Trip Day 8 - Lisbon

Monday June 29

This was the day when we were supposed to arrive from the US after flying all night (if we had not gone to England for several days before). So the whole day was a bonus day for us. No plan. Just chilling. Ha-ha, we were rather late having breakfast. There was plenty of food, oh my. But most people must have been already gone.

When we walked out of the hotel going right and right again around the corner I had the feeling that I had been here before. I should have looked at my old blogs when I booked the hotel.

Well, before starting this blog (and actually finishing the previous day blog) we both did actually read blogs about the time we had been here before. We enjoyed it so much. And it emphasized that it was ok to come to the same place several times. Every time it was/is so very different. There is so much to learn.

Here are the links: (if we were there several days you need to keep clicking "newer blog".

2015 - after walking the Camino

2024 - Iberian Voyage with OAT 

Yes, in 2024 OAT (or Grand Circle = same company) we were in exactly the same hotel. When we turned right and walked uphill I knew right away that there was going to be an ALDI and there it was. Of course we went in.

Never seen tomatoes like that before though.

But we were on the way to the University of Lisbon Botanical Garden. 

When we found it we paid the entry fee which was not much but soon were disappointed. It was very promising and gorgeous but not good for us to walk. It was a lot quite steep up and down and very, very uneven with lots of stones and holes in the walkway. And hardly any benches. 

We sat on a bench for a little while contemplating what to do and finally decided that we should attempt this. Too bad. We had a good chat with a lady from Brussels which spoke good English who had the same problem with her friend (who did not speak English) who had the same problem as us. But just sitting there for a while when the ladies were gone and enjoying the piece looking into the trees was uplifting.

We had also made the mistake not taking our waterbottles with us. What had I been thinking? But when we went out through the gate and stopped for a second looking which way to go ... a cross the street was an ice cream place. Yeah! A chair for James while I ordered. Two teenage girls could not have been friendlier. I got two cups with faucet water (besides the two ice creams) and immidiately had to have them refilled. 

We fellt like new people and sat outside. 

We went back the same way we came and stopped at ALDI again. We bought some things we needed including a gigantic bottle of beer and a sandwich and a wrap to share. 

After having had our Aldi lunch we found a suitable table in the lobby and plaid our card game. It was fun.

At 6 pm we were supposed to go to floor 1 for our first introductory meeting. We met our Trip Leader Sara  and after a short intro she took our group on an orientation walk around the block including to show us where the ATM was and tell us which ones are good and which ones are not.

The walk was very similar to 2 years ago and we remembered where we ate etc etc.

We had eaten lunch very late and didn't eat anything else. But we wanted something to drink and watch a FIFA game. Germany against Paraguay. We had a pitcher of sangria which was very refreshing and not much alcohol (good) which came with nuts. 

The game was not very exciting especially since Paraguay shot a goal. We decided to go to our room and to bed. We were tired. 

Yes, it was time to have a good night's sleep. Tomottow the trip really starts. I even set the alarm clock just in case. Breakfast in the hotel is from 7-10:30 am but we are supposed to be in a conference room for a briefing at 8:30 am and sightseeing starts shortly after. We are looking forward to it. A new experience! Sweet dreams!