This morning we decided to get up and out early for two reasons: (1) because it was going to be nearly 90 degrees and we wanted to get out before it got really hot and (2) we wanted to ride one of the old trams which are very popular and get very full, so we thought we would beat the crowds going early.
At 9am we were waiting at the tram stop for the tram to arrive and we could not believe it when it pulled up and it was packed with people! It was so full that we had to squeeze on right next to the driver. The driver then pulled up at the next stop for even more people to get on, shouting for everyone to move down so it wasn't the most comfortable journey!
The trams are notorious for pick pockets so we were both very conscious of our surroundings - so when a group of surly looking men started pushing through the tram trying to get through to the back and causing a commotion we knew straight away what they were doing - I leaned over to Peter and said 'pickpockets' and he nodded and then a local turned to me and Peter and nodded too. The next stop the tram cleared out, including the pickpockets, and for the rest of the journey we managed to sit down and it was a lot nicer experience!
Once we off the tram we walked up to one of the many viewing points of the city.
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| Miradouro da Graca viewpoint |
On the way to our next stop we came across this mural - there are a lot of murals (and graffiti) in Lisbon.
We then walked to the Sao Vicente da Fora Monastery - were there for over and hour as it was huge and there were lots of different areas to go and explore, including the bell tour, which was quite a hike up loads of stairs and we didn't think the view was as good as the viewpoint we had just been too!
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| The monastery |
The monastery was very quiet with few visitors so it felt very peaceful. We visited the crypt where there were a number of tombs dating back to the 17th century and when we first walked in I thought we were seeing a ghost and it scared me to death - see the photo below!
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| Eek a ghost! |
When we got closer we could tell it was a statue but it was a bit eerie. I said to Peter I hope it isn't one of those people who pretend they are statues in the street and then move when you get close! If it had of been I think I would have run out screaming!
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| Panic over - it's a statue! |
We then walked to the Pantheon and had a look in there.
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| The Pantheon |
We then started to walk back through the Alfama district which is the oldest district in Lisbon. Alfama is built on a side of a hill and a walk through the old-fashioned residential neighborhood is like stepping back in time, giving you a glimpse of the more traditional side of Lisbon. It is a village within a city, made up of narrow cobblestoned streets, tiny squares, churches, and whitewashed houses with tile panels and wrought-iron balconies adorned with pots of flowers, drying laundry, and caged birds - we even came across a bird that would say Hola to anyone walking by!  |
| One of the streets in Alfama |
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