Last day in Lisbon

 After 2 very energetic, exhausting days, we decided to make our last day a bit quieter. We started by riding the Santa Justa Elevator. It is the wildest elevator in the world. Inside, it is all old fashioned but outside, it is all ornate metal. All it does is to move you from one neighbourhood (Baixa) to another (Largo do Carmo). There is a viewing platform at the top that has spectacular views across Lisbon. 

Next, we visited the museum in the Quartel do Carmo. This was originally a convent but has been the headquarters of the National Guard for many years. It was a significant location in the 1974 Carnation Revolution where the people overthrew the dictatorship and began the era of democracy in Portugal.

We couldn't leave Lisbon without visiting the Lisbon Cathedral. At the cathedral, I learned that Saint Anthony was Portuguese. All those years listening to Mum praying to St Anthony whenever something went missing and I never knew that he was from Portugal.

We got on the subway and travelled to the modern CBD of Lisbon so that I could eat at Rice Me, a fully gluten free cafe. It is always a relief to find a eating place where I don't have to second guess the menu.

Foolishly, we thought that hopping on a ferry to go across the Tagus River to Barreiro was a good idea. We got out on the Barreiro side, took one look and got back on the ferry. Not every idea works out. To make ourselves feel better, we sat down at the Museu da Cerveja (Museum of Beer) where I got to have one (or two) gluten free beers and Ian had the biggest beer I have ever seen in my life.

For our last dinner, we headed back to the area around the Lisbon Cathedral. We ate at Restaurant de Se where I got to eat a Portuguese staple, grilled sardines. It was a lovely end to our time in Lisbon.

Lisbon has been great. It is busy, noisy, colourful and full of life. I don't know that I could stay here for a long time but it is a fabulous place for a visit.