Happy Birthday

Last night we had our dinner at Portebelos restaurant. We wanted to dine there on Karen's birthday the 30th but it is the Captains dinner that night. In any case when we dined it was the 30th in Melb. so it worked out well. The food was great and plentiful and after we were stuffed out came a birthday cake and everyone in the restaurant sang happy birthday to Karen. It was a great day and night.

White water kayaking

This morning Ross and I went on our kayaking adventure. There was a limit of 25 participants. Seven went. We were briefed on correct technique, given an exercise routine, equipped with life jackets and set off in a convoy. The weather was beautiful. Cloudless blue sky and temp in the high 20's. 

As we set off hopes were high of shooting the Rapids and coming through unscathed. We paddled round a bend and there it was - more dead calm water!! It was a sedate paddle through a lovely setting in perfect weather. We had about an hours workout and when we got back, after more exercise, we had a picnic.

Luggy and the girls went to some 400 year old house where they made sugar almonds, and guess what - they bought some almonds!

Lunch was a BBQ up on deck as we sailed away from Pocinho. It has been a great day so far.

IS THAT THE BIRD FROM ANN

Salamanca

Wednesday, we travel by bus to Spain to visit Salamanca. It is a two hour drive from where our boat is moored. It is another sunny day with no clouds. Temp a little cool in the morning but is up to 25 by  3 pm. The city is picturesque with its buildings of sandstone. We have a choice to spend more time in the city or head back, we decide to head back. We are missing the barge. We have a lovely lunch in Salamanca, a salad and a traditional payella with a flamenco show.

We head back in the bus and arrive around 5 pm. When we get out of the bus it must be 30 degrees and no wind. We have a quiet night as Ross and I are kayaking tomorrow and we expect to be shooting the Rapids.

Cruising

Tuesday was another lovely day. Clear sunny skies and 30 degrees. We left Regua at 11.15 and spent the day cruising the river. We had to pass through three locks and as we passed through the scenery changed each time. We were gradually climbing up out of the valley. While a beautiful day, it was a long day as our first drink was up on deck, in the sunshine about 11.30 am. It was extremely relaxing.  

The Hoy curse has struck again with Arnold Palmer and Max Walker farewelling us.

Music Trivia

After our big day in Regua, we had a music trivia night. Teams were from 8 to 10. We drafted a young couple from Abbotsford. There were 20 questions where you had to name the artist, group or year of the song. In addition there were bonus points if team members participated in dancing, singing . Ross and Ann deserve special mention for their efforts. Ross really came out of his shell and once Ann started dancing she could not be stopped.

We did well with 33 points and the winner had 35. It was a great night. Our host Louis was special.

Cruising Douro Valley

Yesterday we went to Quinta Aveleda, a winery with beautiful gardens. They produce a green wine, not in colour, but in age. The wine is bottled straight away and not aged in barrels. We tried a white and a rose, along with cow and goat cheese they also manufacture on site. The wines while young were very refreshing. After returning for lunch we cruise towards Regua. On the way we have to pass through a lock. The largest in one lift. We arrive at the lock about 2.45 pm and have to wait for ships coming downstream. The lock is very narrow and there is very little room on either side. 

On arrival in Regua we are taken to a museum on the history of the Douro valley and its wine regions. Afterwards we sample a white port - we are not fans. 

We stayed overnight in Regua and in the morning we head off to Mateus palace. Again they have beautiful gardens, but these are manicured and in the style of Versailles, only much smaller. 

In the afternoon we visit a Cistercian monastery -Saint John of Tarouca. We are told up to 500 monks were here at its peak. It was partially destroyed when the Cistercians were ordered to disband. 

On the way back to the ship we stop at the fortified bridge in Ucanha, dating back to the 13th century.

While we understand that we are in a valley, we are amazed at the height of the hills all around us. When we travel by coach we have magnificent views of the valley, hills and surrounding country.

The weather has been great - 28 degrees today.

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Porto

After dinner last night we went for a night cap. Baileys, Cointreau and port. A pianist was playing and we were trying to guess the artist. Karen began accosting others and asking them if we did not know. Another group Americans then competed with us and I ended up going to get uncle Google to verify our answers. We had a great night.

This morning we had a walking tour of Porto. A fascinating city. Very hilly with tiled buildings. A mix of old, very old and some not so old. It is unesco listed, so they cannot change the facade of any building. The walk lasted just over three hours. We are back on board for lunch and find out the Bulldogs have won by 6 points. After lunch the girls plan to join a tile painting class.

Lovely afternoon with sail away at 4.30pm. Porto has some fascinating buildings and bridges. It is very picturesque. It is time for some drinks -see photo. It is the captains cocktail party tonight so we need to pace ourselves.

Scenic Azure

Yesterday we were excited to leave our hotel and head for our Royal barge Scenic AZURE. It seems I made a mistake and previously called her Allure. Thanks Rosko. It is a beautiful sunny morning as we head down the motorway. Our first pit stop is around 11 and Luggy keeps asking me how the swans are going. I told him I wasn't going to check until 12. We have wifi on the bus. At 11.30 I check. When I look at the scores just into the second quarter I think it hasn't been updated from last week! Go swans.

 

We leave Coimbra and arrive in Porto at 3.45. We are welcomed aboard and and after unpacking head off to explore and have a drink. The barge is sumptuous. Very new and luxurious. The cabins are smaller but the whole ship is smaller than our previous tours. Only 90 passengers. We find the bar and order drinks. Ann is excited as they have diet tonic and she can have gin tonics. They don't skimp on the serving as her glass is half full with gin. After our briefings we have dinner at 6.30 - it is a buffet. The food is great, but the girls aren't happy as there is a lot of glass and mirrors on board and they keep seeing themselves. The waiters are friendly and we have a great first night.

Crash

Off to special dinner last night. Two small buses, the Luggs a bit late coming down and are in the second bus. We head off just after 7.30. Traffic is horrendous. We are about 150metres from hotel, ambulance coming through, cars move out of the way, we are off to one side when a lady in front decides to reverse park right into our bus. Very minor collision, can't see any damage. Driver not happy, second bus goes past. After some debate, forms are filled out - 45 mins later we are on our way. Another 10 to 15 mins drive to Tagide restaurant. Lovely meal and safe drive back.

Today we went to Sintra Palace. A 40 minute drive from Lisbon. Sintra is a beautiful city in the hills. The palace is a mix of Arabic and Christian. Above the palace sits a citadel fort which we were unable to get to as we did not have enough time, but it looked like quite a strenuous walk. I have included a couple of photos, one of Belem tower, Sintra Palace and lunch.

 

Thursday Lisbon

It is 6.45 am Thursday. Yesterday we had a great tour of the major city landmarks. The weather was good, but plenty of tourists around. Our guide Daniel also acquired for us Portuguese tarts and a cherry liqueur. Four large cruise ships docked! Extra 10, 000 people at the tourist spots. In the afternoon we walked into Downton and visited the Santa justa tower for a great view over the city. Dinner was interesting! The waiter was a bit over the top, don't know whether he was being extra friendly or taking the piss. Meals were OK to poor. Karen tried the cod, the local favourite, never again.

Good nights sleep

Had a good nights sleep. We hit the sack around 9.30 pm. Dinner was great but we all started to get a bit delirious by the end, with laughter breaking out at the silliest thing. We excused ourselves after dessert and we all went straight to bed. We have been up for over 48 hours with only a short sleep on the plane. The rooms are very comfortable and quiet. This morning we have a tour of the city and then a free afternoon and a special Portuguese dinner tonight. The sun is shining, no clouds and expected 30 degrees. 

Finally Arrived

Well we have made it. It is 10 pm Melbourne time and we are now settled into our hotel rooms in Lisbon where it is 1 pm. It is a beautiful sunny afternoon around 24 degrees. First shock of the day was the Internet is not free! So I don't know when I will post this online. The flights were all good just a long trip, considering we left Melbourne at 4 pm on Monday - 30 hours. Most of us got around 6 hours sleep on the Singapore Frankfurt leg. Everything went smoothly including luggage at destination. We plan to meet at 4 pm this afternoon and then we have a 6.30 welcome dinner and shortly after that bed.

Ready to go

Well we are at the airport. Stayed here overnight and fly out this afternoon. Unexpected incident when Luggy failed to show! Kaye explained that with the rain over the last few days John had lost time and now has to finish a few jobs before he will drive to tulla this morning. Kaye will be nervous until he arrives. By staying overnight we had a good nights sleep and are very relaxed. Off to breakfast at the airport.

Hi everybody, we are about to embark on another epic journey, departing Melbourne on Monday 19 September to fly to Lisbon, where we will stay for three days and then travel to Porto to board the Scenic Allure. We will then cruise the Duro river until Monday 3 October. We then fly to Madrid and will spend three nights there. On Thursday 6 October we will travel by fast train to Seville for another three nights and then fast train back to Barcelona. We have five nights in Barcelona before heading home via Singapore (two night stopover). Arriving home on Monday 17 October at 9.10 pm.

I will try to post regularly, depending on internet connectivity. Hope you enjoy.

John