Portuguese Coastline
My trip started out in a funny way, I had planned to fly from Lyon to Lisbon, but unfortunately the French ATC was on strike. With my flight cancelled I decided to try to get to Lisbon via Barcelona. After a night bus to Barcelona, and a day on the breach on Barcelona drinking sangria (every layover should include sangria and beaches), I flew to Lisbon.
After arriving on Lisbon I met up with my friend Rachel and her friends in the hostel. The hostel was fantastic and I highly recommend staying there (Home Hostel Lisbon). After I got settled in we headed out for a nice dinner and drinks drinks, before exploring Lisbon a little by night.
Town hall in Sintra
The next day we took a day trip to Sintra via train. The trains in Portugal are very cheap and easy to use, ours took about 40 min and cost about 5€ return. Once we arrived in Sintra we decided that the best way to see the surrounding area would be to hire a guide and her car. For 15€ each we had a car and a guide for the entire day. We explored the estate of Penha Verde and it's surrounding gardens. Perhaps the most interesting part was the inverted tower which is a lot like a giant well with a spiral staircase.
The Inverted Tower
We then went to visit the most western point in Europe and then headed to the National Palace of Pena up on the mountain. After exploring the Palace, we headed back to the train and home to our hostel in Lisbon. We got back just in time for "mamma's dinner" a lovely home cooked meal with 3 courses and free wine and beer for 10€... I think it is the best meal I have ever had in a hostel. Don't miss it if you're in Lisbon!
The Palace of Pena
The next day, I headed out on my standard walking tour and explored the Alfamapart of town. After I finished we all headed to the beach across the river. It was quite lovely and had a few small waves with folks trying out surfing. I had a nap and got into my book a little bit more.
One of the Main squares in Lisbon
After taking the boat back across the river we wandered back into the hostel with just enough time for me to sneak into "mamma's dinner". After dinner we all went for one last walk around Lisbon with one of the girls who had just checked in. There was a great big gay pride concert/show going on next to the river so we hung out there for a bit and enjoyed the music before wandering in a big circle and getting back to the hostel just in time for bed.
Main Street
Castle of the Moors
