Porto, Portugal
After another delicious breakfast at Ribeiredge, we decided to start our day at the World Discovery Museum. My expectation was that it would be small, but hopefully kid friendly.
At first, it is informative about the evolution of boats and Galleons. Then you walk into an interactive info section. Fierce ran ahead and was calling me to come over. I found him in a room decked out to look like you were in the underbelly of a ship. He showed me that you could smell the barrels of spices. Then he tried on a knight’s helmet. There was even a rhinoceros because an African tribe gave it to the Portuguese after not allowing them to build a city there.
After this, you are transported to a shipyard and one of the builders moves as if he is actually working. The best is left for last! We boarded a ship “water ride” and off we sailed as an English audio guide pointed out the different lands and people the Portuguese met on their explorations. We traveled to see the Middle East and Africa, crossed the end of the world, then saw Jungles, Timor, China, India, Japan and Brazil. We both wished we could take the ride again.
Instead, we caught a bus to the beach on “our” side of the port. Again, we climbed rocks, looked at the gorgeous Atlantic and walked the beach.
About half way through our ventures, Fierce spotted a playground so I delayed him just a smidge, so we could get some ice cream and coffee. I figured he could play while I had a cup of café con leite. Our footprints hit the sand again and we made our way to a fort. Fierce shot the cannons and I wandered along the top looking at all the views. On the way back, he wanted to stop at the playground again so of course, more gelato too!
We took the bus to town to find a restaurant that Tammy, a super kind and helpful employee at our hotel, said was good for Bacalhao. We arrived early for dinner, so I talked Fierce into walking along the river and meandering a few streets looking at shops. I think my favorite part was watching the street performers. There were singers, a dancer getting the crowd moving, and even a violin player.
We went back to Chez Lepin and had a wonderful meal. I tried Bacalhao de Nata or Cod with cream, diced potatoes and covered in a light cheese all baked in a ceramic dish. Fierce was unsure of the menu and tried the cheese board. We ate outside, but the chill was lifted when the restaurant brought out little heaters between the tables. We sat next to a table of Brazilians and I could almost make out what they were talking about; I need to re-learn my Portuguese :)
After dinner, I saw a shop with a sale sign and ended up buying a sweater and some shoes. Everything in the store is made in Portugal and I liked that most of the items were soft and had a uniqueness to their style. Souvenirs in hand, we went to the hotel and watched a Portuguese club soccer game…SPO v. EST. I believe the game ended 5-1. I was also writing so I may have missed a goal, but “Yay!” if you were cheering for SPO! lol
