With half of its area classified by the Natura 2000 Network, the whole Arouca Geopark is a place of choice for nature tourism, with river beaches and traditional villages that are worth exploring. So, I did it as much as I could.
Most of the time, I felt as if I were diving into the Past while living the Present days. I saw the enigmatic rock delivering stones, I wondered through the Paradinha typical hamlet and its surrounding area where local materials were used for the buildings, I had moments of relaxation when I accepted the invitation from the river beach, not to mention a short stay at Arouca town where I had the opportunity to enjoy its typical U-shaped sweet morcels.
Most of the time, I felt as if I were diving into the Past while living the Present days. I saw the enigmatic rock delivering stones, I wondered through the Paradinha typical hamlet and its surrounding area where local materials were used for the buildings, I had moments of relaxation when I accepted the invitation from the river beach, not to mention a short stay at Arouca town where I had the opportunity to enjoy its typical U-shaped sweet morcels.
Geopark - The only chapel I saw - Baroque-style, XVII century
Paradinha, born in the mountain and leaning against it. The Paiva river and the natural mountain landscape creates a special framework to this hamlet with its small farming terraced fields and its beach.
Arouca - Main square and typical sweet morsels (you will require a bowl filled with boiling water in which to place the morsels for a few minutes. Then, they are ready to be enjoyed).
And now, the last but not the least reference: Paiva boardwalk around the mountain, inaugurated last July. The entire 8.0 km (4.9 miles) walkway with its zig zag of steps leading up to the top of the hill, enables visitors to enjoy parts of the countryside that were only previously accessible by boat.
Arouca - Main square and typical sweet morsels (you will require a bowl filled with boiling water in which to place the morsels for a few minutes. Then, they are ready to be enjoyed).
And now, the last but not the least reference: Paiva boardwalk around the mountain, inaugurated last July. The entire 8.0 km (4.9 miles) walkway with its zig zag of steps leading up to the top of the hill, enables visitors to enjoy parts of the countryside that were only previously accessible by boat.
I had wonderful days of walking, of photography, of time offline and of trail after trail, town after town, river after river, trees after trees, the Past and the Present living together ...
I can't help but putting an end to this set of posts by quoting the British academic and travel writer Robert Macfarlane...
For some time now it has seemed to me that the two questions we should ask of any strong landscape are these: firstly, what do I know when I am in this place that I can know nowhere else? And then, vainly, what does this place know of me that I cannot know of myself?
RELATED POSTS:
INLAND PORTUGAL #1
INLAND PORTUGAL #2
INLAND PORTUGAL #3
~~ Thanks for accompanying me ~~
~~ Enjoy the rest of this week ~~
It was good reading your blog and looking through all your pictures, Isabel. Heh that's an excellent one of you dressed in black. All the pictures are good except the one with onions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dai, for the visit and comment. I take your words regarding the onions photo as a compliment, LOL!!! The photo is so good that you, for a while, felt something like a nausea ... My apologies...
DeleteThat was a lovely jaunt looking at how other people live and must say I love the slate houses. They look new too and certainly suite their surroundings. The picture of you is lovely and may I say your are looking fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt is really good to see you are taking good care of yourself and doing what you love to do.
Huggles.
Hi Shayna! You know, as long as my physical and mind condition are good - of course my care helps - I'll be always trying to do what I love to do... When for some reason I can't do it, I want to look back and see no blank pages in the book of my life...
DeleteYour visit and words are welcomed, always! Hugs back at you...
What a beautiful region, interesting town and the walkway is phenomenal ! You look very lovely. The quote is a perfect way to reflect on the journey.
ReplyDelete