Cafe O Arado Museu, Viela das Pereiras 5, 5060-263, Provesende, Portugal, # no phone

Experience before you go . . . Well this Tour Stop doesn't fit under brewery, not sure if it's a dive bar (just ask the locals) but I just had to do a write up because it was one of the most unique little bars I've been in and I gotta tell you I've been in some unique bars!! Plus the selfie sitting at the bar picture took second place on the Scenic River Cruise up the Douro River on the Allure river boat. Did I mention we were on a river cruise? Oh boy, here he goes, off on a tangent never to return... Okay, you got me, I'll be brief!?!.

As mentioned earlier in the last write up we planned and paid for a Scenic River Cruise on the Douro River in Portugal on their boat the Allure over 3 years ago and because of covid we finally were able to take the cruise. All I can say is FABULOUS!! The crew was all local Portuguese people who were the best and who love their country and were so proud to tell you about it. Most river cruises consist of on the boat time and off the boat time. The off the boat time is either organized professional local tours or time on your own exploring so this day we signed up for the tour of the little town called Provesende. Sitting high up in the Douro Valley this little village has some of the best views in Portugal.

As the publication Portugal Untouched describes... "Exploring the village on foot is the best solution as it is very quiet and almost untouched, boasting numerous historical sites such as its pillory (1573), Baroque church (1720), fountain (1755), as well as an array of very beautiful XVIII stately manor houses which attested to the economic strength of the region's fertile land at the time. Today sadly, many of these old manor houses are in ruins and it is heartbreaking to see them crumbling away with time." Couldn't have said it better myself!

So exploring we went. If you haven't noticed from previous tours and life experiences I'm kind of a nonconformist who can handle a little bit of structure but I prefer to break away from the pack and blaze my own trail and that's exactly what I did. I hate looking like a tourist even though I be one!! I started taking a left when the group took a right and I ended up walking these little narrow alleys leading to the coolest little houses and niches that locals have walked for centuries. Now this is my kinda tour. I got to the end of a little alley and as I was taking a picture, staring at my camera a very big barking dog ran out of a screen door running right at me scaring the bejesus out of me but a small fence believe or not saved my life. I think thats the most excitement that dog had seen in awhile.

So I gathered myself and went back to where I came from and eventually made it to the small town square where the fountain is located and to the left there you have the Cafe O Arado Museu. Tour group is nowhere to be seen which is how I like it so I mosey over, stick my head in...looky here, a bar!! I step back out, take the patented front sign selfie and re-enter with a big smile on my face. Once in this place it is chocked full of gourd handmade folk art, old farming tools and an assortment of "what the heck is that" which is the stuff I love!! Made my way pass the bar on the right as I said hi to an elderly lady behind the bar barely tall enough to see over it and a local gentleman sitting on a homemade stool at the bar. I continued around to the left and the layout was kind of a horse shoe flow where I walked to the other side leading to the front once again.

I could of spent all day in this bar but I didn't want to be left behind so I was thirsty (go figure) and it was time for a beer... yeah buddy!! I returned to the bar, sat in a not so comfortable bar stool that was permanently attached to the floor and way too close to the bar...maybe I'm a little bigger than the locals (Ugh)!! I gave the lady bartender my Hoppin Brewery Tour card and tried to explain and I think she understood some but she definitely understood when I said, " Uno muy frio Super Bock cervezas por favor", one very cold Super Bock beer please. Right at that time my favorite brother-in-law Guy walked in and I looked at the nice little lady and I said, "Make that Dos"! Guy and I sat there drinking the coldest beers in the coolest bar in the world!! Not a lot was said, didn't need too, we all smiled at each other and nodded, gave the universal thumbs up and smiled some more!!

Until next time and remember......

Go get'cha one!!