Heading to Porto!

Ola from Porto!

 

Today was our move from Vila Nova de Foz Coa to Porto, and our last Airbnb before we head home (not counting one night in a regular hotel in Lisboa!).

 

A few weeks ago, I felt a twinge in my back as I was going up some stairs, and then last night, wow – it hit me again, hard.  I had a really difficult time getting up the stairs at all, as my left leg was actually having muscle spasms.  Obviously, not a good way to end a lovely day.

 

So, more Advil, and then up this morning to a very tender back/bottom.  We hadn’t really unpacked, as we were just in Foz Coa for two nights, so getting everything packed up again wasn’t too difficult.  We were ready to go about 9:30 am so out into the car we went!  We took a very scenic and winding road – Mom would have absolutely HATED it, but we loved it!  Up and down two-lane mountain roads, and finally through the rather “bigger” town of Pinhao, where I’d always wanted to go!  (It’s actually right on the Douro River, and really deserves a visit!) There was a long river boat parked in town, and that is something to really think about!

The Douro!

 

We stopped for lunch – sandwich for me, and salad for R, and then on the road again to Citania de Briteros.  This settlement is actually pre-Roman, and very different from any Roman ruins we have visited.  In the first place, the houses were really round huts with thatched roofs; very tiny, and not Roman-like at all!  The difficulty we had, though, is that we were climbing up a very steep and rocky road, which truly wasn’t doing my back any good at all.  So, after a fairly quick look around, we decided to head into Porto and our newest Airbnb.  

 

Romans never build this street!

But then there's plumbing...

Loved the round house foundations

We really didn’t have too much of a problem getting to the area of our Airbnb, but finding it specifically took a little doing.  Fortunately, the intrepid Robert can find anything, and in a few minutes, we were parked right next to our building, and waiting for Simona to arrive with our keys.  Into the house, and R is thrilled – we’re actually on the FIRST (ground) floor, and he loves it!  Back yard and everything!  Simona went through things with us, and then we were all on our own!  R, of course, set up the computer first thing, and I unpacked, as we will be here for five nights.  (Also discovered how to work the washing machine, and our first load is running as I type!)

 

We decided to head to Majestic Café for dinner tonight.  We had been there once on our first trip to Porto, and enjoyed it very much.  And, as R says, it certainly isn’t cheap – but we had a very nice time – R ordered veggie soup to start, and it was terrific, and then we both had Cesar salads.  Really good, and all washed down with a couple of glasses of Vinho Verde – green wine – not sure of what that is, but we have had it before, and enjoyed it very much.  For dessert, R had an apple tart and the recommended pairing of a glass of sweet port, and I had their excellent chocolate cake—with nothing accompanying.  Back to the flat (in all, about 8 minutes walk each way; very easy to do even with a bum back!). 

 

Wonderful chocolate cake!

R's apple tart

Me sampling R's port -- it was great!

Cesar salad

R's veggie soup!

This is why they named it the Majestic Cafe!

Circa 1923!

In for the night now, and truly, I’m heading to bed as soon as I get the laundry out of the washer.  No dryer here, so I’ll have to depend on the drying rack and iron.  This place, at least, while it has a smaller than usual ironing board, at least it is usable, as opposed to the place with the world’s smallest ironing board! (Madrid, that’s right!) 

 

Take care, and you’ll hear from us tomorrow!

m

xxx