We spent a while admiring the architecture and snapping quite a few photos. We walked outside and around the building to go to the archeological museum that was offered with our combo ticket. Also pro tip: they sell Belém tower tickets at the museum too so you don’t have to wait in line and worry about the time. The museum was put together in the late 1800s by their king at the time and boasted a small collection from Portuguese archeology exactions of artifacts and (stolen) treasures. It’s a small collection but interesting.
We headed to, in our opinion, the main feature of Belém: the Tower de Belém. We were lucky to get tickets from the monastery so we didn't have to go through the line. The tower is comprised of four floors, and a tiny prison area in the lower level. It is right on the water so you can see the ocean up close and get great skyline views.
To get to the top, you had to ascend 93 narrow stairs going around cyclical to the top. Because the stairs were so narrow and step, it was timed so that people has 3 minutes to get up, then 20 seconds to get out on whatever floor they're closest to, the 3 minutes to get down - and repeat.
Now we have to get the pastry, which is half the point of going to Belém (though you can get this pastry anywhere, especially Lisbon - but not like it). We stopped at a pastry "shop" just on the water and got the pastel del nata that Belém was famous for. We enjoyed it facing the harbor. So good, even the pigeons were boldly sitting on the table across from us staring at us and the pastry, and pancaking (sitting with their feet tucked under them, like cats do)!
We were driven by the idea of having fish dinner on the water so we walked along the shore looking for a good place to stop at. We ended up at a restaurant near the boat docks and I tried cuttlefish for the first time (with ink) and we shared a bottle of green wine. We enjoyed the cool breeze an watching Portuguese men sitting on lawn chairs and chatting across from us and having a really nice view of the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Christ King statue beyond the channel.
After some time, we went back and caught the train. Harrison, Jessica and I exchanged Facebooks and said our goodbyes to Jessica who was staying at a friend's house in the area.
When we got back to the hostel I bumped into Anupa again talking with a woman named Erika. Due to chatting with them, I missed saying goodbye to Harrison who was leaving the next day super early so I later sent him a message since I felt bad for him. Anupa introduced me to Erika. Turns out Erika lives in Cambridge, not even a mile away from me. Crazy small world! We ended up chatting for like an hour. I again lost time that I planned to blog but that's okay - I will take good conversation anytime.
Erika was also planning to go to the beach, so I invited her to join Jessica and I. We exchanged phone numbers so we can meet up the next day. I was definitely looking forwards to relaxing and sunbathing. And touching the Atlantic Ocean for the first time on the opposite side!
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Friday - September 14: Beach Day.
I had previously chosen the beach spot and Jessica and Erika both approved. It is a smaller beach further down the Caiscas coastal beach area west of Lisbon. Basically this one train stops at all the beaches making it easy to access.
We went to Estoril, and chose Praia do Tamariz. We met up at Cais do Sodré at 10am and headed off. It was a quick 20 minute ride.
As soon as we got off the train, we were at the beach. At 10:30, there wasn't an unbearable amount of people and we found a good spot.
I napped on and off and tested the waters at one point with my feet. It was cold at 65*F - which reminded me this was the Atlantic Ocean, not the Mediterranean I've gotten used to. After grabbing paella for lunch, Jessica and I went off to get some ice cream and to take some nice photos and met back up with Erika on the beach.
I took the plunge, literally, and swam in the water fo a good chilly 10 minutes before running back to my towel and fall back asleep. It was a good relaxing day! Jessica and I left at 5pm while Erika stayed behind to sunbathe longer.
Jessica and I exchanged goodbyes at Cais do Sodré and I headed back go my hostel for a shower and a quick meal from the bar. I needed to decompress from being at the beach!
At the bar area while eating, I saw Anupa again and we ended up chatting for over an hour - talking about our trips, relationships and life in general and exchanged Facebook info. She had gotten back from her Sintra tour from the hostel and highly recommended it to me. I was on the fence since it was a $50 tour, but ultimately I wanted to see more of Portugal so I signed up for it.
My last day will be going to the town of Sintra, about a 20 minute drive from Lisbon. I'd be going via a van and getting a more personal visit in another part of Portugal.