Cabbage in the Garden

Chuck Monahan plays the ukelele. His passion for this instrument – brought by Portuguese sailors to Hawaii – is visible. As he enjoys a quiet moment looking at the Douro, he calmly plays the ukelele. And suddenly there is a connection to his hometown of Mountain View in California. So close, yet so far away.

After the legendary breakfast at Octant, I decided to go for a walk along the Douro.

I left the hotel to join the pathway that would take me to the Pedorido beach, a couple of kilometers downstream.

Carqueja is a wild medicinal herb that thrives in uncultivated land.

Traditionally, it was used as fuel for bakery ovens, infusing freshly baked bread with a delicate aroma. Harvested around Castelo de Paiva, it was transported by boat to Porto from the present-day Pedorido River Beach.

Now the symbol of Octant Douro, carqueja flavours the butter served at Raiva restaurant and is used to prepare a fragrant infusion known for helping regulate blood sugar levels.

The sound of frogs, birds and crickets make a very special late afternoon show. And the sight is breathtaking: the sun setting over the reservoir produces a palette of warm, rich hues.