After the changes in itinerary we were now in Lisbon for two days. I had planned to go on a street art walking tour on the second day but instead we hired a tuk-tuk for an even more exciting experience around the art in Lisbon.
Day 6:Thursday 10th October 2024: Lisbon
As Iona sailed up the Tagus into Lisbon from our starboard cabin we could see the statue high above the bridge. From our Deck 11 balcony, the bridge seemed close enough to touch or even for it to be touching the ship. The noise from traffic the the wind was loud especially when a tram rumbled over just as we passed underneath the bridge.
Once past the lower river docks Iona began to spin to stop at the cruise terminal. As the spin began, we could see a couple of small cruise ships and naval vessel already docked up stream.
I had taken my phone off aeroplane mode as soon as I had seen Iona was at the mouth of the river. Then two days worth of emails cascaded down along with a text messages about my planned street art tour. One message was an update that the walking tour had had to be cancelled for family reasons by the guide.
The restaurant on Deck 6 was unexpectedly closed at 9 am. A quick dash to Deck 7, along with lots of other passengers, followed for breakfast. While we ate the ship’s ridge announced a ship wide emergency practice for the whole of Iona’s company for later that morning.
The two cruise ships had left the terminal by the time we were back in our cabin. The emergency practice was just beginning as we left to get to go the gangway. As we walked along Deck 6 the crew were streaming past us all carrying or wearing their lifejackets. Seeing this many crew emphasised just how many people it took to run the ship. The emergency drill was most probably the reason for the early closures of the restaurant.
Street Art in Lisbon by tuk-tuk
We took a tuk-tuk for over two hours and a half on a crazy ride around Lisbon looking at street art. We visited parts of the city that we had never been to before along the way.
Here are a few of the amazing pieces that we saw on this trip:
Art by Vils
Art by Bordalo II
“Saudade” painted by artist Mário Belém
Vhils and American artist Shepard Fairey (Obey)
“Peace Guard,” a mural created in 2017 by American artist Shepard Fairey.
Poseidon, painted by the Spanish artistic duo PichiAvo.
For all the street art that we saw click here for the full blog.
Our driver chatted to us about the economies of the tuk-tuk business around Portugal. We were staggered at just how much an electric cost to buy/lease (from memory of 2ok Euros).
Back on Iona
Once we left the tuk-tuk we walked back towards Iona and on the way stopped for a rest bar of a hotel.
We ate a combined late lunch an early dinner in the Olive Grove.
Garry Barlow in concert
This was our evening for Gary Barlow‘s concert. We started queueing at 7 pm and we’re into the theatre at 7:35 pm.
710 Club
After the concert I joined the reserve queue to join the reserve queue for the 710 Club. We called first from the reserves at 10:25 pm and we settled in for a set of UK number one hits.
Lisbon evening views
We usually leave Lisbon in the late afternoon so this evening I took the opportunity to take some images of Lisbon at night at around 11:30pm.
And finally…
We had another full day in Lisbon to come.