May 17 - Day 6

Out of bed, shower and head to breakfast....it is a theme. We are moving slow today and almost didn't get breakfast in before it was time to get on the bus at 8:55 am. 

We started our tour of Lisbon in an area called Belem. The first places we visited were the Monument of the Discoveries and the Belem Tower. There was also a very interesting marble floor map on the grounds showing the discoveries of the Portugal people categorized by date. We then walked under the road through a tunnel and visited the Praca do Imerio - Empire Square. Here you can see the Monastery of the Jeronimos and the Maritime Museum. The gardens and the buildings are exquisite. The real treat was the pastries our tour director got us. There is a famous pastry shop near this area that makes the traditional Portuguese Custard Tart - Pasteis de Nata. She got some for us fresh out of the oven. They were truly delicious. We stopped here at the cafeteria and got a coffee and sat for a minute before boarding the bus again. 

Our next stop was downtown Lisbon. Our tour guide walked with us for a while, explaining the sights and then we were on our own for the rest of the day. Barbara, Matt and I walked to the water on the main avenue. The city is so beautiful. I think it is the most beautiful European city I've seen. The colorful buildings, all the sidewalk cafes, the monuments, the trees and flowers.......just such an idyllic experience. 

We walked on to the the world's oldest library. This was important to see for Barbara. Our next challenge was finding a rest room. We finally did find one in a shopping mall but not without help!

We wanted to walk to the Castle of Sao Jorge, all uphill. Stopped for an absolutely fabulous lunch first. We got pizza and it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had. So good. I'm trying to eat a bit less but still way over the top for me.

On to the Castle, up hills and steps. When we arrived, the line was long and we almost gave up. I then realized we could buy tickets online. Yeah! That worked and we got in with a minimum of waiting. The views from the Castle were absolutely stellar. We walked around the entire castle, up and down many steps and exploring all the nooks and crannies. 

Finally had enough and headed back to the hotel. We decided to walk as it was less then three miles and seemed doable. We got a popsicle on the way which was not like any popsicle you've ever seen. I got a tiramisu coated in chocolate. This was a definite sugar moment! But I think we needed it. The walk home was largely uphill and by the time we got to the hotel, we were all crying for mercy. Matt's hip was really done but he was a good sport. We had over 20,000 steps on our bodies for the day and most of these were uphill and up and down stairs. 

Back at the hotel, Barbara told us she was done for the day and would see us in the morning. Matt and I rested for a bit and then headed out to dinner at a recommended restaurant called O Funil. We met another couple from our group, John and Terry, and had dinner with them. It was a very enjoyable evening with more traditional Portuguese food and Sangria! So good. 

Falling in bed. I am still struggling with a lot of sadness today and I'm so tired. Happy to be going to sleep.