We began on the early side, because we had an 8:30 appointment with a boat. Our week with Green Walks meant a breakfast at the hotel, so we packed our bags and went down to the restaurant where breakfast was being served. Now I normally don’t even eat until after my walk, so eating that early doesn’t bode well for my weight, but how can I turn down a “free” (hah!) breakfast? After that we took a few photos out front of the hotel and went back to our room to get all of our stuff together and head downstairs.

Our driver arrived soon after, and we went to the boat. My voucher said a particular name, and we immediately saw that sign, so we went there. Um. Nope! The men there pointed to the pointed to the boat next to theirs and so we walked there. I went to the woman holding a list of names and asked if we were in the right place. She looked through three pages and didn’t see our names. Oh dear! But she looked again and, sure enough, we were actually on the first page at or near the top of the page, so on board we went as soon as they were letting people on. Oh, and when she saw our name on the list she told us we were on table number 12 … for breakfast and lunch. Heh. Who knew? We were directed to our table and sat down next to a nice couple. The breakfast consisted of two kinds of bread, coffee, and juice. We both barely touched the bread after our first breakfast, but it was nice to converse with our neighboring couple. They were from Canada, lucky people! (Sadly I didn’t get a photo of them. I just wasn’t thinking!)

After breakfast we went up to the deck and sat next to a couple from the UK. They, too, were very nice and easy to chat with. The boat got started and off we went. The scenery was lovely.

When we got to the first lock music started blasting through the speakers and the crew handed out little glasses of port. It was quite the festive time!

We continued on the journey. Slowly, as boats go. I can’t say I’m a boat person: I much prefer going more quickly to my destination. Or walking. I really do prefer that!

Eventually it was lunch time. When we went back down a server suggested I had asked for fish. I really couldn’t remember if I’d told the walking company that, but of course fish is fine by me. It was a bit confusing, but eventually we did realize that what I ordered was served to both Dan and me: it was lone HUGE dish, like a fish casserole, really. And it was quite tasty. But no way could we eat even half of it. We share it with our new Canadian friends (and they shared their pork with Dan), but still there was much that didn’t get eaten. They also provided a full bottle of wine for just the two of us, and later brought dessert which I simply couldn’t finish.

Oh … and yes, I DID get a photo of our new found friends!

Suddenly we noticed we were off to the side and not moving at all. Apparently something was up. An announcement (in multiple languages) came over the loudspeaker but I really couldn’t hear it clearly. I just knew something was awry. Our Canadian friends Paul, who also speaks Portuguese, went to ask what was up. He said mostly they were blaming the Spaniards, and said either we eventually will go on our have to turn around. Crazy, but there you go.

Fortunately for us, the boat did eventually move forward. We reached the second lock — no port on this lock, though. And moved on.

We were to have reached Requa by 4:00, but didn’t arrive until after 5:00. Fortunately I had sent a message to the walking company via WhatsApp and they took care of things. It took a moment, but we found our driver and he drove us the thirty minutes or thereabouts to our town for the night, Pinhão.

And then we checked in and went to our hotel room. I thought last night would be the nicest place, but THIS place is huge, with the largest bathroom we’ve ever had. I was sorry to realize that we’d only be here for this one night. But so it goes.

When we walked to dinner (about a fifteen minute walk downhill to the actually town) it began to rain. We had a list of places to eat, one of which was supposed to be next to the train station you see below, but we never found it.

We found the restaurant, which is related to our hotel (we are at the LBV House Hotel), and spent a bit more than we’d hoped, but there really was very little choice in town. The food was delicious — I do hope we burn it off on tomorrow’s walk: we’ve been told it’s the most difficult day when it comes to the climb.

The restaurant called a cab for us since we really weren’t up for hiking back to our place in the dark. I’m thankful that Dan was watching the driver: he didn’t turn on the meter! The ride took maybe five minutes and the driver said it was 10€. Dan wasn’t having it and offered the guy 4€, but then gave him 5€ (at least I think that’s how it all went! In any case, I was glad he didn’t fall for the 10€ bit because that’s way more than we’ve paid anywhere else on this trip. We’ve been told cabs/Ubers/Bolts are all very low. I don’t wish to be seen as the ugly American, but I also don’t want to be taken for a ride (figuratively speaking!) by someone who thinks we are stupid.

Getting into our room we had to rearrange our luggage for the walk which begins tomorrow morning. I’m looking forward to getting out, although apprehensive about the difficult climb. We also know we might be in for a wet day, but I’m rather hoping the rain holds off while we are out and about. Time will tell.

Ciao for now!