Lisbon

Between cruises, we had to take an international flight from Barcelona to Lisbon, Portugal. Flying is pretty much the same as the US except better food, fun stuff for Brianna from the flight attendant, and they speak Portuguese first, English second. We travelled amazingly well. The only down side was having to pay extra for the luggage. We were way over the allotted weight, so we had to find different counters to pay, then go back to check-in to prove we had paid. Since we had gotten to the airport way early, it was no problem. Security didn't make us remove our footwear. I didn't fear a shoe-bomber. My mom was not thrilled to be in Lisbon for the third time, but I really liked the city!

I got to go on a GreyLine tour which took us to the Coach museum (not purses, but real coaches, furnished with upolstery, tassels, statues even). Next I went to the Jeronimo Monastery (not Geronimo, but Jerome) which was beautiful, and huge. Then I went to the Tower of Belem which is a really neat looking stone castle at the side of the river (it used to be in the middle of the river before it silted up) used as a fort to protect from invasion. Next, I went to the monument of the Discoveries which is a giant angular statue work with Christopher Columbus and other famous navigators lined up (showing one discovery leading to another). The back side is a giant sword and the front side (seen best from the river) is like the prow of a ship. Then I went to a Port Wine store (so yummy!!) Then the bus went across the 25th of April Bridge which is so much like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, its even designed by the same engineers. On the opposite hillside facing the city they have a statue of Jesus with outstretched arms like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janero. Similar to Brazil, they have the black and white mosaic sidewalks with the wave patterns (see Disney's Saludos Amigos for clarification). It is neat to see how two countries an ocean apart have such similar aspects. It is much more similar than Spain is to Mexico. Last, I got a walking tour of the Alfama neighborhood with its tall buildings and curved maze-like streets. In fact, two tourists got lost here! Fortunately our tour guide found them. The Jacaranda trees were in full bloom. Our hotel room had an amazing view of the Roman Aquaduct that runs through the city. Yes, its 2000 years old and still standing, traffic driving right under it! I really loved Lisbon!