Best Fish and the Biggest Waves In The World

We had a nice breakfast in the big room at our Pousada in Viana do Castelo.  Lots of fog and torrential rain outside.  The forecast called for improving conditions later in the morning so we took it easy and did not leave until 10:30am.  The sky was already clearing with just a very light drizzle. 

We headed south following the coast and, yes, we avoided the rain all day!  A miracle. Our first stop was Aveiro, a quaint town by the sea with canals and colorful boats taking tourists around.  The sun was already out so we enjoyed a nice morning break there ... and we tried their local thing: Ovos Moles ... an egg based sweet center with a thin bread wrapper.

Our second stop was in Vieira de Leiria for lunch.  We indeed had the most amazing seafood of the trip at a restaurant on the beach.  We had 3 big robalos cooked on the coals with just salt, great jumbo shrimp, and clams. Very fresh and a feast indeed. 

Our third stop was Nazare.  Home of the tallest waves in the world and a surfing Mecca.  This is the place where a record 100ft wave was successfully ridden by Garrett McNanamara recently.  Lots of people, hippies, tourists, vendors, travelers, and surfing vibes. 

We finally made it to Obidos, a big walled city with lots of history and our destination for the night. We manage to ride our motorcycles into the walled area, through the narrow streets, dodging people, going down narrow and very steep alleys with steps!  Challenging, interesting, fun ... but we did make it to our Pousada.

Obidos is an ancient walled city that had its origins as a Roman settlement a long time ago.  We walked on top of the wall around the city ... very high, no railings, great views, inside and outside the wall ... and definitely not for the faint hearted. Walked around, visited shops, and had dinner, including one of their local things: Ginja de Obidos (a small cup made out of chocolate and filled with cherry liquor).

Tomorrow, we head back to Lisbon to return our motorcycles and to the end of our trip.  What an amazing adventure around an entire country.

Our first stop of the morning for coffee in Aveiro

The famous Ovos Moles de Aveiro - Interesting

The best sea food of the trip in Vieira de Leiria - Robalo, shrimp, clams

The view from our restaurant on the beach in Vieira de Leiria

Nazare, the place of the 100ft waves - surfing Mecca

The view of the light house of Nazare right in front of where the giant waves break

The explorers in Nazare

Awesome new age/haunting music by this nature-performer in Nazare

The view from my room in Obidos, the walled city

The main street in Obidos

One of several 16th century churches in Obidos

The inside of a church that has been converted to a bookstore

Walking the wall around Obidos - no railings, very spooky

The view of the walled city of Obidos from one of the towers

A panoramic view of Obidos from the wall

A view of John, Charles and Bob from the top of the wall

Celebrating a great ride with a typical Ginja de Obidos - cherry liquor in a cup of chocolate

A view of the Main Street in Obidos at night after the crowds have left