Europe 2023 August 31st Day 28 - Lisbon to Porto on another Train

Well that was a crap sleep, that will teach me to break the rule and have a coffee after 5pm, and an espresso at that. After doing some more of the blog and trying intermittently to go to sleep, the last thing I needed for 40 minutes at 2am were the rubbish guys having trouble replacing the large kurbside bins that recess into the ground ( size of about half a shipping container). They have a crane arm on the back of the truck for lifting and replacing, but just couldn't get the new one back in so the method changes to just lift it higher and drop, over and over again until they finally achieved success.

Woke at 7am and after packing everything back into our two bags popped downstairs for breakfast (usual spot).
As usual one member of our entourage wanted to make sure we were at the railway station on time so we were down at reception checking out at 9.45am. Ordered a taxi which was there in a couple of minutes and as explained to us, the ride was only 10 minutes max to Santa Apolana railway station,so therefore we were there on the dot of 10am for our 11.30am train 🤬. Checked to make sure of the correct platform and the we walked across the road with our bags for another coffee and tea. Jane hasn't had a coffee for over a week now just to hopefully help the stomach.

We finally ambled across to the station and awaited our train which of course was on time. Into the very last carriage (went Business class for the extra $20) and settled for the 3 hour trip. It was a good trip stopping at a few interesting old towns and with some lovely views on the way. Went through Aveiro, apparently the Venice of Portugal with its canals and a seaside resort about an hour south of Porto. Looked nice and if we have time we might make an effort to get there for a look.

Pulled into the Porto Campanha station, quickly off into cab and within 15 minutes arrived at the Moov Centro Porto hotel, slap bang in the middle of the old city opposite a gorgeous tiled church.

Cab driver said we couldn't have picked a more central location so we'll see if he's right. Both a little tired so had a short nap before heading out to investigate our new city. First impressions were very good as we wandered up and down the hilly streets looking at all the old buildings, including the magnificent central railway station with its tiled walls ( Isabel actually stayed in a hostel in the station not long before)

It appeared cleaner than Lisbon and a little more compact (which it should be) and the view of the river Duoro and the bridges spanning it were brilliant. We found a spot for the famed Porto sunset (another mountain goat track to get there 😂) and it was beautiful.

Headed back to the hotel randomly and stopped at the Impar restaurant where Jane had cod fish potato and egg, while I had  pork loin (interesting , deep fried strips of pork belly, very fatty and not what I expected) with beer and rose, finished with the MOST magnificent Lime mousse. It was my birthday so we found a little half bottle of 2013  LBV port and went back to the room for a small tipple to celebrate the occasion.