So Here's Our Vacation Blog...

This morning we were supposed to go on a boat ride to see the Carvoeiro caves, but all passenger rides were called off due to rough seas.  Crap!  On the other hand, it gave us time for other stuff (a life motto - never run out of stuff to do).  Before we got into Lisbon we stopped at the ‘Sanctuario Nacional de Cristo Rei.,’ which is across the river from Lisbon.  The monument is ~365 feet tall at Jesus’ feet, and you can take an elevator to that level for a 360 degree view of the city.  Interesting story as to why this exists, beginning with the Bishop of Lisbon visiting Rio, admiring their statue on a mountain, and convincing the religious and secular leaders to build one if Portugal were to stay out of the war.  Portugal did and the memorial was built.

Here’s the top side of the bridge we showed you when we went on our sailboat cruise.

And a view of the city.  This is only the eastern half, as it also extends far to the west.  This picture is the Baixa area where we stayed last time through.

Since we were on the other side of the river it was easy to drive down some twisting alleys to the waterfront, which again we saw on the sailboat cruise.  Terribly dangerous looking area, but now with a pedestrian walkway and two restaurants serving local seafood like this tuna tataki, seared in olive oil, black pepper, and sesame seeds.  Fabulous.

Marge approved.

Checked into our room on Avenida da Liberdade, which is the main high-class shopping district in Lisbon.  Modeled after Champs-Élysées in Paris, it’s a boulevard with center lanes for cars, then on each side are wide pedestrian areas with streams and fountains under canopies formed by the massive trees, benches, outdoor cafes, etc., then the outside lanes are for taxis and local residents.  A mile and a half of cobblestones , marble, and granite, and very impressive.

More impressive are the stores.  Think of every high-end store you’ve ever seen, like Dolce & Gabbana, Higo Boss, Zadig & Voltaire, Cartier, and throw in an equal number you’ve never heard of because they don’t have stores in Detroit (like Maje, rhymes with Dodge, which you will hear about later).  Our tres chic sixth floor apartment looks out over all the action, and walking out the door puts us in the middle of it - for a couple days.

We decided to live it up, and went to the Sky Bar a couple blocks away, on top of a luxury hotel (doormen in tuxedos and top hats).  Best view of the city from a rooftop bar, they say, and I believe them.  Cheers!

Next stop was the Red Frog Speakeasy.  Nondescript, no sign, just a red frog on the side of a building and a locked door.  Push the button, tell them you want drinks, and they buzz you into a downstairs room that’s much more elegant than a speakeasy was in the 1930s. Marge opted for a gin drink with dill, pineapple, celery, and borage (I’ll make you look that one up) served in a shallow bowl, called Slow & Fast, while I opted for my usual single malt scotch, except I asked for a dirty glass.

We wanted to go to the Lisbon Jazz Club, also nearby, but they didn’t open until 10:00 and who knows when the band would show up (jazz musicians aren’t known to be the most punctual), so we walked about a mile to the area where we stayed last month for one last hurrah and to get something to eat.  We joked about getting Piri-Piri chicken, because I wanted to ry it, couldn’t find it, and then was told by a local that it’s what they order when they get carry-out!  Well today was my lucky day, because the restaurant we chose had it on the menu.  A little more formal that carry-out, it was a tomato-based broth with many minced vegetables in it, and it tasted like they partially grilled the chicken and then let it simmer in the broth, or some such method.  In any case, it was fantastic!  Reminded me of a dish we sometimes get in Windsor from an out-of-the-way, lower lever Italian place - Chicken Diable - which is hot enough to burn your lips but tasty enough that you can’t stop eating it.  Marge will have to find a recipe for this one!

So off to bed and tomorrow will be our last shopping day before repacking a month’s worth of treasures for the trip home.  Wish us luck!