Any Port in a Storm

We changed to bus for our trip from Salamanca to Porto as the train trip is next to impossible.

With a one hour time adjustment, it became a six hour trip with just one stop for lunch plus a few short stops to drop off passengers. We passed through Man of La Mancha territory, across the Spain Portugal border and past lots of Aussie gum trees as we went over the central mountains to the coast.

Porto has many wonderful buildings with houses from the 15th century and churches from the 12th century. We visited the cathedral and lots of the famous landmarks around town.

A high point was the climb up the 1754 Torre Dos Clerigos with its 225 steps. The view was magnificent over the rooftops of Porto to the river and ocean beyond.

An unplanned sight was the Palacio de Bolsa, the former Stock Exchange, one of the great buildings of Porto. It was closed for a performing arts function but we were able to talk the guard into letting us have a little look. We saw a mermaid shed her tail and dance in a pink tutu on top of a globe of the world. Now we know what mermaids have under that tail.

Tonight we plan to have a drop of port in Porto.

Tomorrow we move on to Coimbra for two days.