When we arrived yesterday evening, somewhat tired after our journey and by the time we’d settled in it was nearly midnight, so off to bed we went. We’d hardly been there for more than a few minutes when a loud clattering sound was heard outside. At first I thought that someone was wheeling a suitcase over the cobbles, but it continued for quite a while and involved a number of objects being wheeled across the cobbles. I eventually decided that it could be one or more people taking their wheelie rubbish bins to some central collecting point. The streets around her are so steep, narrow and uneven that it can’t be possible to bring a refuse vehicle anywhere near most of the properties. Whatever, the noise eventually subsided and we slept.
The apartment is the lowest floor of a three storey building in the Alfama district of Lisbon, the area being known for being extremely hilly. The young man that owns our apartment owns the whole building and has converted each floor into individual apartments that he rents out. He also lives just down the street.
Today was to be a day of investigating and exploring the city with one or two necessary things thrown in. The first priority was explore our immediate area and to find some breakfast.
We headed down towards the main part of the city, soon finding a small cafe and having our breakfast, then it was exploration time.
Time for some pictures!
Today was to be a day of investigating and exploring the city with one or two necessary things thrown in. The first priority was explore our immediate area and to find some breakfast.
We headed down towards the main part of the city, soon finding a small cafe and having our breakfast, then it was exploration time.
Time for some pictures!
One of our “must do” objectives was to locate the cathedral to check if we could get the initial stamp for our “Credential” there, and to check opening times etc for tomorrow when we actually start our Camino walk proper. We knew that it was close to our apartment, but didn’t go there until later, after we had explored some more.
At one point we called into the tourist information office to ask about tram routes and times, which we were given, but we were also advised to buy a 6 Euro day pass which we could also use on the metro, buses and the numerous elevators, funiculars and the underground railway (Metro). The price seemed to be very reasonable, so we spent the rest of the day, after finally going to the cathedral, and getting all the info we needed, just exploring. Our main expedition was out to the Belem area of the city. This is on the coast, a few miles from the centre, westwards towards the Atlantic. Here is, amongst many interesting things, a monument to “Henry the Navigator”. This is an immense stone structure on the very edge of the water. Spectacular
Henry the Navigator monument
We eventually went back into town by tram, there are lots in Lisbon and started preparing for tomorrow. We plan to start our Camino walking by going to the cathedral, getting the first stamps on our Credentials (Pilgrim Passports, showing the route you have taken along your ” way “) and walking to Sacavem, about 12km and with more or less full packs, before returning here by train. This will be a short day, but a good start. More of that tomorrow.
