DAY 3 : PORTUGAL : PORTO

Weather : sunny with intermittent showers : 18o

Breakfast at a local bakery/ cafe.

Pastries are many and varied with the lightest,

lightest crusts.

 

We took the second day of our bus tour and

saw the business district on the southern side

of the river and some of the remaining

historic buildings, like Casa Barbot.

 

We drove down towards the Ribeira district

again - such a photogenic place.

 

A port wine tour was part of our package in

one of the warehouses down by the river.

There was a well-documented display and we

tried  white and rose ports.

 

In the centre of the old town, near where we are

staying, there is a Porto gastronomical fiesta

in a big plastic bubble. Many of the locals and

tourists out to try the special local deliciacies.

Local beer sponsor

We sat with a friendly Turkish fellow

and sampled Francesinha (sausages,

various spicy meat, in a toasted sandwich,

covered in layers of cheese, served with gravy

and a fried egg on top.)

 

Coffee and apple tart at the Cafe Majestic.

 

This classy cafe has been open since 1926.

Coffee and fine pastry much more the

norm here whereas meeting for wine or beer

with a bocadillo (savoury roll) more the norm

in Spain.

Everyone out in the busy shopping street -

we found two very large modern malls behind

old facades along this street. Suddenly,

a band began to play and pamphlets handed

out.

I followed the music and found a cultural

celebration in a little square. There was an

exquisite crafts display (fine woodwork, felting,

ceramics and pottery) and easy

listening Portuguese music.

Fires were lit in the square and chestnuts

thrown into the flames. In minutes people were

expertly pulling out the roasted chestnuts and

eating them. This cultural festival was linked

to Magusto Tradicional - a chestnut fiesta.

 

 

 

 



M&M

17/11/12

Our email : mm_smith@bigpond.net.au