Exploring Porto, Portugal

Got in a bit later Friday evening, so didn't get to see too much, so made up for it today in Porto!

Started out with a boat trip to see 6 bridges up and down the Douro River, so beautiful.   We saw more of the City, that you usually would not have seen by driving or walking.     There is a building that was a monastery above Porto (on the other side, officially Gaia) that was built in 1537.   Amazing how old these buildings are!   Sat next to a young couple from Madrid, and we talked the entire hour.   Connected on Instagram, and they said they wanted to come to Denver.  THAT would be so fun!

This bridge has two parts you can walk on, one where everyone's heads are, and one above that really give you a great view!

One thing, this town is built on a giant hill!   Walking up those hills really works your legs!  There are 42 catholic churches in this town of 230,000, per the "Tuk Tuk" tour guide.    We drove by the book store that inspired JK Rowling on her Harry Potter series.    There was a jail in the middle of the City, so now they moved it, and is a museum.  Love the cobblestone streets, even though they are rough to drive on.

So fun to city and relax and just watch people.   You hear all kinds of languages, which is very cool.   Took a City tour in a little golf cart, which really was a lot of fun.   Saw places in the city I would not have seen by walking.

I hemmed and hawed about bringing my Nikon, and so glad I did!

BTW, I stop and look at the menus at the restaurants to see what they offer, and today, I was shocked --- WOODPECKER!   OK, I am NOT an adventuresome eater to start with, but NO WAY.

Dinner was the best giant tiger shrimp and some Portuguese red wine.   However, the wine wasn't as good as I got at my hotel.   I had not tried Port wine before, so they poured a taste, and it is TOO sweet.

Bought some really cool gifts today for friends, and hope they like them!

Nina Hollander, Broker they had a really cool appetizer dish with kitties, but my carry on is really full of electronics, and they couldn't ship.

Tomorrow morning early have a 10-hour tour to the wine country, and a boat trip, should be fun!