Well "Hi There" Portugal!

GOSH: As we head into our last few days abroad, we're keenly aware that this opportunity to travel for 45 days has been such an extrardinary adventure for sure. But as I commented to a friend recently ... I'm looking forward to revisiting our trip through our blog when I will have more time to reflect on it! Right now we are just so busy living it! 😊

GAHS: And so ... to start off our first day in Portugal, we headed out in search of breakfast this morning.  We were trying to get our bearings because by the time we arrived last night it was dark ... which made it more challenging.  And so, we got lost. 😟

GROANS, GRIPES AND GRIMACES: We asked a little old lady for direction but ... unlike most Portuguese  ... her English was not great.  Along came a young boy ... who spoke great English ... but she commanded the space telling him where she thought we needed to go. We were honestly not even sure if she really understood where we were headed ... or ... why she didn't just allow us to talk to him in English, but the young fellow was so respectful with her. I, however, was not as inclined to be patient. The whole encounter would have been hilarious if I wasn't both starving AND lost.  And so ... we were off to a rough start! GRRRR. 🤨

GRATITUDES: The lovely lady ... who was so intent on helping us... was convinced we had to take a bus.  Fortunately another older gentleman came along who directed us to a lovely narrow foot path down to the water! Yahooo!!

GAHS: And ... as we arrived by the river ... I was really looking forward to breakfast, but we could only find bakeries.  And I needed more protein than sweets for breakfast! 

GRATITUDES: And, another patron ... who worked for ReMax started to give us directions to a better option, but instead took us personally to a very busy little place where were had the most fabulous croissants. And they even heated them up!!   One with crispy chicken and one with ham and cheese ... and ...we followed it up with some very light and fluffy dark yellow cake!! Also ... delicious! 😍

GRACE: We sat outside in the warm sun and embraced this entirely authentic cultural moment. Just us ..  and all these kind wonderful Portuguese people. And ... we opted to re-start our day with each other on a more positive note!

GOODNESS GRACIOUS: And right across the street at the tavern ... the coals were hot on the outdoor homemade grill ... and a fellow was charring green peppers!  So fascinating to see this custom of outdoor grilling on the street. The open barbeques have wood briquettes in them rather than charcoal briquettes ... and ... the aroma around the town is lovely as a result!

GRATITUDES: And with our bellies full and our tempers cooled, we headed off along the rivers edge ... in search of the Hop On Hop Off bus.
We enjoyed the tour ... and became more infatuated with Porto with every turn. 

We decided to get off at the beach ... and ... it's a gigantic beach! There were lots of people surfing! Then we got back on the bus  ... took it a couple more stops  and caught the river taxi to cross over to our side of the river.

We wandered the neighborhood for a bit and then took supper at one of the restaurants our Airbnb host recommended. John enjoyed the best turbot he had ever had ... and I had a remarkable salmon ( for just $10€ each!).  They also served octopus ... as an appy ... with olives and cheese.  And ... it was so scrumptious that even I enjoyed it!!! 🦑

GRINS: We sat by the window and watched the sunset ... and then ... took an Uber back to our room.  We had been told not to taxi because they might 'take us for a ride' ... both literally and financially! John had never Ubered before and was very impressed. It only cost us $3.75€ plus a well deserved tip.  😊

And so ... all in all  ... it was a great day!! Move over Ireland ... look out Spain ... we are falling in love with Portugal!! ❤❤❤Read more