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...

It is said that Setubal 's history can be dated back to the Roman time and even the town was founded by a relative of Noah .  Its wealth is mainly derived from the sea and harbour.  The fishing salting industry started in 1st century AD and the town's harbour is where King Alfonso V set sail in 1458 to conquer Alcacer Ceguera in Morocco .  Today, the highlights of Setubal are the beach at Troia , the Fort of Sao Filipe and the gorgeous panoramic views. We took an express bus from Praca de Espanha ( blue metro line ).  It passes by  Águas Livres Aqueduct which was built between 1731 and 1747 due to a severe lack of drinking water in Lisbon . The main course covers 18km. The whole network of canals extends through nearly 58km. The bus route goes further and will pass the  Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge .  One can have a fantastic view of the Cristo Rei at the return trip. We first headed to the Monastery of Jesus , a Manueline ( Portuga...