2010 - FIP Lisbon: Day 4: Sat 28 Aug

After breakfast, Susan and I decided that we would walk down through Praca do Rossio (Rossio Square) to the Praco de Comercio (Commerce Square) which was on the waterfront of the Tagus River and then catch the HOHO bus to the Congress centre, or close to it, to register for the Congress and pick up our showbag. So, off we went and stopped every now and then to take photos. After doing the tourist thing in the Commercial Park, we waited at the designated point for the bus, however, it never eventuated. So, we thought how far can it be to the Congress Centre, really? Probably no more than 4km, so off we went (no such things as consulting Google Maps in those days, even though I did have an iPhone). We were both quite hungry by this stage as it was just after lunch and along the way we spotted a Maccas and just had to stop. It was also quite a warm day and I had already consumed all my water, so it was a rehydration stop as well. By the time we got to the Congress centre we were quite buggered, and it turned out it was about 9km we walked. After registering, we caught a taxi back to the hotel as we’d had enough excitement for one day! John suggested we go out for dinner to an authentic Portuguese restaurant, and I think it was called Tasca do Chico. Seating and tables were very basic, military style bench seat with trestle table-type top. The restaurant is in the Bairro Alto area which required a hike up a large hill to get to there.

The Marquis of Pombal Square is an important roundabout in the city and is located between the Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue) and the Eduardo VII Park. The square is the radiating point for various important avenues. In the middle of the roundabout there is a large column dedicated to Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal, 1st Count of Oeiras, the powerful prime minister who ruled Portugal from 1750 to 1777, built between 1917 and 1934. A bronze statue of the Marquess is on the top, with a lion - symbol of power - by his side.

Avenue of Liberty is an important boulevard, famous as one of the most expensive shopping streets in Europe. It is a 90-metre-wide boulevard, 1100m long, with ten lanes divided by pedestrian pavements decorated with gardens. It links Marquis of Pombal Square in the north to Restaurados Square in the south. It was built in 1879 and has since become one of the most prestigious addresses in Portugal and one of Europe's most popular luxury shopping destinations, as the home to numerous luxury stores, boutiques, and hotels.

The Rossio is the popular name of the King Pedro IV Square in the city and has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions, and is now a preferred meeting place of Lisbon natives and tourists alike. The current name of the Rossio pays homage to Pedro IV, King of Portugal. The Column of Pedro IV is in the middle of the square.

The Praça do Comércio is located in the city near the Tagus river, and was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace until it was destroyed by the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It was named the Square of Commerce, to indicate its new function in the economy of Lisbon. The symmetrical buildings of the square were filled with government bureaux regulating customs and port activities. The centrepiece of the square is the equestrian statue of King José I, inaugurated in 1775.