Amarante

Early morning departures are never easy and this one was no exception.  Most of us had stayed up a little too late dining and packing.  However, our bus ride of several hours allowed us to catch some sleep. 

Amar means love in Portuguese, which explains the name of our next destination, Amarante.  The Tamegra River separated us from the town square.  Before discovering the charms of the town, we dined at the Michelin starred restaurant located in our hotel, Casa da Calcada.  Sitting on the terrace, the afternoon sun bathed us in warmth while we enjoyed the offerings of Tiago Bonito, the Chef of both restaurants in the hotel.  We also had the opportunity to try the local wine, Vinho verde, or green wine.  It was the perfect accompaniment of the delicious meal prepared for us.

 We had a little time to explore the town after lunch.  Since it was Sunday, lots of townsfolk and children we're strolling the streets and also enjoying water activities on the river.  Everything was very charming.


 In order to use the tripods we had all lugged across the Atlantic, an early evening/night shoot was scheduled.  The bridge crossing the river made a wonderful subject.  As evening fell, lights illuminated it giving it a nice glow for our photos.  Night shooting can be a challenge, allowing you to explore how well you really know you camera in the dark.

 We skipped dinner in favor of a nice soft pillow in a beautifully appointed room.

 Tomorrow: Porto

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