33C forecast with full sun. Altis Grand is a very big hotel - 600 rooms and a reasonably recent modernistic revamp. Typical extensive buffet breakfast for an hotel of this type.
Down Avenue de Liberarade to Rossio & Baixa areas (pretty well all rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and fires that destroyed much of Lisbon). Shops not open until 10am or later, but lots of opportunity to window shop. Badly needed a haircut but could not see a hairdresser anywhere, let alone an asian $15 job. Referred by a shopkeeper to Figaro's. Most expensive haircut I have ever had at €25 - but then, David Beckham gets his cut here when in Lisbon, and there was free beer. Offset the price with 2 coffees for €2.40. Many very big and spectacular churches (so many that they do not all make the maps) - but they are an excellent rest stop.
Down to Praca do Comercio, Lisbon's huge waterfront square. Visited the Lisbon Story Centre on the Square - not to be missed. Tells the story of Lisbon from the time of the Phoencians (who lost control to the Romans in 210BC), to the post 1755 rebuild of the city. Excellent displays and the best personal audio system ever experienced.
Walked the waterfront to Cais de Sodre, then machine purchased the Lisbon "myki card" and navigated the Metro back to our Hotel (both systems easy to use).
A swim and a scrub up before our Insight check in and Welcome Dinner. 28 on board and we are about the average age (not too many too much older - and Australian, New Zealand & Canadian identified so far). Sara, our tour Director looks to be pretty switched on and with a bright personality. Dinner at Alfandega restaurant (coincedentally, just around the corner from our Lisbon accommodation later in the trip) comprising Portuguese tapas, inluding the traditional chicken and cod fish dishes - very nice (as was the wine).
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