flamenco
9 November 2016, Sepanyol ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Our last stop in Salamanca was a performance of flamenco dancing. Very exciting to see.
night on the boat
9 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
This is the view from our boat tonight.
bridges and locks
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
We had an easy morning on the ship. A welcome rest after yesterday's long day. We are now heading back downstream, so we passed through the last lock from the other day.
Then we passed under aBaca lagi
deep lock, low clearance
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
At the next dam, we had to wait for a ship to come up through the lock before we could go down. This was a very deep lock with a low clearance on the up-side. The crew goes around lowering all theBaca lagi
more Douro River
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
The scenery is just so beautiful. It has been a bit cold, so I think October may be the optimal time to visit, but we are both so thrilled we came.
Sandeman's estate
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
The port wine grapes are grown and crushed in the Douro and then transported to Porto where it is aged. This is one of the estates that grows grapes for one of the big port houses.
The grapes areBaca lagi
Pinhão railway station
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Next we boarded a bus for a trip for a trip to an estate where they grow grapes for Sandman's estate, but we made a brief photo stop at a charming rail station whose walls are decorated with tiles.
Douro museum
10 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Finally a stop for a lecture and wine tasting at a small local museum.
day on the boat
11 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We decided to spend this day on the ship, rather than another bus to a winery tour. The scenery was beautiful and it was a nice relaxing day.
Our maid left us a friend to keep us company.
WeBaca lagi
deepest lock on the river
11 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Next we passed through the deepest lock on the river and one of the deepest in all of Europe.
We missed this one on the upstream journey. It was one of the two that they went through when they movedBaca lagi
scenes from the bottom of the lock
11 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
life on the river
11 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
It was pretty cold, but there were still some folks out enjoying the water. We passed some cruise ships that were docked for the season already.
last lock
11 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We had one more smallish lock to traverse before we were at sea level. Once again we had to wait for the ships heading up passed before we could head down.
Porto
12 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Our last day included a brief tour of Porto and then visits to two separate, very old Port houses.
Taylor's cellar
12 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
After the grapes are harvested and crushed at the vineyard, they are transported to Porto and aged in vats and barrels. We had a nice tasting here and had a bit of time to explore the gardens.
Graham's cellar
12 November 2016, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
This was our last official tour stop in Portugal. Had a tasting and then a lovely lunch. Since the ship was docked only a 5 minute walk away, we decided to hoof it back. Would have worked well, if itBaca lagi
airport sprint
13 November 2016, Jerman ⋅ ⛅ 34 °F
Woke up at 3:30 am. Left the ship at 4. Left Porto at 6. Arrived in Frankfort at 9:45 and had less than an hour to traverse the entire airport and catch our connection. We made it, but once on board IBaca lagi
