Today is William's birthday. We sleep late and have a relaxing breakfast in the apartment. Then we are off exploring more of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
We start by walking to Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, another of Porto's churches with beautiful azulejo tiles. After gazing at the exterior we pop inside for a look. We have to be quick, the reason the church is open is that mass is about to start. After the church we stroll toward the Duro river, stopping for a coffee and some people-watching along the way.
We start by walking to Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, another of Porto's churches with beautiful azulejo tiles. After gazing at the exterior we pop inside for a look. We have to be quick, the reason the church is open is that mass is about to start. After the church we stroll toward the Duro river, stopping for a coffee and some people-watching along the way.
When we arrive near the river we notice a funicular which goes down to the riverside. Sound like a good idea! As we walk along the river on the Porto side the sun feels good, offsetting the cool wind. William picks out a restaurant for lunch and finds a table outside where the wind is blocked and it has an umbrella to provide a little shade. We start with the olives and bread basket while the kitchen works on William's steak and my whole sea bass. The restaurant is busy and it gives us time to talk and watch the people and activities on and near the river. When our meals arrive they are piping hot and quite delicious. We would like to order dessert, but decide to hold off for now.
We walk across Ponté Luis I, this time on the lower level, going over to the Vila Nova de Gaia side with all of it's port houses and restaurants. It provides an opportunity to look across the river at the colorful buildings lining the Porto side. We walk along, occasionally checking out the dessert section of restaurant menus. After a good stroll we turn uphill to find different cafes. We spot one we like and where we can see the some of the cakes and pastries in the glass case up front. Chocolate cake and glasses of 10 year old tawny port as an accompaniment sounds (and are) perfect. They are made for each other. 😀
While we're enjoying dessert I google "cigar stores near me". El Corte de Ingles, the large Spanish department store, has a cigar section but it is a few kilometers away - all uphill. No issue, we just order an Uber which drops us off at the front door! William happily selects 15 Cuban cigars to bring home.
A light rail stop is right outside the back door of El Corte de Ingles. We walk over to the stop and with a couple of other tourists decipher how to purchase tickets at the machine. The tram arrives and we take it across the river to the Aliados stop, just a short walk to the apartment.
A light rail stop is right outside the back door of El Corte de Ingles. We walk over to the stop and with a couple of other tourists decipher how to purchase tickets at the machine. The tram arrives and we take it across the river to the Aliados stop, just a short walk to the apartment.
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