We had agreed on having a day together in Lisbon. To eliminate all potential obstacles I have made a program without too many hassles: First Castelo, Then the tram 28 to downtown (of course with a pitstop for a Pasteis de Nata). Then the boat to the other side of the river (to climb the statue of Christ). Then the boat back (and a stop for an Ice Cream and a diaper check) and slowly back up to Tings via the playground in Jardim da Cerca da Graça.

That was the plan I have spent days on making. 

Once we entered Castelo de São Jorge and Manfred saw this paradise, he got lost in his own fairy tale and fantasy world. Canons to play with, birds everywhere (including nosy and  bad smelling peacocks), towers to climb, fountains with cold running water, ice-cream shops and Temple Knights.

But the biggest thrill of them all was the view! 

We counted cranes, watched the boats crossing the river, and discussed reasons behind the monuments (“Why is Jesus Standing over there…. ” monuments and played an imaginary game with all the  colored roofs and rooftop terraces – using the rules Manfred invented along the way… When he showed him the Castle on top of the mountains in Palmela on the other side of Tejo, Manfred changed the Universe… 

I could as well have flushed my super Thomas & Manfred plan in the toilet – not even the world’s biggest ice cream could compete Castelo São Jorge’s medieval fantasy paradise and bring him back to Lisbon anno 2019. Not even the world’s biggest ice cream would make him leave his new canon.

We ended up staying at Castello for 3 hrs! 

When we crossed Martim Moniz on our way to the boat to Cristo Rei, Manfred insisted on playing with all the fountains. That took another 2 hours. When he saw the two huge fountains on neighboring Rossio – and discovered Castelo São Jorge on the top of the hill behind him, his imagination took off like a spaceship and flew him above us all so he could get THE BIG PICTURE! 

The stories Manfred told us all when we returned to Tings – about how the Fortress was connected to the fountains on Rossio in a system to beat the enemies would make J. J. Tolkien’s flush of envie 

Then I realized that the best plan for a day in Lisbon with a 2 1/2 year old kid is NO PLAN AT ALL – especially not with a Medieval Castle within walking distance from your hotel.

In 2022 we spent Christmas together again.

And again we visited Castelo – but this time together with his parents and his 2 years old sister (my granddaughter) Magda.

If it wasn’t because of her and her temper we would all have spent the day here…