A fairly seamless hook up to rent a car at the Lisbon airport. Drove to Porto on the first cloudy and partly rainy day since July 23rd in Thunder Bay. The city was much bigger than we thought. Had to stop on the way up and this proved to be a problem...too many traffic circles (Tim definitely round-about challenged) and no parking spaces! Couldn't find anywhere to eat but were attracted to a familiar sign...unfortunately! THE GOLDEN ARCHES!!!! Oh dear God, we had to circle the parking lot 3 times to find a space!!! (had the Big Tasty!...actually was better than the sausage I asked for the next day...without the bun...turned out to be a hot dog split in half; but they dressed it up nicely with a few pieces of lettuce garnished with smoked ham) Have we mentioned that our pours are oozing out ham and cheeze???? A little tense driving but found our Pension...very old building, small room but friendly people...guy lived in Winnipeg & Sault Ste Marie...no wonder he returned. The streets of course, were all narrow leading down to the River Douro. We took an hour ride on boat to the mouth of the ocean...only a little rain; went on port cellar tour and easily found our way around the subway despite the extended port tasting, to do some more touring. Having the car at first seemed freeing...we actually had a back seat to spread out...we could sleep in it if needed!! We come to the conclusion that all cities in Portugal have a distinct aroma so,ewhere between smoked ham & burning compost!
Only two days in Porto but decided to spend a few on the coast in beautiful place called Praia da Mira; but not before we travelled up to Valenca, the top of Portugal. Landed at Miravillas around 1600 ...Gorgeous resort (a little like collingwood). Dropped packs and headed for beach! My brother Kenny asked us what we missed the most...thought it might be luxury, but think it is the space. Do cities cause you to crave space and solitude? As you can see by the "too many pics of the wave crashing ocean", we so enjoyed the sea air , a tennis game with antique racquets & flat balls (both factors enabling Ann to win the Portugese Open), and a not so spectacular sunset, but a pack of street dogs who know when you have food...kept us amused! We asked in a grocery store where a pizza place would be...now this seems to be common-place in Portugal (back us up Ed & Sue)...not only do they have at least 8 portugese words for our 1... they involve everyone around them in the conversation, so 5 minutes of watching an animated discussion, one of them replies, "beside Banco" (making international money sign) and points just down the street!!!!! It took 15 minutes to communicate what we wanted on the pizza!! We got sick on the 4 pounds of ham hidden under the inch of cheeze they put on it!!!
Next stop Lisbon airport to take the car back; but not before paying $35 in road tolls and $90 in petro!! Doing 140 km (not to be out done by the locals) to make the deadline of 12 noon! Funny, that feeling of freedom was more pronounced when we dropped off the car!! Yeah; no responsibilities!!!
Loved Lisbon: highlights being the hop-on, hop-off bus, beautiful waterfront, a play featuring Portugese music, the district of Chiado, AND the soccer game (futeball) Portugal vs. Hungary at Estadio da Luz!!! They won 3-0, and OH MY, what a zoo! Fifty thousand fans leaving the stadium!!! All topped off with great weather! As my my Mom's brother used to say in his postcards " the weather is here; wish you were great!"
Timings everything isn't...the day before we left we missed the tourist bus and so walked to town centre. On route we are stopped by a guy (another Canadian) who tells us his tale of woe about having his bag stolen and could we "help" him out with the price of a bus ticket. You probably already know where this is heading...so we attempt to grill him a bit and finally decide he is on the up & up. Gives us his email and cell phone #, etc., etc. and he is eternally grateful as we hand over 34 euros. We walk away with faith in humanity and that we did the right thing...blah, blah, blah only to have his email bounce back and phone # not work! So, if anyone knows of a framer from King City by the alledged name of SEAN BEATTY with a "Packs 63" tatoo on his arm let him know we have put a Moroccan curse on his soul!! Oh, and we put a curse on the tourist bus,too!
See you in Morocco!
Wait til Morocco!
Jer