Europe 2023 August 28th Day 25 - Trams, Funicular and a Castle

Jane a felt bit better this morning after sleeping for nearly 12 hours . Popped down for breakfast and while I had the full Monty she went very light. First stop after was a pharmacy for some hydralyte to try and assist and off to do the famous No. 28 tram. 

We got there about 20 minutes before the first one and already a long line. There was a red tram but this was a private one. So we waited, putting up with all the people trying to push into line and quickly being told to get to the back. First tram came and went absolutely jam packed and as the second tram arrived which we were obviously no going to get on, the conductor from the red tram came across and asked if anyone had Yellow bus tickets for the tram. Of course we did, so on we jumped along with another couple and on our was, only four on a tram. Stupid Slavic women who I had told earlier to get to the back of the line when she and her friends tried to push in came rushing up to tell me to get in line as we tried get on the red bus, shoved the tickets in her face and told her to go away, typical Russian.😆

So we had an empty tram for the whole journey which travels almost the same route as no. 28 but first stop. Very pleasant and enjoyable indeed. While trip was about 1.5 hours and kept on passing packed no.28 trams and even one with the rude women standing packed like a sardine, justice. We then walked up to the viewpoint for a lovely panorama of the city before stopping for a coffee and a pastry. Jane starting to feel a bit better but not pushing it.

We then slowly walked up the hill to the castle/ fort we could see from our hotel, the Castelo d S Jorge. Excellent castle ruins with superb 360 ' views of Lisbon and once again long line for tickets ; however went online with phone and got two tickets and walked in, brilliant. Spent quite some time here just walking around this site that dates back to 8th century BC and the fort before 1127. Staying in the shade when we could as quite a warm day and heaps stairs and steps to navigate.

We finished and left via a gelato first (lemon with strawberry and peach for me ) before heading down the hill and finding the No. 28 tram which hopped on to get to the funicular. These trains are really unique and such fun to ride. Short trips up and down very steep slopes, so much fun. 

From the botttom we then walked a little before returning to the funicular but a long line so we just walked up to the hill to the top, stopping a few times, popped our heads into a church before jumping back on No.28 to head home. The tram was as usual packed and about 15 minutes in a young lady fainted. She was assisted and got to her feet, but do you think the two young Slavic people offered her their seat, not a hope, comment from one of them, she's just fainted 🤬

Got back to the square and then into the hotel for a wee nap after a long warm day. Had about a 45 minute kip and as Jane said she was feeling a bit better I returned to the restaurant I went to last night. Once again same lovely staff and Jane even had a vegetable (Portuguese Green soup) soup. I had a steak with 'special' sauce and half bottle of local white wine; very nice.

Back to our room after a small stroll and a glass of red and a well deserved sleep. Went a lot further than expected today so looking forward to tomorrow.