VIANO DO COSTELO
Spent the day Saturday on the sightseeing agenda. The first place was the Palacio do Bolsa, which used to be the stock exchange/commerce center for the Port wine companies back in the day. Now its not much more than a impressive building that holds functions. Anyway, while waiting for the guided walk through, met a korean guy over for the tourny. Brushed up a bit on my Korean and ended up cruising around with him the rest of the day. Hit up a church on the same grounds as the P do B which Napaleon saw fit to use as a horse stable back in his romp through europe. Still in nice enough condition considering. Then across the river to walk through a port lodge, this being the only place in the world that, officially at least, port can come from. Had a few tasting afterwards and indeed it does have a bit more kick than wine. Last stop was the Torree do Dos Clerigos, a 76m tower built over the course of 70 years a few hundred years back. Nice views from the top out to the Ocean.
Went out to the fan zone to watch sweden/holland that night, and picked up a ticket for the Denmark / Czech game while there. Only wish I had known the supply/demand equation was a bit skewed and tickets were being given away at match time. Ended up stopping in for a pint at a bar at halftime, and didnt leave til after Holland won on penalties. Had a good laugh with some English, French, and Swedish jokers. Set off to the riverside square area where all the euro crowd congregates after the match. Had some good chats with people from just about everywhere, including some portugese locals, who seem to disappear into crowds of foreigners. When the sun started coming up I knew it was time to go home.
Alrite, woke up late enough Sunday, and called the phone number that had appeared in my pocket. Ah, yes, Sonja, who I started talking to after asking her for a pen. So met up with her before the game and got a ride to the stadium then chilled in the park until kickoff. Was suprised to see thousands of empty seats at the match. Czech won, and in such a manner that they are either extremely confident or arrogant, but given their results, id have to say the former. Went out again that night and met the best mate of the co founder of the st pats football team in korea. Spent most the evening chatting away with him as his mates.
Monday set off for Viana do Costelo for the last three days in Portugal. Got to the campsite near the beach a bit late as the bus schedules weren't golden. Small little place, but a 3 minute walk to the beach, so nice enough. Met up with some Aussies traveling Portugal in a motorhome and a few French, and after the security had enough of our antics, set off for the beach where we threw together a impromptu but impressive campfire. Good times.
Tuesday got my first serious sun laying on the beach, and definetly underestimated its strength, as i now have a nice shade of red on a good part of me. Gotta start somewhere though. Its Wednesday now and I am back in the town, staying in a pension tonight as portugal and holland play their semifinal tonight. Should be a good match, and celebration, once again, if portugal wins. Then Thursday its on to Spain, and my current iteniary has me going from Vigo to Santiago de Campostela to San Sebsebastion over the course of about 2 weeks. And possibly into Pamplona for the last days of Fiesta de San Fermin, or, more commonly, the running of the bulls.