Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal. The view from the Castello de São Jorge (Castle of Saint George; my translation ;-) up on the hill was awesome. Worth the climb. Hmm... actually we caught the bus.
The city was virtually flattened in 1755 by an earthquake and the resulting fires caused many to flee to the Tagus river (on the left). You can be sure that the Portuguese did not have to have the word tsunami defined for them in 2004; the tsunami from the 1755 earthquake washed away a few thousand people from the banks of the river, all of whom had already been having a really bad day.
The streets in and around Lisbon are often small and cobbled. Very cosy.
That is until you meet a crazy bugger in a Fiat at high speed. To describe the Portuguese as "bloody crazy" behind the wheel would carry a certain Aussie nonchalance that it does not warrant!
You don't have to look to far to see the trappings of a few hundred years of colonial dominance. This understated little piece is on the main square by the river surrounded by the old royal palaces.
The beautiful old monastery at Belém.
Port is not just a drink in Portugal. I mean they named the country after it right...? We tried many lovely drops. My advice: Why not remember the year before Australia was federated by pulling the top out of a bottle from 1900. A good year... For you, my friend, only €1350 (~A$3000).
Paulo and Ana Paula took the day off to host a tour out of Lisbon to the nearby town of Sintra and down along the coast. We knew that we shared a mutual interest in phosphorus-removing bacteria but we also found that we shared a passion for cake and espresso.
http://www.portugaltravelguide.com/images/ib/1024/lisboa04.jpg
Sintra has the highest elevation in this region, and is located between Lisbon and the Atlantic. It has an old castle on the top of a hill, which has a 360 deg. view and had been the home of the Kings and Queens of Portugal through the ages.
There is a lot of Moorish influence in Sintra - it is a real convergence of styles.
The most Westerly point of mainland Europe. The coastline was an mix of stark cliffs and sandy beaches... Awesome.
Paulo then took us to an oceanarium at the 1998 Lisbon Expo site. Despite her protests, we did not let Rikke go diving in the tank... but as usual she got up close and personal with the fish!
The Portuguese eat on average 50 kg of fish each per year and a great proportion if that is cod! It is the national dish. We went to a special cod restaurant and each of us ordered a different cod dish from the dozen choices. You can be sure that you cannot hear a nasal, "will that be crumbed or battered, love?" here! Paulo's son, Thomas, also came along and displayed his excellent English.
A giant obrigado to the Lemos family for tourist guide duties above and beyond the call of duty.
In the next installment we go south to Algarve and the beach...
