Passing through Locks, 16 July 2012, Portugal

Passing through Locks, 16 July 2012

 

I can now say I've passed through a lock in a vessel. Now whether the boat I was on was a ship or a boat I am not sure, but regardless of its designation, I was on it and we passed through not one but two locks, the Crestuma, and the Carrapetelo. We were on the Duoro River in Portugal.

 

Pulling in to the lock

In place, doors closing

And out the other side

We decided to do a full day river cruise on the Duoro river, what we signed up for was 7 hours on the river, then a vineyard tour, then catch a train to return.

The cruise on the river was really lovely, unfortunately there are not enough seats provided on the decks for the number of people on the trip, and not knowing this we neglected to 'stake out' a claim. Many of the others, perhaps having this knowledge staked out and marked several chairs and kept control of them whether they were using them or not. So we ended up either standing, or down in the lounge sitting and looking out through the windows.

The scenery and the weather were fabulous. We got very excited when we started seeing more and more of the terracing and the vines growing on them.
It is a particular growing method here where the hillsides are terraced and the vines grow in these flat terraced areas. One other thing is this creates a labor intensive process as there are no machines that can be used in this growing environment. So very good for employment, at least seasonally, wonder who they employ?

I am planning a big critique for DouroAzul about their package, so I hazard you will be seeing it before they, or TripAdvisor do.

So here's my write up for TripAdvisor, who, by the way rejected it. Apparently it is too long!

So DouroAzul.com offers a number of tour options, the one we selected was Porto-Regúa-Porto, our boat name was Milenio, it starts at 8:30. After departure breakfast will be served, then at 1pm, lunch will be served, with arrival later in Regúa. Once in Regúa we will be transported to a vineyard for a tour, then we will have free time in Regua and will be given our tickets for the 5:30pm return to Porto trip via train, about an hour and a half trip. So back to Porto about 7, for an 11 hour adventure
That is what was advertised, and related to us verbally, all this for 73€ each.

So we arrive, early as usual, people are starting to line up,then a tour group arrives, so a whole boatload are waiting. Checkin was fairly easy.

 

We were directed below decks to our assigned tables; tables held 8 each. The tables were set with a plate with a croissant and a sweet roll, juice glass and pitchers of orange juice and coffee service. Coffee was distributed, but no refills offered, so that was breakfast!

After breakfast everyone headed up to the decks. unfortunately there are not enough seats provided on the decks for the number of people on the trip, and not knowing this we neglected to 'stake out' a claim. Many of the others, perhaps having this knowledge staked out and marked several chairs and kept control of them whether they were using them or not. So we ended up either standing, or down in the lounge sitting and looking out through the windows.

There were several bars set up, so if you wanted you could purchase, beer, wine, water, coffee, snacks, etc.


The cruise itself was lovely, it was beautiful weather, beautiful vistas. We passed under many bridges, nearly each was announced and discussed, as were many other sites along the way. This was very cool.

Check out some of the sights!

 

 

The bathrooms were large, and pretty, unfortunately they were not serviced during the trip so receptacles

overflowed, and toilet paper ran out.

 

Lunch was announced and everyone made their way back to their assigned tables, we had two lovely couples at ours and enjoyed visiting, one couple with 16 year old son from France, and the other from Brazil.

A bottle each of water, red wine, and white wine were on each table, as was a roll a each place. Soon soup was served, a broth of and with cabbage and carrots. After soup service was taken a plate with salad and a piece of some casserole, I think it was cabbage, carrot, and bacalau. Then an egg custard dessert and coffe were served. Overall the food was tasty, it is a good thing Tom and I aren't too picky, and we'll eat near about anything.

So after lunch it was back up to the decks, this time we got chairs.

Upon arrival at Regúa we were directed to three transports, a train with open sided seat cars, a touribus, open on the top, and a transport bus, which unfortunately was sitting in the sun without the a/c.

We drove to the bodega for the tour. But what we got was dropped off in a sales room, with few photos and some artifacts. We were offered a sample of a Porto Branco. That was it, that was the tour. To say we were disappointed is an understatement.

So after that we left to explore Regúa, and be at the train station at 5:15. Not being shoppers Tom and I walked around a bit then found a cafè and had a few beers. At 5 we walked to the train station, the Cruise's Tour Director was there and directed us in to a train car. It was unbelievable, there was only one small window that opened and no air-conditioning. So for the next 1 1/2-2 hours, the inhabitants of this car sat and poured sweat. As I looked around every person save the one woman and her young daughter that were sitting under the only functional window were pouring sweat, the woman sitting across from me at one point crossed her ankle over her knee and you could see the sweat coming out of her leg, I'm sure mine was the same.

So, would I recommend this tour - probably not. Although the time on the river was really lovely and I enjoyed the open air, the scenery, the birds, the sights; The food was tolerable, The 'tour' was a joke, and an insult, and the transportation back to Porto was inhumane. And at 73€ each this was, in my mind, not a budget trip, but everything about it was 'cheap'.


Ok, all that being said, we did enjoy the cruise part of the trip - we were really looking forward to an opportunity to visit a vineyard. There are plenty of opportunities to visit bodegas, sales rooms, and to sample wines, but to get in to a vineyard, with someone that knows the business, well that was the experience we were after.

 

The weather

Before we left on this trip we were advised, by several, about how hot it was going to be in Spain this time of year. They were wrong! It's been absolutely gorgeous!

Of course this time of year in Mérida we are in the high 20's with VERY high humidity.

When in Southern Spain; Cordóba, Granada, Sevilla, it was in the high 20's, but with no humidity we barely noticed. Now, here in Portugal, well it's been low to mid 20's, a bit cool for me. Yesterday was our first less than perfect day, it was heavy sky and cool, I saw 19 on the news report. About 6pm it started misting, then actually raining, and a fog came in and obscured the landscape.

We came back to the room about 7:30 and didn't leave again till 10 to go get some dinner.

We're planning a trip on the Douro river, it's a 12 hour trip, I may need to go buy a sweatshirt, or maybe blanket! I could cut a hole and turn it into a pancho.

Lisbon, or Lisboa Portugal

Lisbon

As soon as we got in the taxi fom the bus I think Tom was in love and ready to make the move.

 

I think Lisbon has suffered long from neglect and has somehow recently come in to some money and is trying to fix the place up. The signs of neglect are everywhere.

Buildings in bad repair, disrepair, or seemingly in ruin and abandon. But the there is the building, repair, renovation, new construction, it too is everywhere.

There is homelessness and poverty, and it is evident everywhere because just like where I live in Merida the neighborhoods are mixed; homes, next to offices, next to businesses.

You can see that some parks are in good repair and maintained and others are neglected.

There are amazing things to see, there is age, and history, and events both past and present to see, experience, and imagine.

Lisbon is huge, HUGE, and my impressions are after 2 nights and 1 day of being a tourist.

There are people, lots n lots of people. And again, for the people that live here it must be difficult because it is not inexpensive.

What did we do; we bought a ticket for the Touribus, we've said we were going to do this everywhere so far but we have been situated so close to the stuff we wanted to see and do that it just never happened.

We enjoyed the tourbus, the route was extensive, we selected one of 4 possible routes, and not a combo route.

We went to, and climbed the Tower of Belem, then walked along the water, then went in to the monastery of jeroimo, then walked some more, then back in to the centro area, then the castle of saint george, or säo jorge. Then finally we ate, then walked some more, then went to see the elevator at santa justa, it was made by a student of gustav eiffel, and I believe there is another object by a different student of eiffel in porto, I'll have to search it out.

Then we walked some more, stopped for a stand up coffe and roll. I'll never understand this standing up for. Very fast coffe and snack as a restful thing, just let me sit down!

So then about 9pm back to the room and find a Hotel for Porto for the next few nights, and check emails and, and, and.

About 10pm I checked with Tom about going out for a bite or a wine bar, or whatever but he was content to stay in.

Living, an even visiting a seaport is so incredibly diverse and interesting.

I forget how close are here to the African nations, but the costuming, or regional dress is awesome. So colorful...

So, here it is Thursday, the 12th, and we are heading to Porto.

You have to get out into the countryside before you start seeing stand alone housing. In the cities it is always apartment complexes, or rows of housing connected side by side. Very similar to Merida, but not full blocks around just maybe 6 to 8 in a row.

Neither of us have Portuguese, and didn't bother to learn anything more than, yes, no, and thank you. It's an expressive language in that the hand gestures, tone, inflection, and intensity are vital parts of a conversation. It has the ring of a germanic or slavic based language. We've been fortunate in that so far nearly everyone has had either English, or Spanish.

We made it to Porto about 4:30, and walked out of the bus station to find a city bus sitting right outside, I asked the driver if he coud tell us where to get a bus going near our hotel. He said he was so in we step and he drops us across the street from our hotel.

 

We decided to stay in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is right acoss the river from Porto. Becuse, as it turns out this side is where all the cellars, cavas, and port houses are. Has something to do with avoiding taxation back in the 1700's. Sounds like a research project.

Tuesday, 10 July, traveling to Portugal

Tuesday, 10 July, traveling to Portugal

We left Sevilla, España at 3pm, about 4:30pm we passed in to Portugal and shortly therefter made a super quick stop in Castro Marim. Castro Marim has a huge castle which would be really cool to explore. Castro Marim sits along the river, and has a definite beach resort feel about it.

The ride so far has been quite enjoyable, the scenery has been lovely. The seats are a bit narrow, at least by our big butt American standards. There are plenty of open seats on the bus for us to spreadout should we so desire.

As soon as we passed in to Portugal we passed several small communities built on to the hillside and all houses are white with red tile roofs.

Oh, and no stop at Customs was required. We did have to show our passports to buy the tickets, but so far no one has asked to see them.

So apparently we are completely wrong about our bus route because we now see what appears to be the Ocean on our left. Ok, a sign just confirmed, we are passing Tavira, which is in fact on the ocean/sea.

We have made several stops. Quite tedious - should you ever find yourself in the bus station in Faro, don't, nuff said!

So a while ago we pull into a gas station restaurant combo, we think ok, refill. Nope, think again, 30 minute break, arrrrggghhhhh, just get me to frickin Lisbon. So we walk around abit then decide to see if he restaurant or the gas station has wifi, the gas station does so in we go, unfortunately we couldn't connect. BUT, we found, ok, hold your breath, Ketchup flavored Ruffles.

 

Yep, I know, who is the genius that thought this up. Of course I bought a bag, in spite of having to listen to Tom's derision, and the heavy price tag. 1.85€ yipes! But oh after that first chip flavor exploded in my mouth, heaven!

Back on the road, landscape has changed more rolling hills and open spaces than he hilly mountainous before. Lots more livestock, cattle, sheep. Before it was more agricultural. Still lots of sunflower fields, and olive trees have changed or citrus.

One thing I've noticed is how much I miss a vista, a view, the horizon. In Mérida, for those of you who've not been, we are flat. The peninsula is on a limestone shelf and for the most, there are of course the exceptions, we are very flat. I think that lack of physical view or vista translates into our perceptions as well, I feel more open. Like I now have more breadth. I don't feel like I miss out in Mèrida, I just feel like i become content in a smaller area, more content in my encapsulation.

Oh boy, we're starting to see fields of grapevines.

We made it! We're in Lisbon, in our room, ready for bed after eating a great meal, and drinking yet another great bottle of wine, white this time.

I'll have to add pictures later. Adding pictures with Blogsy is a real pain. But I'll do it, honest! Just keep checking back!