Friday, 5/10. Weirdly, this is only the third time I’ve driven from one country into another (excluding repetitions). But first we had to get away from Seville. GPS says “In 3 kilometers, take the left exit”. So I move to the left. Then the 4 lane road splits in two, with the main road going right. We have had trouble getting out of nearly every city. (I am still having issues with first gear. Stalled in a roundabout! I want my Goldwing!)

Portugal has non-cash toll roads. At the country’s entrance we drive up to an unmanned booth, slip in a credit card, and it’s associated with the car’s license number. Easy. Every web site warned how tough it was to do and I had been worried. Where Spain seems to have speed trap cameras on the roads, Portugal does without I guess. Cruising along at 72 MPH, we were often passed by very rapid others. The left lane is not to dawdle in.

Crossed one of the longest suspension bridges in Europe (cash toll), which sits next to a huge Christ the King statue, built to resemble Rio’s Christ the Redeemer.

Navigating to the hotel was made more difficult by entering a long tunnel under the city with several exits. GPS shut down while in the tunnel, so I took a guess on which one to take. We made it eventually. Cobblestones are rougher here, roads seem narrower, if that’s possible. Our Viking River Cruise begins with two nights in a 5-star hotel. Uniformed doormen, etc. Too fancy for my blood. Yoriko is fine with it.

The cruise briefing confirmed that we’re below the median age. Young again! I found a tapas bar that’s open all day, so we ate early (7:00). Excellent food. Walked down to the famous elevator, then returned to our room. At 9:45 the maid knocked on our door to turn down the sheets. Apparently, we were supposed to be at dinner.

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