HK Independent Traveller Blog

I like antique but can only afford those from flea markets. The first vintage piece in my life is a butter case bought in Heidelberg flea market. At time, I hadn't developed the hobby of antique / vintage collection  but gradually. The butter case is still in use after many years. On 1 May, we visited Feira da Ladra Flea Market in Lisbon. Yes, it was opened on the national holiday.  It's not insanely crowded.  Feira da Ladra is held every Tuesday and Saturday at  Campo de Santa Clara , behind the monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora  in Alfama .  The nice snapshots of the church were taken by my travel companion while I was browsing the vintage stuff. I visited a flea market in Porto a few years ago.  It sold mainly second hand household products.  Feira da Larda is similar but product quality is higher. I've got a plate from  Limoges  and a little angel made of ceramics.  Nice and very good value, €2 an...

On May 1 the labour day, the Feira da Ladra (Flea Market) was opened and so as the former Expo Park,  The Parque das Nações (Park of Nations). After a pleasant visit to the Feira da Ladra , Alfama and Martim Moniz , we headed to the  Oriente Station (red metro line) which the Parque das Nações is nearby. The Oriente Station is part of a modernisation project and celebrations marking the opening of the Expo '98. It is an immense interchanging hub and a major element of modern urban development.  The platform architecture composing of metal and glass lattice covering differentiates itself from the glorious historical building in the centre of Lisbon. A bridge links the Oriente Station and the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre .   We wandered around the modern centre and then approached the Park.  The first visit point is Pavilhão do Conhecimento (The Pavilion of Knowledge). It was converted from the Expo and aims to promote science and tec...

We descended back from Cristo Rei by bus in the evening and took a further stroll along the river side via Rua Ginjai . Along the way are abandoned warehouses, run down buildings, graffiti , fishermen and exceptional views of the Rio Tejo, 25 April Bridge and the glorious Lisbon .     The walk is quiet and very different from the bustle ferry terminal.  It took us around 25 minutes (including photo shooting) to the end of the path.  Two restaurants stand to greet visitors.  We picked the colourful Restaurante Ponto Final . If you walk a bit further, you will reach the Boca do Vento lift to ascend to Almada old town and Cristo Rei. Apart from fabulous seafood , we were rewarded with stunning views of the 25 April Bridge and Lisbon between the evening and night. P.S. it was very windy next to Rio Tejo .     The way back was dimmed but romantic.  A few lights dotted the path in the cold night. Goodbye to ...