May 22nd

Awoke and readied; packed and checked out; crossed the street and waited for our bus. It was 10 minutes late, but he loaded us up and was backing out within 2-3 minutes. Total time on bus should be around 8 hours!

So today is a big transition day!!! We are going from almost the southern most point to Porto, which is definitely northern section. We are taking the bus the whole way. Our bus made two close stops then all the way to Lisbon. We arrived at Lisbon about 5 minutes early. Then we had to transition to another bus – we had basically 45 minutes. No problem, we ate our packed lunch, after going to 1 euro toilet – I abhor having to pay to pee! (This is the first time I've come across this – enough said!) Our bus arrived 10 minutes early, but left 5 minutes late.

On to Porto (after a stop in Fatima), and we hit the rain. It had been raining off and on but our driver did not have to turn on the windshield wipers until a long ways into the trip. Jeff and I both nodded off and on – like the rain, but not as much as the rain. The terrain seems more fertile and more water is apparent. It is still hilly/mountainous. We were going inland enough just briefly caught a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean along the southern region, and in Lisbon. We have not seen the Ocean in Porto (YET!) 

Finally arrived in Porto around 6:40. Jeff had been in contact with our Air B&B guy through Whatsapp  – this has been amazing; he also arranged a Bolt (like an Uber); and the driver was there within like one minute! The Air B&B guy met us and showed us the place. It's basically an apartment – we will be here for a whole week!

We went and bought dinner and unwound! LONG day!!!