Portugal River Cruise May 2022: Saturday April 30 To Porto

We boarded our motor coach at 8:00AM for the trip north to Porto, where we would board the Emerald Radiance, after a few stops along the way. Another beautiful day! Bright sun, 80 degrees....it was hot at times!

We drove on the A1 road, a beautiful three lane highway. Better than what you find in the US! My only complaint, throughout the day, was that anytime the highway was going through anything resembling development, there was a high fence (much of it graffiti covered)....for miles and miles! Like driving through a tunnel!

Our first stop was the famous pilgrimage site of Fatima, “Our Lady of the Rosary” and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Its all based on an “apparition” witnessed by three children in 1917, who were minding their flock, when they saw an unusual brilliant light from the sun. The “Lady” told the three children they must pray each month, on the 13^th day, for the next six months, then to witness a miracle.

They were supposed to keep this a secret, but word got out and by the six month, 70,000 people showed up to see the miracle! There never was a miracle, but ever after this site has become an important pilgrimage for devout Catholics. We saw pilgrims shuffling on their knees across the plaza (using kneepads) and carrying all sizes of candles toward the chapel.

The Basilica was started in 1928 and completed in 1953. There is also a very large, modern worship center and chapel. Note the modern style stained glass.

Of course, just off the parking area there are lots and lots of souvenir shops, peddling all things Catholic.

Back on the coach, our next stop was Coimbra, home of the oldest university in the Portugese world, dating back to the 1500s. (Universidad D Coimbra). Twenty Thousand students are in residence there. Before visiting the campus, which is way up on top of a hill, we spent a little time in the charming village, and had lunch at a little Italian place out on the plaza.

Up on the campus, we witnessed a student group doing some kind of music ( Called “la Tuna”) celebration (a wedding?). We'd witness that later again in Salamanca) We then visited St. Michael's Chapel which was absolutely unbelievable; way “over the top”, with gold everywhere.....hard to describe! From the 11^th century; its actual configuration is from a renovation in the 16^th century, under King D. Manuel. The organ, built in 1733, still plays today!!

From Coimbra we got back on A1 and continued north to the city of Porto, the second largest city on Portugal, on the Douro River. This city looks completely different from Lisbon; lots of activity along the river, including the home base of lots of “River Cruise” boats, including ours. There were may odd looking craft out in the river – looked like party boats on a Saturday afternoon?

We checked into our cabin on the boat and were settled in by 5:00. The crew gave us a tour and outlined the rules. We found the “sun deck” (awesome), the bar, dining room, lounge and, importantly, the coffee machine! Dinner was served by a very attentive staff and we enjoyed Halibut and Chicken. We sat with a couple we had become acquainted with from Rupert, ID. Fun conversations. There are 62 people on the boat, which is only about 50% of its capacity....good for us, not so good for the company. They have only recently resumed operations after the Covid shutdown.

Tomorrow, the captain reports that we will shove off at 6:30am to spend the day sailing. We will be passing through three locks, so it's bound to be interesting.

Our cabin is tiny but quite comfortable. These ships don't have balconies, but the top half of the large window slides down so you feel outside.