Lisbon

Trip Start Jan 03, 2008
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Trip End Apr 27, 2008


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Monday, April 14, 2008

Now here's a beautiful city! I hate to keep adding to my "must return" list, but Lisbon is now on it! Our sail-in just before dawn was a beautiful ride inland for several miles along the Tagus River. A huge statue of Christ the Redeemer graces the hillside to the south and a city filled with white, orange-tile colored buildings stretches along the north side of the river. The statue is modeled on the monument in Rio and was erected in gratitude for Lisbon's being able to stay out of World War II. As the sun came up, the port was already alive, with boats of every type on the move.
We spent several hours along the waterfront on the commercial plaza, and in Baixa (a pedestrian area that is several blocks long, reaching from the sea to the hills) and in Rossio Square, the heart of the city. The government buildings were impressive, with lots of arches and wonderful detail everywhere. The walkways were made up of stones in mosaic designs and there was tile work in evidence everywhere. Above the Baixo area, narrow streets climbed into the hillsides and wound around above the water.
There was a lot in Lisbon to remind us of San Francisco. The bridge across the Tagus was designed by the same architect who designed the Golden Gate Bridge-and the hills with their colorful street cars make you feel as if parts of the City have been carried across the Atlantic.
Mom and I stopped at one of the sidewalk cafes for delicious coffee-and a pizza, of course!
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