Oporto | Portugal

Oporto is the quieter side of the tourist-run western Europe. It is out of the way of major airline routes, and it does not have an attraction of a legendary scale, but! It's a cute, well-organized and well-disciplined place (ie. the people are reluctant to speak English, but there's plenty tourist info center and english signs, that non-Portugese speakers can traverse its city without much trouble).


The one scene that Oporto is famous for.


This is the hostel where I stayed at. A charming, petite, historic house. Complete with pigeons. The residents here seems to like the idea of feeding pigeons, unlike their pigeon-averse European neighbors.


The ultra modern light rail that runs through this city. Nice man. (because he stays calm as I stalk him).


Me on the bridge scene.


Souvenirs with chicken of Barcelos on it. In Australia, this chicken is also better known as, Nandos. Yummmm!


Vibrant café and shops riverfront. Touristy, but not overtly so.


One of the things I miss about the touristy Europe is the sound of accordion wafting through the air. And the smile of the old men who plays it.


Advertisement for port wine. Not my endorsed brand though. But in case you're looking for a good bottle of port, go and find Graham's 10 year tawny port next time you're at the airport's duty free.


Whispers says that this is the best pastry shop in Oporto. It is small (no seating), tucked away on some street corners, but surprisingly packed with people, even on a rainy Monday. I had to jostle around to get the sights many delicious Portuguese egg pastry at the shop. I couldn't possible eat all of them, but thankfully they have these takeaway mini-version!


Nice pastry people. They think I'm Japanese.


Complicated stair manouvers seems to be their pastime specialty (see the post on the Lello)


Ceramics as walls is another one of their favorite architectural bag of tricks.