In Porto, we decided to take a taxi to the Gaia side of the Douro River to visit one of the famous port facilities.

The concierge recommended Taylor’s, so we went there. Didn’t recognize the name, but it was next to Sandeman’s, which we have on the shelves in California. (Taylor’s too, we learned later).

There was a peacock waiting for us in the driveway!

Turns out that many of the original Portuguese port producers were owned by English companies, hence the lack of Portuguese names. Taylor’s goes back to the 17th century.

The tour was interesting enough, even if you live a stone’s throw from California’s wine country and have seen it all before. I hadn’t known that port was the first terroir-designated appellation, before Bordeaux, Rioja, Champagne, etc.

The tasting at the end was quite a production. They pour the 10 and 20 year old port for free, then entice you to pay for a taste of the “good stuff.” Victoria came away from the shop with a small bottle of 30-year-old tawny.

We decided to take the gondola back across the river. They call it a cable car here, but being from San Francisco, a cable car is a different sort of thing.

Another tuk-tuk ride later and we were back to our hotel, then navigating the urban maze out of Porto. (I am accustomed to seeing thousands of tuk-tuks in India, but Cisco executives were not allowed to ride in them).

A 2-hour drive away, Nazaré is a coastal fishing town turned seaside resort. I have nothing against roundabouts, and recognize their utility, but there can be too much of a good thing. The waves in this area are among the most powerful surfing waves in the world. Very Mediterranean, white stucco and red clay tile roofs.

He had a quiet afternoon. Victoria did a great job of breaking up the drive to Évora tomorrow. 2-3 hours is about all we want to drive at a time. I feel fine, but 3 or 4 days later I am of course still recovering from my Camino.