Was another great week of sun, fun and wonderful food. Was a tale of two cities, so to speak, as I gave up the beach life in Foz for the more urban, touristy experience in Porto. Heart felt thanks to my older brother Richard for suggesting this destination on my travels. Such a beautiful city.
Continued to jog daily during my time in Foz. Had one day when I was out for 55 minutes. Yes, definitely a proud Dave moment on my trip. Also pleased I've been consistent in my jogging given how good the food and wine is. Did stop jogging while I was in Porto. Just something about the big city that killed my ambition to put my sneakers on. Was a beautiful path along the river and onto the beaches on the Atlantic. Too much exhaust in the air for me.
I have a hankering for the crusty buns in this country - the bread type is what I mean. Truly is one of the food highlights when I travel in Europe. Know the flour used here is different from North America. Terrific to have buns, olives and different spreads as part of every meal. Thank goodness they are all calorie free.
Also buckled down to do some writing beyond my daily journaling while I was in Foz. Had a nice spot in the hotel bar to myself each morning. Did get a little pampered. One of the hotel staff would prepare an espresso for me during the last three days of my visit. The writing disappeared again when I was in Porto. Way too many sights to see, wine to drink, beaches to go to and food to eat to have time for writing.
Bus Trip
Ended up being uneventful, thank goodness. Self-confession. In spite of all the traveling I have done I still get somewhat wound up when I get into bus stations, airports and the like. Something about those places that gnaw at my patience and usually wonderful calm temperament. Not quite Jekyll and Hyde now; sure used to be. Anyhow, took a taxi to Caldas de Rainha to catch the first of two different buses to Porto. Changed buses in Leiria; an hour wait before heading to Porto through Coimbra. Always good to check which bus to get on. As it happened the bus to Porto had a different final destination. Yes, I survived the drama.
A word to anyone who may ever think about traveling with me. I really suck at using the GPS on my phone to find places within cities. Mention this as it took me about 45 minutes to complete what should have been a 15 minute walk from the bus station in Porto to my hotel. Got to love all those extra steps in a city that is built on hills with cobblestone sidewalks and streets. Loads of laughs and fun wheeling my luggage.
Foz
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| Happy Guy #1 Loved this location on my jog |
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| Happy Guy #2 Early morning calm |
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| Happy Guy #3 Foz from above the village |
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| Got to love the curried shrimp my friends! What an amazing meal! |
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| Hake fillets - another first (other than Tibano - OTT) |
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| Tomato Rice - OTT |
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| Vegetable soup - big favorite (OTT) |
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| Another 1st - potato peels with dipping sauce Simply divine! |
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| Cuttlefish - 1st time so I had to ask if I got the right order; didn't look like a fish |
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| Yes, I had to have french fries one night. |
Porto
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| Happy Guy #1 Metal in bridge was most used prior to Eiffel Tower |
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| Happy Guy #2 Douro River in back; Douro Valley is home to grapes for Port wine |
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| Happy Guy #3 Atlantic Ocean meets Porto Beach is in the distance |
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| 1st Porto meal - Tuna Pate |
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| Green both - Traditional Portuguese Soup |
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| More fish - sooo good! |
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| I'm lovin it! Every trip requires me to taste test the fries for global consistency. Yup, it's my job! |
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| Turkey nuggets @ Raiz Amazing with superb sauces |
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| Oven roasted octopus - Traditional preparation (Raiz) |
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| And now for something completely different. Stopped at this sidewalk restaurant; watched my lunch being prepared |
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| That's my sardines on the BBQ |
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| And there they are waiting for me to enjoy Sardines for my first time. Tasted amazing! |
Oh yeah! And the sights....
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| Thought of my TJXC friend Grace She's the Nutella Queen |
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| Historic section of Porto Built on hills - so picturesque |
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| Train station - Mural 1 |
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| Train station - Mural 2 |
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| Train station - Mural 3 |
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| Lower side of Cathedral |
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| Riberia from that metal bridge |
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| Historic Porto - opposite side of Douro River |
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| Port Wine Distillery Visit Come on - must see when in port wine central! |
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| Why I went on the tour |
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| What we drank on the tour |
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| So, who's interested in some chocolate covered sardines? |
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| Hotel terrace in Porto - my room was on the far end. Unexpected and most welcome perk! |
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| View from hotel terrace |
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| Cathedral altar Heavenly sounds from choir practicing while I was in church |
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| Cathedral That's it's name! |
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| Give you a sense of what some of the streets are like |
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| Clock Tower Another famous Porto landmark |
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| Porto Beach |
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| Porto beach - low tide |
So I'm now in Lousa which is 27 km south of Coimbra - nestled in the Serra da Lousã mountain range. More next week about my continuing challenges getting to the bus station in Porto using the GPS on my phone. Will the wonders ever stop for young David? Falling in love with Lousa after only a day. Unsure what's next for me. Got the week to figure it out. Kind of loving this idea now of being in the moment.
Remember to try to do something outside of your comfort zone this week! That's where the adventure begins.
See ya next week!
