Henry The Navigator

Chilly, cloudy start to the day in Lisbon. Birthday boy decided to do the Discoveries Monument, thinking it would be a short stroll from the City. It's miles out, off the map that we were given of the local area so we head for the Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus. Of course we sit on the [open] top deck and by the time we get to Belem we're chilled to the marrow!

Plenty to see in the city and we hop off the bus near the Discoveries Monument, commemorating the Age of Discovery patronised by Prince Henry the Navigator [ son of King John I (João I) of Portugal and his English wife, Philippa of Lancaster]. Rather enjoyed the running commentary on the tourist bus too, telling us about the areas we were passing through. As ever I'm transfixed by the monuments and want to take the definitive photo of it. The Belem Tower, a defensive tower at the mouth of the Tagus, is nearby so we also visit there [more photos].

There's soon another tourist bus to hop on for the return trip to the city centre. Again, plenty to see and photograph in the city centre which has plenty of beautiful buildings for me. The city was devastated by an earthquake in 1755, seems difficult to imagine a place so "close" to home being affected by earthquakes, with fires and a tsunami inflicting even more widespread destruction.

We take our time strolling back through the city centre, but it's still cold and only starts to clear and warm up around lunchtime. We're back on board by about 3.30, having been out wandering around since 10am, so in need of a siesta.

At dinner tonight K has a quiet word with the waiters to tell them it's my birthday. Our fellow guests at the table are wondering why dessert is taking so long, then a cake [with candles of course] appears, together with half a dozen smiling waiters to sing Happy Birthday to me. So embarrassing, but fun and enjoyable. Then one of the fellow diners, C, says they've been given a bottle of champagne which they don't drink and would we like it to celebrate? We spend the rest of the night in their company emptying the bottle of champagne between K and me and eventually crawl off to bed about 12.30. Zzzzzzzzzz

Happy Birthday!