LISBON HONEYMOON STARTS NOW

IMG_3097I arrive a few days early from Bordeaux and stay at the Oasis Hostel, the place I stayed at when I started my bike trip 2 years ago.  They remember me!, go figure right?  I just work on my blog and wait to get my first Air B&B apartment a day before Natasa arrives.
I arrive at the airport an hour + early to pick up Natasa.  So I drink coffee and a use the bathroom.

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THERE’S EVEN WALL STREET HATERS AT THE LISBON AIRPORT!
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OUR APARTMENT IS ON A SHORT TRAM LINE,. THE TRAM’S ARE A HUGE TOURIST  ATTRACTION.
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IF YOU PARK YOUR CAR OVER THE WHITE LINE THE TRAM CAN’T PASS, SO THE POLICE AND TOW TRUCK SHOW UP.

The apartment is small but if your visiting a new city, your not in your room, accept to sleep.

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GOLDY LOCKS LET DOWN YOUR GOLDEN HAIR

Riding a bike in Lisbon, is difficult at best.  There are trolley tracks everywhere, plus it’s a city of hills. (where’s my E-Bike?).  I’ve traveled to 20 + countries in the past 2 years, as a pedestrian Lisbon is the safest city I’ve ever walked in.  When you look to cross the street, the cars practically skid to a stop to let you cross.
There is a nice but somewhat confusing bike path that is on again and off again along the Tagus river.  We rent bikes and head to the Belem Tower.

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A NICE SUNNY DAY TO BE A TOURIST TAKING PHOTOS
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THE MONUMENTS ARE GREAT, BUT IT’S GREATER TO SHARE IT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE.
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THERE WAS A WORLD MAP MADE WITH STONE INLAY.

I had to post this drone shot of the map, that is stone inlay around the map.  It’s an amazing piece of Art.

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We make it to Belem Tower, the line to get inside is at least 2 hours, nope.  HERE are some google images of the interior.  We have the famous Belem Creme Cake, good with coffee.

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A DEFENSE TOWER BUILT IN THE EARLY 1600 CENTURY.

We return the bikes and talk with the shop owner and he suggest we take the ferry across the river and have dinner.  We go

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ANOTHER SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE LOOK ALIKE, ONE OF SEVERAL AROUND THE WORLD.  IT’S TOO COLD AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN, WE GO INSIDE TO EAT.

There is a habit (or scam) of restaurants in Portugal, they bring you multiple appetizers, that you never ordered.  They brought us a big chunk of goat cheese, smoked fish, olives, bread.  I was full by the time the food we actually ordered came.

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THEY CALLED THEM SEAHORSES ON THE MENU, WHAT THEY WERE THEY? FRIED SARDINES.

Our Air B&B host thought one roll of toilet paper was enough for 2 adults for 4 days. So we thought to buy some, we could only buy a 6 pack.  So while in the restaurant bathroom, I spotted a small roll sitting on the back of the toilet, so I stuffed it into my pants.  On the walk back to the ferry, I was so proud of myself, I showed Natasa my score.  Then she said she saw one in the women’s bathroom too.  Did she take it?  She confessed that she put it in her purse, but overwhelmed with guilt, she put it back. She wasn’t paying attention in Jeff’s budget travel ideas class.  We paid an extra 20 euro for food we didn’t order, I say next time give me a full roll.

The next day were walking the streets of Lisbon.  It’s my 2nd time here, but with another set of eyes you see more.

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LIKE A BUILDINGS WHO’S EXTERIOR IS TOTALLY COVERED WITH TILE

Walking the pedestrian streets is a great way to see a city and it’s many characteristics.

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Delivering vegetables and the blue tiled door entry, laundry hanging, security door and graffiti–this photo defines Lisbon’s diversity.

We waited till Monday to go so SIntra a mountain of multiple palaces, castles & gardens, I’ve been here twice and still haven’t seen it all.

PENNA PALACE SITS AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE 1775, IT WAS REBUILT AND USED AS A ROYAL RESIDENCE.

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SELECT PHOTOS FROM INSIDE THE PALACE: PALACE, DUAL TOILETS, CARVED ARCH, WOOD INLAY FLOOR
MORE GOOGLE PHOTOS  INTERIOR PICTURES–EXTERIOR PICTURES.
We took the bus to the Pena Palace  and walked down the Castle of the Moors

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IT’S WARM AND WINDY                                      YOU CAN SEE THE OCEAN 
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                IT’S A GREAT PLACE FOR SELFIES,  i WATCHED HER TAKE  10 PICTURES.

Then we took the bus to the Monserrate Palace .  It was being remodeled, but still there was some things to see.
IMG_3148                                The carvings are plaster castings with marble supports.

The best part of the palace were the gardens.
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Lots of the cacti were blooming in the Mexican Garden.                                                                                                                                                              IMG_0831                                                                                                                                                                    IMG_0854                                                                                                                                                                  It’s been a long day and we will have to list Sintra as a “must re-visit.”  There’s just too much to see in one day.  Leave yourself 2 FULL days to see it all.  Maybe visit one day then hang out in Lisbon, then head out for another long day.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff and Natasa
NEXT?  WE VISIT TAVIRA PORTUGAL.

I highly recommend this new band Allah Las

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