Belem

 For our final day I suggested a day in Belem, just three stops down the coast. The big sight in Belem (well apart from the tower of Belem which was closed and shrouded in scaffolding) is the monastery. It is fair to say the lads were not to excited by the prospect of this and the adjacent church. But I am pleased to say they were impressed. Might not be your thing, but of its type it is probably the best

 anywhere

Tomb of Vasco Da Gama

The monastery

Monument to Henry the Navigator

The modern art gallery is a really striking piece of architecture. The less said about what is inside the better. But the ability to amble on to the roof with the views of the river Tagus are splendid.

What the above doesn't show is the two sojourns we had in bars, with about three beers in each. It was a hot day. Afterwards Eoin did me the service of saying that was about the perfect balance of day between chilling and seeing things. Almost made me feel good about myself!

And it was a good day in truth. The best part of taking two students on holiday is the bits chatting and drinking with them if I am honest. I think they both appreciated it, ad enjoyed the experience, even if Luka's face rarely betrays it. Eoin and I came to the conclusion that he just has a mean looking resting face. Cool one though, which can break at any moment into a massive friendly grin. I just haven't got a quick enough photo lens to capture it

Back in Lisbon I had my arm twisted to buy the lads pineapples filled with alcohol and juice. Even Luka smiled

I found a wonderfully well reviewed restaurant for our last night fewer than 10 minutes from our flat. Unfortunately not every review is trustworthy, or maybe we just didn't get the best choices. It was fine, but just not the super meal I had hoped would round off the trip. I do get a kick out of judging things right, and wanted the boys to feel they had enjoyed their break.

Was just really nice getting to know the two of them better, by the simple act of spending time with them. They are not what they appear on the surface. On the surface they are two fun guys who like a drink and a good time. What is interesting is that they are both really quite intellectual and cultured but in different ways, which of course made satisfying them both a challenge. 

Luka, as one would expect from an English undergraduate, is steeped in literature, way more than I have read in my rather longer lifetime, and history too. But when it comes to visual arts, architecture, painting, artefacts, Eoin has much more of the eye while Luka has little interest. But what is refreshing is that neither of them have the slightest pretension, so no flowery language. Its like or dislike, and no respecting received wisdom. It probably helps that I am a person you can admit such things to. I don't howl down anyone who dismisses Shakespeare, or the Beatles, or any other such sacred cows. And above all I like a laugh, as do they. I am not pretending there isn't a massive age gap, and attitude gap

I don't think this will be my last trip to Lisbon. I like the place, and there are so many other things that I didn't get to see.