Lisbon, Tues, 10/12/21

 

Another full-to-the-max day in Portugal!  We set forth at 8:30am to visit Lisbon's Belem neighborhood, picking up our local guide, Lenora.  Portuguese navigators set sail from Belem on their expedition and "discovery" of India.  We were dropped off in a lovely park overlooking the Tagus River.  Wood pigeons picked at the grass beneath great Stone Pines, which are shaped like perfect half spheres with lush green crowns on short trunks.  Look 'em up, they're pretty neat pine trees.

In the park:  The first plane to fly across the Atlantic from Portugal.

A partial map of Portugal's look at the world back in Vasco da Gama's day, top left.  Whimsical figures dotted the giant round marble map.

The substantial (!!) Belem Tower was constructed between 1514-1519 to defend the Tagus River and the City of Lisbon.  Jimmy and I were standing far enough away that the tower doesn't appear too large ... but it is.  No, we couldn't go up inside.

We had to drive a bit further to get to this special monument, which celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (Age of Exploration) during the 15th and 16th centuries. (Think Vasco da Gama, a name we're hearing often here, of course.)

In this statue, a stylized caravel seems to be setting out to sea, with Henry the Navigator in its prow.  Our guide, Lenora, told us names of all the people were with Henry, but I do not remember!

 

On our way to the next stop ...

... which was the National Tile Museum, housed in the former "Madre de Deus" Convent.  Here I took lots of pictures, probably too many if there is any such thing, because -- again -- this centuries-old building and its contents were beyond gorgeous.  How many adjectives can I use and re-use to describe these opulent or extravagant or awesomely beautiful castles and decorations?  Notice the cute tiled sign for the Tile Museum's restrooms!

Had to take a pic of this one!

Old and new styles.  Many from long, long ago.

And then we entered the former church and convent,

and all stood agape at what they saw.

The lower walls of the church were tiled as you see above, in these huge fantastic scenes.  We walked from room to room, admiring and ogling.

We moved outside the main church to access stairs to the next level.  Here we saw this cat and mouse tiled panel.  Kind of a strange-looking kitty!

I wish I could recall at least some of what we heard, but we move to fast with no time to jot things down, and I have too much brain clutter to retain our guide's words.  No matter, just enjoy!

Yup, it was real.

A section of the ceiling!

The opulence!

Looking down on the altar from the second level.

Gilt wood and tile.

After being overwhelmed by both the tiles and the convent/church, it was back on the bus to check out the Alfama section of Lisbon.  Pictures below.  Alfama is a neighborhood of steep and narrow cobblestone streets with lots of shops featuring traditional crafts, and cafes.

Jimmy, Ibby, and Bernice.

Once again to the bus for a short drive to Chiado, another old Lisbon neighborhood -- this time of the bourgeoisie of the 19th Century. We walked and talked and gazed at everything.  Left then on our own for lunch, we four found an off-the-beaten path cafe, and each of us enjoyed what we had. Jimmy had grilled chicken, Bernice and Ibby had grilled octopus, and I had grilled sardines. Yowza!

Finally, we were on our way to our new hotel, this one in Condeixa, roughly two hours north by bus and more inland.  So far we are liking Portugal.