Day Two – Lisbon – November 20, 2016

We arrived in Lisbon around 7:20am, and took a taxi to the hotel. After checking in, but being too early for the room of course, we headed out to walk about 3 miles in Old Madrid near the hotel. Hundreds more images, but here are just a few.

It was a wet and windy day, but beautiful in Lisbon. We got back to the hotel around noon, and our room was ready – a fabulous view room on the 6th floor, with a view of the harbor and the castle. We crashed for several hours, went to a meeting of the assembled passengers for the cruise, got our orientation and some lovely white Port. Then we decided to go up to the rooftop restaurant for dinner, which was really pretty stunning – our waiter was very smart and personable. Turns out, all Portugese students learn English from 2nd grade on  as a required language, so there is no communication issue here at all. Our efforts to use what Portuguese we can manage (Hello, Thank you, etc, etc) seem to be one key to getting pretty fabulous service and treatment.

Lisbon is Monument City - these beautiful monuments with the intricate and fascinating tile paving surrounding them are glorious - actually I think more so in the rain and overcast.
Lisbon is Monument City – these beautiful monuments with the intricate and fascinating tile paving surrounding them are glorious – actually I think more so in the rain and overcast.
Detail of Monument.
Detail of Monument.
Looking back the other way from the monument above. Linda is waiting patiently for me to take 4700 photos. We had our morning coffee/tea and pastries in a little shop in the ground floor of the building just to Linda's left.
Looking back the other way from the monument above. Linda is waiting patiently for me to take 4700 photos. We had our morning coffee/tea and pastries in a little shop in the ground floor of the building just to Linda’s left.
Another monument/statue/fountain near the hotel.
Another monument/statue/fountain near the hotel.
One of the Elevadors sprinkled through Lisbon - this is the Elevador de Santa Justa. We rode it up to the top, but the rooftop viewing area was closed because of the heavy rain. Still we got a great view, and wandered in the upper level old city above.
One of the Elevadors sprinkled through Lisbon – this is the Elevador de Santa Justa. We rode it up to the top, but the rooftop viewing area was closed because of the heavy rain. Still we got a great view, and wandered in the upper level old city above.
Fountains too - not just monuments! Another amazing square.
Fountains too – not just monuments! Another amazing square.
This fellow was in a small park near the hotel.
This fellow was in a small park near the hotel.
I'm not sure if it's supposed to be the store or the Hippie that is convenient here.
I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be the store or the Hippie that is convenient here.
The ladies who sit under the fountain.
The ladies who sit under the fountain.