We drove into the city at sunset.

A fitting close to a wonderful day.

And then had to say goodbye to our new friends.

Much sadder.

After a light lunch (surprise!) at a Quiosque (kiosk), ended up wandering through Principe Real looking at all the parks and places that makes this area so interesting.

https://www.cityguidelisbon.com/neighbourhood/principe-real/

The Carmo Ruins and Archeological

Museum was a fascinating space to be in.

The Church of the Convent of Santa Maria do Carmo, founded in 1389, was one of Lisbon’s most beautiful gothic churches.

The 1755 earthquake caused serious damage to the building. Reconstruction started the next year, but was ‘suspended’ in 1834.

Around 1864 the Camo Archeoligical

Museum was installed here.

There are pieces that pre-date the first Roman occupation. There are even three Egyptian mummies here!

It is truly a fascination space.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmo_Convent

It was a lot of walking, so we took the fast way uphill and home.

Metro!

We left in the morning for our day trip to see. There is a lot to see in Sintra, but Pieter had a priority list.

We ONLY did #1 on the list. Took all day. Guess we have to come back…

https://www.sintra-portugal.com/amp/sintra-portugal-amp.html

Once we got to Quinta da Regaleira, the first stop was the ‘Initation well’

I think that was what it was called…

Loved it!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_da_Regaleira

The ‘house’ has the most amazing floors and ceilings. There are pictures of how it was furnished over many decades, and it must have been amazing to be invited to go there.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_da_Regaleira

The grounds are filled with places and caves and grottos and all kinds of ‘follies’

Just an amazingly whimsical place. Could spend a few days more just in this one place.

This was our only destination in Sintra, so we did not even see the famous Pena Palace up close.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_da_Regaleira

Lots of detours and places to relax in our way back to Lisbon.

A really nice town, no wonder the royals chose to build their 'temporary' palace here.

On our way back we had to take a detour of course.

We ended up at a 'speakeasy' The Carmo rooftop bar. Nestled on the roof of the shops at the back of the convent ruins (see yesterday's post) is this amazing bar.

To get here from the street level you enter in a cork goods store, and in the back is a non-descript silver elevator. When it opens you are on the roof and the views are amazing.

After a Porto Tonico we headed home. Really.