The north of Portugal in 5 pictures

15 April 2011Portugal is dangerously hospitable. There are rarely any nights that I sleep before three o'clock in the morning. Eating till late, making music, going out on the town or to a friend's house, there always seems to be a reason to add another hour, to start another conversation and have another drink. I've already met some amazing people, but it is hard to find the time to tell you about it. To not completely keep you in the dark I have decided to share some pictures of my twalk through this beautiful country.

Valença - Rubiães

Valença is the first Portuguese town I enter. It is across the river from Tui and guards the border between Portugal and Spain. Between the walls of the old fortification, Valenca turns out to be a nice little town with a beautiful view.

Check out the pictures I shot between Valenca and Rubiães.

Rubiães - Ponte de Lima

Somewhere between Rubiães and Ponte de Lima I come across this shepherd and her sheep. In Portugal it isn't rare to see shepherds like these walking the streets with their sheep, goats or cows.

Check out the pictures I shot between Rubiães and Ponte de Lima.

Ponte de Lima - Portela

Leo and Yuna are two French pilgrims from Limoges, that I met in Santiago de Compostela. In Ponte de Lima we joined up again and walked together for two days. They are headed for Jerusalem as well and I hope to meet them again somewhere along the road. Here we are leaving Ponte de Lima and heading for Portela.

Check out the pictures I shot between Ponte de Lima and Portela.

Portela - Braga

Between Portela and Braga I stopped to ask some water from Manuel, who was watering the plants in front of his house. No problem, he said, but wouldn't you rather have a beer? And so I stayed a bit longer and met his wife and daughter. This was my first encounter with Portuguese hospitality: ask for water, get a beer, and don't think about the time you're losing; the company is always worth it!

Check out the pictures I shot between Portela and Braga.

Braga

All over Portugal you see houses covered with painted tiling. Sometimes that can give the impression of a 70's bathroom turned inside out, but the traditional blue flowered ones can be amazing.

Check out the pictures I shot in Braga.

« Back to homepage