Porto
Trip Start
Nov 23, 2005
1
112
133
Trip End
Feb 27, 2007
Porto,
Portugal
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Porto is Portugal's 2nd largest city at over 200,000. Lisbon, the capital, is the largest. We got out of the metro underground and came up into a beautiful area, we could see two huge clock towers and old buildings with amazing architecture and sculptures. We found a hotel within a few minutes. It was 35 euros for a double ensuite and breakfast included. We had a balcony that over looks the area with the clock towers and some of the city. The staff were really friendly. We had one guy that was on at night that we nicknamed Quatro. He couldn't speak English
Alleyway in the old town
. When we would come back to the hotel and go to the desk to get our key, he would say quatro, zero, um. The included breakfast was not so great. It consisted of some buns with jam and butter, an orange coloured liquid that tasted like floor cleaner, and tea which was oddly gray coloured. Porto is a very picturesque and charming city. It is situated along a river. The old town is on one side and the newer section on the other. We went across to the newer side, you get an incredible view when you look over to the older town. The tall buildings are side by side along the river. On this side of the river are all the Port warehouses. This is the birth place of port and what this area is known for. We toured a few of the warehouses and had some tastings. Port wine is one of Jack's favorite drinks. He was really looking forward to coming to the city where it is made. He has only tasted 10 year old Port, this is considered extremely young still for Port wine. He paid a bit extra to try a 20 year old Port, I had a sip of it too. What a difference, it was so much smoother. It had an almost chocolate smell to it.
It rained heavily off and on while we were here. We bought some huge umbrellas and continued to see the city. We went to an old bell tower. The stairwell got really narrow as we approached the top. Then when we weren't expecting it the bells went off and nearly gave us a heart attack. Once we were able to breath again we continued out to the viewing area. It gave a great view of the city.
We decided to get some exercise and go for a run along the river. It was beautiful and sunny when we left
Audrey at a viewing spot along the river
. We ended up getting stuck in the rain quite a way out of town. Then it started to downpour like mad. By the time we got back to our hotel we were soaked. The guy at the reception couldn't believe how wet we were. He couldn't help but laugh at us when the elevator door opened and revealed two drowned rats. Speaking of our elevator, the ones in the hotels here are ancient. There are no doors on the elevator itself and no elevator shaft surrounding it, so you can see things as you go by. Some of the elevators are actually made of wood.
Walking around the city we found it full of interesting old buildings. There were vendors with carts all over the city selling roasted chestnuts. The streets are cobble stoned adding to the charm of the city. It is a place of simple cafes and restaurants, a culture of home style cooking, not fancy dishes. We were eating at outdoor seating of a cafe one afternoon. It started to pour with rain. We had our large umbrellas with us so we just put them up and continued to eat our lunch. People were running everywhere from the streets trying to find somewhere for shelter. Even the dogs were looking for somewhere to get out of the rain.
We found the people to be very warm and friendly
balconies and windows
. They like to welcome you to their country. Portugal is a very laid back country with a relaxed pace of life. We had a gentleman at our hotel from Lisbon (or Lisboa) as it is known here. We are not sure why we learned the name as Lisbon in North America, you will never see it referred to anything other than Lisboa in Portugal. At breakfast he started to try and talk to us. He didn't speak a lot of English, but was trying his best to tell us of places of interest to go to in Portugal. He gave us a few options of places to go. Portugal is no longer the really cheap travel place it once was. Prices in some areas have doubled since the introduction of the Euro. It is still a bargain though when compared to many other countries in Europe. Like our hotel room for 35 Euros, there are not too many other countries in Europe you can find hotel accommodation that cheap.
Next we will hit the Algarve area of Portugal, the place with nearly year round sunshine.
