Porto, Portugal
Before the sun rose, Valter and I were already in the car heading to Porto. This took a little longer because the distance between Sintra and Porto is approximately three hours or three hundred and thirty-one kilometers.
Honey, have you reached Joseph and Liana?" Valter replied while driving.
"Oops, I almost forgot. Thanks, dear for reminding me." While reaching for the backpack in the back seat of the car, to get my phone from the front pocket of the backpack.
"Are they in Spain or are they traveling?" Valter asked, glancing occasionally at me, as I sent a WhatsApp message. Regardless of the question, I continued to struggle with the phone. There were fifteen unread messages, four of which were Natalie, and the rest were from Mia, who protested that she didn't spare time for reality while in Munich.
"They are in Barcelona, they will be very happy if we come to visit," I said with a serious face that was still busy working on the phone. "Oh, yes dear, they are asking, the exact date of our arrival," I added again, turning towards Valter waiting for a definite answer.
"The day after tomorrow we can fly to Barcelona by a morning flight. How about you?" Asked Valter, his eyes remained focused on the road ahead. "No problem. Free." I replied again while busy again busy myself during the trip. We never had any agenda during the trip, everything was adjusted according to the conditions.
One word to perfectly describe this city would be authentic, and I am sure that most people can't help but fall in love with Porto. Tripeiros is the name of the residents of Porto. Like other Portuguese residents, the people are typical of being relaxed, fun, and atmosphere lovers. One thing that is very similar to Indonesia. Tripeiros really like to chat and laugh out loud in public places. This is very different from the behavior of Europeans in other countries. Tripeiros always seems happy no matter what, just like people in my country. Many things seem familiar to Indonesian habits here. In terms of food, Tripeiros really like to eat offal, tripe, liver, intestines, heart, brain and other organs which are transformed into various culinary delights, reminding me of my homeland. They are also very friendly and easy to ask for help if travelers get lost. Good friends of Portuguese people, they are the type of friends who may show up at home unannounced and feel right at home.
It is very common to see Tripeiros appreciating life by spending time just kissing roses, collecting flowers, and caring for them every day or even enjoying coffee by hanging out together in the morning sharing stories.
I looked at the whole city of Porto and the river Doura from the balcony of the hotel room where we stayed for two nights. It looked very beautiful in the distance blending with the blue sky in sunny weather in the city of Porto. Porto's aesthetic is all about the past, with steep cobbled streets, medieval terracotta roofs and intricately designed Baroque churches. The city gets a lot of character from Spain and North Africa. The distinctive azulejo blue tiles, which you see adorn many of the buildings in the city of Porto, the result of cultural heritage from the Moors.
Visible in the distance, the hanging gondola that divides across the city brings tourists looking at the city of Porto from the top. We purposely booked the hotel room on the highest floor so that we could have a wide view of the city. The hotel balcony was quite spacious complete with sun loungers, and a jakuzi room that made it possible to soak while gazing at the city lights at night.
"Where are you going next, dear?" Asked Valter, startling me from behind. Valter was already standing behind me, a fresh scent bursting from his body indicating he had just showered and changed clothes. "I want to rest for a moment Valter. You wake me up too early," I said with embarrassment. I quickly turned around and put my hands around Valter's neck. Valter cleared his throat and smiled faintly with his eyes looking at me seductively. Suddenly, my heart popped up, there was silence for a moment. Only my heart was racing loudly, and the whispers of our lips moved softly.
This trip made us closer, every second being near Valter makes the feelings between us develop beautifully. Many moments were created behind this trip. Valter has a calm soul, that always makes me feel comfortable and safe. Without a word, Valter lifted my body and carried me into the room. He laid me down on the bed, pulled the blanket that was neatly arranged on the bed spreading it over my body. "You need to rest honey." He said, bending down and giving a kiss on the forehead and meant to let me rest. "Wait," I prevented, I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me. "I want company as well," I whispered softly. "Ok, I'll accompany you but that means you won't sleep, we'll just talk all day long." Valter chuckled. I grabbed Valter closer and pressed my lips so he wouldn't go on babbling.
I shifted my body to another part of the bed, making room for Valter to sleep next to me. Valter turned around to observe me who was sleeping on his back, I turned my head while watching him. "What are you thinking? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was thinking about telling you something, but I'm afraid you will be shocked and run away from me." Valter's expression turned serious. "What is it dear." rubbed Valter's cheek. "I'm planning to propose to you," he replied staring into my eyes. "Never equate yourself with anyone before you. I will not run away." I whispered reassuringly to Valter. I leaned closer, grabbed Valter's face, and kissed him.
"I'll propose to you in front of my parents when we are all in Croatia," he whispered again. With a little stifled shock, I could only be silent with tears falling, hearing Valter's statement. Tears of joy were forced out of my eyes, I tried to hold them back and buried my face in Valter's arms. There was silence and sleepiness that came to take us to dreamland.
In the afternoon we roamed the city along the uphill and winding stone streets in the middle of European-style buildings. It was great to pay attention to the activities of the local people and stop occasionally to observe the unique things that we encountered around us, we got lost in the charm of the historic area of Porto.
Ribeira, is a bustling district with rows of colorful houses and vibrant riverside views. Full of bars, cafes, and shops filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying the atmosphere and views of the Douro river and the Dom Luis Bridge. The famous I. Above Ribeira are the Baixa and Se areas, where I found daily local activities in Porto, such as the crowded atmosphere of the traditional Mercado do Bolhao market, Rua Santa Catarina pedestrian street which is the most important shopping center in the city of Porto, Palacio do Bolsa a neoclassical monument beautiful and many more.
In the same location, there is a legendary cafe called Kafe Majestic, a coffee shop dating back to 1920 and a meeting point for many writers, poets and artists to find their inspiration. This place was the favorite place of the great writer J.K Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter novels while in Porto. She spent hours working on the first three chapters of Harry Potter and the Harry Potter outline there.
From the outside, the Majestic Cafe doesn't look too prominent, there are only two large umbrellas and a few chairs provided for visitors who want to eat outdoors. The perception immediately changed when we stepped into the inside of the cafe. The magnificent interior decoration seemed to take us to the past. The elegance of the past is reflected in every curve of the romantic decoration that includes the ceiling of the room with a high chandelier. Luxurious, Classic, and Unique. The live piano music that echoed throughout the cafe room, the space filled me with romantic feelings. This cafe is able to bring my wandering imagination and go back to 1920 in Europe.
The city of Porto is the second-largest city after Lisbon which is located on the coast of northwest Portugal. The city is known as the 'Land of the bridges' and is also very well known worldwide as a producer of Port wines. We took the time to visit one of the famous wine cellars in Porto. Valter and I walked around seeing large wooden casks filled with wine that was almost a hundred years old. After walking around we went to a room with a long table to taste sweet Portuguese wines, various types of wine fermented in the warehouse located along the Duoro river. What I liked best was smelling the aromas of the manufacturing process, like the sweet caramel taste of honey popping up into my nose.
We sat in an outdoor cafe enjoying the sunset view of the Atlantic sea from Foz do Douro beach, enjoying the delicious pear sangria and the crashing waves breaking the reefs along the beach. The location is the perfect finishing of a trip on a day where the sun and sea merge into one spectacular climax.
🥃🥃🥃
[backsound song perfect day - duran duran]
- Just a perfect day
- Drink Sangria in the park
- And then later
- When it gets dark, we go home.