Porto - Barcelona Day 2 - Second Day in Porto

Good morning Porto! All set for the second day and waiting for our Uber to go downtown. Our main concern for the day was to send our empty/extra luggage and bike packing stuff to our last destination so that we can travel light on our bicycles. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

This DHL service centre was not enable to courier our luggage because they only do collection of parcels nevertheless one of us ended up buying a watch from the shop. We have to try another service centre.

A bit of sight seeing while we were locating for other DHL service centres.

The second attempt was also not successful, our luggage were too big for them to handle. By then some were hungry and accidentally found Restaurante Nova Launda for the best ever deal. It is located next to the DHL service centre at GPS : 41.145691, -8.604228

This was the cheapest meal we have ever had for the entire trip, it was only 5€ per person for a complete set lunch complete with soup, main course, dessert and drinks. The drink could be mineral water, wine or beer and finished off with a sweet dessert and coffee. We fell in love with this local joint, the people are friendly and a family run food outlet. 

After the satisfying lunch we took an Uber to DHL Global Forwarding somewhere near the airport at GPS : 41.232896, -8.666164 and finally we were able to couriered our luggage. Two luggage bound for Granada and one to Barcelona, the charges were pretty high RM216.00 for the one to Barcelona as compared to our other trips like Seoul to Busan, probably we were using an international and branded courier company. Anyway, the issue of extra luggage has been resolved and we shall proceed to enjoy our holiday with lesser luggage on us.

We walked to Botica Metro Station which was about 800metres from DHL and back to the city centre (at Trindade Station) to meet up with the rest of the group.

Roasting chestnuts at the road side like you see in Malaysia or other parts of the world. This is the Porto's setting. These chestnuts would be good when sampling with the local Portuguese wines.

At the City Hall Building with a statue of Almeida Garrett, a monument for the local statesman, writer, orator and playwright who was born in Porto. I guess the big blue lettering "PORTO" must be a recent add-on work.

A brief visit to Sao Bento Railway Station and wonder what is the story behind the so many blue ceramic wall tiles we hope we will find out soon.

A busy train station providing connection to the people around the region and functioning as the main suburban lines.

At last we regrouped at the Tourism Centre Office.

This street that leads to many shopping outlets, drinking joints and the street has lovely things to see.

Colourful & terracing Porto in a simple perspective.

Some bought these tee shirts for themselves to remember Porto with their bicycles.

A bit of walking around seeing nice historical buildings before we adjourn us for a dinner.

The sky was getting dark as we slowing walked to the restaurant.

We came a night before and could not get a place to eat, a booking was made last night for a table of 8 and here we were waiting for the restaurant to open to savour its popular food and beers. It's Brasão Cervejaria Aliados located at R. de Ramalho Ortigão 16  GPS : 41.149214, -8.611565

A Portuguese beer house with interesting interior ambiance and of course it's famous for its beer, wine & sangrias that fit in very well all together with the food. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

The food were unique and yummy where I don't get to see very often back home. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

And finally a dessert to complete the dinner.

Cheers and a wonderful dinner at Brasão Cervejaria Aliados. Thank you Mel for a good recommendation and looking forward for more.

Meet Mr. Fernando Lopes de Almeida. Sr. Acácio Branco whose shop is known as Barbearia Garrett it is sited just next door to the restaurant I had a chance to take this candid picture with the man himself. Opened in 1958 at 12 years of age, from the shop he could see the birth of Porto changing from a countryside to a city. The Barbearia Garrett has been the scene of many photoshoots for fashion catalogues and medias. Thank you once again Mr. Fernandos Lopes. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Good night Porto and we will see more of you tomorrow.