Lisbon, Portugal

A 10 hour train ride from Madrid, got us into Lisbon, where our pre-booked hostel turned out to be a dump. Priceline to the rescue, and we were sitting in a 4 star Holiday Inn for almost the same price.A King size bed is virtually extinct in Europe...but we got one!!!


Portugal houses are usually have tiles decorating the exterior.

and apparently trees coming out of the roof.

Easter also had some interesting sweets. Candy covered almonds...and they're decorated!!

Built on 7 hills, Lisbon uses trams to ease the exercise.

Lisbon's outdoor elevator (a tourist trap for pictures of Lisbon)

Us enjoying ourselves in one of many mosaic tiled squares in the centre

The National Theatre

This church is best known for the riot that happened in the early 1700s. Hundreds of people were killed when they fought over the cause of the reflection. One group said it was the sun, the other thought it was the light of God.

We also saw the orchestra play...in an auditorium that looked out into the surrounding greenery.

Unlike the name, this store has nothing to do with Canada

One of many buskers...this one has won a Guiness World Record for being motionless.

This busker uses a dog for his money...

the dog even sings along to the song. It really is worth the coin.

the Arch

The Park of Nations (made for Expo) with the Oceanarium in the background.

We had a blast looking at all the ocean fish/mammals. This fish is MASSIVE!!!

We met some penguins.

and see otters

We walked through the jungle (apparently near the Indian Ocean)

and stared at the jelly fish.

Mat got eyed up by this Manta Ray

we even found Nemo in the anemones!

and this long-nosed beast. The Oceanarium was one of the coolest experiences of the trip so far.

Even the ride on the old school tram didn't beat it

We stopped off at St. George's Castel

We also stopped at the carriage museum

where we saw the original carriage where one of Portugal's kings...and the crowned Prince, were shot dead.

We wandered through St. Jerome's Monastery.

Mat tried out his skills as a gargoyle

and we enjoyed the sunny day together

The Maritime Museum was fun for Mat

We saw Queen Elizabeth's Royal Barge

The Monument to the Discoveries

The Tower of Belem

Sintra's National Palace


also houses the largest collection of tiles

Mat played King of the Castle at the Moorish Castle.

and we got a wonderful view of the city below

We also saw Pena Palace...but didn't have the patience to stand in line to see inside.

and as always, we indulged in the goodies of the area. This pastry tasted like it was apple filled---but who really knows? Not us!

This one had the same apple-like filling, but inside a dumpling type cupcake cup

The best was the McDonald's sundae with sugar balls.

Yet another wonderful 3 weeks in Europe. The next trip will be to Instanbul, Turkey and Greece...but for now, Mat's back to work and I'm heading home for a job interview---and a lot of catch-up time with those I love. See you all soon!!!

Madrid

After our Spanish Civil War tour, we spent some sun filled days in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. Here's what we did...

Wandered through Plaza Mayor

And took pictures of ourselves (apparently parents want those)

Toured the Gran Via and saw the old movie houses

And what we claim to be the predecessor to the Hard Rock Cafe

Tried to get into the public toilets (it wouldn't take his money)

and enjoyed Chocolate with Churros. The Churros are the long doughnut type things. The chocolate, while served hot, is not Hot Chocolate, but unsweetened chocolate in a mug. You dip the churros into the chocolate.

Madrid's symbol, the bear and the tree

we watched flamenco dancing in Plaza del Sol

We also took a day trip to Toldeo to see the cathedral. This is all we could take a picture of, since the $14 you spend to get in is somehow not enough to let you take a picture inside (or enough for them to write anything in English!!)

we wondered about the 'canadian'ness of the cheese. Are we really known for our cheese???

A bridge in Toledo

and Toldeo's Alcazar (fortress), which is closed to the public, but will one day become the region's Army Museum.

We stood in line to get into the Prado (art) Museum for free

and enjoyed the modern art in the Reina Sofia...

where Picasso's Guernica is on display.

We found black swans??? in the Park Retiro after getting some sun

We saw the crystal palace

and a ton of people rowing their way around a lake (a Canadian pond)

We also took in the Spanish tradition that is a bull fight. NOTE: it's not a pretty thing...the bulls die!

The crowds poured in on Sunday to watch the weekly bull fight at Madrid's Las Ventas Bull ring.

You can get seats in the sun or the shade. the sun is cheaper, so it's packed (and it's where we got our seats). Note how close we are to the people behind us. The woman in front of me was literally between my legs.

The show starts with all the participants coming across the ring to salute the box set aside for the king/diplomat present.

A sign announces the bull/matador that will fight (no English explanations, leaves much to ponder)

The bull is released and the matadors friends use their pink capes to test the bull and see which side it favours and how agressive it is.

Then a man on a horse (poor horse) comes out to stab the bull. The whole point is for these people to stab the neck muscles of the bull so that his head hangs low and he's lost blood, and therefore is not as rowdy when the matador comes out--fair? not really.

Until 1930 the horses did not have any protection and more horses died than bulls. Now the horse wears a long thick blanket around his body.

Then 2 guys come out and stick ruffled needles into the bull's neck. They want to get as close to the horse-man's wound as possible.

The needles are hooked, so that they don't fall out.

then after the bull has been sufficiently wounded, the matador comes out with his red cape and shows his skill. When the bull goes beneath his cape it is an Ole. He also shows off by getting as close to the bull as he can, and by turning his back on the bull to show his mastery of the 'beast'.

The first bull we saw was a fighter. In fact, he fought his horn right through the left thigh of the matador. The crowd gasped, while the matador was flung and tramped.

His buddies came out to rescue him and carry him off, but this matador was pissed. From the nosebleed section that was our seating, we heard a loud grunt, as he threw off his amigos and stormed back into the ring, getting a new cape...and the new sword...the sword of death.

note the turniquet on his leg

After killing the bull, the crowd waved white hankies to recognize the injury sustained by the matador.

the men in green were left to clean up the mess after the bull is dragged (literally) out of the ring.

The next bull actually knocked the horse riding stabber off of his horse. This bull did not fair well though, because the horse riding stabber got his revenge, and the bull was no longer able to charge and remain on his front feet. Because it wouldn't be a fair fight, cows were let into the ring to help herd the bull out. He didn't die in the ring, but I doubt he made it to the pasture.

In total, there were 6 bulls killed (3 matadors get 2 bulls each--though this day 1 matador had 3 bulls, because of the injury of the other matador) and 2 released because of the injuries sustained, by my least favourite people---the horse riding stabbers.

We spent a much less bloody day wandering through the Royal Palace of Madrid

and the Plaza de Espana

We also ran into some friends we met in Barcelona and joined them for some Gregorian Chanting for the holy week celebrations. The funniest part was watching the Spanish fight over it. They rushed the doors...and then fought over seats when inside. We stayed for about 45 minutes, and left (to let others come inside).

We then spent our last night in Madrid drinking and eating with our new friends (Tina is from Vancouver, and her fiance Connon from New Zealand.)

We're now going to spend a few hours in the sun before we catch our overnight train to Portugal's capital, Lisbon.