Portugal – Peneda-Geres National Park

Last Friday we arrived at Peneda-Geres National Park the only Portuguese protected area that has been classified as a National Park. We stay in camping Lima in the middle of the National Park surrounded by a massive lake. The camping has all the facilities, a restaurant, a little shop, a washing machine, a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball areas, an outside gym and a children's park. There are no spots located for the motorhomes so you just take the best you can, total anarchy. I do not give it 5 stars because the tap to wash the dishes is crazy with water going all over the place so it is like taking a shower all the time you wash the dishes. We went to have lunch in the restaurant and we shared grilled chorizo which is pork meat with ham, really yummy and a pizza. You can do also outdoor activities such as rent a kayak or go in a quad with a tour guide.

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On Saturday we discovered that we have a flat tyre! a screw was in the tyre but we couldn't do anything about it until Monday so we went to haking around the National Park which is a natural paradise home to deer, wolves and golden eagles. The rugged mountainous terrain is cut across by rapidly flowing rivers and streams, including many waterfalls with natural pools where you can swim. We walked to one of them but the only one having a swim was Asha and afterwards, we walked around the lake where there is a bridge to go down to the water with amazing views.

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On Sunday was 30 degrees! really hot to go hiking so we went to the swimming pool where the water was freezing! But in the end, we went inside and swimming! On Monday we went to reception to see how we can repair the tyre, we thought our only option was to take a taxi and take the tyre to a mechanic but the lady in reception called a mechanic friend who came and took the tyre to a garage repaired it and brought it back and put it back with Ben helping him. So all sorted!

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In the evening we walked to a village called Entre Ambos os Ríos, where we saw the Nuestra Señora de la Paz Sanctuary and the Ermelo Monastery from which the views are stunning! The houses are made of stone and there are many vineyards with vines hanging from the doors to give shade to the houses.

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And today Tuesday we are preparing to go tomorrow to the city of Braga, the third biggest city in Portugal, famous for its heritage, cathedral, palace and religious buildings. And you can see it in the next blog.