Oops! Latest in clothes dryers right in the middle of Lisbon, with a beautiful backdrop facade of azulejos. The azulejo (tile) is the most typical and widely used form of decoration in Portugal since the middle ages.
Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal is one of the oldest cities in the world, according to Wikipedia.
The Rossio central square
We saved running around the city until our last day. Mistake. Who could have predicted that my stomach would bubble and gurgle? There are pills for that condition. I took a couple and by the time Lili picked us up, I was able to take the tour sitting down.
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Lisbon trolley car
Lili and Gigi are family, she is Gigi’s sister and she babysat my kids ions ago in New Jersey. She drove the city. Here’s what we saw.
Who remembers trolley cars? They were in Brooklyn, (I rode those), New York City, Philadelphia, and other American cities. There they were, moving about on the rails, filled with people.
Amoreiras Shopping Center
A typical city with people shopping, talking, walking, lovers everywhere hand-in-hand, and the scents, the wonderful scents and aromas of a busy city, the sweet-sticky-scents of bakeries and cafes ricocheted in the air.
Lisbon has some of the largest shopping malls in Europe. Armazens do Chiado is the most central, Colombo is the largest, and Amoreiras is the oldest, updated to post-modern. They all house well-known international retailers such as Zara and fast food restaurants such as, yes, McDonald’s. They’re ideal for some shopping on a rainy day in the city. It broke my heart, we did not have time to shop. I made up for it in the airport. Well, sort of. The airport shops cannot replace shopping in Lisbon.
Castle of São Jorge
Lili took us to the top of the city where we could see the Castle of São Jorge, the highest point of the city. This place reminded me of a waterfront park in San Francisco, where you find the young people playing instruments, singing, resting, lovers and the interested.
Top of the city. Lili and Gail on the right.
Aquaduct
On the morning of our departure, I took photos from our Marriott Hotel and got a foggy shot of the famous aquaduct. An obvious nod to the ancient Roman influence in Portugal, this massive 18th century aquaduct once delivered water to the entire city from the Mãe d’Água reservoir. Covering a span of some 18 km, about 11 miles, the aquaduct is no longer in use but still serves as an iconic feat of Portuguese engineering on display in the city.
According to the Tenth addition, AAA Europe Travel Book,In an early 19th century dispatch, the Duke of Wellington said “There is something very extraordinary in the nature of the people of the Peninsula, The most loyal and best-disposed . . .” It has not changed.
Donna Emilia (Gigi and Lili’s mother) We were her guests in Sao Martinho.
The heart of Portugal is the people. They are warm, friendly and accommodating. Here’s one of the best, the mother of our hosts.
Red sunshades of cafes in Ribeira Square, Porto
Do you like wine, do you like coffee? Those are serious beverages in Portugal. Next week, cafe’s of Portugal.
Thanks Sandy. It’s always good to hear from you. Hope you are doing great and still playing tennis.
Great variety of pics. I felt that i was along with you in Lisbon for the day. Beautiful mix of old world charm lived in todays lifestyle.
Maury, thanks for commenting. I am delighted that you came along for the ride.
Thanks for the photo tour of Lisbon. If you had to do it in a day, you had a gorgeous day for it.
It was great to see that beautiful city, but I am really glad that it wasn’t me driving! It’s much better when a native Lisboan is negotiating those VERY narrow streets. What fun watching Lilli do it.
It sounds wonderful Gail. When you mentioned the trolley, I immediately thought of San Francisco, and then you mentioned Waterfront Park. I wonder if they got any of their influence from Portugal. i love the tile work on the buildings and the history is amazing. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
Thanks Paula, better not tell those San Francisco folk you called their cable cars a trolley. They get offended. Isn’t that silly? Yes, I wanted to talk about the cable cars,I have been on them many timmes, but that could be another post. Also thought about Waterfront Park, but couldn’t remember the name. It was where all the junkies hung out, but were called flower children. I saw them all, we were there on business many times over the years. Did you have a chance to click the link for trolley? It will take you for a ride in Brooklyn.