Porto, Portugal

For Ascension this year we decided to go to Portugal. Jaxon's best friend here, Alexandre, is Portuguese and so he was especially excited. "It has always been my dream to go to Portugal," he said. Lucky him, because EasyJet flies there.

We started out in the north, in Porto. We booked a nice little apartment near the beach.

Eva was planning the itinerary with the help of Rick Steve's guidebook.

We ate in the first night. Daniel went out to scout for food.

Among the treasures he came back with was this "best cheese in Portugal." It was really good, Especially the first half. Then it started to grow.

We headed out first thing the next morning to check out Porto. We were bummed when it seemed like the old trolley's weren't working so we had to take to bus. It was only at the end of the day that we realized that it was an hour earlier than Switzerland in Portugal, so we were just waiting before they even started running.

We loved the tiles that decorated so many of the buildings. 

Exploring Porto in the rain was lots of fun

Our first Portuguese meal at a hole in the wall restaurant full of locals.  Sardines and some kind of really good meat.

Eva loved trying all the new foods.

We went down to the Ribeira district which is right on the riverfront

We are suckers for boat tours.  As such we directed ourselves to the docks for the Porto boat tour.

Even the road signs were beautiful. 

Captain Jonas was exited for an adventure on the river

The bridges were really interesting - this one I think was built by Eiffel.

Jaxon took a nice shot of us together.  He now is our photographer, we just can't wait for him to be our babysitter.

That is real smile on my face, but I think Jaxon's may be forced.

On the old trolley Eva enjoyed the hand holds.  yum yum

Jonas expiring on the trolley while looking out the window.

We are also suckers for medieval fortresses on the sea with cannons everywhere.

There was  a really nice Sea walk along the coast.

Jonas was not bothered by the cold water and enjoyed running in the surf.

Jaxon did not heed our suggestion to take off his pants if he was going to run near the waves and was surprised by a big one.

Jonas ...

Pants come off and the fun continues

Eva kept a safe distance from the action but loved the watching the waves crash

Back at the apartment, the boys built a fort and Eva wanted in on the action.