Blogs from Lisbon & Tagus Valley, Portugal, Europe - page 10

Arrived in Lisbon, Portugal with no problems. At the apartment we have rented and getting last minute instructions on how things work along with where things are in the city. Will head out shortly to do some sightseeing. Probably be an early night as didn't get much sleep on the plane. Hopefully will get some photos posted tonight ... read more

Arrived in Lisbon 9.00a.m. even though we were here in 2013 we were looking forward to our time here again, but took a while to dock as there was another cruise ship in port, eventually got out of the ship around 9.30 and then a few minutes walk to get out of the terminal, and there was beautiful Emanuel waiting for us, with his “I Hate Tourism Tours” sign, a gorgeous 34 year old Portuguese guy who was so passionate about his country, we love this, listening to people who just love their country so much. His Dad was an ambassador and diplomat and he has lived in France, Brussels and Portugal, so he has experienced living abroad. He whisked us away in the 9 seater van with 6 of us on board through the streets ... read more

Since I haven’t been on a cruise since 1968 (SS Rotterdam, NY to Rotterdam, Heineken 5 cents), I wasn’t sure what to expect and I still am not sure. We scoped out the other passengers. They are mostly our age, really old, maybe older. But our cabin is really nice. We put everything away. Fran’s being a good sport and soon, we’ll leave the dock. In the meantime, we’ve had lifeboat drills, drinks, snacks, drinks snacks and a performance of Fado, music almost unique to Lisbon. There was a singer and two guitar players, one electric and one acoustic. The music is a bit sad and very emotional. The singer is sad and emotional and happens to be beautiful which helped me enjoy the sad, emotional music sung in a language that I don’t understand. I ... read more

The sun is out and the temperature is about 18. It doesn't get much nicer than that. Today, we met Paulo, the only Jewish guide in Lisbon. This was planned. Our friends Howard and Becky recommended him. We met him at the Arch, down by the water and he gave us his family's story. He told us about his grandfather trying to get from Poland to Argentina during the war but getting caught up in Italy. He ended up spending the war hiding in a convent. After the war he met his wife and they remained in Italy. where his father was born His father was an engineer and was working in Lisbon which is where he met Paulo's mother. His mother came from a family in Portugal that traced back over 300 years but until ... read more

Twenty four hours have passed since daylight yesterday and as light came up today......nothing much has changed with the weather, just more drizzly rain. We are either going to have to do what we did yesterday and take on Lisbon in the rain or vegetate in the apartment. We waited and eventually as the morning passed the weather did show signs of improving and so we decided to make the drive into the city around 20km away and see what we could achieve by way of sightseeing. If we only did one thing then catching the #28 tram which is essentially a tourist tram would be our aim. As we headed down to the coastal N7 road that would take us into the city the sun started to break through the clouds out to sea and ... read more