Day 39 Tuesday 24 September 2019

Today was pretty relaxed start and in hindsight – which is a mighty fine thing, we should have taken a day trip. Not because there was nothing to do or see in Porto – but because our hop on hop off two day pass was not a good idea due to the time wasting. Such is the time wasting we ended up walking quite a bit anyway – the first place about 2km down hill to get a ticket to view an old palace which then became the Stock exchange.

You have to take a tour to view the building and at least 50% of the English tours were sold out by the time we got to purchase tickets. The best and earliest slot remaining was for 5pm, which gave us about 4 hours to have lunch, do a wine tasting (part of our two day pass) and return.

We managed to get a bus over the river and stopped to have some lunch before attempting a wine tasting. We went back to the market as it had a pretty good choice, this time opting for another green soup, cod cakes, fried beans and a suckling pig roll. Whilst I was getting the orders in Vern scored at table and was in full conversation with other people seated by the time I returned with the first tray.

Our lunch buddies this time were a group of Aussies – similar ages and a bit older who were on a Spanish and Portuguese holiday. This group of friends travel once a year or so together – again doing cheaper accommodation and self driving with the odd tour for variety. One member of the group plans it, and the others tend to just go along – quiet happy with the itinerary as she is good at it. As usual we shared some travel tips with each other – as it goes one asks the other if they have been somewhere or where are you off to – and things that are recommended or to watch out for (cautions). They kindly gave us two ‘green’ travel cards left over from Lisbon with about €3 left on each and told us how to use them and top them up. This was great and appreciated as much for the gesture and tips, rather than the value. We have done the same for others before, so it is nice to get the favour returned.

After another long queue for the ladies we chose a cellar to taste only to be told we had to do a tour as well. We didn’t have time to do an hours tour – plus wait for the English tour – before our Stock exchange time slot which was really disappointing. They don’t tell you that when they sell you the two day pass. I was really annoyed as we had based the day around doing activities and it was ending up very limited due to great big time lags. So much so I felt that the effort of going outside for a day, even on a tour would have been a better use of our time. Nothing we could do but suck that one up. Big lesson reinforced about time management and perhaps sticking to our itinerary more closely, and not buying one of those dreadful hop on hop off tickets again.

Because it was quicker than waiting for the bus – we walked back across the bridge with a little bit of time left up our sleeve to catch a 5 D Portugal movie experience that we had bought as an add on with our Stock exchange ticket. All I will say is that it was the dumbest thing I have paid to see. So unprofessional it was a joke. Don’t go to it. Simple.

The Stock exchange palace building took around 70 years to fully complete and is one of the most lavishly decorated buildings in Portugal. The complex wooden floors using Brazilian and African wood from Portuguese colonies took 3 years to complete and the grand gilded Arabian hall took 18 years to complete! It was enjoyable touring the building however I think the Stockholm city hall was probably more impressive in comparison. Like Stockholm, the public can rent rooms for private functions for example a mere €6,000 per day will secure you the Arabian room.

In order to squeeze the last bit of value out of our bus tickets we caught the loop that went up the hill behind Vila Nova de Gaia and then deposited us at the square by home. This was interesting taking us through residential and modern business district, past a few more wine cellars and giving us glimpses of dramatic high views down to the river and past the visually aesthetic bridges.

If one had time in Porto I would recommend a walk along the high bridge top or upper levels of the banks, day or night – the views are just spectacular down to Ribeira – like a beautiful antique painting. This view is firmly etched in my memory and will be fondly remembered. It’s one regret that we didn’t get the time (or organise our priority to do this).

When we got home we were quite ready for a cuppa, however, for the second time room service had not topped up our supplies, this time also forgetting to do our towels and toilet paper. Seems the only thing she did was make the bed… We got this remedied and after a little rest headed out to our local for a last memorable and delicious dinner. This time I savoured every mouthful, slowly trying to imprint the flavour of the secret sauce so I can replicate it at home.

Lisbon tomorrow, and the final leg of Europe. Feeling a little sad that holiday will soon be over – its more fun at the beginning when you have a big stretch in front of you verses the homeward run end.