Day 18- Lisbon

Another sunny day in Lisbon. Before we did a thing today we need to find an ophthalmologist as Mez has had something in her eye for about 10 days. Found one near Rossio square and made an appointment for later in the day.

    Pedro IV Square(Rossio Square) with two beautiful baroque fountains just like this one, has been the main square since the Middle Ages and is known as the true heart of the city.

    On the north side of the square is the Dona Maria II National Theatre built in the 1840's. The patterned cobble stoned surface was very mesmerising, creating a wave like appearance.

After this we decided to get some info from the tourist office and she sort of sent us on a wild goose chase. We should have just done our own thing. Anyway we walked and walked up and up hills(very hilly city is Lisbon) and found some interesting things along the way.

   Santo Anthony, Lisbon's beloved Saint .

    View from the heights of the Alfama district. This place is buzzing with revellers and tourists. View over the port.

Tonight we had a special treat. Deb and Sim had given me a three and a half hour personal tour of Lisbon with dinner for my 60th which was wonderful. Jose picked us up from the hotel and took us on a guided tour of the important places to see as well as some hidden gems. He was so informative and had a real love of Lisbon and Portugal and its history.

   One of our first stops was the breathtaking Jeronimos Monastery and an in depth explanation, very interesting.

  Vasco da Gama's Tomb is in the monastery.

   Next stop the Discoveries Monument. This riverside monument built in 1960 was to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of  D. Henrique, promotors of the discoveries. Unbelievable carvings they do it so well over here.

   Views along the main corridor of Lisbon. They have a book expo on at the moment, thus the screens.

Last stop on our fantastic tour was a local restaurant well out of the way of any tourists and the food was good and very different. 

Thanks Deb and Sim it was a birthday present to remember. Xxxx

By the way before we went out we ended up at the emergency of the local hospital where Mez saw an ophthalmologist and eye all good now.