Lisbon - a city older than Paris, London or Rome

Our plan to arrive in Lisbon in daylight was not to be, and we arrived in at 0400 to the sounds of the local nightspots in full swing - we decided against mooring in front of the local nightclub and moved slightly further up river to a marina behind the container port where we are surrounded by Maersk containers.

25th April Bridge

 We are a stones throw from this bridge - and it sounds like a hurricane is blowing 24 hours of the day!  It's an open grid construction and the noise of the tyres on it is deafening when you are underneath it.  Built in 1966, it's 2277m long with a unsupported span of 1013m, it's 70m high but still scary to sail underneath!  (Apparently one of our followers knew the man who built / designed it - next time, tell him to make it a solid surface!!)

The sights of Lisbon - you really need to see it for yourself, but here are a few of the many reasons to visit:

Belem Tower

The Belem Tower is a Unesco World Heritage Site because of the significance it played in the Portuguese Maritime Discoveries of the Era of the 'Age of Discoveries', built in the 16th Century.

Monument to the Discoveries

Continuing the theme of Discoveries, this huge sculpture built in 1960 was one of several projects to mark the anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, an important figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire - each figure is a renowned navigator or mathematician.

Jeronimos Monastery

Another Unesco World Heritage Site - building originally started in 1459 and was completed over 100 years later.

And this is why it took so long to build!

Then we followed the cycle path

Extreme Cycling - and no, we didn't cycle down the other side either!

Past the Urban Gardening Scheme

Along the Promenade

Past the Boat Yard!

Up and down the cobbled streets - the tram tracks really are a cyclists' nightmare!

 Along to Estrela Basilica

A quick pee stop - men only!

The View from the Top

Back down past the Sao Bento Palace, the Parliament Building

And finally past the Lisbon Cathedral, Lisbon's oldest building, built in 1150 for the Cities' first Bishop - the English Crusader GILBERT OF HASTINGS!!!

Enough Culture for now, we're heading back out to sea - on to Lagos.