Portugal was not involved in WWII and therefore, did not receive the influx of cash to rebuild. Their new roads were not built until they joined the European Union. We have heard nothing but glowing remarks about the EU. With better roads, easier money, and better trade, came a more prosperous economy and tourism. We have noticed that every town seems to have a tower or castle.
Today we took a bus to Lamego which was touted as a historical and religious capital. The church at the top of the hill had a spectacular interior. The ceiling looked like a Wedgewood china platter —a blue background with white plaster decoration—unlike anything I have every seen. The front and side altars were aglow with gold. But wait—to walk from this shrine to the cathedral downtown, you had to go down 700 steps. The steps were in sets of 10 or so with a landing that had tiles depicting the life of Mary, then another set of steps. (True Catholic pilgrims climb up the steps in order to ask the Virgin Mary to rid them of their afflictions.) The bus took us to the top and walking down was an option that we did not choose. We rode back down, did some shopping, had coffee, walked around, and came back.
After returning to the ship, we set sail. Went through a 91 foot lock. Sailed on to Pinhao. Took the bus on a very short ride to Quinta do Ronda. A guide took us out into the vineyard and explained their process for making port. This vineyard was started in 1588. We sampled a Pink Port and a Ruby Port. Back to the bus and the ship to get ready for the captain’s dinner tonight.
A quote from today: “In Portugal, wine is king, but olives are the queen.” Olive trees are used as borders between vineyards and fields. “You can’t make money off fences, but you can from olives.” At dinner, there is always a small bowl of olives. My three traveling companions are quite competitive in their olive consumption. In addition to olive trees, we have seen many orange trees heavy with fruit. There are also almond trees about with almonds a frequent ingredient in foods.
Today we took a bus to Lamego which was touted as a historical and religious capital. The church at the top of the hill had a spectacular interior. The ceiling looked like a Wedgewood china platter —a blue background with white plaster decoration—unlike anything I have every seen. The front and side altars were aglow with gold. But wait—to walk from this shrine to the cathedral downtown, you had to go down 700 steps. The steps were in sets of 10 or so with a landing that had tiles depicting the life of Mary, then another set of steps. (True Catholic pilgrims climb up the steps in order to ask the Virgin Mary to rid them of their afflictions.) The bus took us to the top and walking down was an option that we did not choose. We rode back down, did some shopping, had coffee, walked around, and came back.
After returning to the ship, we set sail. Went through a 91 foot lock. Sailed on to Pinhao. Took the bus on a very short ride to Quinta do Ronda. A guide took us out into the vineyard and explained their process for making port. This vineyard was started in 1588. We sampled a Pink Port and a Ruby Port. Back to the bus and the ship to get ready for the captain’s dinner tonight.
A quote from today: “In Portugal, wine is king, but olives are the queen.” Olive trees are used as borders between vineyards and fields. “You can’t make money off fences, but you can from olives.” At dinner, there is always a small bowl of olives. My three traveling companions are quite competitive in their olive consumption. In addition to olive trees, we have seen many orange trees heavy with fruit. There are also almond trees about with almonds a frequent ingredient in foods.
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