Day 1 - Porto

We arrived at the hotel tired and beat from our travel day, but the beauty of the city was calling our names. The Hotel Premium Porto would be our home base and was located above the old town in the Batalha district. That will become important as the blog continues. The hotel was very reasonable, clean, and the staff was very helpful! The hotel was located high on the hill with a roof top bar which offered great views of the city below. However, we really never got a chance to enjoy it. This party was on the move!

When we checked in, the desk clerk warned us if we wanted lunch we better go now! The restaurant kitchen closes at 3 pm to prepare for dinner. We dropped our luggage and hustled up the street to the place recommended by our airport taxi driver and again by the desk clerk as “the place to go”. Santiago is famous for a sandwich which is called a “Francesinha”.   Tom took the plunge and ordered this mother of all sandwiches, while Janet played it safe with calamari. Both were washed down with “Super Bock”, the local beer, and both of us walked away from the table, still exhausted and very full.

Check out what goes into making a Francesinha (Translated to Little French Girl) and that was the smallest of the offerings of this unique sandwich. The Portuguese take on a Croque Madame! This monster will hold you over to dinner.

At last, we made back to the room and after hot showers, brushed teeth, and clean clothes we were ready to explore. A faux revitalization could not hide the fact we were craving sleep. Cameras packed; we headed down the hill to the river on the uneven cobble stone streets.

In fact, we are pretty sure we took the steepest path in the city, which included no less than 500 uneven steps as part of the journey. Being a concerned husband, Tom turned to check on check on Janet just as he stepped in hole made by a missing stone. Down the hill he went tumbling over and over. This is not the recommended way to transit to the riverbank. Getting himself up, he was a little bloody, scratched, and embarrassed but he continued the journey… down, down, down… all the while thinking… on the way back it will be up, up, up!

As a point of reference for all who follow our blogs, like in Paris, Porto offers the easy way. It is called the “Funicular dos Guindais” and will quickly transport you up and down the hill. We never got to experience the joy of this modern means of transportation. Janet wanted to ensure we got our steps in!

Arriving at the bottom of the hill, we were amazed at the number of people. Our research had indicated that October was a great month to travel to avoid crowds and thinking it was shoulder season, we did not expect the crowds. There were probably 9 or 10 river cruise boats tied up on the seawalls. We joined the crowds and walked along the river enjoying the sights. It almost felt like we had stepped back in time.

We walked for a while, but we had some very special dinner plans. Our friends who we visited in Normandy a few months ago were also in Porto. Rui grew up in Porto and returned to visit family and friends. Time with Sabrina and Rui is always special!

It was time to head up the hill, a much easier climb up than down. Our path took us by some beautiful buildings and views as we put one foot in front of the other and kept walking.

We took a short respite to take in the beauty of the blue tile work in the old railroad station. The tiles are absolutely gorgeous and the colors are still vibrant. There is no doubt that people have missed their train while taking in the beautiful walls of this station.

Rui and Sabrina were right on time, and we weaved through the old streets of the city heading to the favorite restaurant of Rui’s family. It seemed every road and many buildings in the city had some construction going on. Far, far, far, away from the tourist district we entered what most would term an old-time family restaurant, Manuel Alves. The food was amazing and paired perfectly with the wine. (Great Job Rui!).

The fried wedges are cod that has been shred to fine hair pieces and combined with a filler (very little) and shaped with two spoons. Deep fried to perfection, these fish cakes (pastéis de bacalhau) are extremely tasty treats. BTW – Terri those are the little olives you like so much. Oh my, so good!

We both shared a salt cod dish that was to die for. The flavors were through roof. The fish is cooked with potatoes and onions in an amazing sauce.

The dish above is a single serving. It was a lot of food! Rui said, Portuguese people like to eat! We believe him!

We were now pushing 30+ hours with no real sleep. We had probably consumed four times our daily intake of food, and every bite was worth it, but exhaustion had won the battle. Rui and Sabrina took us back to the hotel with plans to meet the following afternoon for a homeboy tour of Porto. We were asleep in less than a minute.

Good Night!