Christmas Wonderland (Dec 4, 2024)

As far back as I can remember, vacations meant hurrying to see as much as you could in the time you had.  Even in the few vacations we had that were three weeks long, I tried to pack in as much as possible.  It's an effort for me to fight this instinct.  I think I'm doing OK, but Fe might have a different opinion.

On our last trip to Portugal in 2022, I noticed how artistic many of the Lisbon Metro subway stations were (see Bom Dia, Portugal for that trip) and today we went to the Olaias Station on the Red line.  I read that CNN named it one of the ten most beautiful stations in the world.

The station platform

Ceiling art

Looking down the escalator

Rising up the escalator

The artwork had a nautical theme--fish boats, manta rays, etc.--so I was kind of excited to see the area outside the station but it was a mostly residential area with lots of apartment blocks.  Not much of interest.

The other highlights today was an evening visit to the Praça do Commércio and the street lights around the area.

Building wrapped in lights

Fe and I with the streetlights on Rua Augusta

Christmas Tree in the plaza

Looking up inside the tree

View of the square

Cruise ship leaving harbor with Christ the King statue, the moon, and Venus

More street lights

The next stop tonight was the Rossio Christmas Market in Rossio Square.

As mentioned above

Fe and the lights

Lights around the market

São Jorge Castle above the square

More street lights

Another view of the caste, which I thought was neat.

A Nativity display

Almost every street in the city has some kind of lighting--you'll see more in upcoming posts--and I have to admit, they really put me in a Christmas spirit.