Portugal (5): Lisbon - Cristo Rei

"What exactly are we looking for?"

Last but not least, it was our final day in Portugal/Lisbon. Given that it was pouring with rain I would like to say Portugal was sad to see us go. The agenda was short but sweet, literally, we had a stop over at Pasteis de Belem, a prestigious dessert based restaurant know for it's confectionary. People were literally queuing all the way down the side of the building but apparently there's a little hack to get in which meant we were seated with 10 minutes lovely stuff. Some things you would just never know or find out if you weren't with locals or people who are well travelled.

"In 1837, the baking of the 'Pasteis de Belém' was begun in buildings joined to the refinery, following the ancient 'secret recipe' from the monastery. Passed on and known exclusively to the master confectioners who hand-crafted the pastries in the 'secrets room', this recipe remained unchanged to the present day.

In fact, the only true 'Pasteis de Belém' contrive, by means of a scrupulous selection of ingredients, to offer even today the flavour of the time-honoured Portuguese sweetmaking. "

The pastries were literally a perfect blend of sweetness, texture and warmth, so what did I do? Buy one to go of course. I would have loved to stay for longer but we were on a tight schedule. We hopped and skipped over huge puddles to rush back to the coach. Next stop Cristo Rei (Cristo Rey in Spanish). If I remember clearly the statue was like a thank you present, pretty cool present I say.

"Cristo Rei is a Catholic monument and shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heartof Jesus Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon in the central part of Portugal. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemerstatue in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument."

It was the last stop of the trip and a significant one at that. Cue the group photos and wanderlust photography. I couldn't help but anticipate the 7 hour journey ahead

but I had secured a window seat, so all was right in the world again.