An afternoon flight from Amsterdam to Lisbon got us to our overly-hipster 5-star conceptual hotel Fontecruz Lisboa.
Wall clock in our room
But the view from the top floor in Baixa near Rossio was spectacular, with Barrio Alto on one side and the Alfama on the other.
A view towards Bairro Alto
We unpacked ourselves, gathered our gear, and headed out for our first adventure in Portugal, an exploration of the Alfama. Grabbing a taxi nearby we wound our way up the crooked and cobbled streets of the Alfama towards Castelo De Sao Jorge. As the streets wound tighter and more narrow the taxi driver suggested a place to let us off and walk the rest of the way. It was a stunning viewpoint of Largo Santa Luzia with sweeping views of the Rio Tejo and the Sao Vicente De Fora Monastery.
We walked over to Sao Vicente only to find that it closed at 6pm and didn’t allow entry after 5pm – it was 5:10. So we turned ourselves around and threaded ourselves up through narrow streets towards the Castelo De Sao Jorge. We didn’t go to the castle because the narrow and winding streets were just the experience we were looking for. From here we had escaped the Football fans partying in the Baixa in support of Portugal playing Germany later that evening in Lisbon.
As we wound our way up, we wound our way down and dropped into a small restaurant called Ao Pé Da Sé for a rest, drink, and snack – a pint of Sagres and an incredible plate of cheese. 
We stepped out to explore the Igreja de Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa and then wandered the streets of the Alfama looking for a place for dinner. 
After wandering around aimlessly and turning down tourist restaurant after tourist restaurant we ended up at Cruzes Credo Café which had rave reviews on Yelp. It’s 8 tables packed, we waited 30 minutes for a seat on a couch and chair with a tiny table not large enough to hold our plates. It was simple fare and satisfied our craving for an introduction to the flavors of Portugal – which apparently are heavily laden with salt. I ordered my first (and possibly last) bacalhau (salted cod) which was good, but just so salty that my low sodium diet forbids me from ever ordering it again. 
Bacalhau (salted cod)
After dinner we headed towards Baixa and up the Rua Augusta back towards Rossio and our overly-hip hotel. But not before we stopped to buy some inexpensive Portugese shoes, a nightcap of port and second dessert of Portugese marzipan.
So far Portugal is doing very well by me. Eu amo Portugal!
Sabbatikos 
I tho’t we’d warned you about bacalhau…..once is enough, or perhaps once too much!
Luv your Sabbatikos..keep it coming!!
Luv, Us
Great post about Lisbon!
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What a great blog. Beyond a blog in fact. I have lived on and off in Portugal for years (have some Azorian roots) from north to south, although after yesterdays Brexit election it might come to an end! Anyway, I have made a series on graffiti in the Algarve (filmed not edited), which might be of interest. Likewise a film on Portuguese football culture that was broadcast on TV in the UK, Spain and Portugal. Blah blah. Anyway, I loved your writing, photos and tangible enthusiasm so much that I felt like I should communicate that fact. And having played in bands as a kid and subsequently worked in the music business for many years, I’ve probably got some of the vinyl your looking for in your Top 100 list. Best wishes and respect for the effort (and quality thereof). Tuse