Day 64: A non-biking day in Portugal

(+ quotes from the bikers)

Monday, August 5th, 2024

Porto, Portugal -> Porto, Portugal

98 flights of stairs climbed, 7 churches visited

Olá!

Since I last wrote, I’ve returned home and joined my family on a road trip throughout Portugal. We're currently on day 3 of the trip and have just arrived in Porto, where we'll spend the next day and a half.

Pic from Day 2 in the Douro region

We started our day bright and early by arriving at 7:00 A.M. on the dot at the hotel buffet where my siblings and I indulged in Pastel de Nata, a Portuguese cream custard tart. We also had some fresh orange juice, which I’d really been missing during Spokes.

At 8:30, we were ready to take on Porto and explore the city the Lacarriere way. Here are the guidelines if you want to mimic how my family visits a city:

1. Choose 5 tourist spots you want to see. (Optional.)

2. Wander through random streets, hoping to stumble upon one of those spots.

3. Once you hit your monument make sure to walk out as soon as you enter because a) the queue is too long or b) 5 euros per person for a cathedral is a scam.

4. Stop for espresso shots every 10 minutes.

VERY IMPORTANT RULE: You must never read more into the history of what you are seeing. You must just look at the pretty buildings.

After stopping by a few churches and vista points, we met up with family friends for lunch at a food court. There was a giant screen showing the Olympics, so we naturally found ourselves critiquing the men's gymnastics final while enjoying tapas.

To recover from this extremely tiring walk, my sister and I took advantage of the hotel pool and relaxed. I'm desperately trying to fix my tan lines but nothing seems to be working - Jess, I'm sorry I ever doubted your concern about your tan at your brother's wedding.

(this pool pic was taken later in the trip)

We ended the afternoon in a Porto suburb by the beach, where we strolled along the seafront, had drinks, and played cards - my mom is trying to teach us French Tarot but I don't think we're enjoying it as much as she'd hoped we would. After a nice dinner with our family friends, my siblings and I ended the day by watching Olympic highlights.

And, as promised, here is what the bikers have to say about their day biking from Eureka to Austin (67.7 mi, 2943 ft):

• Another day, another shoulder lunch! Also heard but did not see really loud military aircrafts?? - Jess

• Just another day on the 50. Long stretches of road broken up by small mountain ranges. The downhills after a big climb was what kept me going. - JD

• More to be added...