PEI to Portugal

.We continued our adventure by visiting Averio,the Venice of Portugal. Named that for the amazing system of canals throughout the city..For a long period Averio was an important economic link in the production of salt and commercial shipping.It was the center of salt exploration by the Romans and a trade center through the middle ages.In later years the salt was used to make fertilizer for the farms.But with technology and chemicals the need for salt deminished. The salt flats now are a tourist attraction.The boats they used to farm the salt ,called barcos moliceiros,are now used to ferry tourists through the canal system. The boats are elaborately painted and decorated and there is a yearly competition to choose the best boat.We did both a tuktuk and boat tour to see the sights and get the history of the city.We had a lovely lunch which ended again with chocolate ganache with a big serving of Maceirra.It was Pauli's first time having this dessert and she was blown away by how good it was.And we got a very healthy dose of Madeira!! The waiters in the restaurant thought Steve was quite a Macho man for strutting around with three womenLes mer