We started to sail up the Tagus River around 9:00 AM on May 2, 2012 on a very rainy, windy and overcast day. We docked in Lisbon on the other side of the April 25th Bridge. We decided to stay on board today due to 40 mile per hour winds and intermittent rain squalls.
The next day was still overcast but the wind had subsided. We boarded a bus for a 90 minute ride to Obidos, known as the “Wedding Present Town” because it was a gift King Dinis gave to Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282. It rained most of the way there and stopped just as we arrived. We passed under the Amoreira Aqueduct and parked in a lot outside the City Walls.
We passed through the Town Gate with its tile lined interior and started up on Rua Direita, the main street. We continued on past alley ways that either went up or down from the main street. Near the top of the town we climbed steps and entered the 12th Century Castle, which is now a hotel. Leaving the castle we climbed the 13m (45ft)-high medieval walls of the city for some birds eye views of the town and surrounding area. We returned via the same main street to the town square and the Santa Maria Church, with an interior entirely faced with tiles.
