Jule's Hikoi: Portugal II

I met Terrie in the Cayman Islands through the sail club and thought it was about time to catch up again. The toll roads in Portugal are a bit of a treat. Low traffic and not too many booths. Going the green lane meant driving straight through so it was a quick journey up into the hills to Terrie's place, a lovely little taberna in Miranda do Corvo - Tabuas. We picked up where we left off and caught up with all the life gossip in between. A nice, relaxing interlude, especially enjoyed by Mr 14 because there were plenty of animals to play with and willing pool players to challenge.

On we went to Coimbra, exploring the Universidade de Coimbra one of the oldest universities in the world founded in 1290. A very beautiful spot where JK Rowling got the idea for the gowns in Harry Potter. According to a local friend the students still wear these gowns. Porto was calling so on we went, driving through the one way system to pick up the keys to our next Airbnb. I parked the car with the help of a local man, he found me the park, I paid him, located the parking building nearby and found a supermarket. One with lots of seafood and fresh salad things. Dinner was prawn cocktail and salmon with a side of octopus. Not bad with lovely local wine.

Porto, we weren't there long before we realised this was a much nicer place than Lisbon! Day one was a cruise on the River Douro to see the bridges and get the lay of the land. It was well worth it. We debated about a wine cruise but with three of us that was pricey and took out a whole day. We settled for a ferry to Gaia and a wander up to the Taylor's Port place. The tour and port tasting were an outstanding experience. I didn't know much about the history of port, only that I liked it, and I wondered how my dad would have loved this experience. He was my early port drinking buddy.

I'd never tasted white port, it's great on it's own and in the negroni we enjoyed with the breads, olives and cheeses. What a lovely spot to while away an afternoon under the grape vines. We rode on the gondola to save our legs on the climb up to the bridge. The next day we did a walking tour, another must do in Porto. William the guide took us around some special places we would not have found on our own and provided both knowledgeable commentary and restaurant recommendations, highlighting the best local cuisine.

We were sad to leave Porto. We kept the car an extra day so we could take our time on the drive down to Lisbon via Sintra. We nearly missed Sintra out and I'm so pleased we didn't. While I wasn't so interested in a palace, I was interested in seeing places with older history, Moors, Romans and other older inhabitants. The Moorish Castle was a climb up and the steps around the walls were a bit challenging in place but the view was outstanding. Walking on pathways and up stone steps where people have walked for so many years, I felt the weight of time in the artefacts and evidence of settlements. Peaceful despite the number of people wandering.

As I mentioned it was a long walk day, up through the nicest parklands to the castle, around the castle, then down towards the car. Down the wrong way. Down the long way needing to go back up to get to the right place! Note to self, take control of navigating at all times even under pressure from the males present! I was a bit grumpy by the time we reached the car and headed off towards Lisbon. Staying near the airport was wise, easy to drop the car off in the morning and get a ride to the airport.

I was sad to be leaving Portugal, a place I'll go back to again. Nazare to see the waves and Porto to spend more time there.