Streets of Lisbon

As with a lot of cities, exploring Lisbon, Portugal will never be complete with just a ride on a tour bus (previous post: Lazy in Lisbon).

In this beautiful summer weather, a stroll on the streets.. or a walk anywhere, is a must. 

So let us start by arriving at the Gare do Oriente.

Or Lisbon Orient Station in English.. one of the largest stations in the world, and as busy as the Grand Central Terminal of New York.

Now on the streets of the Bairro Alto district..

Where you see graffitis during the day.. and party life at night!

Just a random pink house.. in the neighbourhood..

Elevador da Bica

Or Bica Funicular in English.. constructed in 1892, climbs the 245 meter steep road of Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo from Rua S. Paulo, and allows the riders to see both how the locals live their daily lives as it passes through the narrow alleys, and the spectacular views of the Tagus River.

On the left where a man is standing by the doorway, is Casa Liege, a restaurant. We had our first Portuguese lunch there, and I just want to say.. you can find better ones ;)

Tagus River and 25 de Abril Bridge as seen from.. somewhere in the neighborhood.. hehe! Isn't it fun to get lost?! :P

On the way to Rossio Square.. I shamelessly asked the policeman on a segway if I could take a picture with him. He made me ride on the segway instead.. haha!! :D

Praca Dom Pedro IV.. popularly known as the Rossio Square

That statue on top of the column is of Pedro IV, a king of Portugal, and the first emperor of Brazil.

Behind is the Teatro Nacional Doña Maria II, or National Theatre Doña Maria II.

With shops and cafes all around, this is the liveliest square in the city - where people meet, socialise, and relax.

I really like it here! :)

Hard Rock Cafe.. Because friends wanted those souvenir shirts and shot glasses..

Tourists in a GoCar.. a 2-seater, GPS-guided, cute little talking tour car :)

Now let's go up!

Elevador de Santa Justa

Or Santa Justa Lift in English.. and also called the Carmo Elevator, connects the lower situated Baixa District to the Bairro Alto, the higher part of the city.

This landmark was built by Engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel.. which explains the similarities of the structure to the Eiffel Tower of Paris.

Convento da Ordem do Carmo

Or Carmo Convent in English.. used to be the largest church building in Lisbon until the great earthquake of 1755 destroyed most of it. 

What's left of the church building is now used as an archaeological museum, and the convent building is now used by the Republican Guard.

Why you really have to take that Santa Justa Lift to come up..

The view..

And this.. the Castle of Sao Jorge..

And this.. just a street, but doesn't it look amazing?!

And of course, this beauty.. which sums up my memories of Lisbon! :)

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References:

Research - www.golisbon.com

GoCar Tour - www.gocartours.com