Lisbon - Saturday - Part 2

We found a great restaurant tonight. A place recommended but when we got there we couldn't find a door to get in. We could see it on the second floor but were stumped on getting to it. Luckily a kid from the restaurant saw Mike looking and came to let us in. They were expecting a couple big groups. Otherwise for most of our meal we were the only ones there.

After we stopped by another place that offered "light music" and ended up listening to a singer who seemed to be doing a lounge act at first, but his second set he started mixing in Fado songs that were really beautiful. 

People were having so much fun they got up to dance.

Lisbon - Saturday

First I have to start with something that happened last night. Mike was mistaken for being Portugese by a restaurant owner AFTER he asked for a table. His language skills are just that good. 

Today - We headed to Belem the area next to Lisbon that survived the 1755 earthquake with most things intact and where most of the royalty and political figures hung out during the time Portugal was a world powerhouse - and especially after the quake.

A lot of Belem is dedicated to  the time when Portugal was discovering trade routes and conquering areas in Africa, India, China and Brazil.

Here's the tower marking the port where ships left and came in

A newer monument honoring the explorers - Good views from the top.

Then we visited this church/monastery where Vasco de Gama is buried

And then we went to a museum of coaches that was surprisingly interesting and cool. I'd never really thought about them before...

Caught the bus back to downtown and were dropped off near the beach so we sat on the pier for a break

And then discovered we were near the Portugal Wine Appreciation Center. We appreciated some wines

As we left the wine center - across the plaza was this...

But it was too much - even for us.

Lisbon - Friday

We walked all over downtown Lisbon today. Our good friend Rick Steeves (guidebook guru) divides it into three parts. First - the neighborhood where we are staying the Bairro Alto. We started out with a great view of the lower downtown area. 

We saw a few churches - In this chapel filled with Angel babies it looks like Mary is holding a Jesus T-Shirt. 

We also saw some beautiful tiled buildings and Mike had a Bica (espresso) at a famous cafe.

Next we went to the lower downtown area Baixa. There we saw monuments and more churches.

In 1755 Lisbon was devastated by a 9.0 earthquake - followed by a tsunami and a fire. There are some areas where they've left buildings as they were rather than rebuilding. Like this church...

Or this one tucked away in all the newer buildings

Lastly we strolled around the Alfama area. More great views

And winding streets

We finished up with the Fado Museum (sorry forgot to take photos!) and then had a refreshing beer at Lisbons first brewery (located in an old monastary).

Evora to Lisboa - Thursday

We spent the morning wandering around Evora and seeing parts of its Roman history. 

Here's a recent excavation that they've added some contemporary art to...

Then we jumped on a bus to Lisbon

And just arrived at our apartment. M - it reminds me of our rental in Paris lots of rooms off of rooms.

But the best thing about it is the terrace and view...

That bridge in the way background is the same as the Golden Gate (same architect and plan). We feel right at home!

Evora Evening - Wednesday - Part 2

We went wandering around Evora last night - Not sure what to do, not very hungry, but we found the most fun thing - A local restaurant showing a game of futbal between Portugal (Benfica) and Spain (Sevilla). 

Even though Mike had said he couldn't eat another bite - When he saw there were snails on the menu he suddenly had an appetite. 

The game went into 2 OTs but despite the whole square cheering them on, Benfica lost in penalty kicks. 

Mike and the Grab and Go

This little weird vending machine store is near our hotel in Evora. Mike has become a bit obsessed with it. 

That's all that's in it are vending machine products - chips, drinks, croissants, hamburgers...

Today we boutght a water.

Evora - Wednesday

We spent a lot of time this morning figuring out which wineries to go to only to learn today it was "not possible." We should've booked in advance. So Plan B. First we visited the Evora Market which was not too exciting so we stopped at St. Francis church nearby.

Next door was the "Chapel of Bones" where three monks decided to warn the rest of us of our evil and materialistic ways by creating a decorative arrangement of the bones of old Evorans. 

The monks themselves are buried in this white coffin - I thought it was a bit ironic that theirs weren't part of the display

After we drove out deep into wine country to visit Herdade do Esperao - the oldest winery in Evora

And we had a tasting

And then we relaxed in the vineyard