Our hotel was to the back right of this square (Praça do Rossio) and up a very steep hill. We loved that it was in a tiny neighborhood away from all the touristy-things. (but that we were only a 10 minute walk down to this main square)
One of the many bookstores. We always stop in bookstores but we learned pretty quickly that all the books are in Portuguese so it made little sense to peruse.
The numbers are etched into the marble in the pews. Did they have assigned seating?
Picture of the Organ for Pake
The Elevador Gloria! (The Gloria Trolley!)
Which happens to go down Rua da Gloria and crosses Calçada da Gloria (Calsada)! Yes, it's exciting to see my name. I'm a child.
We quickly learned that the 3.50 EURO, each, that it cost to ride this trolley was insane ($10, total). It literally takes you down the hill about 3 blocks, if that. Easily 2 1/2 blocks.
Norah back on the #28 trolley
The trolleys get SO close to cars that the drivers have to open the doors to fold in mirrors on cars parked on the road! We even had to keep Norah's fingers in the windows so she didn't get pinched when we passed trucks.
We had to try the famous Ginjinha (Jin-Jeena) - a type of Port famous in Portugal. It's cherries soaked in Brandy with cinnamon and sugar. This is a very famous location down in Praça do Rossio that has been open for over a hundred years. I wasn't a huge fan of it but Wayne LOVED it! He would not stop talking about it.
One day we took the subway out to the Aquarium (The Oceanarium!) - This is the 2nd largest in the world.
The main attraction (I would say the majority of the entire aquarium) was this huge tank in the center. All exhibits were surrounding this tank and wherever you walked, around the circle, there were windows to view this tank. This particular window was about 25 feet wide by 20 feet tall. It was large. =)
The entire time - Norah held her arms out and sang (very loudly) "We wish you Merry Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!! We wish you Merry Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!!" over and over. Most people didn't speak English so they weren't giggling like we were. =)
The fish above Norah there is called a sun fish and it was, by far, the coolest in this tank. This one was about 2 1/2 feet tall (excluding fins) and slightly wider than that. It was massive. And they get to be about 7 feet tall so this was a "tiny" one. You can see it in the picture below as well.
Subway back to Rossio and Norah's playing more soccer with Daddy!
This is the view from Rossio up to the skeleton of the Ingreja de Carmo. This church was nearly destroyed in the 1755 earthquake that levelled all of Lisbon. They left this church in ruins as a reminder of that devastating time.
And here is the Elevador de Santa Justa. This takes you up from Rua Augusta (near Praça do Rossio) to the Ingreja do Carmo (Carmelite Church). It looks very rickety, and it is. Unfortunately, it also cost 5 EURO, each, (about $13.00) to ride up for approximately 11 seconds. We decided we had to do it though and that we were supporting an historical monument... Still. $13.00 is a lot. =)
Entering the death-elevator.
Once you get up the elevator, there is a staircase up about 2 1/2 stories to the viewpoint on top. This was verrry scary for me but I did it. =) Why do europeans insist on making me walk up spiral staircases built hundreds of years ago?
The view down to Praça do Rossio
The view over to the Castle on the opposite hill.
Annnnd...the staircase down. Great.
Looking through the arch of the Ingreja do Carmo (Church of the Carmelites) across toward the castle. I believe these are called Flying Buttresses.
Walking through the very ritsy Chiado (Shee-Ahhdo) shopping district.
Wayne having his glass of Ginjinha (Jin-Jeena), my Meia de Lait (Latte) and our Pasteis de Nata (Posh-taysh). These are the BEST things on earth! We started out having one each and by the end of the trip we would order FOUR! They're tiny tarts filled with vanilla custard. Similar to flan, but with the consistency of pumpkin pie. They. are. Phenomenal!
I would gladly finish this tray.
Back to Praça (Prasha) do Comercio for more soccer. Norah does not tire of running.
A gorgeous day!
This is the statue in the center of Praça do Comercio. One day Norah stood looking up at this statue - hands on her hips, head cocked to the side and said "Dat horsey's neewwww". And just stood staring at it for a moment. We said "No... Norah... I think that's been there for awhile"
Faca y Garfo - a highly recommended family-owned restaurant that serves great food, very cheaply. =) We like that.
A Turkish Military ship. Why?
And a HUGE French ship - nearly the size of an aircraft carrier.
This was our favorite area. It was very quiet, far from the buzz of the city with very tiny, winding streets. None were even large enough for cars.
Someone's actual front door
This picture must be a hundred years old.
Our trek is to that dome! (and the streets in this area are not exactly 'on a grid' so it took some exploring to get there)
A sweet little staircase.
We made it! Santa Engracia Church! Now the National Pantheon. Built in the 1600s.
(A nice picture from online)
Wayne using good form to get the backpack off. =)
Sittin' with Dad on the steps.
Looking down at the organ from the first lookout. This is the level where the choir used to sit. I always take pictures of the Organ for Wayne's Dad (Pake!)
At the very top!
Looking back down toward the massive French Ship
We walked quite a ways...
Wayne walking across the very top 'deck' with Norah. (making Mommy very nervous...)
We stopped in at this tiny indoor market where they had an exhibition on Citrus in Portugal. The girl there gave Norah a class of freshly-squeezed orange juice and Norah looooved it. This is saying a lot because this girl (at nearly 2) has yet to drink juice. She has always refused it but this stuff - she loved.
That's a keeper.
Walking back to the hotel for the last time. Norah starting pulling up her pant legs for some reason and did this the entire way up. Everyone we passed thought she was hilarious.
2 comments:
you mentioned the assigned seats in the church - that was custom in the old churches - the richest families got the front pews. You always sat in the same place every Sunday. Some people still think we have that and get flustered if someone sits in "their pew". Old habits die hard I guess.
Aunt Janet - that's so interesting! I didn't know that. Figures though huh? Should've known. And yes, that's very much still a custom (not so much based on income but sometimes based on involvement in the church) - the regulars always sit up front with their families and everyone has their usual spot with new people/visitors always choosing the back. Very much like there is still 'assigned' seating. ha!
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