We did have plans to go into Lisbon yesterday but we didn't have a shore excursion so we'd have to be on foot (one day I'll do a post about taxi drivers in foreign countries). When we looked out at the weather, we decided to stay aboard Prinsendam (we had rain in 3 cities so far and didn't feel like being wet again). My first look at Lisbon (we came in during the night) was one of confusion.
San Francisco?
September 25th Bridge
Rio de Janiero?
Statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Lisbon, from what we saw of it, is another beautiful city. We weren't concerned about missing something because we'll be back here next year aboard Queen Mary 2 and we promised ourselves we'd take a shore excursion then.
Pulling out, we crossed under the September 25th Bridge and off to our starboard we a monument to the famous explorer Henry the Navigator and an old fort that used to guard the entrance to the River Tagus.
It was also the Black and White Ball aboard Prinsendam last night and the Mrs. and I do it to the max. The old mechanic cleans up pretty well, eh?
We pulled into Portimao this morning. 200 miles south of Lisbon, it's perched on the western edge of Europe. No shore excursion planned today either so we lurked around on foot (believe it ot not, the Mrs. didn't buy anything.
The Old City was a cool place with little alleys, ceramic tiles that are the trademark of Portugal, and marble. The people of Portimao, also the trademark of the Portugese, are creative in their work with the stone. Where the people of the Azores use the local rock for their sidewalks (limestone and volcanic rock) the Portimaoans (?) use marble ... everywhere. Back home, it would cost you thousands to redo your kitchen in the tumbled marble mosaics that are lying around for the taking here. One of the reasons we love traveling is that it puts everything into perspective.
Along the sea wall, local artists were commissioned for sculpures and are gorgeous.
There was also this great replica of a ship from Henry the Navigator's days. If you couldn't tell from looking around, the Portugese have a long, rich, seafaring history.
On the way back to Prinsendam we groveled around an old Moorish ruin. I told the Mrs.: "Gimmie 5 years and I'll build you a palace in this place." The Mrs. and I have been married so long we don't have to speak. The look she gave me said I should drop it. Heh ...
We bid Portugal goodbye when we left Portimao, knowing we'll be back in a year. Can't wait.
Gibraltar tomorrow! Monkeys!
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