Having firstly procrastinated about where to stay I finally settled for a Yacht...Yes, really a Yacht. As a Single traveller I really get fed up with small single rooms at over inflated prices. I feel too old for a Youth Hostel. Although, in Lisbon there seem to be a lot with a good standard. I couldn't quite bring myself to snore in a dorm with five other women!
I booked a cheap flight months ago and now with only four days to go until my take off I was really panicking..."No where to stay..flip..get a move on!" I muttered to myself.
I was trawling through websites and there she was ....a lovely Yacht in a Marina a short distance away from Lisbon Centre and a stones throw away from where my friend was working..I booked it...Well for only £40 a night it seemed Ok.
I rushed around my Kitchen grabbing a few supplies like teabags, coffee and cereal. After all I hadn't initially intended to self cater. I took a few items in case I ran out of cash, as I usually do!
I always feel my life is ruled by "Sods Law". The first problem occurred as I zipped up my case. "Pop" went the zip, split and torn. I had to look around for another case. As I am ex-Cabin Crew there is always still the Odd Delsey lurking around somewhere. The good old indestructable Delsey. They are great but really not the best to lug onto a Yacht!
The day arrived and I was on my way and on the flight. The lady in the aisle seat opposite me was really getting on my nerves passing boiled sweets and talking really loudly. " I feel really strange being back and seeing Lisbon after 40 years". She said. I thought to myself "how can she, it is dark outside and we are only at the airport."
I breathed a sigh of relief as she tottered off the plane ahead of me. I picked up my Delsey and searched for my shuttle transfer. In the queue to my disbelief was "Mrs boiled Sweets." I started to chat to a couple of ladies from Stockholm and they asked me where I was from. I replied in my usual casual manner..."London, South East, Hastings near Brighton, near Dover.."
To my shock Mrs Boiled Sweets called out "I am from Hastings whereabouts do you live?" My stomach began to lurch at the thought of seeing her in Town. She carried on.. "well staying on a yacht? how exciting, how brave..I look forward to hearing all about it if I see you in Hastings"
I got off the shuttle bus and I waved to her. At the Marina entrance I was met by the Yacht owner and she showed me the ropes..so to speak...It seemed impossible to get a signal on the TV, the toilet flush did not work properly and I was told not to pump the bilges too much as the water would not go down properly. It was necessary to put shower water down the Toilet. I have been on lots of boats so was prepared but after a few days I was not prepared for the smell. I made sure I used the Cubicle showers and toilets anywhere but on the boat..apart from at night..!
I settled in for my non-sea sea adventure. I opened my suitcase and the indestructable Delsey had not stopped my nail varnish bottle from breaking. There was pink paint everywhere. I was worried about the boat cushions but managed to clear it up without any damage to the boat. Apart from a mug (I had brought for my tea which had to be thrown away) all my clothes were ok.
I settled into life in the Marina.. I felt sea sick and decided the thing to do was to go straight to the hotel Bar at the Marina and then bed!
My Yacht....
Day 1
Cascais - Saturday Market - By Train.
In order to travel around on the Train, Bus or Tram you need to buy a green card. The card costs just 50c and you can top up the money at the machines.. That is if you can work out how to charge them up! People will help and tell you in Portugese or maybe another Tourist will help. Some people helped me and I helped some too. The Train journey is 30 minutes.
The trains are cheap! From Lisbon to Cascais it is just Euro 4.30 return. The metro is around Euro 1.50 for a journey.
Sod's Law kicked in again as I was getting my train ticket, I was bombed by a seagull. Did he come from Hastings? Why of all the places of all the birds and of all the people he got me..I felt the liquid trail down my face and down my T - shirt..."What next?." I thought to myself..
Cascais Market buzzes with people. There is the most amazing selection of Fish, bread, Fruit and Vegetables. On some stalls you must take a ticket to get served in numerical order.
Saturday Afternoon - Thieves Market - Lisbon (also on Tuesday)
Make sure you are in the right street to get the Tram for Alfama and the Thieves Market. You will need the Number 28. Get on the tram near the Main Arch otherwise it will be packed further up the hill. The old Tram is an experience. I got on one that was full and a lady behind me kept pushing me in the back until I told her to stop..It is around Euro 2.95 to go on a journey. It is possible to buy an all day ticket to hop on and off all the trains and trams for around Euro 20.00.
The street Market was interesting and I am sure amongst the junk there are some treasures to be found.
Day 2 - Belem
Lisbon has at least 30 museums and galleries. All entrances have a fee. Make sure you have money for all of that otherwise you will be disappointed. Lisbon has a way of making money from the Tourists. With the continuous flow of Cruise Liners Lisbon has sustainability for the Tourism Industry.
I stayed in Belem Marina on my Yacht which was well placed for the Tower, the Explorers Monument, Pasteis de Belem Cake Shop, The Gallery of Modern Art and the Maritime Museum. The entrance for the Maritime Museum was Euro 6.50..
Day 3 - Sintra
If you are in Central Lisbon be prepared for the journey.
From Belem you need to take the Train to Centre then the metro to Osseios and then Train to Sintra. However, the journey doesn't stop there! You can take the public bus which is Euros 5 for a round Trip. It is possible to hop on and off the bus. However, because of the tourists..the tourists..There are so many that you might have to queue to get on a bus. As in central Lisbon you can go on a sightseeing bus for a higher cost.
In order to go into the Palaces there are more entrance fees.
Most of the time I had my eyes wide open as there is so much to see. Around every corner there is a church or an amazing monument, shops and cafes. The Tagus River is cramed with Cruise Liners, Yachts, ferries and even the HOPPA an amphibious bus!..
Along the river are exercise machines so you can stop for the odd workout.
People are jogging all over the place, you can ride on a TUK TUK or swim in the river..
And, lastly you can eat the famous custard tart the NATA. It is possible to queue (again) at the main shop in Belem where they cost Euro1.05 each. I bought mine in the Supermarket as they were on offer for 25c each!
Enjoy Lisbon!
Don't stay on a Yacht if you suffer at all with motion sickness. At night it is difficult to sleep in a small cabin with the sound of creaking ropes and water lapping around the hull not to mention the swaying. If the wind picks up then the noises increase as the sun canopies flap.
I will certainly go back but maybe an Hotel next time as although I have been home for 2 days I'm writing this blog and am still swaying....
Bon Voyage
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