I 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.
The apartment is small but if your visiting a new city, your not in your room, accept to sleep.
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.
I had to post this drone shot of the map, that is stone inlay around the map. It’s an amazing piece of Art.
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.
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
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.
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.
Walking the pedestrian streets is a great way to see a city and it’s many characteristics.
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.
A
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
IT’S WARM AND WINDY YOU CAN SEE THE OCEAN
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.
The carvings are plaster castings with marble supports.
The best part of the palace were the gardens.
Lots of the cacti were blooming in the Mexican Garden. 
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
