150km into our journey from
Seville, we were crossing the border into Portugal;
a couple of firsts; first
time in Portugal for both of us and saw farm animals (cows) for a change. The
drive into Lisbon, on the highway was uneventful; they are not shy with their
tolls either. For a change, we found our accommodation address first time. A lot of firsts on this leg. Location is great, a little like Sydney’s inner west, close enough to walk the
city centre and the main attractions. Sharing a young couples charming
apartment on the 3rd floor, they reside upstairs and we downstairs.
It’s a 2 level apartment. Lots of cafes, restaurants and even a Lidl (Aldi
equivalent) within walking distance.
Having driven the best part
of 5 hours, after parking the car, meeting our host, Joana and unpacking etc.
made our way into the city centre by foot (as has been the case in all the
towns visited) to explore and get our bearings on what is where with the first
stop the tourist information office.
First impressions of Lisbon,
people are friendly and helpful, the buildings look tired and a skyline
littered with high cranes near the monuments, making photography difficult -
and the weather (overcast sky) didn’t help.
Another first in our old age, twice
offered marijuana to purchase, happy days, reminded me of my youth but we won’t
go into that. Ursi, felt it was like the movies where the dude shows you the
marijuana discreetly in his half open fist; she thought it would have been
funny if we had been under cover cops, nabbing a couple of dealers; anyway but
the good Aussie senior citizens that we are, we declined the offer politely.
Not a lot of opportunity to
take photos but we got the lay of Lisbon to further explore and enjoy it over
the next few days. 10km walk later, made our way back, and went shopping in
Lidl, bought ingredients to make salad with for dinner, which was washed down
with red wine for Ursi and the holy water for me. As has been the case too
often lately, chocolate after dinner. Got to stop that. The forecast for the next
couple of days is not the best but we will make the most of it.
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