Portugal – Lisbon

Lisbon was pretty easy to get to with a non-stop train from Sintra. I got to my accommodation, Lisbon Destination Hostel, which was right at the station so it’s convenient for me to get around since I’ll only be here a couple nights and one full day. I got there around 5:30PM.

 

Pretty nice place. Quiet. Seems to attract decent patrons as well. Or maybe the backpacking scene has changed, no longer as wild as when I started in the 90s.

The beds have their own card locks as well, same as MHH.

Lavadores. Just happened to see it passing by… The top of this elevator gives you a birds’ eye view of Lisbon. The wait was an hour, can’t be bothered.

Baxia/Rossio. This is restaurants and shopping center, fairly modern. There were market stalls around, but mainly food and wine. Wasn’t hungry just yet. So I kept walking.

 

Castelo de St Jorge. My first stop. I was there just before suset. Took me a fair bit of walk from downtown.

After the palaces of Sintra, this was a bit of a let-down. Plus, something from the blasts of wind triggered my allergy. And I thought hayfever season over! I was sneezing, and my eyes were so irritated it felt like chilli was smeared over it!

Alfama. Mirador de Sta Lucia. I just ended up there accidentally. It was a pretty sight of sunset amongst lush blooms of purple bougainvilla. From afar, up the hills, I saw them and thought they were jacarandas.

 

 

Tram 28, saw it and just hopped on it, not knowing where it’s headed. I guess it was a good way to see the city. On the way to Estrella, I was mostly squished in the middle so I could harldy see anything. On the return, Graca bound, I managed to get a sit and see the streetscape… it was night but there wasn’t much around that impressed me.

 

 

 

I felt I could’ve have stayed one more night in Sintra and would’ve been the better for it.

 

June 30 2018

My highlights for the day was a really good cup of chocololate at Fabrica Lisboa enjoying it’s cool ambience; spotting Shepherd Fairey and Vhils collaboration street art; and partying the night away with the full moon at Pensao Amor, the most popular and hottest club in the Pink Street (or maybe the whole of Lisbon).

I started the day a bit late… it was past noon by the time I got out. I’d been figuring out where to go and what to do. The rain and cloud did not inspire a day out at the beach where I initially wanted to go. Maybe I’m just let-down at how anticlimactic and grubby Lisbon felt having come from Sintra. I found it hard to navigate – maybe because I just didn’t prepare for Lisbon as I did for Sintra.

I thought I could just parachute it. I guess some cities you just can’t – Lisbon is one of them.

Checked out Centro Commercio and Porta del Sol (saw a cruise ship).

I ended up shopping at Baxia-Chiado (I decided too dreary to go to Belem). Had another couple of go’s at Tram 28. I finally came to the conclusion, that’s as good as it gets for Alfama – I guess I would’ve had a richer experience with local guides.

 

I went to the Street Art Gallery. I was expecting a street or alley like that in Melbourne and Toronto with vibrant and diverse street art styles. It was only a couple of buildings covered with murals and graffiti. Not even sure who the artists were, I’m guessing one of them is Blu (similar style to his work I saw in Buenos Aires.

Unsatisfied, I moved on hunting for Vhils. I was delighted to see street art collaboration of world-class artists Sheppard Faiery and Vhils at Graca. I couldn’t help thinking, there should be so much more interesting street art scene here in Lisbon! I try not to regret it, but I would have saved myself a lot of time, guesswork and getting lost if I had just booked a street art tour. It was already late when I found out about Village Underground and LX Factory.

 

But it wasn’t too late to find out about Pink Street! I looked at the map, and there it was taunting me: Pink Street of Lisbon. I thought, well, I am still full from my dinner of bacalu, traditional Portuguese food. I better burn it off! I put on my coat, my new made-in-Portugal boots and shorts from Zara, determined not to leave town without a good dance!

It was 3sh am when I got to the hostel. Main entrance was already closed, I had to buzz reception. Not sure if anyone can see me making faces and howling to the full moon. No, I wasn’t drunk… well, I already wore off the vodka from dancing. It was all the good-feels pumping up!

Young bloke comes out and asked, “where’d you go?”

“I went to Pensao Amor!”

“Did you break any hearts?”

I thought about the night… it was already 10 PM when I decided to go out, against good sense, and went alone to the Pink Street of Lisbon. I heard it was the clubbing scene in town.

By the time I got there, it was already buzzing. I saw this place, Pensao Amor, very packed. I could see through the window chandeliers, interesting decor… I went in, no cover charge. The walls were painted with pin-up girls and burlesque.

“Nah, but I felt like Cinderella… The DJ loved my dancing, so she asked me to dance on the ledge. Her sounds were great! Boogie, latin, hip-hop… I danced to them all!

DJ and I had a connection going on the stage, I guess we both energized the crowd, her with her sounds, and me with my dancing. Got high-fives here and there, guys wanting to dance with me — but the DJ got me first! On the stage!

It sure made up for my blah day… great night. Full moon party! Awoooooooo!!!

Lisbon didn’t do much for me, but I at least ended with a big bang of a dance party!