Adonia cruise - part 3

Wednesday 27 August - Lisbon

We got up early to watch the sail in on deck with the Housekeeping Manager. Lisbon is always a lovely arrival up the River Tagus past the Belem Tower, the Monument of the Discoveries and under the 25 April Bridge. Independence of the Seas followed us in but as we sailed to the cruise ship berth near the Alfama District, she turned to port immediately after the bridge and berthed at the commercial dock - the disadvantages of a big ship!

 

We went down one deck for breakfast out on the aft deck behind the Conservatory, where Captain Box (who invariably eats his breakfast there) popped over to say hello.

After clearance, we took the shuttle in to Figuera Square and then the local bus to St George’s Castle, somewhere neither of us had visited before on our numerous calls at Lisbon. After a short but steep climb to the ticket office, we were in the main grounds and spent a lovely couple of hours or so wandering round the castle site.  The views from the top were spectacular!

 

Caryll climbed up to the ramparts while I stayed down to photograph some birds of prey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was time for one of Lisbon's famous custard tarts and a beer at the Castle café. Wandering round the feet of diners was a peahen and her three chicks, while other peacocks flew into the trees over our heads! I gave her a crumb or two by hand. 

 

Then we caught the bus back down and walked the main shopping streets. One shop was offering port tasting - too good to refuse and probably my only chance to taste old vintage - absolutely delicious! I bought a half bottle and some bargain-priced perfect-colour red/cream fabric to make a tablecloth before, as usual, leaving Caryll ashore for a little longer as I boarded the shuttle bus back to the ship. A point about these - they used to be free for everyone but now P&O have brought in a two-tier fare structure, everyone's cruise card is scanned before boarding and those on Saver Fares are charged per journey. I then sat on deck till Caryll joined me for sailaway. As Adonia drew away from the quayside we got a very good view of two classic liners, laid up at Lisbon. The Porto and the Lisboa both belong to Portuscale Cruises, http://www.portuscalecruises.pt/ . In fact they also own the Funchal that we are sailing on next month, chartered to Cruise & Maritime Voyages. It was sad to see such venerable ships out of use but hopefully a charterer will come along. The fourth ship in their fleet, Azores, is also going to CMV next year. 

 

 

 

As we sailed Adonia was surrounded by huge jellyfish - the classic Portuguese Man o'war??

Casual night, so dinner and quiz - which we won!