We sadly checked out of our hotel this morning. We could easily have stayed here a few more nights, it was so beautiful. We took the kids for a hike up the hillside before leaving and found a beautiful park with a small lake. We rented a rowboat and got to see Chris’ rowing prowess.
The kids really enjoyed the boat ride although they seemed most intrigued by the mating frogs we found! After a little more hiking we headed out of town to Guimares. This is a really neat little medieval town. After wandering around the old quarter we checked out the palace and the castle. The castle is not for the faint of heart. It’s ramparts and stairs are wide open, no rails or side walls and a mere 50 foot death plunge if you stumble. Again, another site we visited with my mom in mind. Mom, you would have gone beserk. You will be pleased to know that after the first set of stairs, I just couldn’t do it and I quickly returned to safety with Abby in tow. Chris and CJ did the whole castle with me watching anxiously from below. In between lunch and midafternoon ice cream and wine (a new daily routine!) we found a little barbershop in the old quarter. A newly shorn CJ is quite pleased with his Portuguese barber experience. 
We then took the Teleferico up the mountainside to Penha which was fantastic. There is an enormous park with all kinds of hiking trails and freaky rocks that look like they are from another planet. We stumbled into a little cave (literally) where a bunch of locals were listening to a soccer game on an old radio and drinking wine and eating sardines. We quickly ordered some wine and were puzzled when he handed us a small jug and 2 BOWLS. Evidently around here they drink from bowls. Bizarre, but entertaining. The wine looked like grape juice, deep deep purple. Annie enjoyed it but Chris did not…just means more for one of us!
We spent several hours up in the park area before riding the gondola back down and heading for Santiago de Compostela. We made great time to Santiago, less than 2 hours. We then spent another 2 hours searching for our elusive hotel. We asked 1 cab driver, 2 bartenders, 1 waiter, 1 restaurant manager and a gas station attendant…and we still couldn’t find it. Finally caved in and used my favorite mapping resource…RJ! I usually just call him for Maryland directions, but he came through as usual. No sooner had we hung up with him, then we finally found the place. Too late for a “normal” meal so we “treated” CJ to…McDonalds! Hit the hay just before midnight, hoping the Easter Bunny can find us. We explained to CJ that we are up in the very farthest corner of Spain and the bunny might have a hard time finding us, but we’ll see. We plan on catching Easter Mass at the cathedral in the morning…stay tuned.
The kids really enjoyed the boat ride although they seemed most intrigued by the mating frogs we found! After a little more hiking we headed out of town to Guimares. This is a really neat little medieval town. After wandering around the old quarter we checked out the palace and the castle. The castle is not for the faint of heart. It’s ramparts and stairs are wide open, no rails or side walls and a mere 50 foot death plunge if you stumble. Again, another site we visited with my mom in mind. Mom, you would have gone beserk. You will be pleased to know that after the first set of stairs, I just couldn’t do it and I quickly returned to safety with Abby in tow. Chris and CJ did the whole castle with me watching anxiously from below. In between lunch and midafternoon ice cream and wine (a new daily routine!) we found a little barbershop in the old quarter. A newly shorn CJ is quite pleased with his Portuguese barber experience. 
We then took the Teleferico up the mountainside to Penha which was fantastic. There is an enormous park with all kinds of hiking trails and freaky rocks that look like they are from another planet. We stumbled into a little cave (literally) where a bunch of locals were listening to a soccer game on an old radio and drinking wine and eating sardines. We quickly ordered some wine and were puzzled when he handed us a small jug and 2 BOWLS. Evidently around here they drink from bowls. Bizarre, but entertaining. The wine looked like grape juice, deep deep purple. Annie enjoyed it but Chris did not…just means more for one of us!
We spent several hours up in the park area before riding the gondola back down and heading for Santiago de Compostela. We made great time to Santiago, less than 2 hours. We then spent another 2 hours searching for our elusive hotel. We asked 1 cab driver, 2 bartenders, 1 waiter, 1 restaurant manager and a gas station attendant…and we still couldn’t find it. Finally caved in and used my favorite mapping resource…RJ! I usually just call him for Maryland directions, but he came through as usual. No sooner had we hung up with him, then we finally found the place. Too late for a “normal” meal so we “treated” CJ to…McDonalds! Hit the hay just before midnight, hoping the Easter Bunny can find us. We explained to CJ that we are up in the very farthest corner of Spain and the bunny might have a hard time finding us, but we’ll see. We plan on catching Easter Mass at the cathedral in the morning…stay tuned.
