Some of the places we went and things we did in Lisbon.
Seems like we’ve gone to a few zoos on this trip so why leave Lisbon Zoo out. Zoos can tell you a lot about city and Lisbon’s was no exception. A fair amount of space for the animals and they looked healthy but not many visitors. There is a new Oceanarium on the other side of town and that seems to be getting all the attention both financially as well in attendance.
One of the highlites was an overnight visit to Sintra. A small town about a 40 minute train ride west of Lisbon. It is a Unesco Heritage site because of it many Romantic monumental estates. It is also known for it’s natural beauty of forests, hills and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a little bit like a fairy land that you’d encounter at Disneyland. Also in Sintra is the remains of a castle built by the Moors in the 9th Century.
Spent an evening at an restaurant in Alfama that featured Fado music. Fado is to Lisbon as Blues is to Chicago. Down the street from where we stayed in Lisbon was the Fado Museum. Most Portuguese we talked with weren’t big fans of Fado but you have to experience it if you’re in Portugal. Here’s a sample of Amalia Rodrigues, a Portuguese icon of Fado.
We fought off an attempted mugging of Kaye’s purse in the street. The mugger came out with a ripped jacket and hopefully a few bruises. We came out unscathed and intact.
We went to a exhibition of M C Escher which was excellent. It showed his progression of work and his inspirations. Didn’t take many photos but check out the Official MC Escher web site to find out more. http://www.mcescher.com
We did a day tour that took us over the Vasco de Gama Bridge to the villages and country side south of Lisbon that included a fishing village and a Cave (wine cellar). We returned over the April 5th Bridge. Had a great ‘catch of the day’ lunch.
The National Coach Museum of Portugal. Some coaches were the totally over the top for the wealthy aristocrats of the 17th and 18th Century. Excellent Museum.
More images from Lisbon.
After Lisbon we flew to Granada, Spain on Iberian Airlines where we spent a month. Doug, Rachel, Charlie and Brita joined for Christmas and New Years.
Paul and Kaye: Travels 
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