Lisbon Day 3

BACKBLIP
Opened the shutters to another gorgeous blue sky morning and sat on the terrace watching the planes glide in over the rooftops to the airport around two miles further east.

Today we decided to hire bikes and go cycling from Parque das Nacoes to Cais do Sodre which is all cycle path. The path does go further on to Belem but that’s a bit far for a holiday cycle!

We got ready and again early out the door by 9 walking through the narrow streets of Alfama for our breakfast at Alfama Doce, breakfast for three sitting inside for 8 Euros and that was coffee, fresh orange juice and pastries, all tasty.

A walk downhill to the oldest and very beautiful train station in Lisbon called Santa Apolonia on to one of the newest the Gare do Oriente built for Expo 98’. This part of the city is all very modern, full of light and big open spaces, right next to the River Tejo and overlooks the majestic Vasco da Gama bridge, all 18km of it.

Picked up the bikes at one of the buildings near the marina, and we cycled back the way we had came in the train. A few pit stops for water and then a sit down at Cais do Sodre for food.

Headed back to Parque das Nacoes and worked up another appetite so we stopped off for more food and beverage in a little Cafe overlooking the marina. This is what holidays are about too, the sitting moments watching the world go by and chatting about funnny happenings so far and the days to come. In the sunshine. We then saddled up and cycled along to the side of the Vasco d Gama Bridge - good walkways I must say. Yes, after at least one hour without a refreshment we needed more so cycled along the front and stopped at a Japanese tea shop that did great waffles and this is where I received a message with cameron’s First year report. I had one of these proud Nana moments as every teacher had given him Excellent against the subjects. He’s done so well I had a little tear......

Took the bikes back just before 5 and walked along to the station, browsed a few of the very expensive shops inside the station and stared in amazement at a group of cycling Chinese putting their bikes into a very small lift !

By the time we got back to the apartment, uphill walk again, it was after 7 so this night we went to a nice restaurant round the corner. Not far to wander home shattered.

Steps walked today including the cycling conversion 19,872. another fabulous day.