A short cultural break in Lisbon

It felt slightly strange to leave Maunie to get the very good express bus to Lisbon yesterday morning (about 90 minutes journey for 10 Euros each) and we had a great afternoon wandering around the Belem area by the river. 

Our hotel is about 200m from the famous Pasteis de Belem bakery (their small tarts - a bit like custard tarts but with sticky filou pastry - are to die for, so we had lunch there with 2 each for pudding!). We walked the riverside so here are a few photos to give you a flavour of the place:

 Torre de Belem

 National Monument to those lost in battle

  Monasterio dos Jeronimos and Bald Head

After an exhausting afternoon's sightseeing we had a glass of wine in a cafe in the park then went to an absolutely brilliant little restaurant that had rave reviews on various websites. The food was superb and the two waiters very friendly and helpful. The place only has about 6 tables and the walls are lines with shelves full of bottles of wine and port - when you ask so see the wine list, they hand you a pair of binoculars!

Today (Friday) we'll visit the Maritime Museum, which is said to be excellent, and no doubt eat well again. I't forecast to be 26 degrees C so there may be a short siesta involved, too!