Crinkly's Portugal trip day 8: Porto beach and final day of trip with overview (2/16-17/19)

We wake up early to get a early lunch at a nearby place that is known to have a great local delicacy, tripe stew so we go to a place nearby the hostel on our way to the train station as the buses to the coast pick up from right around there. Stew was tasty and in a place that was a little fancy for what I was expecting but delicious none the less. Then we head over and grab the bus to go see the coast. Sit up on the second level to get some good views as we head down that way. The beach is warm and sunny and beautiful. We check out the beach near the light house and the fort where the waves were crashing hard. The sand itself was mostly shells which was really pretty. After chilling on the beach a little bit, we go up the coast and stop at English beach to have some drinks and a bite to eat. Then realize we need to start heading back. Catch the bus and go back to hostel then get to the train station to go to Campanha where we then get on our train to Lisbon. Get into Lisbon late and check into our hostel near the airport and get showered as I have an early flight out. I wake up early, pack my bag up, and then walk the 30 or so minutes to the airport while it is still really dark out. Get in to the airport, check in and head on home.

Dont know how we missed this church the first day we left our hostel but it was right down the street. Amazing art all over the place.

Crinkly enjoying some beach time

Crinkly watching the water come in.

Crinkly wanted to climb the lighthouse. 

Waves were crashing against this landing hard. Crinkly watching said waves creating huge splashes.

Crinkly appreciating water from a distance.

Crinkly enjoying some beach time letting the waves come in.

Beach being full of round stones instead of sand like what I am used to was both really cool to walk on and way more beautiful

The fort right by the coast

Cool looking building

Enjoying the last sunset from the train heading south.

Summary:

I had been wanting to go to Portugal for a while and glad I finally got this chance. It is a fantastic country full of great people and amazing sights, this is saying a lot as I didnt hit any of the southern spots more known for their beach/surfing life and places like that. Below are the high/low points

Good:
1) Food was delicious everywhere. Wish I had a second stomache to try out more items/places.
2) Art, including the tiles that adorn buildings everywhere, is beautiful. granted they are mostly blue which I am partial to but even then, beautiful views are everywhere.
3) Hilly cities make for some nice walks/workouts but also allow for views upon views upon views which is always nice to turn a corner and the city opens up in front of you.
4) All 4 cities we visited had their own vibe/appeal/beauty to them and glad we got a great mix of locales to experience

Bad:
1) Streets, saw this especially in Lisbon, are so devoid of green space that the dogs have to crap where everyone walks which detracted from the amazing alleys/walk ways
2) No drinking in the soccer stadium. granted I think I understand this based on things I have seen in other stadiums but yeah was not expected.

I look forward to returning one day and spending some more time touring around, while also spending some time in the south to check out some of hte places I missed this time around.