Time: 7:54:35
Distance: 127.96km
Average Speed: 16.2km/h
We saw very little of Coimbra since we arrived so late last night. In the morning an hour was wasted from getting lost in the winding cobbled streets and a puncture I found on my back tire. This was the worst morning of the trip with over 90km on busy highways sharing the road with trucks. At one point a cop pulled us over for being on a road we shouldn't have been on. He waited a few Minutes up the road to make sure we exited and stopped us again. We expected to be given a fine but he shook our hands and wished us a safe trip.
Another disappointing lunch today in Agueda. We were given "pork" which consisted of bones and fat. The wine was also very poor and in hindsight we probably shouldn't have ordered it. Cost of lunch was $6.50 each. You get what you pay for.
About 40km out from Porto we stopped for a Coke and croissant by the side of the road. As soon as we started to eat the owner started a racket washing every cup, plate and fork by hand for about 10 minutes. If he wanted us to leave it worked and so ended another grim pit stop. The last 40km got interesting. We were now on rural roads but the massive and sometimes steep hills slowed us down.
Arriving into the suburbs of Porto in darkness we ended up descending about 2km on rough cobblestones. I was slightly thankful that at least it was downhill. About 15 minutes later we were climbing a similar length stretch of road.
2 beaten up men arrived in Porto at around 8pm. We were staying at the House of Sandeman, one of the most impressive hostels I've ever stayed in. The view from just outside the hostel shows the River Duero and a huge railway bridge.
We had our best dinner of the trip in an Italian place on the waterfront with pizza beer and wine.
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