Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
I think I’d describe today as a bit disappointing. I’d really been looking forward to visiting Sintra. It was on our way from Ericeira to Lisbon and we’d planned to stop there on the way. We’d read about a lovely scenic drive that we could take there, first disappointment, couldn’t find it. We gave up and took a bigger road.
Arrived near the historic centre of Sintra and spotted a free car park. We couldn’t believe our luck and happily grabbed it. The car was over the rear line a bit because all the cars in front of us were over the line a bit. We thought that was a good thing. No one would be able to fit in the space behind it and block us in.
No one is allowed to take private cars up to the historical sites around Sintra because of the narrow roads and traffic jams. We thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to finally get my tuk tuk ride. We had prebooked a ticket for Peña Palace at 11 am so that was our timeline. We were in Sintra at 9. We went and ordered some breakfast. Next disappointment - Sheila’s breakfast didn’t come and my order wasn’t complete but it had taken so long to get anything that we had to leave without.
We booked and paid for the tuk tuk - the driver never turned up! After waiting for ages and watching the time slip by to 10:20 I finally told the girl we needed a refund, we couldn’t wait any longer. We got our refund and jumped on the shuttle bus instead. Disappointment!
The bus was so slow, traffic, waiting for passengers to board, giving out tickets…it was so frustrating! We finally arrived at the front gate of Peña Palace about 11:10am.
Our tickets said there was zero tolerance for lateness. We managed to slip through the first ticket scan but once in the front gate you have to take another bus to the palace at the top of the hill. Of course the bus was full! The next bus left in 20 minutes…grrr! We decided it would be faster to walk up the hill. We did it in 10 minutes. We got there at 11:20 and thank goodness they were still letting 11:00am people through.
I’d seen photos of the palace and it is amazing but the difficulties of getting to it and the thousands of people there took the gloss off the experience. The Palace was originally an ancient monastery built in the 1500s. It was redesigned by King Ferdinand in the 1800s to be more like a castle. It’s quite striking in its yellow and red colours but to my critical eye they were looking a little worn and in need of some TLC. There are a number of other palaces in the Sintra area but by this time Sheila and I were over the crowds and the hassles and decided one palace was enough for us.
We walked back to where our car was parked and remember that space no one could park in, someone did! How he did is a mystery to me! The car in front of me had also changed and it was right back near my front bumper.
There was about 5cm of space between the back car’s front bumper and my back bumper and there was made 30cm between my car and the car in front. We just looked at it and thought, OMG How do you get out of that! There was nothing else we could do but try. Luckily a helpful young man came along and directed me inch by inch, back and forth until I could manoeuvre out of the space. And I didn’t hit either car once! Amazing!
The drive into Lisbon was surprisingly easy. We’d been prepared for more drama but it turned out to be quite easy. We had to park the car when the GPS told us we’d arrived and go and find the hotel but that was because part of the street was cordoned off for some work’s project. Our room wasn’t ready so we went out to have a look around Lisbon. I can’t say first impressions are wonderful, what’s my word for the day…disappointing!
However, Lisbon is celebrating two festivals at the moment, the Sardine Festival and Saint Anthony’s Festival. We did go out later and joined in some of the partying for the Sardine Festival. Sheila was in seventh heaven. The sardines are much bigger than the tiny little things we get in cans and surprisingly very tasty. They barbecue them over a charcoal grill. We also tried some cod cakes that were delicious also. The Portuguese know how to party. There were some big party precincts and lots of small neighbourhood parties going on. It was good to see.
Tomorrow is another big celebration day in Lisbon so we’re not sure what the day will bring.
Karen
2023-06-11
You should get a medal for getting out of that park, Leanne. Well done . There may be a few frustrations you would prefer to forget but the day certainly held a few highlights.Food looks delicious.🦋
Jenny
2023-06-12
Well done to you getting out of that carpark! Tomorrow will be a better day so put the disappointments behind you 😜Portugal is very colourful!
Lisa K
2023-06-12
What a day of frustration for you both but, tomorrow is another day and Lisbon is a lovely, vibrant city with fabulous food, so enjoy your time there - and eat up!! Don’t know how you got out of that car park btw 😳 Well done!
Beth
2023-06-12
Hi,Leanne. On my way to Dallas,Texas to see my niece. Saw a fabulous doco about surfing at Nazare (I think) in Portugal. Thought of you heaps. X
Karen K
2023-06-12
Loving your trip through Portugal Leanne. I can’t believe how similar your car adventures are to the ones Cathy W and I experienced in Sicily!!! So far though, you and Sheila haven’t parked overnight to arrive the next morning to find your car has been impounded and you have to pay an exorbitant fee to get it released! Enjoy all Lisbon has to offer. I look forward to reading all about it next.
Carole
2023-06-12
Photos make it look amazing, you will forget the frustrations. Well done on getting out of that space, very nerve wracking. The parking can be like that here in London too. Nightmare!
Margot
2023-06-12
Those days make the best stories.
Chris D
2023-06-12
Top marks for patience and persistence L and S
Suzanne
2023-06-12
So sorry your first part of the day was disappointing, do hope tomorrow will be better. Do you have time to go back to Sintra or was that it.
Marl
2023-06-13
Everything can’t go as planned all the time! A better day tomorrow I’m sure.🤞
Ange K
2023-06-16
Oh dear ... what a day you had. Top marks for perseverance on all levels 😀
Liz Davis
2023-06-18
Great work manoeuvering that car. Delicious food as always.