Wow i was TIRED. I slept really hard on the plane and when I got to the metro station to buy my ticket, I just did not see the button for English. When I asked the lady for help, she was super nice but looked at me incredulously like I was seriously the biggest idiot Alive. Sigh lol
All easy on the above ground “tram” system. I snuck in a Pastis de Nata tart 😍 So. Good. gonna have one every day I think. And wine. Definitely get on the wine.
Luckily, I was able to check in super early at my Airbnb at 9am! I got settled, worked, showered and felt good as new 🙂
My friend recommended franceschina @ Cafe Santiago and when I googled it, one of the franchisees were across the street where I’m staying! 😀 Super pleased that is so close so I pop down and the waiter is super friendly and suggests a delicious dry, strong white wine and even lets me try it first, an Alentejano. Yum! Massive glass, 2,40€. Less than Toulouse, wow.
Tried this franschina thing: ok. A lot of bread, meats, cheese and funky sauce, like a bit of fermented, Sirracha smell and smoked up taste. Glad I tried it but not my jam!
So much wine. so delicious and cheap here!
Popped into Majestic cafe around the corner. Wow what an interior with the Art Nouveau decor (as my friend says!)!! Very pricey too as my friend warned me, at least double but friendly staff and fast…need to turn over those tables!
Gorgeous architecture! All the tile work wow!! 😀 😀 😀
Walked by:
• Iglesia de los Clérigos
• Avenida dos Aliados
• Cais da Ribeira
• Ribeira Square: Unesco site!
• Town hall 🙂
Weird addresses!!! Very difficult to find on google maps often.
Did some work but also some sightseeing 😀
Went up the Funicular dos Guindais to Luís I Bridge. Very cool! It’s VERY high up and kinda freaked me up but really nice and worth walking across! Saw the Cais da Ribeira… just breathtaking ❤
Also saw the São Bento Station: Amazing tile work inside the station: Stunning!!
Walked by the Livraria Lello fancy bookshop where JK Rowling hung out haha there was a big queue to go in :p
I live near Rua des Flores 🙂 So cool 😀
Next day was a big work day and I was pooped! Did have a nice seafood lunch and saw the Rotunda da Anémona – billowing public art piece 🙂
Saturday: Weekend!
Didn’t sleep that well and was up at 645am sigh
Oh well after planning for my departure tmr, off i went to see the chuches before wine (port) tasting 🙂
One church was very nice and had a museum. 1€ entry ok.
Couldn’t find the next Ingresa so of to the Port tasting…down a dodgy backstreet like road but nice views & straight to the bridge 🙂
Hahaha tasting doesn’t open til 11 so a walk along the waterfront, incredible views, light wind, sun on my back 😊
Cool street art of a rabbit. Not a painting but 3-D with materials!
Nice detour to Ingresa santa marinha 🙂 amazing tile art amongst the altars
Finally… Port tasting! @ cave calem and the dude was so friendly!!
Tried white port: quite sweet and straight up. Ruby is more like wine with a hint of that deep classic sweetness
Tawny is the classique 🙂
Okkkkk slightly tipsy but I’m ok. I’m at cantina 32 and ready… Antique bookstore next door is cool!
Street artist reading poetry… Only in Spain and Portugal!
Yessss i lined up 10 mins early and made it into cantina 32! Got some nice white wine and sauteed squid in butter and cod in Bras style with fries and “sauce” and onions + egg: both mmmm yum! Decent sized portions too I’m stuffed!
A bit windy so changed to sit inside. What a nice setting! Oh boy I’m stuffed!
Hahaha ingreja de clerigos: security dude was funny when he said ” the moment they charge for the church, something is wrong” lol
Ingreja de carmo: just saw the church. Uhhh i think the gal tried to upsell me?! What?
Went down some steep stairs to get to the palace..best to bring your good walking shoes! The Palace was underwhelming but I saw the market! So off to get distracted! Ooo the Urban market is crafts and outdoor patio! Free washroom lol got a raspberry ice bar. Mmmm :9
Hmmm the monument is paid… I gave it a miss. Now Google leads me up a backstret with tiny cafes and wine bars 😊😊
Bugger have to pay for the cathedral too oh well off i go!
Santa catalina was busy as! Cool to see an old authentic tram trunddle by. Amazing chapel of souls … Close by to my place !
Had a nap…holy cow i was exhausted.
Walked to check out praca da republica. Ok… Nothing special. But walking down from there, towards Igreja do Carmo, the upcoming area with Nicolau healthy food cafe, The lazy breakfast resto, bar Adeula and the is super cool! There was a pop up market with artisans, Mercado Porto Belo , @ praca de carlos alberto 🙂 bags, soaps, jewelry, art etc
Ok i am tired . I accidentally went to Ingreso de Carmo twice …. In the same day lolll I even recognise the lady selling tickets, gosh all the Jesus figurines are really bloody and graphic…
My friend recommended this near the Ingreja do Carmo too: Leitaria da Quinta do Paço. Yummy looking eclairs! Yucky lookin croissants lol Cool little square!! Knife skills watching him thinly slice cucumber and decorative leaves! Ooo i see aburi sushi!
Popped into bar Adeula for a glass of green wine… Holy cow 2.50€ and it’s a huge glass … Like double of that in Toulouse! Super funky nice bar!
Easy walk (everything really is super close!) To the well-rated sushi resto, Sushibattousai cafe and resto, right by my house. Just craving Asian food and quality light dinner! The chef looks like he is japanese! Omg yummmm 6 diff little pieces so it’s like a mini degustation! Love the sushi with the tempura coating (still warm!) Wow!! Hmm 2 pieces of spring roll too like an appy? I’m cool with that, they are deeelish. 100% would come back!
Chat with my sis on logistics to get back to Vancouver 😊 then pack and sleeeeppp
I slept really well it was great! Even had time to wash my hair hehe uber to airport was uneventful and so was check in. Got some Portuguese saucisson to try!
Waiting outside and can see people disembarking… Gosh we are gonna get straight onto that plan… How cleaning an ventilating happens eh? Glad I use double masks.
Odd. The flight staff at the boarding gate was confused why I didn’t have a visa iny passport… Maybe her first day? For canadians is automatic for the 90 days Schengen visa. Funny enough I was planning ahead what to show and say to the border guard but since I’m flying within the EU that won’t be necessary!
Finally we’re off, after a 25 min delay. Back to Paris 🙂 hahaha my row included an elderly lady and a child in her care. It was 845 am and she got the kid a full size Kit Kat for breakfast hahaha
Antics & Adventures 