OPORTO, PORTUGAL

How does Portugal do it? Her large cities are absolutely beautiful with NO high rises, no factories, no slums. Old and new architecture merge well; the winding streets complicate traffic but it doesn't matter because the streets are banked with flowers. Oporto sits on the Douro River and is a little haven of peace after the Atlantic. We strolled around, took another river cruise (you'd think we are avoiding dry land), visited the Burmester wine lodge and sampled their various port wines. Bill is standing next to a 75 year old cask. Listen up, Scott Lamlein: the casks are scoured by a special team when they are emptied. The team wears masks because the fumes could kill them. While working they sing so people know that they are alive. If they stop singing, they have to be rescued.