Day 4 - Nazare and Lisbon. Looking down from the balcony in the morning, it looks like overnight the waves washed sand into the square. There is a sweeper cleaning it up. Would have been fun to watch, bummed I missed it.
On the plus side, the waves are noticeably bigger today. Forecast says 18-20', which should produce some 60' ones at the cliff.
I walk down to the beach, then across the square for the included breakfast.
I check out of the hotel and drive to the top of the cliff, which is a round-about route and takes about 15 minutes. Yes, the waves are bigger here too. They are mesmerizing to watch. Two weeks ago the forecast was 30'+, and a new surfing record was set with a 115' wave. Today the biggest peaks seem to be about 60-70', estimating by comparing people to the wave. Not record-breaking, but still very impressive. Nature's power is amazing. I can't imagine surfing one of these. But then I can't surf at all.
On the way out I visit a couple souvenir shops. Cool art on the ice cream place.
Another freeway drive, arriving in Lisbon early afternoon. I find a parking garage under a large square in the center and go walking about.
Lisbon definitely feels like a bigger city than Porto (and it is). There are more wide-open spaces and sweeping architecture, but still a lot of hillside and clifftop buildings and some narrow streets.
The elevator tower has a line which I don't care to stand in, but I'm told there are stairs, and one can walk along the streets to get to the top too. Which is what I do.
More Bordallo II art here, he is from Lisbon.
Pretty humorous decor for a shop :)
Once I reach the top of the cliff, there is a modest size square and an archeological museum. It doesn't look like a whole lot from the outside, and I seldom actually visit museums, but why not.
Walking through the front doors and into the courtyard - wow! This is way cool. So glad I decided to wonder in.
One of the halls has a projected video playing on the back wall which explains the history of the place. This all fits right in with my interst in architecture, caves, projectors, and the study of both spaces and my reaction to them. Fulfilling more objectives of the trip.
Afterwards I walk out to the observation deck of the elevator tower and take in the views, both of the museum and the city below and around.
Then back in the car and southward. I intend to sleep in the car tonight, then visit Lagos and Seville on the way to Gibraltar.
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