2 Go Lisbon Photos

We arrived into Lisbon at 11:00 a.m. after a very very long, completely full, second class night train ride. However, after a lot of searching, we found ourselves a comfortable and cheap room that even had the Olympics in English.

Lisbon is old, but charming. We had such a wonderful time walking up and down and up and down (there are a lot of hills) the old cobbled stone streets and soaking up the atmosphere.

The Cathedral Se is a large fortress dating back to the 12th Century. Lisbon's patron saint, St. Anthony (the Saint who helps you to find lost items), is buried here.

This beautiful Portuguese bride was surrounded by bridesmaids and flower girls before she prepared to walk inside of the cathedral with her father by her side.

A picturesque view of one of the many hillsides in Lisbon.

Lisbon was at one time a great superpower of the world. Portugal and Spain together had navigated and discovered and conquered many areas of the world from southern Africa to the far east of Asia to the Americas. This exploration and power reached its peak during the 15th century while under the rule of Prince Henry the navigator. Over the next few centuries, Portugal lost its strong hold on the world. In 1755, a great earthquake hit Portugal and flattened almost all of the city. The Alfama neighborhood, however, did survive the shake-up. Here, one can walk through the narrow cobblestone alleyways that were once walked upon by aristocratic Arabs and modest fishermen. Today, we find small shops and restaurants and real everyday life, like these two women sharing the plaza with the pigeons. By the way....here is a great trick that we learned from our favorite travel writer, Rick Steves. If you see a bunch of pigeons on the ground with excited tourists feeding them, nonchalantly walk by and throw your sweater or water bottle into the air. The pigeons will begin flying in all directions. It is great fun.

The trolley cars still run through the city and they are filled with locals and tourists. Other modes of transportation include a funicular and a large elevator that were created a century ago to carry people up the large hill to the higher Bairro Alto neighborhood.

The Monestary of Jeronimos is a breathtaking church with cloisters upon cloisters. It was built during the beginning of the 16th century. Sailors would come here to pray before they sailed away to conquer far away lands and collect exotic spices.

Belém Tower was also built during the beginning of the 16th century on the shores of Tagus River to protect the harbor of Lisbon.

Lisbon was host to the World Expo 1998. They have turned the Expo Grounds into the Park of Nations. It is a lovely. modern showcase featuring an aquarium, shops and a shiny boardwalk. Kelly enjoys a stroll along the shores.

The Castle Sao Jorge sits upon the hill overlooking the Baixa neighborhoods and the harbor below.

One of our favorite activities in any city is to stroll down the streets and watch the people and take in the shops, markets, street performers, beggars and buildings. Rich enjoys a Sunday night along the lime tiled streets of Baixa.

And now come with us for a relaxing break from city life as we enjoy the small town of Tavira on the southern coast of Portugal.

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