(Tap) (Tap) is this thing on? Yes, it’s been a minute since my last adventure but that drought is finally over. Besides Italy, Portugal was the last major European country I had never visited and decided to change that thanks to a great miles deal I found. I had planned to go a bit later in the year to avoid the rainy season but this was too good to pass up.

The trip was long but uneventful and eventually made my way to Lisbon. Battling jet lag, I slept late but eventually headed over to the Time Out Market food hall.

The hall was bustling with tourists and local alike wandering the vast space filled with all kinds of tasty treats. I took a lap soaking it all in and then circled back to a stand featuring something I simply had to have – the octopus hot dog.

There were actually several varieties- from BBQ to topped with kimchi – but I opted for the original – grilled with smoked Japanese mayo. This was decidedly a fork and knife version and was soon digging into to the tender and slightly charred octopus, which was cooked to perfection. The homemade potato chips were nice and crispy, and washed it all down with a quite good local beer called Super Bock. A great first meal.

I made my way over a couple of blocks to the meeting point for the reason I was in that area – a tuk tuk tour of Old Lisbon. They were everywhere but I had reserved a private one and soon was greeted by my guide for the next 2 hours, a friendly chap from Bangladesh called Maru.

Soon a very bumpy ride up the cobblestone streets began with Maru joking that this was the massage chair part of the tour. I was jostled back and forth/up and down as we traversed up the narrow pathway to our first stop, a church from the 1100s – the Cathedral of Lisbon.

Just past the cathedral was a lookout point with the old city and harbor now visible.

Back into the tuk tuk and more winding roads and soon we reached the next spot – St. Vincent Church – a mere 400 years old.

There was another lookout point here but Maru said there was a better one at the highest point so back into the tuk tuk I went to go even further up the hill.

The National Pantheon was teeming with people taking pictures or just hanging out along the walls enjoying the perfect sunshine. Now I could see the entire city – A cidade das sete colinas – the city of 7 hills – all beneath me. I even allowed for a rare picture of yours truly when Maru offered.

We eventually made our way through the Alfama district, the oldest part of the city slowly descending once again. Maru explained this area was one of the only not affected by a massive earthquake that destroyed most of Lisbon in 1755, on All Saints Day no less!

We finally arrived back where we started, and I said thanks to Maru as I hauled my tenderized body out of the tuk tuk. I took an Uber back to my hotel and rested for a bit – but no siesta as that would seriously screw up my jet lag.

To that end, the combination of wanting to take it easy plus the fact I had a $100 hotel credit to use made me decide to just go to the bar in the hotel for a cocktail and some bites.

To my chagrin, some of the boisterous American tourists I had run into leaving the hotel had perched at the bar (trucker hat and overalls, really??) so I picked a spot as far away from them as possible.

I had spotted a very intriguing cocktail on the menu called Smokey Thing – which was lapsang souchong infused brandy, Pernod, dill syrup and bitter lime. The nose was like a campfire but unfortunately, the Pernod completely overpowered. Sensing my dislike, the bartender offered to make me another one with less Pernod. This was much better and more balanced. A great choice.

I couldn’t go to Portugal and not have one of their signature small plate – bachalau – salted cod fritters – and this version was way better than expected with a surprising smokey element mixed within the soft filling. Muito delicioso!

Next the bartender recommended the sirloin sliders and fries which sounded great to me as well. The first bite was a bit chewy but eventually got into the tender parts and scarfed both down. The spongy Portuguese bread was lightly toasted and helped sop up the tangy steak sauce. Way better than expected and free!

It was good timing too as now the bar was filled with more of the Ugly Americans barging their way in. I took that was my cue to leave and headed back to my room. The weather wasn’t going to be nearly as nice as today but the cooler overcast skies would be a good time to explore the city more on foot.