A Look at the Portuguese Republic

*population 10, 800,000 (2016)
*slightly smaller in land area than Indiana
*coastline 1,114 miles
*capital is Lisbon
*government is a constitutional republic
*Portuguese is the 5th most popular language in the world
*81% Roman Catholic
*literacy 95.7%
*labor force: 8% agriculture,  23% industry, 67% service
*unemployment 11.3%  (2014)
*average monthly salary $1,000
*education is free and compulsory from ages 6-15

Food, food and more food!

Yesterday was a gastronomic extravaganza!  In between visiting Guimaraes' castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca, we ate lunch in a small cafe our bus driver recommended. He said the octopus and "green" (young) wine were exceptional there.  And they were.

We then went to a former monastery which has been converted to an upscale resort where we had an interactive cooking class featuring a four course Portugese meal.  Keep in mind that Portugal's diet has centered on seafood for centuries.  The first course was a starter in a tiny ice cream cone consisting of a ham and cheese spiral topped with melon and ice cream.  Next was a cod fish salad.  Then a risotto with Portuguese sausage.  Last was a shrimp and mushroom flambe. The risotto was my favorite.  We ended the day with a gourmet dinner.

In and Around Porto

Our first 3 nights in Portugal are being spent in a former palace near Porto.  These accommodations are setting the bar very high!

On our cruise up the Douro we stopped at Regua where we took in some of the sites.  Portugal is known for its beautiful architecture with elements of  Moorish influence.  The Moors ruled Portugal between the 8-12 centuries.  Regua gave us several examples of this era. Here are some examples.

 tile work

 ironwork on the balconies

Porto and the Douro River

Yesterday was spent on a river cruise on the Douro River. The river valley is famous for its terraced hillsides of grape-growing vines that produce table wine and port  wine.

Greetings from Portugal!

We arrived in Lisbon yesterday

and then drove to Fatima, the site of the Apparitions of the "Lady of the Rosary". The first of the Apparitions appeared to three shepherd children near Fatima on May 13, 1917, so this area is preparing for its hundreth anniversary .  Between one-and-a-half and two million people are expected in the small town of Fatima for the celebration. The Pope will arrive on Friday as well. We were very lucky to be able to see it before the throngs of worshippers start coming in. It was a beautiful day in the low-80s with bright blue skies.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary 

The small chapel is said to mark the location where the first apparition occurred 

You can read more about the Fatima Shrine at http://www.fatima.pt/en.