Sometimes, you just need to push through and let things unfold.
November 7, 2026 • Journal 004 • Mark Koolit
I arrived in Porto with no plans and no expectations.
All I had was a backpack with my clothes, my wallet, and my camera. My accommodation was sorted, and I had a few places pinned on Google Maps. That was pretty much it.
No itinerary, no booked activities, and barely any research. All I knew was that I wanted to explore the city, just me and my camera.
This wasn’t my first solo trip. I’d been to Prague on my own before, but something about Porto felt different. It reignited an old feeling I couldn’t quite explain. Perhaps it was the freedom of being somewhere unfamiliar, with no schedule to follow.
I was alone, but I wasn’t lonely. I felt calm and at peace.
The First Evening
It was already evening when I arrived in Porto. After taking the train to São Bento Station, I stepped outside and saw the surrounding buildings illuminated against the night sky.
I remember thinking, You’re going to have a good time here.
My flight had been delayed — thanks, Ryanair — so there wasn’t much left to do except find dinner. Most restaurants nearby were packed, and I couldn’t be bothered to venture too far.
I ended up choosing between the fancy McDonald’s and Burger King.
Burger King won because it was less crowded.
Yes, I travelled all the way to Portugal just to eat Burger King.
After dinner, I returned to the hostel and spent some time relaxing in its cosy lobby. While sitting there, a woman from New York invited me to join her and three other travellers. We chatted for a while, getting to know one another before I eventually headed to my small but perfectly adequate bed in a ten-person mixed dormitory.
Nothing extraordinary. Just a delayed flight, a Burger King dinner, and an unexpected conversation with strangers.
Little did I know how the next few days would unfold.
A City to Explore
The following morning, I went to the hostel kitchen for the complimentary breakfast. After seeing what was available, I decided to skip it. Nothing particularly appealed to me, and I’m not much of a breakfast person anyway.
Instead, I went for a walk.
I had no particular destination in mind. I simply wandered around, admiring the city and taking photographs of anything that caught my attention.
Eventually, I remembered there was a cathedral nearby, so I decided to find my way there. Somehow, I ended up taking the longer route, which involved more uphill walking than necessary.
I probably should have gone the other way around, but at least I discovered some beautiful little alleyways along the way.
Outside the cathedral, a man was singing. I liked his voice and the song he was performing, so I stayed for a while to listen.
Afterwards, I made my way down towards the river, browsing the markets and eventually crossing Porto’s famous bridge towards Vila Nova de Gaia.
While walking, I noticed a small mirror attached to a pavement wall. Out of curiosity, I looked into it and discovered that it perfectly reflected the view across the river.
I managed to photograph a woman with Porto reflected behind her. I liked the result so much that I shared the little trick with other people nearby. A few tried it themselves, and one family even asked me to take their photograph.
It’s funny how something so ordinary can turn into a memorable little moment.
I continued exploring Gaia, where I came across a gathering of motorcyclists outside Mercado Beira-Rio. There were so many impressive bikes, including some I’d never seen before.
Before I knew it, it was already 3 pm.
I hadn’t eaten anything all day. I’d been so occupied with walking and exploring that I’d completely lost track of time.
Eventually, I found 7g, a café known for its coffee, and treated myself to pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and a lovely latte.
Afterwards, I wandered around a little longer before heading back to the hostel to rest.
That’s where I ran into two of the travellers I’d met the previous evening. They were relaxing in the kitchen, so I joined them.
They mentioned that the woman from New York was organising a night out, and I decided to join.
That evening, I met two people who would become my companions for the rest of the trip.
The following days were filled with exploring, unexpected plans, and good company.
There were plenty of beautiful places in Porto, but a few moments stood out more than others.
One of my favourite moments was cycling from the city centre towards the beach with the people I’d met, following the river as the sun began to set.
We had a few problems with the bikes at first, but eventually got everything sorted. We slowly made our way down to the river and began cycling towards the beach.
I remember looking around, taking in the views — the rays of sunlight, the water, the bridges, the cars, the trams — and simply enjoying the journey. Even the rocky road didn’t bother me. I wasn’t particularly concerned about reaching the beach or how long it would take. I was just happy to be there.
It’s difficult to explain the feeling, but I remember thinking how good it was to be doing something like this.
I felt alive. I remember telling myself, This must be what living feels like.
I was grateful to be experiencing it.
Another favourite was watching the sunset from Jardim do Morro.
We sat overlooking the river, surrounded by other people who had gathered to enjoy the evening. The view, the atmosphere, and the colours of the sky were beautiful.
It felt like watching a masterpiece unfold in front of us.
And then there were the nights out.
Dancing, laughing, and enjoying ourselves as though we were the party.
Looking back, I think what made Porto special wasn’t just the city itself. It was the combination of everything: the places I discovered, the people I met, and the moments I never could have planned.
I arrived without expectations, and somehow, that made the experience even better.
Until Next Time, Porto
The days went by more quickly than I expected. Before I knew it, it was time to head home.
As I was leaving, I remember telling myself that I would come back someday. Perhaps with my family, or perhaps on my own again. Maybe next time I’ll explore Lisbon first before returning to Porto.
Who knows?
I’m glad I decided to take this trip.
Porto, I’ll be back.
