porto

the mister's friend, L, invited us and a couple of other friends on a trip to porto. wasn't entirely keen to begin with, having been to porto earlier in summer (such a first world problem) but was won over by the knowledge that L used to work for the old family group that owned the hotel and vineyards, and got us a very good deal. let's just say the entire trip (4D3N accom, transport and meals inclusive) came to half of what the rack rate for one night in the suite we stayed at would've come to. now if that doesn't appeal to my inner el cheapo, nothing would! L was an absolute doll, planning everything from start to finish and herding us from place to place. he also pulled out all the stops to make the trip as value-add as possible with talks by the group CEO and vineyard tours that left me feeling refined and educated (rare!).

hotel was gorgeous and as L had been project manager during its inception, construction and early operations, he was the best person to pick the rooms and set us up very nicely in the suite.

one of the best things about being in londontown (complain as i do) is how continental travel is so easy. ezyjet isn't exactly the cheapest way of getting around but the timing worked and we weren't about to kill ourselves getting to stansted. been there, done that. not above flying outta stansted having left for aix from there over summer but really rather not have anything to do with that godforsaken airport! anyhoos we arrived in the early afternoon and started with sundowners aplenty on the gorgeous terrace. after all, being in porto necessitated getting the port going and by dinner time (8 but actually 10) rolled round, we were buzzing. tell i lie, i did sneak away to town for a cheeky shop for backless dress essentials then back to the terrace to catch sunset.

everyone cleaned up nice for dinner and it was more terrace time chasing canapes with wine before finally sitting down about 10 for our meal. wondered about the mediterranean time before realising we'd to pace ourselves as the cool kids only went clubbing at 3am. leisurely dinner, more drinks at the hotel bar and by the time 3am rolled round, i was all ready for bed being the cool kid that i am. but game face on! hit up a cute little 90s bar with a car coming out of the wall. packed for a saturday night and a little stuffy but great music before moving on to eskada which was so hip it hurt.

of course someone bought a 4.5L and tadaaa! miracles happened. we called it the bad decision bottle and danced around it. somehow that bad decision bottle left the club with us and became the trip's totem. keen to continue our run as the last ones standing, the mister and i left about 7am, got 90min of zz before a full day of lectures and more touring. oh the beauty of being young and relatively accustomed to sleep-deprivation from our former lives as litigators. and my current life as a medic. in fact, i think sleep-deprivation, quite unfortunately, is probably going to be the one constant in my chosen path :( but hey, handy party 'trick' to deploy when wanting to make the most of short holiday and long days.