The Refresher courses in Porto ...

My hard work in Porto was only made easier because of the amazing people I had the privilege to work with, Some of them had been my students many years ago, whilst others had just been at my classes recently. with just a few exceptions (the ones I had briefly met in the ATCO selection process prior to my year leave).

Lena and I had a rather special lunch out just to remember the old days (and colleagues long retired), when I used to spend fairly long working periods in Porto. 

On my way to Porto; the Opohotel - From the 23rd to the 28th of October 2016

I left Lisbon Orient train station on a sunny morning and reached Porto on a rather cold and rainy evening as if I had crossed borders and travelled to a different country.  

And the truth is the Northern regions are very different indeed - people are bolder even in their linguistic approach, welcoming and clearly business oriented.

I was taken by the fact that Francisco de Sa Carneiro airport is a lot bigger and much more functional than the one in the capital city. I had lunch at one of its restaurants (canteen type) every day, which is something I wouldn't consider doing in Lisbon because of the meal prices, let alone to have fish.

At one end of the airport terminal (outside gardens).

Airport terminal -  ground floor - cartoon exhibition (left). Airport terminal upper floor (right).

Squid (left) and  grilled sword fish (right).

The hotel I stayed at was fairly close to the airport terminal  - a five minute walk at the most. I musr confess I simply loved it - from the huge room to the gourmet-like evening meals at the small restaurant.

Vegetarian lasagna and lime tart with ice-cream.

Vegetarian tart and Abade de Priscos pudding (a local specialty).

Accommodation and meals were just one of the several aspects I enjoyed during this hard-working week, as special professional kindness on the part of the whole personnel at the Hotel and airport have to be accounted for.

Porto Santo island, on the way to Ponta da Calheta and back - The 13th of October 2016

Having had the last morning free and been misled by the hotel reception clerk as to the distance to Calheta I left the hotel fairly early into what would soon turn into a fast pace walking experience (particularly on the way back) under the frequent rain showers, that took me around two hours non-stop, as there was no traffic in sight nor any taxis to call upon.

I tested my walking skills though and didn't dislike the whole experience, particularly because the images I took would be the last images of Porto Santo island I'd be carrying back home.