Gray's Academy

Today I took the train from Porto to the Douro Valley, the renowned wine region of Portugal and the world. The tracks hug the north bank of the river. The train ride is about two hours. I was headed to Ragua. My wonderful team at the Torel Palace in Lisbon did not steer me wrong in telling me to visit the Douro Valley while here in Porto. They told me that the winery’s were all close to the train station. They recommended a cab and there weren’t talking about red wine. Although, the red wine in the Douro valley is wonderful.

C’mon. I have walked several hundred miles uphill while here in Portugal. I don’t need no stinking cab. Actually, I am sure it is closer to several thousand miles that I have walked while here in Portugal.

I got off the train in Ragua, walked out of the station and said to myself, “Now, what the hell am I supposed to do?” At this time it is about 11:15 in the morning. There was a hotel across the street which seemed like a good bet for some kind of orientation to this rather industrial looking town. The lovely clerk at this hotel informed me I would need a cab.

I politely informed him that I was told that there were wineries close to downtown. He said they were close, and I would need a cab or I could go to one of the tasting rooms right next to the train station!

So, I went and got myself a cab.