Wednesday, THE 25th of APRIL!
I can hear a marching band in the parade. Today is a bank holiday and celebration of the end of the Salazar dictatorship and the beginning of democracy in Portugal. Natives say, “the 25th of April” just like we say “ the Fourth of July.” Stores were not open and there was very little traffic when we were out and about this morning.
We started our day with a panoramic bus tour of Oporto. Many old building are covered with beautiful tile. We saw a train station that used to be a convent or monastery. The interior had 20,000 tiles on the walls with beautiful scenes. In the mid-1800’s religious orders were outlawed so it is common to see convents that are now police stations, etc. Also saw one of the top bookstores in the world—Livaria Lello—which is said to be the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series. It is very picturesque with extremely high ceilings. Towards the back there is a short flight of steps which leads to a landing, branches left and right for short spiral staircases which meet on a landing and continue left and right for two more short spiral staircases. Now you are on the balcony. M. Found a cookbook of Portuguese recipes written in English. She plans to entertain us all when we get home. Then we went next door for Coffee and another pastry (surprise). Eventually we made it back to the ship.
The Duoro River is down in the valley between two cities, Gia and Oporto. The terrain is hilly so you are either walking up a hill or down a hill. Fortunately, we have good buses and good drivers.
This afternoon, we toured the Taylor Fladgate Winery (not to be confused with USA’s Taylor brand). This winery has been owned by the same family for 325 years. Sampled delicious white port (similar to sherry) and 2012 vintage port (28 Euros/bottle). The weather has been very nice—sunny and 72.
I can hear a marching band in the parade. Today is a bank holiday and celebration of the end of the Salazar dictatorship and the beginning of democracy in Portugal. Natives say, “the 25th of April” just like we say “ the Fourth of July.” Stores were not open and there was very little traffic when we were out and about this morning.
We started our day with a panoramic bus tour of Oporto. Many old building are covered with beautiful tile. We saw a train station that used to be a convent or monastery. The interior had 20,000 tiles on the walls with beautiful scenes. In the mid-1800’s religious orders were outlawed so it is common to see convents that are now police stations, etc. Also saw one of the top bookstores in the world—Livaria Lello—which is said to be the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series. It is very picturesque with extremely high ceilings. Towards the back there is a short flight of steps which leads to a landing, branches left and right for short spiral staircases which meet on a landing and continue left and right for two more short spiral staircases. Now you are on the balcony. M. Found a cookbook of Portuguese recipes written in English. She plans to entertain us all when we get home. Then we went next door for Coffee and another pastry (surprise). Eventually we made it back to the ship.
The Duoro River is down in the valley between two cities, Gia and Oporto. The terrain is hilly so you are either walking up a hill or down a hill. Fortunately, we have good buses and good drivers.
This afternoon, we toured the Taylor Fladgate Winery (not to be confused with USA’s Taylor brand). This winery has been owned by the same family for 325 years. Sampled delicious white port (similar to sherry) and 2012 vintage port (28 Euros/bottle). The weather has been very nice—sunny and 72.
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