Lisbon - Portugal - Easter Monday!

View from the ship - a little marina with cafes and shops.

The Cruise ship Terminal at Lisbon.

The fuel barge comes alongside - topping up the tanks for the run home!

Ron and Gill Brown enjoying lunch in The Meridian Restaurant with a fine view.

Cuscais Beach

Cuscais Street Scene.

Ceramics for sale in Sintra

Manuline Hall Doorway in the Royal Palace at Sintra.

Royal Palace Blazons Hall

The blue tiles in the Blazons Hall.

The domed ceiling in the Blazons Hall.

It is all in the detail...............

a close up shot............

The facade of the Royal Palace - you would never guess it was so grand inside.

Royal Palace furniture style.

Royal Palace - King Sebastien's bed.

Royal Palace - the Magpie Room.

Royal Palace - Palantine Chapel.

Royal Palace - the swan ceiling.

a close up - see the regal collar!

Spring has sprung at Cape Roca

Wild waves at Cape Roca - never under estimate the power of the sea..........

Good Day Everyone,

Here we are in Lisbon, after a wet morning the clouds have lifted for a bright afternoon here.

Lisbon descends from many hills to the great River Tagus to which, for centuries has been a source of wealth and fascination for the city. It is a beautiful City and the people are very friendly.The architecture is very interesting and so much to see.

Graham was out on tour today so here is his report - very grateful for this as I have been busy showing Peter Thomas around the ship and talking to people!

Here is Grahams report..................

Today we find Arcadia safely alongside our penultimate port of call on her maiden Grand Voyage in Lisbon. Weather wise it started dull and the threat of a rain shower but generally it began to get brighter and we set off for Sintra and Cascais with a general feeling of we are going to have a great time in and around these particularly scenic areas.

Driving out through the Belem district of Lisbon, an area that our regular cruise passengers know well we carry on until we reach the pretty coastal town of Cascais. My own personal memories go back 20 plus years to another holiday here when it really was a sleepy little fishing village, today it boasts a up and coming marina and a good range of shops. As we strolled the almost deserted streets many were remarking what a very pleasant place this was and also how the wavy black and white blocked surface was so very different to other Mediterranean towns. Those of us who have also visited Madeira will have seen this sort of thing there as well. We window shopped and many including myself were welcomed into the many shoe and clothes shops.

All too soon we were off again along the coast to the wild and scenic area at Guincho. I love it here, this is raw nature, the winds blow and the waves crash onto the rocks whilst the sand is blown across the road and ends up piled up on the many dunes. There were signs of Spring as well with many colourful wild flowers in bloom, Spring is lovely no matter where you are in the world. This is a daily chore for the local workmen who have to come here to clear the excess off the road.

We were waiting though for the highlight of the tour, our visit to the town of Sintra set high in the hills in what is a National Park. Leaving the coach we walk up into the town and there are the shops and cafes of this interesting old town. It was not long before some of the eagle eyed passengers saw the full selection of porcelain on sale here, all very typical Portuguese styles and wonderfully executed. This is a super place full of Portuguese character crowned by the Royal Palace.

Here the kings and Queens of old would live for part of the year in luxury surroundings. I decided that I would pay the required entry fee, a very reasonable 5 Euros and explore the rooms and stairways of the palace. How I enjoyed this experience; for 40 minutes I was in utter splendour in Manuline style. Almost before one has caught your breath you are met with the amazing sight of the golden swan ceiling in the grand entranced hall. Here you can see panels of gold collared swans, beautifully executed works of art each and every one.
The Magpie Room was next and this did not disappoint either (see the magnificent fireplace and tiled area in the picture).

King Sebastian must have loved his bed that we saw, four poster and complemented with the other furnishings.

The star room for me though was the Blazons Hall; what a fantastic room this is, wonderful blue tiles walls with windows unusually on all four walls. But it is when you look up and see the domed ceiling, this really takes your breath away. See the detail of the horses in each panel. The entrance fee to see this room alone was worth paying.

Walk on through the palace and I came across the Palentine Chapel, beautifully decorated and perfect for the purpose that it was designed for.

Finally I came to the Manuline Hall beautifully set and do look at the pictures to appreciate the carving of the door surrounds and the fireplace, surely some of the finest examples anywhere.
My suggestion to anyone on tour whilst in Lisbon is to book this tour and then pay the 5 Euros extra to fully appreciate this magnificent palace with you own eyes.
Farewell to Lisbon.

Thanks for that Graham.

All for now - a few farewell parties to attend with passengers this evening - so sad saying good bye to the people who have been so part of our lives for this Grand Voyage - however this is sea life - you have two lives - one on board and one on Land - as I always say!

Best wishes for the week ahead,

James.

You can stroke people with words.

F Scott Fitzgerald