Lisbon with the lads

I always knew this would be a different sort of holiday from my norm. I was going with two students. And as I was doing so, all the organisation was down to me. 

One definite part of this that I got right was the accommodation, a lovely flat - "charming" was in its title. As was "large and stylish". All fair comment. The living room was indeed large and very quirkily furnished. And the kitchen very well equipped. From subsequent correspondence with the owner I found that it is actually lived in part of the year and let out part, so it is just that bit better looked after and equipped than a standard rental. Also it was in a super location - we could walk everywhere, but unlike the place I had last time in Lisbon, it wasn't over a bar with a nightly techno beat. And there was an Aldi just opposite for food (and drink) shopping. 

Perfect? Well there is no such thing. The air conditioning was a little dodgy - it seemed to produce more noise than cold air in the bedrooms, although in the living room it was fine. And it was up four flights of stairs with no lift. Which is less of a problem if you have a hulking 22 year old to carry your main suitcase up and down. Every home should have one!

I did say the place was furnished quirkily. Like these two vintage cinema seats!

Main bedroom (ie mine!)

Lads bedroom

But perhaps the most appreciated feature of the apartment was this large, super comfy alcove. Perfect spot for reading. Luka soon took it over and basically read a novel there over the holiday. Well he is an English student

We arrived late Saturday night, so were grateful that there was food left in the flat - pasta, sauce etc, so we could have something before turning in. Courtesy of Eoin who got straight to the cooking!

Sunday morning started with a posh breakfast at trendy place. Monster thick pancakes. And a jug of sangria. Start as you mean to go on!

Sunday I declared as an orientation day, just to wander around the main part of the city. Eoin had been before (but briefly and knowing him, in a drunken haze) but for Luka it was a new city.

A place you wouldn't find anywhere else in the world. A tourist shop devoted solely to selling cans of sardines!

This fine shore side building is owned by the Portuguese navy but was through the holiday known as the dead duck place because when we passed there were some deceased ducks in one corner.

The cathedral 

Below is "Liberty Avenue" a  wide boulevard lined with smart designer stores and offering a shady centre to walk down. It ran parallel with the road we were staying in.

Eye-catching art deco theatre, now also a designer shop

An entrance  to Rossio station

Praca do Comerco

The wide expanse of this square was partly taken up by a temporary concert stage 

Casa do Alentejo. There is a restaurant above at which we ate later in the week, but the courtyard is lovely to visit,. But you have to know it is there. No real sign at entrance as to what the interior might hold.

A nice evening so we chose a Portuguese restaurant and ate outside for an early dinner. Yes I went for the fish

Then back to the flat, turned up the excellent sound system and hit the booze, notably very cheap but excellent port from the supermarket - about a fiver a bottle. The evening went on to about midnight, whereupon I turned in and the lads decided to find out what Lisbon's nightlife might be like. Lets just say what goes on on tour stays on tour. They got in about 3:30am. And Monday was a write off. All I will say😂