Pinhao to Porto

One more great breakfast at our hotel, and we were picked up by a cab to deliver us to the train station. Fransisco had arranged the pick-up with one of the cabbies at the train station when we bought the tickets yesterday.

One last view of the Douro River from the hills

When we arrived at the station, I thought I'd better verify that the tickets were good for today. Sure enough, the agent yesterday had issued the tickets for the next train leaving yesterday. Luckily, it was the same agent today, so he kindly adjusted our tickets for the appropriate train. I should have noticed this yesterday, but he seemed to understand what I was asking for, so I didn't think about it. The crisis was averted anyway, and we would soon be on our way.

While we waited, some of us picked up sandwiches at nearby shops to eat on the train. I had an espresso while my sandwich was being made, and talked to another customer about the lottery ticket he had just bought. The tickets cost 5 euros each he said, but the prize was millions of euros. He thought I should get one too!

The station building was decorated with beautiful tiles, all around. Nearby, there were huge round-topped storage buildings, I imagine for wine.

Huge round-topped wine storage cisterns

The train station in Pinhao

The train ride took a few hours, and then we caught the metro to the stop nearest our apartment. From there we walked the rest of the way.

Nancy, Pam and Gail headed off to the grocery store, Pingo Doce, a grocery chain in Portugal, with an empty wheeled suitcase (or 2?) to bring substantial food back, since we were now in residence here for 7 more days.

Dinner was frozen pizza and salad.