We did more or less regular tourist-ing this morning. Portugal is famous for their painted tiles. The pic below is a very small part of a painted tile set that shows what Lisbon looked like before it was destroyed in 1755. It was found in somebody’s basement. It is the only known representation of early Lisbon.

The tiles are amazing, buy I was more interested in the maritime museum. Nobody could sail out into the Atlantic until the Portuguese invented the Caravel. This ship was quite sturdy and more importantly, could sail into the wind.

Here’s a model of the ship Vasco de Gama used to reach India.

The Caravels ships were a huge step forward, But the Portuguese also needed to protect their merchant ships against attacks. It didn’t take them long to develop the Galleon. Fast, low, maneuverable and heavily armed, they served their purpose admirably.

This “super sized” Galleon was the aircraft carrier of the era.

Of course, ships are no good if you can’t figure out where to point them. One of Portugal’s great advantages was the invention of the mariner’s astrolabe in the late 15th century. This allowed them to measure their true latitude with less than a 3 degree error.

Tonight we will see Fado singers. Tomorrow, it’s time to leave Lisbon.

I hope this finds everyone doing well.