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Lisbon is situated in the south-west of Portugal and only a short sailing distance from the Atlantic Ocean. The city centre has many esplanades with shops, cafes and bars, surrounded by buildings which perhaps can best described as having a bygone elegance.
The city became the country's capital during the mid-thirteenth century and was later to develop into a busy spice and trade centre during the 15th century. In 1755 a major earthquake followed by devastating fires left the city in ruins and claimed some 40,000 lives. Lisbon has a population of some 600,000 people and in 1998 hosted Expo98.
The journey from the port to the city had no notable attractions, the route mainly following the railway line through typical suburbia environment. Unlike some of our fellow passengers who managed to see some of the old town and were pleased with having made the effort, we looked around the centre. To the accompaniment of incessant piped music from speakers dotted at regular intervals on buildings along the main esplanades, we got as far as the main square.
 Nearby, was a the Elevador De Santa Justa which was designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel. The 32 metre structure offered an interesting perspective of the city centre and the Tagus River from which the Caronia had sailed along. It was around that area that Lynn had a nasty fall down the well worm steps adjacent to the lift, so we confined ourselves to remaining around the shops and then back to the Caronia. I would have liked to have seen the city by tram, but that will have to be another day.
The Caronia set sail for Southampton at 18:00hrs with the prospect of a taking part in magnificent lunch buffet and formal dinner the following day!
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