08:30 arrival in Opporto. Climbed on a bus from the airplane to clear through immigration in the terminal building. A bit of a sour arrival as Andrew left his MP3 on the airplane. Apparently, Alex had borrowed it and returned to him when he was sleeping. Some cleaner no doubt will be listening to some good music. Took to the shuttle bus to Europcar picking up a Renault Megantic much to my chagrin as I was to have a Mercedes so we were short on trunk space so one suitcase ended up in the cabin. Damn North Americans with all their luggage.
Off for a 90-minute drive on a brand-new highway to Viano do Castelo. Portuguese at this early point in the trip drive either too slow or too fast. Total disregard for using turn signals but there are no weird or wild maniacs on the road. Up up the hill to our Pousada Santa Luz which overlooks the Atlantic and the coast below. Our pousada is a former convent on top of the mountain beside a huge monastery. Many buses full of Portuguese are visiting it. We had an hour wait for the room to be prepared. Alex and Andrew had their own room with two singles and we had a double. Very comfortable rooms with a tan colour throughout. 70 Euros a night. Alex, Andrew and I headed out in the blazing heat to the swimming pool and revived somewhat. Poor Fotini had crashed so being peckish Andrew, Alex and I headed down to a local restaurant down below called “O Pescador”. Had wine, soft drinks, fish patties, cheese, grilled seabass and seafood stew with a litre of spring water. A superb repast for 42 Euros. Returned back to Pousada for a crash out from 17:00-21:00. Groggily downed water watched television and slipped into oblivion and slept for 9 hours.
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