We had our first couchsurfing experience in Lisbon with Luis and Bela. I heard about couchsurfing.com on my travels in the Balkans and decided to join the movement. It is a great concept where you build an online profile and then ask people who live in places you are travelling if they can host you for a few nights.
Luis (pronounced Lewish) and his wife Bela were very kind and generous. They lived in a small apartment and actually moved their 2 year old daughter into their room for the night so they could set up a bed for Emily and I. We arrived really late and they still were happy to make us tea and snacks. Luis wanted us to see as much as we could in the short time we were there so he took us on an hour and a half tour around Lisbon in the middle of the night.
Our first stop on our express midnight tour was this great overlook of the city.
This shows how fast Luis and Emily were moving.
Some city workers recently discovered a hidden ancient Roman theater under one of the streets.
The sidewalks are all made of these intricate tile designs, a stark contrast to our concrete slabs.
The holiday decorations were everywhere, and each street had its unique style.
Me and Luis in front of Belem Tower
Belem Tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River in the 16th century for both a defense system and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
We then visited the Portuguese Colonial War memorial where the fallen Portuguese names are engraved. The war was fought in Angola and Mozambique and eventually all the Portuguese colonials peacefully withdrew from the African countries.
Walking along the Tagus River with the 25 of April Bridge in the background. It was built by the American Bridge Company that constructed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and not the Golden Gate, which explains its similarity in design.
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (The Monument to the Discoveries) is an impressive monument that celebrates the Portuguese who took part in the Age of Discoveries.
Emily soaking it in. 
More intricate tile work and the Jerónimos Monastery in the background. 
During our Tour de Lisbon Luis took us to this famous pastry place where we gobbled down some of these cream filled delights. 
Heading into the cathedral.
Inside the Cathedral
As many of these as I have seen they all still take my breath away with the great detail and size. 
Heading out of Lisbon over the Vasco da Gama Bridge.
Chasing Rainbows
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