First Impressions.
Driving into Lisbon, our trusty navman said "turn left", so naturally Lachie turned left; down a dead end street. For a few minutes I actually thought that we were going to be robbed, mugged.. killed. My imagination got carried away.
Obviously we survived but our hostel was only around the corner and I didn't feel safe. My inner wimp decided that we weren't staying in that area anymore.
Unfortunately, first impressions last. I didn't like Lisbon. Sorry.
I do have a couple of positives though. Food (surprise, surprise) and markets.
Food
Portuguese waiters lined the waterfront in front of their restaurants, reeling the buzzing tourists in to eat.
Not one of these restaurants served chicken. (Whoa??) So being the fussy eater that I am I chose the next best thing, Turkey.
Two massive turkey breasts were placed in front of my hungry eyes. They were covered in a juicy mushroom sauce, home made French fries and rice. Delicious! I could have drunk the leftover juice right off my plate but I restrained myself. To wash it down a cute half litre jug of sangria (yes, I have started drinking by the litre) with a napkin tied around its neck. It went down perfectly. I can seriously get used to this. SERIOUSLY!
The waiters spoke minimal english but enough so they could ask what you wanted for dinner, what you wanted to drink or to ask Lachie if he was ready for his dessert, Noddy ice cream. haha.
More food
I have to give a special mention to all the bakers of Lisbon. You are amazing! That is all.
Well not really. I have more.
The hotel gave us a complimentary Portuguese tart from a bakery that tourist had been lining the street to eat. For this I was grateful. I had no idea what it was. I even carried it around in my bag half the day before I got around to eating it.
OMG!! Another simple but sweet piece of heaven and it was all mine. These tarts are basically a mini pie filled with sweet, sweet custard, but no pastry lid, just custard.
Walking around the centre of Lisbon I noticed all the bakery windows were full of these little treats that I wanted more of. Don’t worry I got more, and not just more tarts. I also tried mince, sausage and seafood pastries. I had no idea what any of it was. I just pointed saying one of those and those and those, Obrigado!
The Portuguese tart. My favourite.
A pastry filled with what could be a sausage. I am not sure but it was delicious.
Seafood. Not for me but was Lachies bakery treat of choice.
Mince pastry. My second favourite.
The sights!
Sunday rolled around again. At least I think it was Sunday. A quick scan of the shops. Nothing was open, that confirmed everything. It was defiantly Sunday. To make things more interesting there was a bike race on. Therefore all the roads were closed. Therefore our plan to jump on the tour bus was reduced to rubble.
On flip side, Sunday equals markets. (YAY!) Craft markets in the park. I found so many cute things I wanted to buy. Down side to the flip side is with craft comes expensive prices. I did buy these though.
Lately I have become obsessed with reading other peoples blogs. I came across a girl’s blog and her collection of pins. (Sounds exciting, I know) I suffer from the “I want what she has” syndrome. Now I want to collect something.
I realized that I already had a few moneyboxes, so I decided to run with it. The first stall I saw was a guy that hand makes moneyboxes. It was a sign. I was supposed to buy this Hippo shaped moneybox.
We saw what we could of Lisbon on foot.
No buses meant I had climb to the top. 1 million stairs later, Voila Lisbon from the castle at the top of the hill.
Marching horsey band.
Stinky water.
Giant Jesus. The church decided to build this giant Jesus statue to give thanks to God for keeping Portugal out of world war 2.
I know Lisbon looks nice, it is.
I still don't like it.
P.S I just watched the new Gossip Girl trailor! I CAN'T WAIT! I love Blair. And Chuck.
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