Lisbon. The capital of Portugal, staging point of the Age of Exploration, home to
Belém Tower, birthplace of José Mourinho, and, of course, my most recent destination.
Lisbon has a population of just over 3 million, with various districts splitting up the once tile adorned city. Today, I would argue, there are more restaurants than tiles though I admit, I did not exactly count them. My experience in Lisbon was sadly tainted by the fact I suffered my first cold in over a year, beginning around 3 hours after landing. That being said, if you continue to read you will be taken on an epic journey not unlike Vasco da Gama’s epics.
It all started on the 12th of February 2025 at 2am in Chester. I was rudely awoken by the sound of my phone alarm telling me it was time to get up and get going! A quick drive to Manchester airport, followed by a flight that strangely landed 40 minutes early, I arrived at 9am local. However, my joy at an extra 40 minutes in Portugal was crushed, when the pilot said he could not get us to the gate as another plane was still in the way. So much for the early bird getting the worm. Our 40 minute early landing became a 10 minute late gate departure, but we were on Terra Firma once more and the trip could truly begin. As I was departing the airport I made sure to pick up my 72 hour Lisboa card, which would grant me free access to a huge amount of attractions. If you are planning your own jaunt there I highly recommend purchasing one. It is quite possibly the best tourist deal I have ever encountered, and they aren’t paying me to say that! You can purchase it from multiple sites online, so if you are going, just give it a quick internet search and make your choice.
Card collected, I hopped on the metro a few stations down to Oriente. I decided not to go straight into the city as I would not be able to check into my accommodation until 3pm and it was only 10am. From Oriente I wandered down the waters edge to get a good view of Vasco De Gama bridge, the longest in Europe. I was basking in the Mediterranean sun trying to see the other end of the bridge over The Tagus (Rio Tejo) though I honestly could not see the other end! I began to walk down the coast, past the aquarium, towards the city popping into a shop to get some food as I had been awake for a while considering it was now 11am. Full of Haribo and Red Bull, because I’m only 33, I naturally popped onto the 728 bus to my first destination, the obvious choice, The Tile Museum!
Now I don’t know about you, but when I hear the words, Tile and Museum, I of course am exhilarated with an enthusiasm. An enthusiasm that can only be matched by reading an instruction manual on a piece of new furniture you have just purchased, only to find you are missing two screws and bolt, and are seconds away from your 5th break down of the day. Though I am delighted to report that the Tile Museum, was in fact, pretty decent. I did enjoy some of the frescoes on the walls and was rather amazed in the chapel on site. I had seen in a few blogs and videos prior to my departure that the Tile Museum was a great attraction to visit and in fairness, it was a good start to the trip. Follow the link to find out more. https://www.museunacionaldoazulejo.pt/
Departing from the museum catching the 759 bus to Commerce Square was when things began to unravel. First came the chills, then the sniffles and finally, the sinuses began to betray me. My eyes watered, ears began to block and soon I was a walking virus of doom to any and all people I came near. To those who I unknowingly infected, I can only apologise, because this was a rough one. Anyone who knows me will know colds and flu really affect me, I don’t get them often, but when I do, well lets just say I’m an unpleasant companion. Luckily I was alone, so no one but I need suffer, but suffer certainly I did! From the Commerce Square I headed up the main street, Rua Augusta. It was here I saw the inordinate amount of restaurants lining the streets.
Proceeding up the road, slowly getting closer to my accommodation, I was approached by numerous individuals. Now, keep in mind I am a leather jacket wearing, beard pin possessing, ponytailed, sunglasses and hat adorned gentleman in his early 30’s. That information will be important considering the questions these individuals were asking me. I assumed they would be trying to encourage me to dine at their restaurants, but I was mistaken. The first offered me his array of sunglasses, clearly not a very observant gent as I was wearing some already. The second offered me something else, but I didn’t quite hear what he said. Though it would become apparent what he offered very soon. As a third stopped me in my tracks by literally standing in front of me, then in the middle of the day, on a very busy street, where thousands of tourists venture each day, I was offered Cocaine. Somewhat bewildered I attempted to side step the man and continue walking to my accommodation. However, he was adamant from my demeanor of trying to get away and sense of fashion, as described above; I was in fact not trying to escape him but rather gasping for a line of the good stuff. I attempted again to move away from the gent only to meet his friend, who figured the first man had it wrong, I didn’t want Cocaine, clearly I wanted a puff on The Devil’s Lettuce! When in fact what I really wanted was a tissue to blow my nose! Making my move I escaped the gents as they moved on to their next target. I proceeded up the rest of the street somewhat bewildered at the interaction only to be approached no less than 4 more times, though one of those people wanted me to take a ride on his TukTuk! Not knowing if that was a euphemism of some sort I declined an swiftly moved on.
Freedom from the busy street couldn’t have come quick enough as I dived round a corner and gazed upon the Santa Justa Lift another tourist attraction to behold. The lift itself was shut when I was there, though I never intended to go in it, as I go in lifts at work 7 or 8 times a day, and the novelty has somewhat worn off. That being said, I did want to go on the viewing platform at the top, so here is a top tip if you have read this far. You don’t have to pay and go up the lift to see the view, simply head round to the right, up some stairs and eventually you will arrive at the lift’s destination. Taking in the view I looked down upon my fellow tourists, the locals and the overly friendly narcotics sellers and thought, I would really like to go to bed right now! Sadly it was 2pm another hour at least lay before me. So I resolved to live on and wandered to Jardim António Nobre which was above my accommodation and had a lovely view point overlooking the city.
Walking up to the view point I passed one of the famous funiculars that ferried people up the hill, and once at the view point I decided to try out my new Go Pro like camera. Satisfied I had taken a lovely video of walking around the view point I tried to watch it, only to find I didn’t press the record button hard enough. Frustrated and ill I headed to the accommodation, checked in and sat down for some time gathering my thoughts and health. The Tile Museum was a distant memory, let alone the 2am wake up in Chester. I decided I would not be defeated by a cold, I would continue and have the best time possible. So I ventured back out to get some proper food as the Haribo wasn’t quite cutting it anymore.
On the way I popped into the Carmo Archaeological Museum found Inside the Carmo Convent which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755. It has lots of fascinating artifacts to look at, check out the link here to see more. https://www.lisbonportugaltourism.com/guide/convento-do-carmo.html I have to admit I was very excited when I went in and found a local cat; what have I become!
Carrying on down one of the many hills in Lisbon to Time Out, a well known and widely praised food market. On the way I tried to figure out what food might help my illness and got excited about the numerous local dishes I could try whilst in Portugal. So imagine my devastation when having purchased lots of Euros for the trip, leaving my card almost empty, I found the entire Market to be card only! Exasperated I left and went to a restaurant round the corner that would take my legal tender, the name of which I have since forgotten; though for those interested it was near an Irish pub and a Liverpool FC fan bar. I decided to have Veal Steak with fries because nothing beats a cold like eating a baby cow.
After finishing my meal I headed back to my accommodation and after a quick beer decided it was time to ascend into the heavens what was my bunk bed for the trip. After 4 attempts to get up the cast iron ladder I made it and was in bed. Settling down after a somewhat tumultuous first day in Portugal, I was hoping for a restful sleep and to feel a bit more human in the morning. My dreams were dashed with the introduction of a new character, Snore-a-saurus, as I called him. Though you will have to wait for next time to hear more. So for now, Até logo.
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