A view from Jeanneb

By Jeanneb53

Afternoon tea!

Ubiquitous I think is the word for these Pasties de Nata but it doesn't make them any less delicious!

We are now in Lisbon and it already has a different, big city, feel. It's also hotter than Porto and set to get hotter still if the forecast is correct.

We left at lunch time on a delayed train (so like the UK) and we were a bit dismayed by the number of people waiting on the platform, all seemingly with huge amounts of luggage. I don't know why it is but I always feel we will never all get on.
It couldn't have been easier. Luggage quickly stowed and we had a huge amount of room in our seat area (could had got the luggage in front of us and you could pass each other without having to get out of your seat).
A very pleasant journey with a cafe car right next to us and trolley service. Despite the high speeds reached (they were shown on the display board together with the indoor and outdoor temperature) the journey took nearly 3 hours.

Started off down the coast and then through mainly agricultural country with vines, corn and even paddy fields featuring.

The first stop was across the Douro again in Gaia so we crossed the 5th bridge up the river; Puente de S Joao. As we crossed you could clearly see the top of the Puente de D Maria Pia built by Gustav Eiffel with Puente do Infante in the background. Think we've seen every aspect of these bridges now.
After checking in we had a little orienting walk from our hotel and found a Pastelaria for the tea and pastry you see here. Less than 5 Euros in total.The sprinkler holds cinnamon which we didn't use. Unfortunately we have so far failed to get them to give us cold milk. As well as the surprise at our requesting milk at all they insist on giving us hot!

Looking forward to seeing more of Lisbon tomorrow.

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