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Daily Gallery
No Photo Today--travel day--July 26th--Leaving Austin at 6:45 pm--arrive in Lisbon late afternoon July 27th.
July 28th--Didn't arrive in Lisbon until 7pm last night just in time for the welcome dinner. We were so tired, we came straight to room after dinner and got to bed as quickly as we could. A planned bus tour or Lisbon left at 9 am this morning, then back to hotel by 12:30. We regrouped and then walked downhill to an area suggested by tour guide. Formerly a factory, it has been transformed into small restaurants and shops. We ate lunch there then walked back to hotel. Rested until 7 pm, then caught an Uber to a former warehouse area on the river dock area that has been transformed into a number of restaurants. It was so pleasant outside, we ate a leisurely dinner outside, then Ubered back to the hotel. Jet lag has not totally gone away, so an early night again tonight.
Mike standing in front of replica of the sea plane that two Portuguese pilots flew for 1st transatlantic flight from Portugal to Brazil
Tower built by one of Portuguese kings. Was originally in middle of the river, but after an earthquake, the river course shifted and now it is by the river shore.
The entrance to our hotel, Pensenta Palace Hotel
Mike standing in front of replica of the sea plane that two Portuguese pilots flew for 1st transatlantic flight from Portugal to Brazil
July 29th--After sleeping in to try to recover from jet lag, we ate breakfast, then decided to try to catch the hop on-hop off bus and ride it around the city to see the sights we wanted to see. A good plan that did not materialize! Mike and I had done this before in other cities and it really worked well. We never had any trouble finding the bus stops to get on or off. Not so in Lisbon. We walked to where we thought the nearest one was, asked several people along the way for help--all to no avail. So we finally decided to try to find the next closest stop--another long walk. But no signs, no buses. We sat in a cafe at that corner and had drinks but still no bus. The monastery we had seen the day before was not far on the map we had, so we walked to it. However since it was Monday, it was closed. At this point we were frustrated and tired of walking, so we asked and found out how to get downtown on the tram that ran in front of the monastery. We rode downtown and planned to see St George's Castle. When we got downtown we discovered the castle was straight up the hill! More walking and straight up! Finally made it and toured the castle. Next we wanted to ride the historic tram route (the oldest route in the city), Tram 28. We finally found our way down the hill to the place where you catch this tram---to find a long line. We stood in line for about an hour and rode it to the end where you must exit. We didn't know where we were and we were getting hungry since we hadn't eaten since breakfast---but Google Maps was our friend. We decided to go back to the warehouse restaurant area where we ate the night before (and eat at a different restaurant). We thought about using Uber, but decided since it was downhill, we could walk it. What the map didn't show was that our route to the restaurant area was through a fairly decayed part of town. But, we made it and had a very nice Italian supper. Uber was once again our friend and it got us back to the hotel in a very short time. Mike found an indoor pool and hot tub at the hotel and took advantage to ease his aching legs. Seems like it was a 20 mile death march today! Lynne wished she had worn her step counter today--we probably walked over 20,000 steps!
Many of the older buildings in Lisbon (and other parts of the country) used tiles for decoration on the exterior of the buildings. Here are 3 examples
Debbie & Larry sitting across from us on Tram 28
Many of the older buildings in Lisbon (and other parts of the country) used tiles for decoration on the exterior of the buildings. Here are 3 examples
July 30th--Left early from Lisbon and drove north to Obidos, a quaint Medieval town. We walked thru the town where they were preparing for a medieval festival this coming weekend. It is a walled city high on a hill. They are famous for their cherry liquer that they make from the many cherry trees that grow outside their town. From there we drove to Nazare on the way to Porto, a beach town known for its high waves that surfers love. The waves were not that high that day, but there were many people out enjoying the sun! Arriving in Porto we were taken to our boat, thje Duoro Serenity, checked in and given time to settle in. After dinner, we came back to the room to try to work on the blog, plus Mike had to do some more computer work for his client. Unfortunately, the wi-fi on the boat is spotty at times. He finally had to go up to the lounge (next floor up) to get a better connection. He was up several times during the night to make sure it was running correctly.
Entrance gate to the medieval city of Obidos
Man dressed in medieval coat of arms at the entrance gate. They were having a festival the next weekend and many dress in medieval costumes
Same view at night
Entrance gate to the medieval city of Obidos
July 31th--Left early from Lisbon and drove north to Obidos, a quaint Medieval town. We walked thru the town where they were preparing for a medieval festival this coming weekend. It is a walled city high on a hill. They are famous for their cherry liquer that they make from the many cherry trees that grow outside their town. From there we drove to Nazare on the way to Porto, a beach town known for its high waves that surfers love. The waves were not that high that day, but there were many people out enjoying the sun! Arriving in Porto we were taken to our boat, thje Duoro Serenity, checked in and given time to settle in. After dinner, we came back to the room to try to work on the blog, plus Mike had to do some more computer work for his client. Unfortunately, the wi-fi on the boat is spotty at times. He finally had to go up to the lounge (next floor up) to get a better connection. He was up several times during the night to make sure it was running correctly.
Strange looking trees are actually sycamore trees that had a fungus at one time making the trunks look so odd!
Interesting façade on a building--with laundry hanging out the window of the apartment above.
Our boat -- Duro Serenity
Strange looking trees are actually sycamore trees that had a fungus at one time making the trunks look so odd!
August 1st--After breakfast, we boarded our buses to drive to the town of Guimaraes, a UNESCO heritage site. Guimaraes prides itself on being the birthplace of Portugal. The first king (Afonso Henriques) fought and won independence from the Moors in 1139 and the independent country of Portugal was born. It is a nice, clean, little town and we did a walking tour of the town before heading back to the boat. Right before we got to the boat, our guide said we were requested to go directly to the lounge for an announcement. We were all questioning what was the problem?? We quickly were filled in by Patricia, our overall tour guide, that the captain of the ship, whom we had met two nights earlier, had passed away. Everyone was very surprised and shocked as he was a young man. They assured us they had found another captain to take over and our trip would not be affected, but everyone was very somber. Turns out he was only 29 and had a new 4 month old baby. Heard rumor he had been in a motorcycle accident. We were slated to depart Porto about an hour later after lunch, which we did. He was from a very small town at the very mouth of the river. So as we departed, we went down river to the mouth and threw flowers on the water in his honor, before turning around and heading up river on the Duoro.
Castle in Guimaraes up on a hill above the city
Statue of Alfonso Henriques who is credited with giving Portugal the birth of the nation
When we pass thru the loch, the shade on the sun deck has to be lowered so it won't hit the top of the loch
Castle in Guimaraes up on a hill above the city
August 2nd--We left on buses to go to the Aleveda Winery Estate where the Guedes family have been producing wine since 1870 but the main building dates back to 1671. Although they don’t live there year round, the family still make use of their splendid house and grounds for family weddings and functions. When they aren’t being used for celebrations, you can take a guided tour of the gardens and sample their produce. One ancestor also planted the quirky garden that boasts many types of trees (including American redwoods) and flowers, etc. At the end we had a cheese and wine tasting. Back onboard, we had lunch and sat up on the sun deck and played dominos. We went thru the tallest lock of the whole trip.
One of the buildings at the Aleveda Winery. Note the bouganvilleas
There were many different varieties and colors of hydrangeas--this was one variety we had not seen before
Inside the tallest lock we will be going thru on this cruise
One of the buildings at the Aleveda Winery. Note the bouganvilleas
August 3rd--We bussed to the town of Lamego. Here they have a staircase (over 600 stairs) that ascends to the church of Our Lady of Remedies. People make pilgrimages here and climb the stairs on their knees. We did not have to climb as they bussed us to the top where you could see the steps from the top and also go into the church. Nuns run the church and take care of the gardens all around which were kept very clean and nice. We were given the choice to walk down the stairs or ride back down. Mike and Larry walked, while Debbie and Lynne rode. Debbie and Lynne first checked out the cathedral in town, then went to shops that sold quality Portuguese items. Cork products are a big item here (made from Portuguese cork). We had both already bought a cork purse, but Debbie found a cork phone case for her iphone in one of the stores. The group met back in the square for a guided tour thru the Lemago museum, a fine collection of artifacts, paintings, etc that had been collected from the churches and nobles' houses of the area. Many were very old. We went back to the boat for lunch and moved up river to Pinhao going thru another lock on the way. In the afternoon we left again to go to Quinta Roeda (Roeda Wine-estate). Later in the evening we had a Portuguese folk show with singers (men and women) and different instruments.
Seen from the base--the pilgrimage steps in Lamego (over 600) that people climb on their knees for penance or to hope for a special compensation
A chestnut tree trunk that had died long ago, but is still so strong that it supports the ivy growing inside it.
Seen from the base--the pilgrimage steps in Lamego (over 600) that people climb on their knees for penance or to hope for a special compensation