Today’s plan was to make the short trip to Belem and check out the Jeronimos Monastery. The short bus trip took us to a very picturesque town. We were very surprised with the size of the queue as having booked the tickets that morning the site indicated that there were well over 2000 tickets still available for the morning intake. 

All reports and the impressive arthitecture of the outside of the building indicated that the wait would be worthwhile. The inside courtyard washing indeed a beautiful area with ornate columns, each one different. 

However if the truth be told we spent less time in the monestary then in a line and they then expected us to get into another line to view the church. This was free to enter into so we had to file past the entrance of the church to wait for a rather long time…we didn’t. 

Instead we enjoyed the gardens in front of the Monastery along with some Pasteis de Belem. The original Pastéis are s The original Pastéis are said to have originated when nuns sought a way to use up leftover egg yolks, after using the whites to starch the monks’ tunics. ught a way to use up leftover egg yolks, after using the whites to starch the monks’ tunics.

A walk around Belem ensued and then a bus trip away from touristy areas into the suburbs for a fun shopping trip. 

As always this was followed by a short siesta back at home before a dinner that included a Fado performance, another fascinating glimpse into the historical culture of Portugal. 

Another great day spent in Lisbon.

Roy