Porto

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Liz wanted to go and see Porto. We were close a few years ago but never made it to see the place.. So this time it was on. for a hectic drive through small villages where you have to stop for all sort of things that move from one to the other side of the street. Truck take the whole road so it very hard to pass. anyway we arrived in Porto late afternoon and the GPS took us right to the front door. The car park was over the road and . they gave us a hand with the luggage, so all good. Having first a cup of coffee we went out to see what Porto had to offer. As first we noticed it is a city where all streets go up and down that makes walking not easy. We saw that it was getting busier in the streets so people were waking up. Everything is closed after lunchtime till 5 p.m. people start waking up and eating places open their doors. We had planned a small walk but that turned out to more than two hours. We ate at the hotel and we had one of those marvellous nights you have so ones or twice in your live. At breakfast we planned the day and that was walking towards the river. On the way we would visit a few churches. That did not work for we came passed a market where you could buy all sorts of things. Liz fell in love with some tiles that were set in cork. So they were bought and had to go back to the Hotel. To much to carry that all with you. We continued our walk to the river visiting a few churches on the way. We also made a stop in Flores street to taste one of those famous Porto cakes filled with custard. That day we never made it to the river. That was for the next day. We found another place to eat called Palmyra. Nice food but to far away and all the way up and at that time of the day was just to much. Next day we made it to t5he river. There were some beautiful views looking down onto the Douro river. A very unusual bridge spanned across to connect the two sides. We also visited the Hard Rock café but the clothes were not that nice. Now we had to go all the way back and that meant all the way up. We found a new restaurant where all the locals go also nominated by trip advisor. It was a very odd place where to proprietor received you at the door and told you where to sit. Nobody speaks English so they explained as good as possible what they can offer us. And we must say that was all very nice. So good that for the rest of our stay we ate there and they always kept the same two places open. We had a good breakfast and planned our day while having it. We decided to take the hop on hop of bus that tours around Porto. Taking the yellow line was good for we wanted to see some of the Forts and also the place they barbeque the fish mostly sardines. We sat on the top so we had a good view. It turned out it took the whole day. Very interesting at the top where they do the fish. Busy as well there was a liner in with lots of English tourists. We walked back a few stops along the beach. Very hot it was around 39 degrees. Caught the bus back that took us back to the main square but we had to climb back up to the hotel. We had a very nice day. The last day we went shopping. The main shopping street is St Catherine street. A real experience to walk through there. That evening we had our last meal at our favourite restaurant. We left a small koala bear with the owner, he was a very Happy man. Have to say that we have not to many photos on the blog for we put a lot onto Facebook. We leave Porto to go to Alcobacal

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Photos

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the bridge

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tiles in railway station

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view on the river

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the river

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Floris street

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sardines