Catch the wave!

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Catch the wave!

Holy waves Batman. And these are at the end of the Nazare season.

Deer head statue at Nazare

5-5.5 metre waves are crashing below us with surfers riding them. There’s probably 10 or so surfers with their Seadoo escorts. It’s hard to tell which one is having more fun. The surfer or the driver getting then in front of the wave.

Regardless, it’s mesmerizing to watch and we could have stayed all day! but we have a big list today.

Next up, the Batalha Monastery…yet another UNESCO world heritage site. Taking over 150 years to build starting in the late 1300s. Honestly the best part was the section they never finished – the Unfinished Chapels.

Next we are off to see dinosaur footprints. I know, we have lots in Alberta, but these are European dinosaurs! Unfortunately, it’s offseason and the park is closed. Boooo.

So, Tomar here we come. The Convent of Christ is a throwback to the Templar Knights. Oh, and ANOTHER UNESCO world heritage site! This complex goes back to the 1100s and is huge.

We arrive just after 4:30 and Google says we’ll have until 6:00 to see everything. Challenge accepted!

However, we are told that doors close at 5:30. Hmmm, 45 minutes? Yes we can do it!

Wandering through the large empty hallways, expansive rooms with intricate reliefs and carvings really highlight why one needs a tour guide when seeing something like this. We crushed the Comvent with 10 minutes to spare – kind of think we missed a bunch of details.

Templar Knights!

Back to Porto this evening so Janelle can get onto her river cruise tomorrow.

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