Porto

Even though today was officially a rest day for us, Michael and I awoke early (at around 6:00am), so we agreed to go for a look around at a time when we knew there would not be so may people (locals and tourists) around. Additionally I had bought a new camera yesterday to replace the one I had broken when I fell over about a week ago, and I wanted to put it through its paces; as most budding photographers would know, the best times to take photos are either early morning or around sunset, so it was opportune all round.

We decided to revisit some of the places we’d seen yesterday, but minus the tourists. I took quite a few photos with the new camera – the light was ideal, but there was a bit of haze around.

We had a quick cup of coffee at a local cafe, which had a quaint decor from the 1950’s, bu

 was obviously popular with the local office workers.

Back to the hostel for breakfast, and then we availed ourselves of a ‘free’ walking tour offered by the hostel. This was supposed to be a 2.5hr tour max, but ended up being about 4.0 hours. Unfortunately the tour guide took us to quite a number of the places we had already seen – The station, the cathedral, the plaza etc. Nonetheless it was worthwhile, as she gave us a lot of information which we didn’t really know. Additionally , she did take us to quite a number of spots – churches, towers, lookouts, city precincts which we would not have known about, so it did end up being a beneficial exercise, and after all it was ‘free’.

A quick lunch in the ‘Parisian quarter’ of Porto, and then Jose and I went back to the river area. We had decided to take a boat cruise on the river Douro and also have a better look at the iconic bridge we saw yesterday, and have a stroll on the top pedestrian level. Both of these activities were excellent and informative, but it was now after 5:00pm. The others decided to have a less active afternoon and either go shopping or go back to their hostel and have a rest.

Jose and I scurried quickly back to the hostel, as we have some urgent washing to do, and then we arranged for dinner with a number of camino friends, some of which were going their own separate ways tomorrow.

Roddy & Ger were going back to Ireland

James, Jana & Francesca were going to do the coastal route (different to ours), so we may not meet up again. It’s sad to say goodbye, but that’s the camino.

Tomorrow morning we move out of Porto – probably taking a train for the first 10kms, just to clear much of the asphalted road as we can.