The morning in Porto has surprised us (me, C was still asleep) with rather cold, cloudy weather with some spells of light rain. I went for a walk, had a lovely Portuguese breakfast with view and got few bits and bobs for the upcoming travels (good old Tiger store...)
This holidays definitely I could sum up in a short 'everything worked out perfectly'- timing, organization, resources... So even this time, we were supposed to check out from the hotel at noon, and the free shuttle bus to the festival was leaving at 1 pm- perfect timing!
The bus was expected by a big bunch of young people, and no surprise, not everyone managed to get on the board. I am not sure what was planned for those few unlucky ones but the bus driver and the organizer guy have spent good 15 minutes on the phones... And similar situation happened on the next planned stop, Porto Airport. We went there despite the fact we wouldn't be able to pick up anyone else, and we spent another 15 mins waiting while the organizers were sorting out the issue...
But we got there eventually! Viana do Castelo is a lovely little town, which really reminds me of seaside resorts (except there is no sea, but a river). We spent some time on its stony narrow roads and river bank either looking for a decent place to eat, carrying ice cubes to the campsite and desperately trying to find some shadow during a 'walk of shame' from the festival late in the morning/ afternoon. It is a really lovely place and I am very happy I had a chance to visit it.
The festival itself, Neopop, is an electronic music festival and it's been organized in Viana do Castelo for the last 11 years or so. I have never been to any music festival, a music genre choice was a strong influence of C, since I am not crazy about any specific kind of music. So I attended with a very open mind, quite excited but not really knowing what to expect...It would be a nice addition to our already amazing holidays...and I got blown away!
Firstly, the organization. The festival (as in the gigs) happened on 3 nights (4-6th of August). A tree-day pass for a festival entitled us to a free place on a camping site, for which we opted on the beginning. But then, after few previous days of camping, we decided that we had enough for the rest of our life, and upgraded into GLAMPING (still at very affordable price). A company Sleep 'Em All' (http://www.sleep-em-all.com) rented a selection of pre-set tents, tipi's and yurts; we have chosen a Quibi- a little 'hobbit hut' made off wood, equipped with 2 decent mattresses, windows, and a lockable door, which have given us a bit more 'natural aircon' than we would get in a tent, more storage, and, most importantely, a comfortable sleeping conditions.
The glamping site was beside the original camping site and both had an access to portable loos (eww) and showers (yay); there was also a 'common area' (a gazebo that provided some shadow, seats and electricity;)). The campsites were situated by a town's river beach and a 20-minute walk by the river from the actual festival. Very pleasant and doable walk indeed! (I think there was a shuttle bus going from the tents to the party every 30 mins, we never managed to catch one though).
The festival lineup was promising (for C, since I had no clue about any of those DJs) and amusing- Portuguese do like their fiesta. An average night started around 11pm and finished late next morning. I mean, the finale was scheduled for 9-11am. Quite different to an Irish night out... Since we had to handle that massive load of fun carefully, we usually would have a nap till early morning, and go out when 'normal clubbers' just going home:) But I LOVED everything. The music was brilliant (even for such an ignorant), people were very friendly, enough facilities to satisfy the crowd (I.e. no massive queues), sprinkles to cool down when it started getting hot in the morning... There were 2 stages close to each other but placed so there was no sound disturbance. The placement of the festival also added to its awesomeness- one side was a harbour, the other- ruins of some ancient building; and the sun rising over them....That would be enough for me... But then they added props- huge balloons, confetti's, beach toys, shiny sparkly foil rain- and I'm sold!
I am very sorry that it came to the end, I am still humming the tunes, re-watching videos and longing to this amazing (quite unexpected) fun!
The final DJ (Richie Hawtin, I think he gained himself a new fangirl;)) finished after 11am. By the time we walked back to the campsite it was half 12...and, what a coincidence, a shuttle bus back to Porto was leaving at 1! We packed quickly and decided to take it and rather to go to sleep straight away, try to push until we get back to our hotel in Porto...
It was the hottest day in a history, at least felt like that. Massive hangover and sleepless night didn't really help! ;) We got some takeaway pizza (Pizza Presto again), borrowed an electric fan from the hotel (no aircon) and tried to sleep, while there was a little gig going on outside our hotel! Some street band decided that Sunday night is a perfect time for busking with speakers that would be suitable for a small festival ;). At least they played decent music... It was definitely an unforgettable experience, I would love to come back to Viana do Castelo, to Neopop Festival (although next year is going to be unlikely) and start attending more festivals!
