Day trippers to Lisbon

We were persuaded by the hotel concierge to ignore Lorna’s advice to take to train into Lisbon, and instead to buy a day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off open-topped bus, which stopped right outside the hotel to pick up customers. The map of the various itineraries we could sample looked promising, taking in most of the places we wanted to see.

So off we set, full of enthusiasm, snapping pictures from the upper deck - a fortress, the massive suspension bridge we crossed yesterday, and the famous Belem Tower.

But the bus whizzed on past our key objective, which was  the Monastery of St Hieronymous. Here are some external shots, taken on our way back, since we never actually made it, frustratingly.

When we did get into town we walked from the main bus stop down the Alameda avenue, and located the Santa Justa elevator, that had been recommended to us by Mario, Diana’s brother.
It is an imposing construction, dating back to 1902, to carry people up to a higher part of town.

So we joined the queue, which didn’t seem very long, and waited, and waited, and waited. After a while we had waited so long that it would be crazy to pack it in, so we waited some more. In fact we waited in line for an hour and a half for the 15 second ascent. But I must admit that the views from the platform at the top were spectacular.

Next we thought we would sample the famous number 28 tram that rattles its way through the old town. But once again we were confronted by a lengthy queue, and this time we couldn’t face it, so about turn and we fell into a rather expensive clip joint in the main pedestrianized street for some much-needed refreshment. At least Diana was able to order the famed Lisbon pastry, Pastel de Nata, which we were supposed to have hot just by the monastery this morning.

Then we strolled on down to the magnificent archway that leads on to the enormous Praca do Commerco square, once the commercial hub of the city, giving onto the Tagus waterfront and worldwide trade that made Portugal rich.

Our bus ticket promised us a free TukTuk ride, so we embarked on that in company with a charming German couple from Dresden. But it was a bit of a let down. Very uncomfortable, and with a roof on that prevented us actually seeing or photographing any of the buildings being described.

So we decided to call it a day and return to the delights and charms of Cascais - only another hour and a half bus ride!

Last night we had roast octopus for dinner. I wonder what it’ll be tonight.