Farewell Windstar!

I think a 10 day cruise is just the right amount of time.  We thoroughly enjoyed it but we’re ready for our next land adventure!  Course, the very scary night voyage helped us say goodbye!  This cruise, and many of the people on it, was continuing on to Italy.  🇮🇹 I believe it was a 19 day cruise in total.  

We had a driver pick us and drive us to our hotel; 1908 Lisboa.  Another amazing pick by our travel agent.  An architectural and artful wonder! The driver asked if we enjoyed street art 🖼️ and we both chimed in “yes!”  He stopped on the side of the street so I could take a picture and what a sight!  I wish the sun didn’t impede the picture but you can still see the artistry. 

We arrived at the hotel around 8:45am and were warmly welcomed by the hotel manager and a very personable front desk employee.  They explained that our room was being cleaned and we were welcome to wait in reception.  Oh my oh my, this urban art style is right up my alley.  They brought me a cappuccino and Bill an Americano ☕️ ( he still swears that it’s espresso 😆) and we rest comfortably.  

Five minutes later, the manager comes over and says if we’re willing to wait longer, he’d like to put us in a courtyard facing room bs the street but we’ll need to wait longer as the guests haven’t checked out yet.  He’s willing to take out luggage.  Boom!  Twice in one trip we receive a better room than we booked.  

We were leisurely enjoying our coffee discussing where we would check out first when the woman at the front desk indicated that our new room was ready.  What?   That fast!  It is a chic urban hotel room.  We quickly unpacked one of our three bags and off we go!

Pictured below, notice the “closet” attached to the wall.  Funky as hell but about the size of our cruise ship room.  

How cute are these slippers with the hotel name?

We left and headed out to explore.  After alot of hills, we managed to find the restaurant we are dining at tonight. And, what’s more fun is meeting friends from the ship to dine in Lisboa!

By now you now that my history and geography knowledge SUCK.   Lisbon is the land of 7 hills and they are steep.  If you are a walker, there is no need to get a gym membership as all you need to do is walk.   These hills are no joke.  2 miles kicked our butts.  

Decided to stop at a traditional Portuguese restaurant for lunch.  They were super patient with us as we navigated the menu.  I had a tomato salad and a steak sandwich with a house wine and it was delicious.  

Walking tour with a private guide starts at 2pm!

This was interesting.   The country loves cod but they don’t fish for it.  They import salted cod, rehydrate it and then freeze it for future consumption.  Apparently, out in the open air, it will still last 1.5 years.  Color me crazy 😜 but I’m not thinking that this is something I want.   Our guide swears it is not salty or fishy.  

You’re looking down on the oldest part of the city that is over 1000 years old. Today, This neighborhood is home to locals and Air Bnb’s.  Our guide said if clothes are hanging outside, it’s a local if not, it’s an Air Bnb!  

It was funny sightseeing at a top of a big hill when only that morning we had debarked from one of the ships docked below. 

Lisbon Cathedral.  Interesting 🤔…our guide said that 95% of Lisbon is Catholic but they are not religious.  What does that mean?  He said they only go to church for special occasions: weddings, funerals, Christmas, and an Easter. I was shocked to hear that.  Apparently, the church 100’s of years ago was associated with the government/politics.  When Portugal became a democracy, many left the church despite considering themselves  Christians. 

We missed a huge festival in Madrid, one in Toledo and now in Lisbon; each by a day or 2.  However, this festival lasts a month!  Each neighborhood decorates and there are pop up bars and restaurants throughout the neighborhoods.  They are celebrating three saints; Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter!

Long ago, this neighborhood had shared, showers, laundry and toilets.  The washing tubs are still there!  

I wish the shadows had not interrupted this photo of “sitting cat 🐈 “

These decorative tiles were painted to appear 3D.  The entire house 🏡 had these tiles.  Super freaking cool.  🆒 

This gigantic area is essentially their central

Square and where a king was assassinated.  And thought I didn’t capture it well,  this area sits on the river. 

Through this giant arch is a view of a major city street filled with what looked like tourists not locals!  😆 You cannot see this because Bill and I are blocking the view!

The next 4 pics represent the party section of town. Starting around 6pm people gather to drink, sing and dance.  They party in the streets until 2am and then head to the clubs.  Years and years ago, this area was home to brothels and the streets painted pink as there was “love” all around!

We were worn out but we were excited to dine with our new friends whom we met on the boat.  We went to an upscale restaurant called JNcQUOI.  The food made me happy.   I realize yall are thinking that I’m fat as a house by now but I honestly didn’t eat much of anything I ordered.  Though  many of the dishes I ordered were equivalent to food porn, they were so rich that there is no way I could eat all that without having more gastrointestinal issues.  

An assortment of wild mushrooms that melt in your mouth accompanied with homemade tagliatelle.  I’d normally say that homemade pasta is the star of the show but the mushrooms 🍄 were to die for.   I just realized I didn’t take a picture of the 4 of us but I sure as hell took one of the food.  

Sadly we said “until we meet again”

And took the scariest Uber ride ever.  Ever play the video driving games where you’re going 80 mph through narrow streets, avoiding pedestrians and ignoring the rules of the road?  Well, that my friends is what it’s like in a Lisbon Uber!  Good news 🗞️!  The rides are so cheap you almost feel guilty.  4.65 euros!