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East West Mix

A taste of good things in Asia & Europe

22 February 2014 By Amber Hatcher Leave a Comment

1,500 kms of Portuguese roads and no McDonalds

Delicious soup Grilled fish

We have done so well. Almost a week of travelling and no McDonalds at all so far! We have been enjoying the freshly cooked seafood here. This has been  so, so much better – healthy & yummy!

“Mum, I am going to have a Double Sausage McMuffin for breakfast when we are home on Sun,” David says. Grrrrr….

We woke up yesterday to torrential rain at Viseu – exactly like the London we left behind. The drive through the mountains this time was very different, especially when a dense fog descended and visibility was truly poor. We had a big fright when an enormous truck suddenly emerged through the fog in front our car, travelling at a much slower speed. We applied the brakes quickly to avoid crashing into the truck and felt that it has been a very close call. Thank God we were driving cautiously.

The rain soon eased off and the driving conditions improved. As we drove along the mountain roads, we were treated with the beautiful sight of a rainbow over a village. It gladdens the soul to see this after the dismal fog and grey skies.

Porto

By the time we arrived at Porto, it was dusk and we stopped by the famous Dom Luis bridge to wander round and have our dinner at a small little restaurant serving Portuguese tapas.

We returned there this morning to take a ride on the cable car to the top of the bridge so we can walk across the bridge. The view from the top was absolutely fantastic – especially when the day is back to its beautiful sunny day with blue skies.

 

Alveiro skipper Alveiro view from the canal

Aveiro is also known as Little Venice with its canals and colourful gondolas. This little town is very pretty with its unique and beautiful architecture. The buildings here are very unusual as the external walls are covered with porcelain tiles to protect the walls from the salt in the seaside air. I love the sight of the palm trees lining the side of the canal.

Alveiro houseThe water in these canals are half salty sea water and half fresh water.

We have driven close to 1,500 kms and have spent Euro 160 on tolls! The landscape has been varied from mountainous to flat salt marshes and we had our scary moments in the fog. Viseu had the most roundabouts to get through to get out of town – just over a dozen!

As this is not peak holiday season, we were able to park in the centre of town and visit everywhere in peace and quiet, without any queues. Such bliss! The only downside is not being able to enjoy the beach and the seas. The next time we come, we will just chill out and be beach bums as we have already seen all the sights.

Every eating establishment here has a humongous variety of desserts, no matter how humble or small the place is. I have overdosed on egg tarts which I absolutely adore. I am returning home with jeans feeling a tad tighter….

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About me

Amber Hatcher is an avid traveller and loves to share her excitement and joy of her journeys and experiences. Good wholesome and healthy food is her other passion. Amber earns her living in the banking and clearing world and also has a property business.

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Amber Hatcher is an avid traveller and loves to share her excitement and joy of her journeys and experiences. Good wholesome and healthy food is her other passion. Amber earns her living in the banking and clearing world and also has a property business.

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