| Our guide book said that Lisbon bears the brunt | | | | There are fabulous views from there and we |
| of the Atlantic depressions, being located on the | | | | were able to "see the city" below in between the |
| west coast of the country by the Atlantic and | | | | showers. |
| the mouth of the River Tagus. The book advises | | | | The weather got worse during the afternoon and |
| that rainfall is high in December and January and | | | | the hotel was a most welcoming retreat. The rain |
| becomes lighter in February. | | | | continued on and off (mostly on) for most of the |
| The city does need this rain as there is still some | | | | evening and finding somewhere to eat proved |
| around in March and there is not much till later in | | | | somewhat difficult. We did find a fish restaurant |
| the year apart from a few thunderstorms and | | | | that was ok, however as soon as you took a |
| showers. | | | | breather by putting your knife and fork down, |
| We arrived on Thursday morning. It was raining | | | | you nearly lost it! |
| as we landed at Portela Airport. We had expected | | | | Restaurants in Lisbon: In my opinion the selection |
| this as checking weather forecasts on the | | | | of restaurants in Lisbon is not good. For a city |
| television and the Internet, this was predicted for | | | | with a population of over 536,000 (and in greater |
| Thursday and Friday. By the time our taxi had | | | | Lisbon 1,836,000) the choice was poor. Unlike |
| dropped us off at our very smart boutique hotel | | | | Dublin, Brussels and other major cities restaurants |
| in the Rua das Janelas (near the River Tagus and | | | | are difficult to find and there are not too many |
| next to the Embassy of Luxembourg).it was | | | | bars. I was pleased we were not staying more |
| drying up. The guide book advised buying a | | | | than four nights as it was difficult to find suitable |
| pre-paid taxi voucher from the information desk | | | | places, particularly on a Sunday night when |
| at the airport as some taxis are notorious for | | | | numerous restaurants were shut. As we were |
| overcharging . | | | | searching for a restaurant in our guide book (that |
| Seat Belts: Our taxi driver was very efficient and | | | | was closed) we did however find a very |
| appeared to be the only one in Lisbon to wear a | | | | character bar in the Rua D.Perdro V. This |
| seat belt! It appears that taxi drivers, the police, | | | | establishment called the Pavilhão |
| ambulance and emergency service personnel don't | | | | Chinês Bar is a former 19th century tea and |
| have to. This seems absolutely incredible as Lisbon | | | | coffee shop is a really quirky bar with an incredible |
| has one of Europe's highest traffic accident rates. | | | | display of toy soldiers, trams, trains and "nick |
| According to statistics in one month in 2000 there | | | | knacks" with waiters smartly dressed there are |
| were 3,500 accidents with 103 deaths. The | | | | several rooms including one with a couple of |
| emergency services taking you to hospital are not | | | | snooker tables in them. |
| protecting themselves. I saw two TV news | | | | The bar serves non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks |
| reports whilst there with bad traffic accidents. It | | | | and light snacks. Had it been nearer our hotel and |
| must be a very bad example to drivers that taxi | | | | not at the top of a steep hill street, we would |
| drivers and police do not wear belts. They save | | | | have been back again. |
| life, however in many countries including Belgium | | | | On Saturday the weather was as exactly |
| the police don't "belt up". In Ireland the taxi drivers | | | | forecast earlier in the week, the sun came out |
| used to drive without added protection, the rules | | | | and the blue sky. This meant we could take a bus |
| have been changed. You don't often find a driver | | | | ride out to Belém by the River Tagus. |
| not wearing a belt - they would probably loose | | | | The Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument to |
| their taxi licence. | | | | the Discoveries) is well worth visiting for the |
| The afternoon was spent exploring part of the | | | | views after taking the lift to the top. It was built |
| city, taking a 25 minute walk rather than a quick | | | | in commemoration of the heroes of Portugal's |
| ride on theCarris "No 60" bus into the centre for | | | | maritime history. You also get great views of the |
| the evening. | | | | Torre de Belém. After walking along the |
| The transport system is superb, we only used | | | | area that has a couple of marinas (but lacks in |
| the trams, buses and trains, not the metro, but | | | | seats for people to sit down and enjoy the |
| the system is very efficient, very cheap and you | | | | views) it was time for a leisurely drink and light |
| don't have to give the correct money - they give | | | | lunch at a restaurant that was built out of white |
| change. There are modern double length trams, | | | | rsj girders and glass. It was a pleasure to see the |
| however because of the narrow streets and | | | | sun for the entire day and then returning to the |
| steep hills the old small trams are fantastic to look | | | | hotel and enjoy the views from the "library" |
| at and very comfortable inside with plenty of | | | | situated on the top floor with a spacious balcony |
| polished wood and windows. | | | | overlooking the port and the vesting P & O |
| The rain held off for the evening and our hotel | | | | cruise ship. |
| was very welcoming with a decanter of port by | | | | Sunday was not quite as sunny, however it didn't |
| the bed that was regularly topped up during the | | | | rain. This meant it was an ideal opportunity to |
| stay. They did not have a bar, but two self | | | | take the 30 minute train journey to the Atlantic |
| service bars and you simply filled in a form when | | | | coast. Once again great value EUR3.30 one way |
| you had a drink. There was plenty of | | | | for two people! There was a fun run ending at |
| complimentary tea, coffee and cakes and biscuits | | | | Cascais when we arrived and it was great to |
| whenever you wanted this. | | | | walk around the marina, on the beach and along |
| Friday was forecast to be wet, even if bright | | | | the cost towards Estoril home of the Portuguese |
| sunshine was shining through the windows in the | | | | Grand Prix. The Atlantic waves are certainly very |
| morning. That was soon gone and it got darker. | | | | powerful along this stretch of coast and if you |
| After a while it got brighter again the rain moving | | | | are not to careful can easily be soaked. It was |
| away so we ventured out into the centre taking | | | | great to see so many people enjoying the |
| one of these vintage" No 28" trams on an | | | | Sunday air. |
| interesting ride up and down narrow streets | | | | Monday was return home day, it was raining |
| towards the Castel de São Jorge, although | | | | again. Well it certainly does exactly was it states |
| trams do not go that far and we had a lot of | | | | in the guide book - rains in February, however the |
| climbing to do. There is however a bus that takes | | | | temperature was as predicted as well a pleasant |
| you there if you prefer. | | | | 15 degrees! |