Started the morning off in the Alfama neighborhood.
There's a castle and some crazy, hilly streets that turn all over the place. I got hopelessly lost but just kept walking down the hill.
The Alfama region survived the earthquake of 1755 and is a glimpse into Portugal of centuries ago.
I stopped for some yummy Portuguese pastry. This is called a Pao De Lo
They also have these custard tarts here that are very similar to the custard tarts found everywhere in Hong Kong. The hotel set out a plate of them in my hotel room yesterday afternoon.
I then walked along the river to the Baixa neighborhood. This area was rebuilt by the military after the earthquake. The roads are a grid system and all the buildings are uniform in size and style. There is a lot of shopping here and the main north-south avenue is closed to cars.
We don't have nearly enough giant statues with guys on horses in the US. This is about the 4th one I walked by today.
Lisbon is a charming city to walk around. The sidewalks are wide and the roads are not clogged with cars. The hills can be brutal though. The climb from the metro back to my hotel gets old fast.
I stopped for some lunch in a sidewalk cafe. I had another traditional dish which can best be described as bread pudding with shrimp in it.
I also stopped by a ginjinha shop for a shot. This is a drink made from ginja cherries, sugar and grappa. It is as bad as it sounds. Don't worry I'll bring a bottle home. Not as bad as the Ecuadorian fire water but close. A shot costs 1,10 euros and are sold in these tiny storefronts.
My bike tour starts tomorrow. I can't wait to clatter across the lobby of the Four Seasons in my bike shoes.
There's a castle and some crazy, hilly streets that turn all over the place. I got hopelessly lost but just kept walking down the hill.
The Alfama region survived the earthquake of 1755 and is a glimpse into Portugal of centuries ago.
I stopped for some yummy Portuguese pastry. This is called a Pao De Lo
They also have these custard tarts here that are very similar to the custard tarts found everywhere in Hong Kong. The hotel set out a plate of them in my hotel room yesterday afternoon.
I then walked along the river to the Baixa neighborhood. This area was rebuilt by the military after the earthquake. The roads are a grid system and all the buildings are uniform in size and style. There is a lot of shopping here and the main north-south avenue is closed to cars.
We don't have nearly enough giant statues with guys on horses in the US. This is about the 4th one I walked by today.
Lisbon is a charming city to walk around. The sidewalks are wide and the roads are not clogged with cars. The hills can be brutal though. The climb from the metro back to my hotel gets old fast.
I stopped for some lunch in a sidewalk cafe. I had another traditional dish which can best be described as bread pudding with shrimp in it.
I also stopped by a ginjinha shop for a shot. This is a drink made from ginja cherries, sugar and grappa. It is as bad as it sounds. Don't worry I'll bring a bottle home. Not as bad as the Ecuadorian fire water but close. A shot costs 1,10 euros and are sold in these tiny storefronts.
My bike tour starts tomorrow. I can't wait to clatter across the lobby of the Four Seasons in my bike shoes.
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