October 10
We woke up to a mild sunny morning and checked out the view of our swimming pool and the Lisbon waterfront (Rio Tejo).
By 9:15 we were out and about. A lousy buffet breakfast cost us 8 euros apiece. Our morning bus trip into Lisbon for 2.50 euros was a vast improvement over our taxi rip off and overpriced breakfast. The bus circled at least three neighborhoods before arriving in downtown Lisbon an hour and a half later. But we met and saw the suburbanites and commuters, their hospitals, schools, markets, laundry, apartments, and everything else. The bus dropped us off in the heart of Lisbon, Marques de Pobal, a monument to the leader who rebuilt Lisbon after the terrible 1755 earthquake.
We waited endlessly at the Gray Line terminal for tickets for the Red Bus tour, a double-decker experience like London’s. Still dressed for London, we sweated as we baked in the Lisbon sun.
For several hours we saw the major churches, museums, avenues, and other sights.
Rossio (Dom Pedro IV Square) honors the first emperor of Brazil
Jeronimos Monastery, burial site of Vasco da Gama
Monument to the golden age of Portuguese discoveries / Tower of Belem: fortress guarding the entrance to Lisbon
We decided not to hop on and off the bus since our pilgrimage group would also offer a tour. Once the bus completed its circuit, we got off to walk. We found a simple café for a couple of beers and ham and cheese sandwiches. Energized, we walked the length of the boulevard to the waterfront and back.
We saw a tall tower with an elevator (lift) as we approached our starting point. There was a long line, but we decided to tough it out. An hour later, our wait was rewarded by the find of the day. At the top of the lift were the remains of a Carmelite Monastery which had been mostly destroyed by an earthquake. We took lots of pictures of the ancient ruins for our Carmelite friends.
By now it was time for Saturday evening Mass at St. Dominico’s, a massive ancient church
which had been ravaged by fire and earthquake but was still in operation.
After Mass, we walked back towards the beach where we had seen some popular outdoor restaurants. For dinner we sampled some Portuguese meat and fish dishes. Then we walked back up the hill to our bus stop. Another hour and a half circuitous bus ride took us back to our hotel. The bus driver saw our anxiety about finding the bus stop near the hotel and made a special stop just for us. Most Lisbonites had been very friendly and helpful. Another good day.