BACK TO LISBON

Its been a couple of days now since the desperate flight that got me here 7 hours later than expected. The first flight from Prague was cancelled - rerouted to Frankfurt - next flight aborted due to the ever popular 'technical' reasons - finally arrive on a totally different flight. 
Weather pleasant as I found my way to the hostel on the fourth floor of the Dublin Hotel in the Rue de Santa Marta, but the next day, yesterday, was a dismal, abysmal, very cold day. Not at all like I had expected it to be. Anyway, still pretty tired after the 18 hours of travelling so had a restful day.
I had a vague plan for today, as always, and headed out to the Belém district along the western shore of the river. It is a part that I failed to visit last time here in Lisbon and not to be missed. First stop is the Monument to Portuguese Age of Discovery which is a large  imposing contemporary monolithic creation by the river. 

 Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Then if you are in this part of town the other significant sight is Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a monastery almost directly behind the previous place. The architecture has a pleasing whiteness with 2 levels that give you some great viewpoints. The present building was started at the beginning of the 16th century and a place where Vasco da Gama was seen. 

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos 1500

me 

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos 

The day has been somewhat better than yesterday, as can be seen in the pix. After Geronimo's monastery I headed further up the shore to the other vital sight of Lisbon, the Belém Tower. Its another erection from the great Portuguese era of discovery. This neat little fort was originally constructed on a small island but an earthquake in the 18th century made it much more accessible due to a slight change in the course of the river. 

Inside the Belém Tower

Belém Tower

Just another bit of proof that Emson was 'ere.

A model of me by the Belém Tower

So thats about today done now and I expect to go vaguely up the coast tomorrow to a resort that everyone says is a must go to place. Even though today was still a bit too chilly for comfort, its possible that tomorrow will be better. Anyway, what the hell, I'll be in the south on Sunday where it surely wont be so cool. Knowing my luck Tavira will have its first snow in living memory. 
Just thought i'd show this rather large piece of Portuguese graffiti. D