over water. We got lunch at the aquarium after we were done.

Then we took a walk in the area (near Lisboa Oriente metro stop). This area is much more modern than anything we've seen here. We saw some art including a sculpture of a cat made out of recycled materials. Funny story. As we were admiring it, a stranger said - it's ugly. Phyllis disagreed and told the stranger she loved it. The stranger said - I wonder what your house looks like. What a weird thing to say. We were shocked. We assumed the woman was an American tourist. We wanted to know. 5 minutes later, Phyllis catches up to her and asked her where she was from :) She was from Canada, so luckily not a bad American tourist. So, I've seen rude German and Canadian tourists on this trip. I know American tourists can get a bad rap, so glad to see they weren't Americans. 

This evening in our hostel, Tara microwaved a sweet potato too long. None of us are used to microwaving sweet potatoes. Well, it started smoking a lot! Luckily no smoke alarms went off :)

Gondola outside the aquarium

Before we hit the aquarium, we fueled up.

I can't remember what these are called, but they were my favorite thing!
They look like a cross between a plant and a sea horse.

Another meal at the aquarium

We decided to go for a gondola ride over the ocean

The aquarium is in a more modern section of town.

After seeing this cat statue from the gondola, I know I wanted to see it up close.

Lisbon - Jeronimos Monastery

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
10/10/2024	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	680.8 miles

We had a relaxed morning and then headed out. A half hour walk, and then a trolly ride on 15E to Monasterio de los Jeronimos. It's a UNESCO world heritage site. We bought tickets across the street and were told to expect a 2 hour wait in line. That sounded miserable, so after buying our tickets we went to the Pasteis de Belem shop for the second time, for an early lunch. We picked up a package of pastries to go too. Then back to the monastery to wait in line. It didn't take 2 hours, but I did do some quick sketching while in line. The monastery was incredible. The architecture and detailed stonework were amazing. It was busy, but not as crowded as Sintra. 

Then we went next door to the free church. It had an even shorter line. Lots of art and stained-glass windows, as well as Vasco da Gama's grave. After visiting, Tara and Phyllis went back to the hostel, and I went by myself to Praca do Comercio to sketch. The arch was complicated to sketch, but I gave it two tries.

Eating my pastel de nata. They are addicting.

Perusing the pastry menu.

Pasteis de Belem is huge, and they have to crank out tons of pastel de nata a day.

Jeronimos Monastery

Fun gargolye

The church next to the monastery

Time for coffee and gelato

My sketching subject

Phyllis and I went out for Nepalese food for dinner.

Momos!

Pastel de nata for dessert. 
They are best eaten on the day you buy them.