Lisbon Day 2 and 3

Now seasoned Lisbonites, we set off to renew our cards and hit the metro to the Zoo.
The baby gorilla was very young, hardly as big as a newborn human baby!




Charlene's favourite animal?




Carolyn's favourite, of course.




That was better run than we were afraid it might be, especially the dolphin show which was as good as any in the US. From there we went to Belem (pronounced Belen) to look at it from the landward side. The new tram was noisier than the old ones surprisingly. The 20% chance of rain forecast materialised on the way but had more or less stopped when we arrived.




This is a replica of a plane which completed the first flight from Portugal to Brazil, in 1922. It took three planes and several months! David found a military museum while Carolyn had a quiet cup of coffee. The tram back was slightly less noisy. Supper in a local place near the hotel was a bit disappointing - basic without being especially cheap.




We split up on Day 3 with David going back to Belem to visit the Maritime Museum. A tremendous collection of models, many of ships built in the UK for the Portuguese Navy. The main incentive for the visit was the original of the replica seaplane we saw yesterday.
The whole museum was housed in an annexe to the monastery which is one of Belem's main attractions.




Carolyn did a bit of shopping and failed to find the Botanical Gardens. In the afternoon after we met up we had a tuk-tuk ride to the cathedral. Metro, tram and Shanks' Pony is all very well but door to door is better! The most interesting part was a view of a dig under the cloisters. The area had been cleared in the 14th century and revealed iron age finds, Roman drains and Moorish courtyards with paint still on the walls.




The two of us almost failed to find the botanical gardens again but were directed by a helpful local. There is an interesting arboretum but the place generally is suffering from cuts (of the financial sort) and consequent neglect. The pillar box is one of many English touches to Portugal, our oldest ally as I'm sure you all know.

Location:Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon,Portugal

Day One in Lisbon

Happily today was a lot cooler, though still very pleasant. After a hotel breakfast we investigated the tourist information. Then off to the metro station to buy a couple of day tickets for the trams, buses etc. Some local character showed us how to use the machine for which we slipped him a euro - a result for both sides! One of the tram routes is recommended as a way of seeing the old city. It is operated by 1900s four-wheeled trams which can negotiate the narrow, steep and winding streets. Their hill-climbing (and descending) abilities are truly impressive. We followed that up with a boat trip on the Tagus and a trip round the castle. It was rebuilt as a vanity project by Salazar in the Thirties but a there was a bit of archaeology from the iron age and the Moorish period too.



This is the big square on the waterfront nearest the old city.


This is the biggest corkscrew in the world on the opposite bank of the Tagus to Lisbon.


This is Belem tower upriver from Lisbon.


This is the archway on the landward side of the waterfront square with a view up to the centre of the city.


This was a view of Lisbon from Salazar's rebuilt castle walls. It's a very interesting place if a bit scruffy in a lot of places. The city centre was demolished by an earthquake and tsunami in the 1750s so hardly anything is older than that.

Location:Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Madeira to Lisbon

I'm saving this for later having failed to connect to the free WiFi at the airport. The transfer driver arrived promptly in a 5-series BMW and took us very sedately to the airport. Small airports working well within their limits are so much more pleasant than the giant hubs like Heathrow or even Manchester. Small is definitely beautiful. We were checked in and through security in no time.
Not quite so slick at Lisbon. We landed 20 minutes early but parked a mile or so from the terminal building, at least it seemed like it on the bus. The luggage was slow arriving even though ours were in the first few off. Then the pickup seemed a bit disorganised. Anyway the hotel is very nice and near the old centre of Lisbon. We walked down to the Tagus waterfront last night which took us about 20 minutes through the centre of the city. The temperature by that time had dropped from 36 to 32 or so by then! We ate in a restaurant round the corner which was rather 'nouvelle cuisine' in its portions -not unwelcome actually.
Here are a few photos.
More Agapanthus! They aren't as common here as in Madeira though.








Didn't actually check it out, but intriguing.
The Basilica which is a landmark apparently.

Location:Madeira Airport

Last Day

Judy and Roger had a lazy day yesterday so we were without our private taxi service! We had a day in and around Funchal, mostly consisting of a repeat visit to Monte. This time we were blessed with brilliant blue skies and warm sunshine. We took on the gardens in Monte that we missed out on last time because without fleeces and long trousers it was too chilly.


We had the fleeces this time but they stayed in the rucksack and David regretted the precautionary long trousers! The gardens seemed to flow down the hill almost to Funchal but we made it down to the cafe and back up again.





Monte is where the brave sit in a basket and plummet down the steep road back to Funchal. Admittedly they have men 'helping' them along, but it looks scary!



I have to say that I have never seen so many Agapanthus plants ever, anywhere. They are all over the island, like weeds! But very pretty.


In the evening we met Judy and Roger for a meal in the Casa Penhe after in drink in 'the pub' at the hotel. A 1959 RR Silver Cloud parked outside the hotel was attracting a lot of attention and a nice red MG T-series drove past while we were having our drink.

Location:Funchal

Corral of the Nuns

Picked up around 10:45. Off to secret valley Curral de Freias via Eira de Serrado for coffee and views into CdeF. Spectacular views. Lunch in exploding restaurant. Bright and sunny. Back to Cabo Girao (500m cliffs) near J&R's apartment. Then off to Câmara de Lobos fishing village. Triathlon in progress. Got lost in Funchal looking for restaurant then back to apt. to change. Taxi to restaurant - great setting and food, rice with everything! Back to apt. for drink and fireworks.

Location:As yesterday

Eastern Madeira

Picked up around 10:30 by Judy and Roger Allan from Rushwick who are staying in a place not far from our hotel. They have a hire car which is handy! We set off in sunshine for São Lourenço point via coffee in Caniçal. Interesting Spaniard who had worked for P&G in Newcastle. Raining when we got to the viewpoint so made for Blandy Gardens instead. Good in parts - quite English feel to them. Lunch there then to Pico de Areiro (1818m). Broke through the cloud into brilliant sunshine.
Dropped back at hotel. Dinner in Turkish restaurant between Casa de Penha and Irish pub. Waitress friendly, food disappointing.

Finding our feet

We awoke to the sight of a cruise liner docking, the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. There was no wind which must have simplified bringing a 300+ by 39 metre vessel (thanks Nick) vessel alongside.
In to town by bus to find the Tourist Information and get some maps. After coffee David went to the Electricity Museum and Carolyn went to the cathedral. The former was fascinating, as the Madeira electricity system was set up and, until 1949, maintained, by British companies. Apart from one small German diesel generator (some outfit with a three-pointed star trademark) all the rest had the names of mostly disappeared British firms. Massive Mirrlees and Ruston and Hornsby diesel engines, Brush and GEC generators etc.
After lunch we had another terrifying bus ride to the Botanical Gardens. Quite extensive but not very well labelled and a bit second-hand looking. Instead of getting the bus back we took up the offer of a taxi driver to take us down for €5 as he had to go and pick up his wife in Funchal. Much more restful.
Dinner in the Casa Penhe. Good food, friendly and helpful service and a nice spot all round.

Location:Pestana Carlton