First day in Lisbon

After approximately 24 hours of travel I arrived by Uber to my hotel around 10:30 pm, ready to hit the sack.

My room can best be described as a shoe box with ensuite. No much room to maneuver, but the bed is comfortable and the location is quiet.

Showering is quite a challenge in such a tiny shower. Every time I move I bump the controls with my elbow or bum, changing the temperature to cold or scalding! I won't attempt to wash my hair.

Although I was so tired it took me a while to fall asleep, but I slept for a long time, not waking up until after 11 am. Then I set off to wander around. My first stop was the Decathlon store, then next door to El Corte Inglés department store. It's such a huge store that I had trouble finding the exit - I could have spent hours wandering around somewhat lost.

Then it was time to go to the newly opened Pilgrim Office where I got my credential, maps, and other useful information.

The last time I was in Lisbon I watched as a tour bus drove right into the river. It wasn't an accident, it was an amphibious vehicle. I thought that then that it looked like a lot of fun, and that I should try it if I ever got back to Lisbon. So I bought a ticket and took a Bolt (similar to Uber) to the HippoTour meeting point.

The land part of the tour was a bit ho-hum, but the tour guide on board was quite entertaining. The fun part was when we entered the river. It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful vantage point for the Belem Tower and other landmarks.

I walked back to the central tourist area and had dinner at the Time Out Market, a kind of large indoor food court.Read more