Club Trip to Lisbon 9th to 12th May 2009
A Guest's View
Now in the distant past, with a few days work under our belt since the early morning flight home from sunny Lisbon (well on the last day). I remember well the very friendly chatter of our taxi driver, as we drove through the streets of Lisbon to the Hotel, his comments of Ronaldo was the greatest and he was from Portugal, and United was only second best to Benfica, we should have worked him out there and then. Parting with thirty euros for this pleasant but long journey we were disappointed to learn that some in the party had only paid 10 euros, and that included the tip !!.
Then came the now infamous coach tour by Dianatours, We did see the famous Bullring three times and then onto the famous sites of Lisbon. We will not comment on the weather only to say that being from Cumbria we are used to mixed conditions and good pictures can be had whenever - I would like to see some of the pictures several members of the group where taking through the coach window.
Colin's choice for our first and last group meal for whatever reason was excellent, good food and good wine on the whole, I think most were satisfied, The train ride to Sintra was fruitful from a photographic point of view it was certainly different and very atmospheric with once again inclement weather being the norm.
I think on the whole we found Lisbon very photogenic, in particular the old quarters; lots of characters and old buildings, I have never seen so much graffiti, which in itself can be colourful. On one or two occasions Tony R did a disappearing act, I think to photograph the famous trams. I think, at the last count he was up to 59 pictures of trams: you A/V lovers watch out. The last day, from a weather point of view, was much improved with several more miles of Lisbon covered on foot and many more pictures taken. The highlight for me was a visit to the Lisbon Botanical Gardens with a multitude of flowers in full bloom, butterflies and wild birds abound.
Alas came the time for our departure from the Hotel but not before Colin received a much deserved vote of thanks. Well done Colin you deserve it for just putting up with everyone. Ah and the last taxi journey turned out to be 20 euros cheaper including tip and I certainly didn't remember the underpass he went through on our journey into Lisbon. Lessons have been learned.