Lisbon to Le Havre

Lisbon




We sailed up the Tagus River into Lisbon at about 11:30 am and I thought I was dreaming. There just before my very eyes was the GGB (Golden Gate Bridge to we Californians). The Portugese built an exact replica in the 1960's and it truly is a twin of our GGB. Anyway, by the time I recovered from my shock we were docked under it.



We rushed off the ship and hired a private guide to drag us around for the day. He had a Mercedes but it was still tight. A few more days of eating and we couldn't get I at all. We began with a trip along the coast to Estoril and Cascais, two beautiful seaside resorts reminicent of the French Riviera. It was quaint and beautiful with charming small winding side streets and mansions from earlier, better times such as La Belle Epoch. There were beautiful boats in the harbor and lovely, charming old hotels. The history of Lisbon and surrounding towns is replete with espionage. It was the spy capital of World War Two and many of thse older hotels were right in the middle of it. Fascinating stuff. I can just pictre myself in one of these grand old hotels worming information out of some nazi general!



After a walk about we contined on to the mountain village of Sintra, where we were knocked out by the beautiful turn-of-the-century palaces of nobility and wanna-be nobility. Situated high in he mountains, the views are spectacular, the air is fresh and unpolluted and there is a sense of the pristine about the whole place. We had a light bite in a local pastisserie where all the old ladies were slugging down shots of expensive expresso for that afternoon energy jolt. We wandere up and down the narrow winding streets, climbing the slippery narrow flights of steps. This is definitely a hill town. Lots of outdoor cafes and shops selling ceramics and things made out of cork. They are masters at ceramics but I did not buy a thing. Just to see all those magnificent homes and palaces was worth the trip, not to mention those breathtaking vistas. We talked the driver into letting us use the WC in a very fancy, very classy, very secluded old hotel which was converted from one of the old mansions. Wow! I could have stayed there all day! But alas, it was time for the city of Lisbon. It has a population of 600,000, a few interesting old buildings, a monestary, a castle with nothing in it, awalking street, nothing to buy, one or two interesting monuments dedicated to the famous native explorers and thousands of insane soccer fans. We stumbled upon a pep ralley and I thought I would go deaf! Oh yes, the traffic is horrendous. That is Lisbon in a nutshell. The one good thing is they warned us about pickpockets but we couldn't find any for Jerry to give the old law enforcement death grip to.



We are now in the middle of a cold, rough sea day off the coast of Spain. I did Zumba this morning so I am not a total slug. The UK did our passport control this morning so we can get right off in Dover without wasting any time getting to Canterbury. Next stop is Le Havre, where we will head for Honfleur. In the meantime I have to get ready later for our last formal night.



A great formal night. We cleaned up quite well. The food was great. We fell asleep during the show. We took photos and had some really great laughs with Eileen and Steve. They are such super wonderful travel companions. We are so lucky.



Another day at sea



Today we stayed inside and played canasta on our last sea day. It is cold outside. Had a wonderful brunch , did zumba and played cards We are all looking forward to our port stop in France tomorrow. The Olitskys are going to Normandy. We have been there so we are going to Honfleur, where Monet painted. I love it there. 10:30 pm and still light out off the French coast.  It is freezing!