My first week in Lisbon

57 miles of walking, 109,857 steps, 34 too many sangrias and countless giggles.

Day 1.

I signed up for a walking tour with a group of cool people. I was mainly there for the photo opportunities that Lisbon had to offer. Not the 4 hour history lesson my guide was waffling on about. Although my ears did tune in as soon as she mentioned the different types of foods that I must try whilst in Portugal.

I saw lots of interesting street art, my favourite view up at São Miguel and another view of the city at Alfama castle. If you ever visit Lisbon definitely don’t pay to enter the castle. You will be paying €10 for pretty much the same view I got for free a 2 minute walk away!

After the tour I took the only useful bit of information I got from the guide and we went to taste some Portuguese food and wine. Wow amazing food, with 8 at the table I was the first one to finish the food by far. Spot the athlete of the group; I may not be training but my appetite hasn’t changed.

Watching the sunset at Cais do Sodré has become one of my favourite things to do this past week!

With the people I met on the walking tour we planned a day trip to Sintra the following day.

Sintra was spectacular. However the bus ride there was pretty dreadful. The journey on an overcrowded bus was long and hilly on winding roads. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. It may come as a surprise to you but I’m petrified of rollercoasters! With no seats left I had to hold onto two rings above my head.. I looked like an acrobat in a circus swinging all over the place. Safe to say I won’t ever be competing on the gymnastics Olympic team any time soon.

After making it off the bus alive I would say visiting Sintra was definitely worth it. The highlight being Pena Palace. Very lucky to have visited on a sunny day. The palace was vast, many different colours and gave you the best view point.

Sorry to my new friends if you’re reading this, but our trip to Belém on day 3 I was pretending that I was interested in monasteries, towers and museums. You guys were great, couldn’t beat the company, but it definitely wasn’t my cup of tea!

If you guys are wondering why I’m talking about tea.. basically it’s an English phrase we use when we don’t like something.

However the visit to Lx Factory after visiting Belém I very much enjoyed. It was like Lisbon’s take on Camden. I had the best view in the city, drinking cocktails on a rooftop bar, I could have stayed there all night. Perhaps just on the tap waters though as it would have been expensive!

With all the people I met on day one now travelling else where I was back on my own again. I thought it was a great opportunity to contact home. By this I mean sending my family a selfie of me in the sun sipping on a sangria. I was very satisfied. Especially on a Thursday dinner time knowing they will all be at work. Pretty mean of me I know. My mum sent me one back with her teacher friends of them drinking water. I was very amused!

I was feeling very inspired seeing a lot of runners around, it’s about time I got a bit more active and healthy. As I was about to order a water my dad text me back saying ‘enjoy you’ve worked hard for this’. I read this and immediately ordered another sangria, €8 it cost me, maybe I should charge my dad for being a bad influence! (Cheers Dad the bill is on it’s way!) #treatyourselfthursday

I’ve definitely took advantage of everyone else doing all the organising this week. When it comes to planning I’d rather not. I get bored very easily and get totally side tracked. This is why I think I’ve ended up being in a bar all morning! Fruit for breakfast, healthy right? It just happened to be in my sangria! Oops.

On the tapas night that my hostel put on, I met 3 Americans who currently live in Germany. I told them Germany is on my bucket list to create conversation like you do. When they asked where I’d like to visit… I quickly spluttered ‘Frankfurt!’ (That’s after one guy told me that the first answer I gave was a place in Denmark). Geography was never my strong point.

*note to self Google some places in Germany*

I’ve been lucky all week with having relatively quiet roomies. However the fifth night in and the new people in my room sound like they’re in an snorechestra!

They were really hitting those notes. During the third symphony one guy even introduced a trumpet into this musical piece. Another in a choir as he was sleep talking. He was Italian so I couldn’t tell you what he said, but I’d guess at something like ‘Ah shuta the hella upa’. Instead of having a front row seat next time they put on a show, I’m going to be the conductor, so I can officially put a stop to this noise. Ear plugs are definitely on my next shopping list.

In all seriousness though. So far my hostel experience has been amazing. Although I’m travelling on my own, you’re never actually alone for long. So many friendly people all with different interesting stories they have to share.

I find that people who have never stayed in a hostel have a bad view on them for some reason. If that’s you I would definitely re-evaluate the whole hostel idea. You would have THE best fun! I couldn’t recommend more. If you want to explore a city and make lots of memories then definitely give it a go. Who wants to stay in a fancy 5 star hotel anyway?

Plus where else would you find a ripped tanned Italian accidentally walk into the girls bathroom in nothing but a bathrobe? No need to apologise Antonio!

& So what if someone snores too loudly, you’ll soon forget about it. Unless you mention it in your blog and you are reminded forever!

Having had decent weather all week the rain was slowly on it’s way, so off I go chasing the sun to Faro for a couple of days, see you soon Lisbon.