Lemon Ice Ranking

What the Big Mac Index represents for a country's purchasing power, the Lemon Ice Ranking stands for us in terms of the likelihood of revisiting a city. So, it's not particularly surprising that an Italian city tops the list: Trieste boasts the best lemon ice we've had so far. And now for the sensation: Vigo has made it straight to second place.

According to the internet, Vigo is not particularly an attractive city. The Romans recognized the strategic value of the port, which has changed hands several times. However, the city center itself is said to be hardly worth visiting. At most, the small fort on the hill is worth a visit, although it cannot compete with the Moorish beauties like Málaga or Seville.

This doesn't deter us. We still take the ferry from Cangas through the Ria de Vigo and let the Atlantic breeze blow around our noses for 20 minutes.

At the harbor, we notice that even a massive cruise ship has not been deterred by the lack of beauty and is blocking an entire pier. Last Chance Travel. Once again. Since many of the tourists cannot manage the steep hills of the old town, covered escalators have been built especially for them. For those who find the center unreachable due to walkers or wheelchairs, or simply lack of ambition, a huge shopping center has been constructed at the harbor. Including a casino and plenty of fried delicacies. How wonderful. This way, one can enjoy overpriced Nespresso exclusively among their peers.

To guarantee Lars 10,000 steps a day, we set off to visit an empanada bakery on the other side of the city. With around 4,000 reviews and 4.7 out of 5 stars, the hike should hopefully be worth it.

Outside the city center, we walk past ugly concrete buildings, marveling that almost every Spaniard seems to have a dog, and congratulating ourselves on our timing: it's obviously siesta time. All shops are closed and barred.

The bakery is at least open, and the pastries look great. We understand “Pollo” and also “Carne”, as well as “Vegetal”. We are brave and take a bit of everything. Also included are “Gresos” and something unpronounceable.

From the first pastry comes black goo and shellfish meat. Hmm. Tastes okay, but the black substance is simply hard to ignore.

In the next one, there is sour seasoned meat. You can eat it, but you really don't have to. The one with spinach is delicious. We share that one among three of us. After that, we bite into three more and conclude that next time we'll buy the cheap ones from the supermarket and won’t feel bad about being culinary philistines.

Accompanied by constant barking, we stroll to the fort, find a shady spot there, and play cards until it gets too cold and the cards fly away. It has gotten very windy; time to leave. Once again very satisfied, still relaxed, and continually grateful for the moment.

By nightfall, relaxation is over. A child-eating army of mosquitoes has invaded us. Poor Ida scratches herself non-stop in her sleep, while Lars and I switch to attack mode every 10 minutes. In the end, we have prevailed. Each individual sting has been avenged, but we are tired. Even the bad crumby coffee for breakfast doesn't help us get going.

Cold water surely does.

We pick one of the small bays nearby, pack our bags, and head to the beach, which we have completely to ourselves.

Crystal clear water, shells and pebbles to collect, large rocks for climbing, and sitting without sand. We actually dare to swim in the Atlantic in April. Freezing cold, but also wonderfully beautiful.

The sporting plans also make it into the unplanned daily agenda, and after 30 minutes of jogging and two Sally challenges (squats and push-ups), the cool water feels for hand-timed five seconds not so cold anymore!

Don't worry, we are doing really well.