Walking the hill down from Alfama to Cais Do Sodre to catch the morning train to Belem is easy on the legs, cause it’s downhill.  20,000 steps later climbing up the hill late back to the Dalma Hotel in the evening is not quite so easy :). Steps and stair climbing are a daily necessity in Lisbon.

It’s an easy 3-stop train journey to arrive in Belem and a chance to visit a charming part of Lisbon that comes from the Portuguese word for Bethlehem. Many historical buildings, sun drenched avenues, and a thoroughly enjoyable area to visit, have lunch and find time for the contemporary art at Museu Coleção Berardo.

Belem is home to Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and it is majestic.  The idea was conceived in 1939 but it took 21 years until 1960 before it was erected to celebrate the death of Henry the Navigator.  It’s an impressive 171 feet high monument and is known as the “Monument of Discoveries”….thank heaven for Wikipedia.  A cramped elevator to the top allows you an even more cramped viewing areas were the words sardines and side shuffling are prevalent. Though, the view is magnificent.

Another long line led to the Jerónimos Monastery which is a World Heritage site.  I would like to say to was eye catching, jaw dropping and amazing, but it wasn’t, it was kind of alright.  Lots of historical relevance and a beautiful design dating back to 1501 and took 100 years to build and provides a richly ornate architectural style.

An evening meal at O Prego where an enjoyable meal was found …but more tourists 😦  I’ve travelled to quite a few places, but it is a long time since I saw so many bloody tourists.  It is October, so I would dread to think what Lisbon is like in the summer.  Don’t get me wrong, Lisbon is great, easy on the eye, lots of places of interest and things to do, but I don’t want to see so many tourists at every turn.  If I was staying longer in Portugal, I would be off to find pastures new.  As it is I’m off to Slovakia in 2 days, so that should cover it.