Loitering with intent in Lisbon 6

So far, first impressions of Lisbon were good and the next day turned out even better. After a leisurely day strolling the sunny streets of its oldest and most traditional neighbourhood, we devoted our next day in the city to its newest district, the waterfront at Parque das Nações.

Back in 1998, Lisbon hosted a world expo called 'The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future.' So far, so snooz-a-rama.

Commemorating the 500th anniversary of Vasco de Gama finding the sea route to India by sailing around Africa (don't fall asleep on me yet) it regenerated much of the city's eastern shorefront (zzzzz....).

The results included Europe's longest bridge (I saw you open your eyes for a second to take a look), a train station that looks like a bird in flight (c'mon, admit it, you're not really asleep) and an enormous aquarium filled with hyperactive penguins, adorable sea otters and man-eating sharks (ok, maybe not man-eating, but now that I've got your attention you may as well keep reading).

The fun starts on the new underground metro line which was built to whisk visitors out to the site. Emerging from the tunnel at Oriente station, you are greeted by colourful tiled walls that tie in with the oceanic theme, such as these underwater superheroes doing battle.

Upstairs and outside, your first sight is of an apartment block and the entrance to a shopping mall. So far, so what.

Look behind you however and you can admire the transport interchange from which you've just emerged:

See what I mean about a bird taking wing?

Or is it a forest made from glass?

Designed by a Spanish architect named Calatrava,,Oriente station serves as the crossroads for trains, buses and a metro line all used by as many people every year as Manhattan's Grand Central Station.

Carrying on through the shopping centre we finally reached the waterfront, with its acres of cobblestones scattered with artworks,

the flat paving looking perfect for a bike ride.

We chose to wander up the river, passing beautifully manicured gardens

overgrown with exotic plants,

until we reached the base of the bridge which is nearly 11 miles long in total.

It was Sunday and hundreds of people were out for a stroll, a jog, a cycle ride or even some doggie yoga.

Instead of walking back the way we came, we opted for the cable car which gave us bird's eye view of the whole district. At the time of our visit, the adult ticket for a single trip cost €3.95.

No-one speaks of pavilions these days...and that saddens me. The expo buildings are now hotels, flats, conference halls, a casino, a science museum and a concert arena.

Where once there were docks and refineries, there is now a cruise ship pier and marina, plus bars and restaurants.

Practically all the eateries specialise in seafood, which must make for awkward questions for families that have been to the aquarium, which is the main attraction of the former expo grounds. Mummy, is my fish stick made out of Nemo??

Speaking of the food, didn't somebody mention something about sharks?? Click back next time for a look inside the awesome aquarium!