Lisboa and Sintra - A piece of Valpariaso, Chile in Europe

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23-03-16: Arrived in Lisbon after sleeping the whole flight, waited an hour for my friend to arrive and then jumped on the metro to the city. Had to change in Sao Sebastian to go to Reatauradores and from there we could walk. We did not have the name or adress of our hostel written down, tried asking for directions but asking how to find G-Spot hostel was not super tempting. We managed to find some wi-fi and find it on Google maps and it was only a 10 min walk. Arrived around 21 at the hostel and the two young British guys that checked us in where both already a bit drunk but super nice and very helpful, gave us a map and pointed out good spots to go. We went to the room with our things, everything looked nice, and it was very cheap around 65 euros for 5 days in high season. We headed out for dinner and they told us about a nice little local place close by, Sr. Bife in Bareio Alto. We went there and had some Portuguese fish and steak and wine for around 10 euros each. The city was already showing itself from the best side, there was a nice little tram running up and down the hill next to our place, colorful buildings and graffiti. We went to bed early since we wanted to explore a lot the next day.

24-03-16: Got up at 8 for a quick shower and then went down for the pancake breakfast which was included. The Spanish guys in the room next to ours had been throwing an extremely loud party all night before not leaving us with much sleep and where now up early, still drunk and loud annoying everyone in the lounge area. We got ready to go and went to the Rossio train station, got a return ticket to Sintra for 5 euros and the train took around 40 mins. We arrived and could not find a free map, so we started walking up through Sintra which has pretty old buildings everywhere (its a Unesco heritage site). We managed to find some signs guiding us towards the different places. We started hiking up through the natural park - the hike is a bit longer and more time consuming than what we read online - but it was so worth taking the time to do it, the park is extremely lush and there are flowers and green everywhere you look almost felt like being in the rain forrest. We made it to the first castle, but when we saw the entrance was 8 euros we decided to skip it and prioritize the palace which was a very good decision! It was a bit more expensive, 14 euros - but also so beautiful. Super colorful and full of small funny shapes and patterns. Looks a bit arabic/disney/fairytale like and I honestly do not understand why it is not more famous. After seeing the palace we headed down the back through a big garden - super beautiful as well. At the end there where some extremely nice lakes. Since most of the day had already gone and I knew that I for sure wanted to see the Quinta Regalia we took a tuk tuk some of the way - we had to go back to Sintra city and up the opposite site. There was almost no line and I found out I could uss my old student card so only paid 4 euros entrance. This was my favorite of all the places. It was a summer house and the house itself is still fantasy like but a bit more goth style. The impressive part here is the garden. It is full of beautiful plants, small lakes but best of all what can be described as an underground maze of tunnels and caves. There is a beautiful well and all rocks are overgrown by plants so there are colors everywhere. Best part is that towards the end theres a small house where they feed at least 20 of what I assume must be adopted street cats. The building itself is super beautiful as well! After this it was late afternoon and we had some lunch in the sun in Sintra city before going back. If you want to see it all I definitely advise to spent at least two days there - it is so beautiful and would be perfect with more time to explore the mountains.
In the evening we relaxed a bit and then went for dinner in Alfama, the older neighbourhood in Lisbon, walking through small windy hills with pretty houses and old churches we found a nice little restaurants. We had salmon and sweet and sour shrimps with a jar of Sangria for around 20 euros each, super good quality food. Then home and to bed early and exhausted after all the hiking - the young kids at the hostel where already starting the party again. (Yes we felt old - were 25 but average seemes to be around 20)

25-03-16: Got up around 10, shower, pancakes and got ready to go exploring again. We went to Belem with some German guys we met at breakfast. They had been on the pubcrawl the night before and one was definitely still a bit drunk but very nice guys. We wanted to take the tram 15 there, but the line was insane and the guys only had half a day left so we took a tuk tuk - 5 euros each. Got dropped off by Torre de Belem which is an old watch tower overseeing everyone sailing in and out the city, it used to be a big seafare city. Then we saw the monument a bit further down which has some of the cities most important persons on it. We sat by the water and watched the ships for a while, super sunny. There was a boat that looked like a bus, actually two - full of tourists. Later we saw it driving on land which made it even more confusing. Then we walked past the old big monestery which is on a big praca right behind, and after this we tried the famous pastel de belem, we took them to go and had them in the park. After this we had a kebab for lunch and the guys had to head back. We stayed around in the park chilling and watching the people. Then back and relax a bit before we went for a feast dinner at the hostel, food was really good and included free sangria for 10 euros. Then we went on the pub crawl with the guys, loads of nice people and fun - unfortunately our new indian/canadian friend could not get in (because he is dark), they were blaming his shoes and then telling him he should pay 250 euros to get in. Urban beach cannot be recommended. We ended up at musicbox in pink street which was an awesome mini club with really good house music. Only 8 euro entrance with a drink.

26-03-16: woke up a bit late, after a shower we went for a hughe burger at hard rock cafe (supporting small local places eh). Then we walked up Alfama and went to the thieves market - no matter where you look in this neighbourhood you find something beautiful. Bought some small gems at the market but then the rain came. We walked around a bit more - on the way home we stopped for a hot chocolate and then went for a nap. In the evening we went to meet Guris friend that lives in Lisboa. We met at a Mexican restaurant, pistola y corazon, there was a big line and we had to sign up on a list. When Tarek came we decided go for a drink in the meantime, he took us to a really cool bar in pink street, it used to be a bordel ans they had kept the interior design, it was super cool and really good cocktails, we would have never found it on our own, there was no signs or anything and just looked like a door to a normal apartment building. When we finally got back and got our table (would have been a two hour wait) we ordered some different tacos. I had the most spicy ones and an extra set with a michelada to drink! Everything super delicious and tasteful and not too pricy. The place was super nicely decorated and the staff very friendly plus they played nice music. The others had some trouble since they had poored too much spicy sauce on but the staff of course had a drink to cure that. We then went for one beer at a small sardine bar/resto where everything was decirated with fishing poles, nets and sardine cans.

27-03-16: went for another walk around the city with some friends from the hostel. Decided to go to the big park where you can get a really nice view over the city. Ended up chilling in the grass listening to some music and just walking around all day. Had some "indian" food for lunch and then home for a nap at the hostel. After the nap we went back to the mexican place, luckily this time we only had to wait 30 mins - easter sunday was not too busy. The boys had some trouble with the spices as well, when will people learn not to poor sauce all over haha. After this we wanted to go to park bar which is through a parking basement and then on the roof, but unfortunately it was closed. We walked around and ended up back on pink street on a small bar. After some cheap but good caipiriñas we had enough energy to end up at musicbox again. This time the music was not as good, it was more pop music but we still had a really good time and came home quite late.

28-03-16: check out and then pizza for lunch which was quite hard to hunt down on easter monday. We walked all over the city again finding small cool spots and lookout points, chilling at a mirador before going to the airport. Made some great friends at this hostel and will for sure recommend it to anyone! Now sitting in the airport after saying goodbye to Guri and facing a three hour delay, work tomorrow morning will be rough but 10 out of 10 I would do it again!

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