Porto

 

It is a truly wonderful city; it possesses the vibrancy, enchantment and appeal of an old Iberian port while it has retained a rather elegantly decadent look. Porto looks to the ocean where ancient Portuguese ships conquered the seas. Yet it has also become a modern metropolis where thousands of tourists land every day and cram the streets, the shops and restaurants. Porto is perfect for a short break, certainly. But upon departing, you may wonder if you've missed something you should not have missed.

Some of the shots I have chosen to show here follow. I hope you will like them as much as I enjoyed taking them...

Walking from bridge to bridge is an excellent way to see the Douro and get a good feel of how the people of Porto live their lives day after day.

Another shot of the Luís I Bridge, which can be crossed on two levels.

Graffiti painters go to extreme lengths to leave their mark. The Infante Dom Henrique Bridge.

The maze starts once you leave the main roads and get lost. It's worth your while, to be sure.

Who's watching you while you roam the lanes and alleys?

Amazingly, communal laundries can still be found in Porto. 

From an art exhibition at the old University building in the city centre.

Art is everywhere, though. You just have to find it.

Just a different kind of art: the one you eat. Exquisite fish platter for two at O Marinheiro.

And yet another kind of art: Porto celebrates its fishing heritage with a gigantic net by the western beaches near Praia de Matosinhos.

Let us sail... Where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse at Foz de Douro.

Agaete, Gran Canaria

Agaete, on the west coast of Gran Canaria

Agaete is an active fishing port and harbours the ferry that connects Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz.

Agaete port from the path leading down to Guayedra Beach, a short yet steep walk just outside the town.

Spectacular! The backdrop to the path going down to Guayedra Beach.

You will find that not only German tourists may be sunning themselves on the beach.

The coastline to the south of Guayedra.

These old rocks were hacked for salt collection and are now ocean pools frequented by tourists and locals alike.

It looks like a cactus, but it's not. The cardón (Euphorbia canariensis) grows everywhere on the western side of the island.

La Caleta, just north of Agaete, is an almost inaccessible cove. Swimming is prohibited, and for very good reasons!

This yummy garbanzada will revive you after climbing back up from Guayedra!

Los Berrazales, on the Agaete valley, holds this cellar under a massive rock that shifted down the mountain after an earthquake in the late 19th century. The place may be hard to find but it's definitely worth the visit. Their white wines are wonderful!

The Berrazales tour includes tasting of wines, food and their own coffee.

Two different ages coexist on the valley of Agaete: Renewables aplenty next to the ancient burial grounds of the indigenous Canarian people. 

Some specimens thrive on the volcanic rock on the valley. 

At sunset, the majestic silhouette of Mount Teide (3,715 m) becomes clearly visible from the western coast of Gran Canaria.