Well, that was the initial plan but due to a few mishaps it didn't quite happen.
First, a short ferry ride to the west side of the river to Cacilhas then a choice of a walk along the river and up the Panoramic Elevator (PE) up to Christo Rei - the Lisbon version of the Rio christ statue overlooking the town, or catch bus to the same destination. Which one do you think I chose - not the bus! The walk along the old docks past decrepid old warehouses that were presumably for the fishing trade was fascinating. Not much happening on the old docks now except lots of graffiti and a few fishermen ( yes all men, at least as old as Grugs but probably fishing to eat, not for other reasons ). The PE hove into view - very impressive it looked but things did seem rather quiet - of course it was closed for maintenance - maybe forever me thinks! Next choice, backtrack or forge on after a quick review of Google Maps. Of course I forged on. Things got even more run down until at last the whole path seemed to end. A helpful fisher person made it quite clear I would have to go back ( there was a shear cliff behind the old buildings ). Not to be disuaded, I thought there must have been access to these buildings so I started to explore - a few rules: no wooden staircases, but stone would be worth a try! The first try led around the missing bit of path but that also turned into a foot wide dirt and grass overhang. A quick review: alone, water if I fall so phone could be cactused ( let alone me ). Maybe not as thoughts of Portsea backbeach came back with visions of hospital visits thereafter, and no Jude to drive this time! Next try, wooden stairs - see rule number 1. Third try through an old archway up some old stone steps on to a wide paved path - eureka! Well at least it got past the blockage, but it did mean a trudge up about 150 meters of cliff. At last Christo appeared through the trees - you beauty! Christo is impressive - 2 meters shorter than Rio but the views are speccie, even if not quite as speccie as the original ( yes this was copied after the local bishop saw the Rio one and wanted one for himself - sorry Lisbon ). A forty meter elevator takes you most of the way but the pedometer would be pleased to hear the last 15 meters were on stone steps that turned into a short radius circular staircase - her favourite! Apparently the top is 280 meters above sea level, of which I got to do 40 in an a elevator! The bus it was for the return to the ferry back to the main town.
I had planned to take a second ferry to Montijo so I could get to Alcochete where a short walk ( when are they ever short? ) would get me to Samuoco, a beach area with wetlands - virtualtourist had wonderful things to say about it. Well the second ferry left from a different terminal to the first, so a 500 meter walk along the foreshore allowed views of the new cruise ships - 2 new monsters, neither the same as yesterday - they had already gone! Reaching the second terminal I lined up to get a ticket as the ferry ticket machines don't have an english option. Sorry said the lady, the Montijo ferries are temporarily departing from the Sodre terminal. Sod it thought I as that is where I had just walked from! A quick metro ride back to Sodre ( I know, soft! ) Queue up again, same reason, the next ferry is at 14:00 ( now about 13:00 ). Fine, a chance for a break. Eventually after a nice half hour ferry trip we reached Montijo. Thinking I should find when the ferries returned I dallied in the terminal looking for a sign. As I exited the terminal I saw the bus to town departing. Now the Motijo terminal is about a 40 minute walk from the town where I needed to catch a bus to Alcochete ( ask Google if you don't believe me - I did ). As ferries were only running hourly I reckoned the next bus was probably an hour away, so I took the Hannibal option and walked. Well it was HOT and dry, but at least it was flat. Not many people walk that route! Anyway I finally arrived in town and found the bus station where I would need to catch the bus back to the ferry ( as per the first ferry trip! ). By this stage it was a bit before16:00 - Google must walk faster than me! A quick calculation - yes with help from Google, showed if I went to Alcochete and took the 'short' walk to Samuoco I could just about turn around and get back to Lisbon in daylight. For the second time in the day I thought 'sod it'. On the bus for me, back to the ferry terminal, then back to Lisbon! Did I say it was HOT work? Well I needed a few beers to recover!
When in Lisbon, do as some of the locals do ( at least those of Indian extraction ), and have Indian for dinner - lamb saag, my fav. On the way back to the apartment I found some tea bags so I have enjoyed my first cuppa for a few weeks as I write this sorry tale.
I have amended the Spanish motto of: a church a day keeps the devil at bay. For Portugal it is now: a portguese tart a day ( at least! ) and I am on track.
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