Lost in Lisbon

 

Lost pretty much sums of my entire day in Lisbon. For some reason I have no sense of direction and have no clue where I am at any time...it might help if I had a proper map though. I think in my head Lisbon’s neighbourhoods are much further apart than they are and so I’m never expecting the places I am looking for to be right in front of me. Taking Tram 28 was no help with giving me any kind of sense for the area, in fact I think it might have made it worse, if that’s possible!

I heard if you went early to the Tram it might be less busy...well that theory was quickly dispelled. I was pretty tired this morning, so didn’t get on the go until 9:30am and by that time the line up for the tram was an hour. 

For some reason I really wanted to do the tram and see some of the old Alfama area, so I stuck it out and waited, only to get the worse seat on the tram...facing inwards, nothing to hold on to as we went up hills and clunked around the corners and stopped abruptly in traffic....not the best for photos and sightseeing. Luckily the guy behind me left and offered me his seat so I could see better.

For some reason I also thought this tram was intended just for tourists and did a loop that you could just sit back and complete. Don’t get me wrong, there were loads of tourists on the tram, but it was a regular tram that stopped and picked people up along the route. Once again jamming in as many people as possible.

My window was wide open so from time to time I would lean out to take some shots. Now this can be a life or death situation since other trams come about a foot away from you...look before you lean. Sometimes we stopped right beside another tram going in the opposite direction and we could shake hands if we wanted to or have a little chat...let’s call this up close and personal. Same thing in Alfama where the streets are very narrow, so the tram does not leave much room for people standing on the sidewalk…hold your breath.

Thinking I was on a loop and would just get off where I got on, it was a bit shocking when the driver told us it was the end of the line and we all had to get off and wait for the next Tram to take us back…I have no idea where I was at this point. Funny thing was 10 minutes later the driver got back on our tram, changed the sign and we all hopped back on. By this point I had been on the tram bouncing around for about an hour, so the novelty had warn off and I was ready to get out and wander the streets. 

Seventeen stops later I jumped off in Bairro Alto to see the Bica Funicular that runs up and down Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo.

To give you some context, Lisbon is built on seven hills... and I mean hills! So to help with getting around there are a number of funiculars, elevators and escalators around the city…my apartment is right beside the elevator to the castle. When I jumped off the tram I knew I was in the right location because it was full of people taking the iconic photos of the area. 

I was at the top of the hill, so decided not to bother taking the ride down and instead sauntered down the steep hill and steps taking photos. At the bottom of the street, it was no surprise to see a huge line to get on the funicular to go back up.

At this point I had no idea where I was or where I wanted to go, so I wandered around aimlessly. First I thought I would try to find some street art I read about...there’s lots of it in Lisbon...but was not overly successful in finding much except for these few. 

I then headed down towards the waterfront area. As I was looking for a place to eat I looked up and was right in from of Time Out Market. This is the modernized version of the original market and I can tell you, they know how to do markets in Portugal. It was jam packed...noon on a Saturday may have been part of the reason...with various permanent vendors/restaurants selling everything you could imagine. Mostly food and drinks, with the odd store, flowers + an area to buy produce. I would compare this place to a high end cafeteria with what looked to be very delicious food…I almost bought one of the biggest donuts I have ever seen, but eventually came to my senses. 

I walked around looking at what was available to eat, but there were no seats to be found in this giant food hall and I was not keen on all the people...I was looking for a quaint little place to sit and chill, and this was not it.

From here I wandered off only to turn a corner and find myself on Rua Cor de Rosa...pink street…right in the middle of the nightclub area. I took some photos and headed off again towards the water.  

This time I arrived at a huge open square with impressive arches as the entrance...Arco da Rua Augusta. Lots of people mingling around, restaurants bordering both sides and a nice spot to take a quick rest along the water. 

From here I decided to head back towards my apartment as I was getting pretty tired being on the go most of the day. Not far from my place I stopped for an orange spritz…I’ve seen everyone drinking them...and I was not disappointed. 

I got a second wind and decided to head over to Principle Real again to check out Avenida da Liberdade...Lisbon’s high fashion street.

This area is so different from the rest of Lisbon since it is much more modern, with wide streets and pedestrian walkways...and very clean. After strolling along this street for a while looking at the many fashion houses...Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Gucci…my feet were telling me they needed a rest.

I hadn't eaten all day and was starving, so I picked up some food for dinner at the grocery store and went to my apartment for dinner and a well needed nap. Being constantly lost and wandering around the hills of Lisbon has almost done me in.

But wait…I still wanted to see the St. George Castle and it is literally right above where I am staying. So off I went with a full belly and a quick cat nap...and guess what???…the Castle was free tonight!!! 

What a pleasant surprise and the views from here were spectacular. 

I toured around taking in Lisbon from various vantage points and watched the sun set on this beautiful evening. 

By this point the peacocks were having some sort of loud evening mating call...at one point I saw 25 of them in one tree along...so I took that as my sign to bid my farewells to the castle and make my way down to my place for the night.

Today was quite the day of wandering...clocked 20,000 steps alone today...and I may need some time to digest all the things I did and saw before I can give my verdict on Lisbon.

Tomorrow may be a day trip to Sintra if I can drag myself out of bed in the morning, but for now I need to sign off this novel I have written and get to bed.

Until then...share in the experience.

Lisa