On Thursday we started out the day at Vista Allegra, a porcelain factory in operation since 1824. We had a tour and saw the artists at work. We couldn't take pictures of the artists but we saw their detailed and beautiful work.
We love the tile in Portugal. They use the tile on houses to protect them weather damage and decorative purposes, including churches like this picture.
We love the tile in Portugal. They use the tile on houses to protect them weather damage and decorative purposes, including churches like this picture.
 Tile houses |  Tile Church |
Next, we were off to Coimbra, home to one of the world's first universities. We visited the Baroque Library that is lined with 300,000 books.
We learned the library is also home to thousands of bats, some of us were ready to leave! They don't discourage the bats because the bats take care of the insects. We went on to see a 12th century Old Cathedral and the 16th century aqueduct.
We learned the library is also home to thousands of bats, some of us were ready to leave! They don't discourage the bats because the bats take care of the insects. We went on to see a 12th century Old Cathedral and the 16th century aqueduct.
Coimbra rooftops That evening we went to dinner with a beautiful view of tide waters at the Faz restaurant in Lisbon. We had a delicious dinner with a lot wine (again) and celebrated Sid's 75th birthday.
 Sid celebrates a big birthday |  Hotel in Lisbon |
So many photos of this trip are flowing in I just can't use them all because of space constraints. I'm going to add a few to the bottom of each post so you can see how much fun our travelers are having. Here are a few from Terry Johnson, Steve Pestorius, Darryl Cerusak, Doug Doerfler, Mel and Lyn Whaley and Moe and Sid Caba.
 |  Sid celebrating her birthday. |
 |  Dr Ken Peterson, Dr Bob Williamson & Nurse Kathlene Pfeifer after a major surgery in Portugal. Just kidding - cooking school. |
