Post Camino

Lisbon

Our time away is coming to an end, a rapid end it feels. We fly out tomorrow night.

Yesterday we went for an evening stroll through our neighbourhood and were surprised to find several barbecues were set up outside cafes and people were dining in the streets.

One or two of the barbecues were simply half of a 200l drum and a mesh grill over hot charcoal. Grilled sardines were the most popular followed by chicken.

One small plaza had some kiosks selling food and trinkets giving a party atmosphere.

This morning we were off on another mission  - to have a ride on 'our' No 28 tram. Our apartment is right on the No 28 tramline and trams have been thundering past our apartment every day from 6.30am until around 10.30pm. The No 28 route covers approximately 10 kilometres.

Going past the Cathedral

A few street shots from the tram

It started to rain and the world became misty

Our No 28 passing another tram after dropping us off near our apartment.

We had a morning tea drink in this cafe across the street from our apartment.

...then we sampled a few goodies from the French bakery below our apartment. 

Later we went for a rambling walk in the rain, going up and down streets randomly:

The Church of São Pedro de Alcántara which had beautiful tile panels throughout.

...and a side chapel - the Chapelle des Lencastres - with patterned marble walls.

We found ourselves back in tree-lined Avenida Liberdade, pleasantly quiet on this damp day:

Monument to WWI in Avenida Liberdade.

Our ramble took us down an incredibly steep road which has a tram-like funicular - the Ascensor da Glória - running up and down all day.

Other random photos from our walk:

Time to return home now.

Post Camino

Lisbon

We walked several kilometres in and around the streets of Lisbon yesterday and today. Initially we found Lisbon to be overcrowded with tourists everywhere, much as we did when we first arrived in Porto, but again, just as in Porto, we found that there's much to like about the city.

Treasures in Rua Garrett:

Fernando Pessoa - Lisbon's poet, writer and philosopher sitting outside his favourite cafe.

Basilica dos Mártires - Basilica of the Martyrs

Livaria Bertrand, Chiado - officially the oldest bookshop in the world as it has been in operation since 1732.

A section for Lisbon's poets

Walking to Avenida Liberdade

Starbucks

Trees in Avineda Liberdade:

Sáo António - St Anthony's Church - built on site of his parents' home where he was born. St Anthony is the patron saint of Lisbon:

Inside St Anthony's Church

The Sé - the Cathedral of Lisbon:

Trams everywhere, always trams...

Bougainvillea, tilework and views at Portos do Sol, a popular plaza in the Alfama district:

St Anthony tiles on a building wall

Random snaps taken around the city:

A fantastic secondhand bookshop  - just wish we understood Portuguese:

Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as the Basilica of Estela:

St Anthony in the Basilica

Across the road from the Basilica is the Jardim da Estrela - a lovely treed area:

We're thoroughly enjoying summer - long may it last 😁

...and more trams 😀

A tram traffic jam as seen from our windows.