Portugal

Algarve, Portugal

April 28, 2025

We were very much looking forward to our visit to Algarve where we were to explore the Benagil Cave by boat but the ship needed to anchor and tender guests to the pier. Rain and high winds were coming making the tender operations unsafe with high waves! So, the decision was made to continue to Porto, Portugal. Happily, this gave us another “sea day,” and Team Baggo was back on. And the blue team was victorious yet again!

That evening, our favorite cocktail waitress, Kathleen, who is from the Philippines, made Sandy’s favorite after-dinner drink – Irish Coffee – BUT she makes it a double with Cappuccino and it is Spectacular!!!! Kathleen is now on her holiday at home before her new contract begins. And, of course, there’s Chris – who mans the bar in the Atrium! If he sees either one of us coming, he automatically pours a double Gray Goose on the rocks and a cranberry and tonic, and has them ready for us!!

Porto, Portugal

April 29, 2025

Portugal’s second largest city straddling the Douro River is also its most authentic, a place where port wine mixes beautifully with strolls past historic architecture.

We departed from the brand-new cruise port terminal and took the shuttle bus into town to meet our guide.

We had a personal guide, Ana Christina, who took us on a relaxed walk through this beautiful city.

It was a “relaxed” walk on the flat streets, but there were many steep ups and downs!!!! We began our tour at the Clerigos Tower or Clergyman’s Tower which was once Portugal’s tallest structure.

We passed by the Old Jail and Court of Appeal where author Camilo Castelo Branco was imprisoned after having an affair with a married woman, another author named Ana Placido. A book, “Amor de Perdicao”, was written about their affair and is commemorated by a statue in front of the jail. The statue has a fully-clothed man hugging a nude woman. The woman’s buttocks are bright and shiny since it is frequently rubbed by passing gentlemen for “good luck.”

We than continued past the imposing Romanesque Cathedral built in the 12^th century which commands more than just a passing glance with its ornate and towering façade. The interior was also very beautifully ornate and very calming!!!

Along the Douro River, the prosperous fate of Porto was sealed when the barcos rabelos (vessels which still bob in the river today) delivered the first wine shipments here from the vineyards upriver. Across the river, cellars of 58 companies fortify the prized wine that is still produced in the Douro Valley. We even spotted a Viking river ship anchored along the river!

Our walk then took us down Santa Catarina Street past the Santa Catarina Cathedral with beautiful hand-made tiles.

Then, we passed the Majestic Coffee shop which was once a gathering place for intellectuals only. One gentleman was banned from the shop because he wasn’t an intellectual, SO he studied in South Africa, returned after 3 years and bought the coffee shop for ALL to enjoy except for the three previous owners!!!!!!

This city’s main market overflows with seafood and cod especially!! The entire dried fish hangs over the different pieces of cod already cut into fillets and bits! The produce and flowers and chocolates in the shape of sardines are displayed beautifully!

There is even a complimentary piano where guests are encouraged to “sit down, alone or with others, and play.”

On our walk to the S. Bento Train Station, we passed by the city hall (which, our guide pointed out, looks like it has a condom on top).

We crossed over the D. Luis I and D. Maria Pia bridges (built by Eiffel) for a fabulous view of Porto and Gaia (across the river) over the Douro River.

Ana told us we must see the inside of the McDonalds here in the city. It was converted from an old German hotel! Take notice of the chandeliers!!

Now, the S. Bento Train Station displays the hand-made tiles showing the history of Portugal. A most beautiful train station from which our fantastic guide Ana departed on a train for home!!!!