Oceanário de Lisboa
If you like sea life, a visit to Europe's largest Oceanarium is an absolute must. It's inhabited by 16,000 animals and plants and based around four smaller aquaria, displaying the fauna and flora of the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and Antarctic. We spent hours with our noses pressed against the glass, entranced by menacing sharks, enormous tunas, cute penguins and cuddly Otters. The central tank is visible throughout the Oceanarium and holds an incredible 4 million litres of water.
The Beach
We went to the beach three times in the week that we stayed and we were spoilt for choice. There are some great beaches in Lisbon, only a 30-40 minute train ride from the Cais do Sodré station in the centre. On our first trip to the beach, we visited Cacsais, a popular tourist resort and former fishing port, it has several small beaches in and around town and lots of lovely shops and restaurants.
For our last two visits,we opted for Estoril. As soon as you step off the train, you walk through a tunnel and you're on the beach. I prefered the fact that there were virtually no shops, only a handful of restaurants and bars along the beach giving it more of a sense of isolation.
Estoril is famous for its casino, the inspiration for the casino gambling scene and title for the Ian Fleming's novel 'Casino Royale'.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of the man behind us wearing white socks.
He should have been wearing these
13 comments:
I have always enhjoyed Lisbona! The photos are marvelous!
Penguins are just the most fantastic birds ever.
yay! i love pictures!
looks like a truly fabulous trip!
The pictures are beautiful! That looks like such an enchanting place
why was he wearing white socks? maybe he wanted to get a tan line?
Hey! Yeah, I enjoyed the new TCM - the characters were less annoying and overall just a better setup to the story I suppose.
I love Pet Sematary too, i think my favorite novel is Christine though - either that or From A Buick 8, there's just something about old cars.
Omigod, those penguins are adorable! I love them.
And that's it, I'm totally sold on Portugal and Lisbon and its environs. What a wonderful place, you guys must have had quite an unforgettable holiday there.
Wow, it really does look great, I gotta say...
Thanks everyone, glad you like the pics. I've done my best to promote Lisbon, I should be getting commission from the tourist board.
The penguins are so cute aren't they? I took some video clips of them, I'll try and put them on for all you penguin lovers.
Wuchung, I've no idea why he was wearing white socks, he probably didn't want to burn his feet, but still, that's no excuse!
Adam, I haven't read From A Buick 8, but I've heard it's good. My overall Stephen King favourite is The Tommyknockers.
What a gorgeous place! So do you have any idea where the white-sock guy was from?
That oceanarium is just mesmerising - the penguins especially, of course. The sharks are a strange sight too.
Be thankful at least the old man wasn't wearing white socks AND sandals...
I want the penguins.
You don't know it but wearing white socks on the beach is all the rage in Lisbon. People probably thought you were quite odd in you sandals and bare feet. You'll never get the perfect sock tan that way.
Post a Comment