Last day in Porto

Rainy morning, looking out our window

Our last day in Porto. Our plans changed today because of weather, we had hoped to visit some towns North of here, but woke up to rain so that was the end of those plans. Hung around the apartment until about 10:30 then got our umbrellas and headed out. Of course since we had our umbrellas it stopped raining! So, the day was spent walking around Porto and making up for not being in a Church for a couple of days, not even sure how many we visited today!

Happy Birthday to Robin today, hope it is not raining in Arundel, or maybe you are wishing for rain if it is snowing!

We started off this morning by finding the post office to pay our tolls for the car on Thursday when we got on the highway by mistake. Only one woman working, and working slowly so decided we would come back again later this afternoon to try to pay again, what a racket!

Now we head off to do some exploring. We walked to the Church that is just around the block from us, the Church of Sao Francisco. First off we visited the museum and the catacomb. The catacomb was interesting, from the 1800's and up until then all burials were done within the church itself here, it was only after 1850 that public cemeteries started to be used. This church itself had amazing gilt wood work, and a beautiful Jesse tree carved out of wood. No pictures allowed here.

Sao Francisco Church, no pictures inside allowed

Meeting room

Catacomb

We then walked up to visit the cathedral again since it was closed the other day when we tried to get it. This is the first of our uphill walks today. We were able to go inside, very impressive. The choir loft and columns in this Church were beautiful. Unfortunately they were closing for lunch shortly so we did not have a long visit, many places here close from 12 – 2:30 here for lunch, what a nice long lunch break!

Inside cathedral

Outside cathedral

From here we walked to the brige to cross over the top level for a different view of the city, other times we have only crossed the lower section. This was extremely high, nice views, but I did not look directly down. It was also very windy, and so high up, not a great combination. The views were very different, looks funny looking down on a city.

View from bridge top level

Port cellars view from bridge

Bridge that we just walked the top level on.

We then walked down to the lower level of the bridge and crossed back to the Porto side, back to the apartment for lunch before we head out again.

After lunch it is quite nice outside again, but decide to spend the rest of the day still exploring Porto. First stop was back up the hill to a tower that you can climb up for yet another view of the city. So, 200 steps later we are at the top of the tower, and this is after climbing the hill again! Again great views, but it is still so windy! We then visited the Church that is attached to the tower, beautiful dome ceiling in this Church.

Bird set outside to sing

Tower we climbed, 200 steps!!

Another view of tower

View of cathedral from top of tower

Inside Tower church

Dome ceiling

Next was a visit at a beautiful book store, stained glass ceiling, floors, and a beautiful spiral staircase are the features here. Again no pictures allowed.

Book store entrance

Large trees with different base

We finished off by visiting a park. A few roses are in bloom, the pansies are all planted, and many different trees flowering now. Very pretty area, of course which involved steps and hills. I can just imagine during wedding season and graduation time how busy these gardens must be for taking pictures!

Crystal palace

crystal palace gardens

Look how wide the sidewalks are!

Back at the apartment after about 5 hours of walking again today. I am beat. We made supper at home tonight, picked up a bottle of wine and are just taking it easy. Tomorrow night we are not sure where we will be, but we have now booked a hotel for our last 3 nights in Lisbon. Time to go get packed up a little, then off to bed, ready for new adventures tomorrow.