Lisbon

 

Lisbon, or Lisboa, is such a vibrant and colorful city. After a much needed rest, we set off to explore, starting with a visit to a charming café called The Local. We instantly fell in love with it, and Aanya is determined to have all her meals there!

Still feeling sluggish from our late arrival, we opted for an afternoon walking tour, hoping it would keep us awake. Otherwise, we’d have napped the whole day. The tour ended up being the longest we’ve ever taken, but thankfully there were pastry and ice cream breaks to keep the kids energized.

We wandered through several squares adorned with stunning sculptures and statues, learning about Portugal’s cherished poets and writers. We even saw the world's oldest bookstore. The tour took us up and down the steep, narrow streets of different neighborhoods—Uptown, Downtown, and Alfama—each with its own distinct charm.

One of the highlights was the Brazilian Square with its psychedelic floor and the statue of the generous general who granted Brazil its independence in 1822. We continued through the bustling streets of Downtown, which had been rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1755. It ended at an impressive arch, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe, gazing out at the river. Nearby stood a massive statue of the king from that era, and according to legend, he lived in a tent (glamping, in a way) after the earthquake, refusing to enter any buildings.

We had our first taste of Pastel de Nata—crispy, flaky egg custard tarts topped with cinnamon. Sinfully delicious! Next was a homemade cherry liqueur, which worked wonders for Jeevan’s sore throat, so it must have some healing powers!

I love learning history from locals, and I was fascinated by stories of Portugal’s recent past, especially the revolution that ended fascism 50 years ago. It was remarkably peaceful, with only four deaths. A woman handed red carnations to soldiers, which they placed in their rifles as they marched through the streets to celebrate victory. For the 50th anniversary, the same woman, now 91, shared her story in the main square. Our guide was quite candid about Portugal’s role in colonization and the slave trade—topics often glossed over in their history lessons. I guess it's the same everywhere, with darker chapters of history swept under the rug.

At the end of the tour, we convinced the kids to keep walking, leading us to one of the city’s viewpoints. From there, we were rewarded with sweeping views of Lisbon and the bridge, a replica of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. To top it off, a band was playing beautiful music, adding to the magic of the moment.

We ended the day with some of the best momos we've ever had—a perfect end to a busy day.