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| View of Riberia from the top deck of the bus. So picturesque. |
It was a bit of a rude awakening when the alarm went off at
5.30 this morning, but all for a good cause. Needed to have some brekkie before
walking to the train station for the 6.45 train to Porto. Dawn was just
breaking as we headed off once again following the river east this time for the
first 40 minutes before turning inland. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip which got
us into Porto just after 9am. Very comfortable seats and we could relax and
just watch the scenery change as we left the rural area and hit the suburbs of
Porto, with lots of multi storied apartments. We arrived at the Sao Bento
Station near the old city of Porto, built in the early 1900’s. It is famous for
its blue and white ceramic tiles that line the walls, depicting Portugal’s
history and they are truly amazing.
It was really pleasant wandering the streets early in the
morning just as the city was coming to life, although the tradies were very
busy, there seems to be so many old buildings being reconstructed and the sound
of jack hammers echoed in the streets. We meandered our way down the steep streets
toward to the Douro River. This is the old part of the city which was
proclaimed a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996. In the 13th
century, wine produced in the Douro Valley was shipped downstream to Porto.
After a coffee we boarded a “hop on hop off bus” for an hour
and half birds eye tour of the city. It was fun sitting on the top deck as we
wound our way through the little narrow steep streets along with huge numbers
of other tourist buses, there were some real bottle necks at times. This really
is a big tourist destination and the whole town is brimming with people, all
holding city maps trying to work out where they are going. Highlights for me
were seeing all the ceramic tiled buildings as well as wonderful architecture
and elaborately sculptured facades. It was great to get an overview of the town
and eventually we got off in the town centre.
Discovered why perhaps the traffic is so bad as the city
taxi drivers are on strike over the governments new regulations legalising
companies like Uber from November. Many had gathered in the centre, and the
police were out if force making sure there were no issues. Evidently this has
been going on for several days. After some lunch at a side walk café we
meandered back towards the railway station, Ian found a seat in a café where he
could people watch along with a cold beer and I took my camera and walked down
the steep streets to get a close up view of Riberia, the centre of the old city
which we had seen from the bus. This really was tourist central, heaving with
people and wall to wall restaurants along the waterfront. But the old buildings
are very picturesque. And once again I
was fascinated by the array of washing hanging out of these buildings for all
the world to see.
A steep walk back to the railway station in time for us to
catch the 3pm train back home. We have enjoyed a taste of busy city life, Porto
is certainly an attractive city and glad we visited. Lots of photos today, hopefully I have
selected a few depicting the city of Porto. Finished by a very vivid sunset behind
the Sandeman sculpture on the hill.
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| Fabulous blue tiles in the train station. |
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| Intricate sculptures on buildings. |
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| Loved this scene as the baby and the police man made friends. |
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| Tiled buildings are everywhere. |
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| Loved the tiles on this deli. |
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| Taxi strike |
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| Guess its a girl! |
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| Magnificent sunset to end the day. |
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