Heading to Lisbon

Saturday was the day we were heading to mainland Europe.  Since my mom was staying at a hotel in Praia, and on Saturday’s the stores close at noon, Ryan and I headed downtown to spend the morning out and about.  We started off with some breakfast at Mimos Pasteleria.  While we waited for our egg sandwiches, we enjoyed these Dona Amelias and coffees.

 

 

Then the steaming hot sandwiches were served.

After walking around for a little bit, Ryan took us to the airport.  Our local airport is tiny.  Super tiny!

 

 

I love when they have these on the plane.

 

We are just starting out here.  The flight from the island to Lisbon was only about 2 hours.

 

They served a little snack pack, but it was meat, so I ate the little muffin instead.

 

 

I did think the coffee service was really cute.  Since I drink coffee now, this was the first flight I have been on where I paid attention to the coffee service.

Here we go…Mainland Portugal!

 

When we arrived to the hotel there was a group of about 400 (per a hotel employee) getting back and they were served water bottles and sandwiches.  We tried to snatch something, but were unsuccessful.  I think they are German and I do not speak any German so I am sure I do not fit in with them.

 

This is the hotel bar.

 

Once we checked in, it was time for a shower and a quick rest before dinner.  I love the rooms here.  This is the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel and Spa and it is really nice.  I love the glass enclosed shower/tub that overlooks the bed.

The room is a good size.

 

Oh, and the shower has blinds so that you can get some privacy.

 

We finally headed out to dinner in the main restaurant park in Lisbon.  We decided to walk because it was only about 20-30 minutes away.  These are some buildings that I really thought were neat.

 

 

Heading downtown.

 

They have tons of monuments and statues around.  I am not sure what they are all, but I did take a bunch of pictures of them.  This is at the main circle where we turned down the Avenida da Liberdade towards the restaurants.

They have a giant Portuguese flag and lawn area by this statue.

 

There were beautiful tree lined streets everywhere.

 

 

 

 

They have these cute trolley cars.

 

Yes, I am a Hard Rock Cafe junkie and I collect shirts.  I have been doing this ever since I watched an episode of Jeopardy and the contestant was asked about her Hard Rock shirt collection.  They wanted to know which shirt she thought she would never get and she responded with Reykjavik, which is in island.  Strangely, I was going to be in Reykjavik the next month, and I thought that was awesome that I could get that shirt when many other people never would.  Therefore, I started my collection knowing it would always be better than some girl on Jeopardy.  Yes, I am that weird.  I was a junior in high school at the time, so this was a while ago, but I still kept to my collection.  The Hard Rock Reykjavik no longer exists, and I still love to wear my shirt.

 

 

This street is a foodie’s dream.  It is lined with restaurants, all of which boast outdoor tables.  They are mostly Portuguese restaurants, but there is also a lot of Indian, and I even saw a mixed Asian restaurant.

 

 

We selected Indian because we knew we would get good vegetarian food, and the Portuguese places were similar to the same food we have been eating on the island.

 

We started with some good papadum.

 

I ordered a Sagres, which is a Portuguese beer.  I do drink this on the island.

 

Veggie Samosas

 

 

Naan

 

Rice

 

Saag Aloo (Spinach and Potato)

 

Vegetable Paneer

 

Tandoori Shrimp

 

After dinner, since it was still light out at 9 pm, we walked around the area.  They have lovely architecture here.  I love old buildings.  I minored in history when I was in college so I really enjoy historical things.

 

 

 

We had to check out their McDonalds.  They were very busy.  Happy Meal anyone?

 

Up on this hill was a castle or fortress.

 

Very cool looking.

 

 

 

Then we headed back to the square for some dessert.

 

  

I love this version of rice pudding.  We do get this on the island too.

QUESTIONS:  Have you ever been to Portugal?  Do you like Indian food?  Do you collect anything from the Hard Rock Cafe?