Monday April 4, 2016: Batalha to Porto, Portugal

During the night we could hear it raining – actually at times it was pouring.  It was still raining this morning, and looked like it could continue raining all day.  After breakfast we walked to the Monastery a few minutes before 9:00am, as we wanted to be ahead of bus tours that would arrive when the doors opened.  We almost made it!  A tour group followed us into the Monastery!  Thankfully this place was so huge we could go to a different place than the tour group.  This was another massive place – Nave, Cloisters, etc.  Thankfully we were inside, as the weather was nasty – wet and cold!  It was not warm in the Monastery, but at least it was dry! We need another umbrella, as one of ours bit-the-dust the other day.  Outside the Monastery we found a gift shop where they were selling umbrellas. Finally, we each have one of our own again. 

Batalha Monastery

Central Nave

Cloister

Gargoyle

Tomb of Unknown Soldier

We returned to the hotel to check-out and continue driving north to Coimbra. This city is known for its University and within the University, the library, the chapel and the Palace. We specifically wanted to see these three items at the University.  However, first it was pouring rain, and second we had problems finding a parking spot, but we persevered, finding a parking spot. We walked in the rain a few blocks to our destination.  The Palace and Chapel were nice, but the library was over-the-top with wood carvings.  This is one place we could not take photos.  By the time we returned to the car we were cold and our feet were wet.

Gate entering Coimbra University

Meeting room for Conferring Educational Degrees

Room with the Portrait of all of the Heads on the University

Chapel

Chapel Organ

We continued driving north to Porto in the rain.  At one point we pulled into a Service Area along the Toll Road, and we each grabbed a nap in the 15 minutes we were there. In that time the rain had stopped and the sun was shining!!!      

We arrived in Porto around 2:30. We did not have a hotel reservation so we began looking for something nice in the inner city area.  We found one but was not in the right lane of traffic to park, so we continued looking for something else.  We did not have a good map of the downtown area, but after about 15 minutes we drove by the same hotel again.  This time there was parking.  It was a little more expensive than we were hoping, but we decided to stay here as it is very nice and the location is ideal.  There is also off-street parking, which is a real positive.     

After checking-in and settling-in, we began walking.  We walked down-hill and up-hill for the next 3 hours.  There is no level spot in this city!  Actually Porto has lots of charm in its narrow hilly streets, but it is not the cleanest city. We did have an adult beverage along the riverfront.  Across the river you can see all the warehouses that store the Port Wine, each having their brand name prominently displayed.  Tomorrow we plan to visit that and and do a tasting tour.  After visiting one of the many Cathedrals, we began looking for a restaurant for dinner.  After the sun went down, the temperature began to drop. By the time we returned to the hotel, we were ready for a warm room and another good night’s sleep, as we have plenty to explore in Porto tomorrow. We have decided to stay here for 2 nights, Monday & Tuesday, then on Wednesday morning we will begin driving east along the Douro River Valley where the grapes for the Port wine are grown.

Double Deck Bridge in Porto

Walking the Old City Wall

Port Wine Barrels on a boat

View of the River Front

Stopping for some Refreshments

Sao Francisco Cathedral

Tree of Jesse - Jesse at bottom, Christ at top

Central Nave

Hardware Store in Old Town

Train Depot

Sunday, April 3, 2016: Baja to Batalha, Portugal

This morning, Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, however by noon it was cloudy and by late afternoon we were in rain.   By the time I am writing this at 10:00 pm, the rain is really coming down. 

Cal & I left Baja this morning after driving around the historical part of the city.  We drove pass vineyards, and olive groves, with cork oak spread throughout on our way to Evora, a UNESCO sight.  On the way we diverted to Portel.  As we approached the town of Portel we could see a Castle at the top of the hill.  We were not planning to stop, but it drew us in!  After walking around the castle ruins and taking photos of the valley below, we were back on the road toward Evora. 

Stork Nests in one tree

Portel Castle from a distance

Views from the Castle

Ruins inside the Castle

Portel Church

Olive Grove

Grapes beginning to grow for the new season

However, on the way, we passed two gentlemen (Father & Son) working in their vineyards right beside the road.  Cal wanted to get up-close and personal with the farmers!  He turned around and we went back to communicate the best we could with someone who knew no English and we know no Portuguese. They were putting plastic guards around each newly grafted plant.   

Newly grafted plant

Adding tubes for protection

                                         

The last two days Cal & I have been traveling outside the high profile Tourist areas until we reached Evora!  Wow! People everywhere!  No parking available on a Sunday morning. In the end, we simply took a few photos and left town as our time was running out.  The drive back to Lisbon was interesting - storks in nests, fields of wheat, olive groves, people out on a Sunday morning.  

Evora Roman Ruins

Cristo Reo returning to Lisbon

We needed to be back at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lisbon to pick up our daughter Cherie between 1:30-2:00.  We found our way back into the city and drove directly to the hotel!  She waited about 15 minutes for us – not bad!

We are now ready to go to northern Portugal.  Our first stop is at a Monastery in Alcobaca. It is also a UNESCO site.  This is the largest church in Portugal and was finished in the year of 1223!. Wow! This was one huge place.

Alcobaca Monastery

Church Nave

Hall of Kings

Cloister

Drainage Gargoyles

Large Meeting Room

Kitchen and Chimney

Room where Monks Slept

Famous Tomb of King Pedro

We decided to continue driving north to the town of Batalha, where another Monastery is located.  Outside of Lisbon this is the most visited location in all of Portugal. As we drove into town we spotted a hotel right next to the Monastery.  It looked great, and after settling in, we found a great restaurant around the corner.  Currently we are back at the hotel, ready to crash for the night!!