September 25th
Breakfast at the apartment as we bid goodbye to our Porto AIRBNB …
Today we are heading to Lisbon by train…a journey of some 3 hours, covering 313 kilometers:
……as usual we walk down to the Sao Bolhoa Metro and onwards to the Sao Bento Train Station > a straight forward ride; after arriving at the Santo Appolina train station in Lisbon we climb a short (but steep) hill to reach our AIRBNB. Alejandra our host arrives within 2 minutes of us getting there…..smooth handoff of keys and a quick “tour” of the apartment > 4th floor, no elevator and steeper than the Hillary Step on Everest (…well almost).
It is a beautiful day and we head up to the Santa Clara flea market ….
.…where there is also the Church of Santa Engrácia, a 17th-century monument, originally a church. In the 20th century it was converted into the National Pantheon, where in notable Portuguese personalities are buried …a very pretty setting and a great looking building….
Then time to get some provisions as there is a decent kitchen and we hope to make at least some of our meals at “home”. We are introduced to the…
… a super mini market in the Santo Appolina Train Station, there are also mini markets in the Alfama hood > sort of like our convenience stores. Large supermarkets are in the suburbs, so not an option.
Time for a glass of wine or two and dinner at a resto down the street….not a bad meal ….. we run into a couple from Garden Bay B.C. which is almost across the bay from where we live……go figure!! …..after a bottle of red it is time to call it a night.
September 26th
Enjoyed a good nights rest …the apartment is a split level with bathrooms up and down … quite comfy… breakie, and being met by a nice sunny day, we are eager to explore the Alfama, our home for the next 3 weeks >>> the oldest district of Lisbon, spreading out over the slope between the São Jorge Castle and the Tejo River below us… We follow the map but soon get lost …not a big deal as it is fun to wander around this area…
.
The Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle of Saint George) stands majestically above central Lisbon and was the ancient seat of power for over 400 years.
We paid the entry fee of 15 Euro (….with age come some benefits I paid 5 Euro and my young bride 10 Euro, haha) and spent an hour and a half or so touring the castle and exhibits……
….from the vantage point of the battlements there are great views over central Lisbon …..and one can even enjoy a glass of wine while walking about…
…in the foreground the Elevator of Santa Justa …more on this later, and the Museum of Archeology in the background.…
……an incoming cruise ship on the Tejo River and the fantastic Praça do Comércio…
Very late lunch and time to head back (downhill) ….
….to the apartment (Annie got the right entrance this time)……
……..still felt pretty stuffed and decided to pass on dinner…..short walk about the area at local dinner hour, which is anytime from 20:30 to……..whenever, but for us bedtime came quite quickly. A very nice start to our time in Lisbon.