A Rainy Day..

Makes for a “bumpy and firm” arrival in Lisbon.
Hertz Rental..

Booked online for just $21 per day plus fees it’s a bargain for exploring. A mandatory “Toll Pass” turns out to be a good deal. 25 Euros if you’re in a hurry to get to Porto.. but why?
5 Speed On The Floor…

And along N1.. An important part of Portugal’s history is discovered.
From The 1300’s

The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria..
Dried Cod Fish..

A popular part of Portuguese cuisine.
A Fine Stout…

From Super Bock that’s only 1.40E per pour..
The Streets Of Porto..

Alive with character and colors especially around sunset.
Sunset Across The Rio Douro

A popular event to watch one of the many hills and bridges around the city.
Igreja de Sao Joao Novo

In the Porto Historic district, a few steps from my accommodations.
The Apartment…

Located in the Historical District a gem of a find for just 212 Euros for two nights. Authentic Porto Village is a recently renovated unit that is spacious clean and comfortable with a great host.
Local Cuisine..

Including Francesinha a Portuguese layered sandwich that originated in Porto along with Bacalhau (cod fished) loaded with unique potato chips.
A Night Walk

A peaceful way to enjoy Porto and to see the local architecture under a different light.
Street Parking

A manageable if you want to stay at local apartment in the city. 2hr parking in most places from 9am-7pm. Meters takes coins or you can download a parking app.
1772…

A street fountain dating back 4yrs prior to United States independence in 1776.
Sardine Sandbox

Is where the Pinhais Factory tour begins. In the sandbox is where we find the three main components of the operations here.. a fishing boat, a packing can and of course.. sardine.
A Doctors’s Office

Traditionally a doctor visited the factory on a regular basis. Additionally, on site daycare was also provided for the mostly female employee group.
Ordering Window

Used from 1920-2020. A very mechanical process where the window opened larger for bigger orders.
The Products..

The “Pinhais” for local distribution. “Nuri” named after a “Spanish Female Lover” primarily for export. The main buyers.. Austria.
The Ingredients…

From cucumber to chili peppers.. spices added to make the product unique.
The Safe…

Where the secret “Tomato Recipe” was kept.
The Factory Floor…

Where over 50 female employees manually prepare sardines using scissors. Here chili peppers or other spices are added to the can.
Old Factory Equipment..

And the product.. packaged and ready for shipping.
Personal Labeling

At the end of the tour, you get to practice wrapping a can with your personal label.
The Packaging…

All done manually. In one shift about 1400 cans are packaged using just two strips of tape.
The Best Part..

A sampling of the product with two full pours of “Vinho Verde”. My favorite, sardines in olive oil.. delicious.