After the day of driving yesterday we were ready for some down time. Dave even skipped his running workout! We're staying in a beautiful historic hotel from the 16th century with amazing gardens and views of downtown Coimbra - definitely a nice setting to wake up in! Dave was a bit disappointed in the hotel's breakfast (no Nutella!), but was still able to eat four plates of food.
Coimbra has the oldest university in Europe, which sits up on a hill. We walked into town, explored, and hiked up the steep hill to see the school and views. On the way into the city center there was a huge turf-covered bear. Funny enough, at there very spot there was a green smell in the air. As Dave put it, 'It smells like Seattle.' We stopped for coffee at a bakery that had the biggest meringues we've ever seen. We had a pastry covered in meringue. It was interesting - the meringue was quite good.
After hiking about Coimbra, we walked back to the hotel and hung out by the pool for the afternoon before getting massages. We've definitely adapted to relaxing vacation life. When we first got here we got up as early as we could, grabbed a quick breakfast, and then would walk around for ten-ish miles a day. Now, we roll out of bed late, pig out a leisurely breakfast, contemplate the day, take a stroll, stop for coffee, maybe walk a little more, and then head for a pool or spa.
For dinner. we went to a yummy tapas restaurant near the futbal stadium that happened to be hosting the national championship game. It was on the TV at the restaurant, along with every other restaurant, bar, and residence in the country I'm guessing. I asked our server which team he wanted to win and he said that he tries not to discuss futbal, religion, or politics with customers. Cute! Lisbon was playing a team from the Azore Islands. Lisbon won and there was lots of cheering in the streets after the game.
