All of us had a good sleep and up at 09:00 a bit groggy. We could have slept more but best get acclimatized to the 6-hour time difference sooner or later. Greeted by a very elegant dining room for breakfast. There are about 15 tables and all with a view of the town below. We enjoyed a superb buffet breakfast out on the veranda. Some choices of food included fresh fruit salad, sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, Portuguese ham, cakes, cheeses and an extensive selection of fresh bread. I had a fantastic café au lait. After breakfast we walked down the steps from the pousada to the Basilica de Santa Luiza which was completed in 1926 and is modeled after the Sacre Coeur in Paris. Immaculate and beautifully landscaped and the mobs of Portuguese tourists here on Sunday, the day we arrived, were nowhere to be seen. We had the basilica to ourselves. It is very small with only 14 pews with a large domed ceiling with a picture of Jesus on it in its centre. I think Santa Luiza is the patron saint of the sick. At one point there were several limping Portuguese walking up the steps of the basilica. The grounds are full of eucalyptus trees. Excellent view of the coast below but our rom has an even more spectacular view. We can see the coast on the Atlantic and the town below. We had four Sumols in a café outside the basilica then returned to our pousada and drove to Ponte de Lima some 40 kms distance. Ponte de Lima has a famous bridge something to do with lovers. The youngsters of the village were swimming in the river below.
There is a huge outdoor market set up along the river with countless stalls with canvas awnings for shade. You can buy anything here. After browsing had coffee and pastries. Small streets in the town very European but here not so charming.
Returned to the pousada for dinner. I had the cabrito (baby goat). Alex and Andrew had the giant prawns. There was a dessert buffet with 9 different cheeses ranging from mild to pungent. I had no idea the Portuguese are cheese lovers. Every morning for breakfast we have a very mild goat cheese. Played some pool before retiring for the night.
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