Van is fixed!
It took two weeks to get new parts to Portugal and around 15 hours of work to be totally honest.
We found this perfect self-service garage. Freddy the owner was the most helpful and honest guy. When it got late and time to close the garage and our van was still in pieces, he trusted us and let us stay in his garage for the night.
We worked till 6 am, but finally got everything fixed. Hot shower awaited us and we hit the bed just 2 hours before Freddy opened the garage again and served us morning coffee.
It was hard job and our hands are all bruised, but it's so rewarding to know that we can fix our van by ourselves.
Thank you Freddy! We couldn't have got this done without you and your garage.
(And hey, this isn't an ad. We're just really happy with this place and service!)
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I hope you enjoy my country as much as I do. I also have a VW. Mine is a T3 Syncro Westfalia. Many happy kilometers!
@rui-costa We sure will! Here's a lot of beautiful places to see. All recommendations are welcome ;)
Happy kilometers for you and your van also!
@kanttiadvanture, it depends on the amount of time you have to visit the country and if you are more interested in the culture or in the scenery. I'm from the North, from Ponte de Lima and it seems you are going south following the coast. You should definetely visit Oporto and the Douro Valley (N222 is a bit of a detour but the views are amazing). Along the coast you also have Aveiro with a visit to Costa Nova to photograph the colorful houses. If you are further south, I would visit Nazaré (to see the World's biggest waves) Óbidos, spend at least 2~3 days in Sintra...
@rui-costa Thanks so much for the recommendations! We already spent few days in Porto and near by nature areas. Unfortunately missed some of those places you recommended, since we're now near Nazaré. But we still have a change to see the rest :) We got nothing but time, since we're going to spend whole winter in south Portugal and Spain.
@kanttiadvanture, at Nazaré enjoy the view over the town from "O Sítio". Nearby you have Leiria's Castle, Alcobaça Monastery and Óbidos. (must visit Óbidos) ;)
@kanttiadvanture, at Óbidos taste "Licor de Ginja" from a chocolate cup. But don't drink and drive :D
@rui-costa Sounds brilliant! Also have to try Licor de Ginja. Thanks :) :)