We’re docked in the old part of the city where we have a nice view but the city is really very modern.
This aqueduct was built starting in 1713 and is still operational but they aren’t using it. Its main course covers twelve miles.
Dale stayed back today because of these.
Most of the tours today were going to old parts of the area where walking is difficult; everything’s cobblestones and the narrow alleys are crowded and on sometimes steep angles. I went to Queluz Palace about an hour and a half from Lisbon. Although it was only a royal residence for 13 years it was used by nobles and others for a few years more and then left empty for 50 years before coming under government caretakership and opened to the public. It is impressive! Our guide was a history buff so he did a great job of interpreting it for us. The gardens were a great part of the experience.
The Portuguese had palaces in several cities and the Palace of Sintra was our next stop. We didn’t get inside here but enjoyed walking through the very touristy town high up in the hills.
You can see part of the older palace up on top of the hills.
Their signature ceramic tiles were everywhere. They use them to make signs for their businesses, large pictures for their walls, trivets and everything in between. And then there are sardines. Sardines are a staple of the Portuguese cuisine, especially grilled over charcoal. Something I never would have thought of!
Our young guide was quite opinionated and called his country, where he loves to live in his parents’ home, a liberal, Catholic, socialist, corrupt, country full of people who came from sturdy warrior stock but who are now acting like sheep. I haven’t been here long enough to evaluate those opinions.
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