Portimao, Portugal..........................

October 6, 2019

Sunrise 7:33 am

Early Mist and 82F

Arriving in port early morning, Portimao's busy marina - already a brilliant blue sky - and 

by 8:30 am we were aboard the coaches and heading out on the morning tour.

Only for the truly brave - walking on the windy cliffs of Cabo de. S. Vicente.

Our guys, Rob and Bob at the Cabo de Sao Vincente lighthouse

situated on the most south-westerly extremity of Europe and watching over 

busy shipping lanes. It's one of Europe's brightest lighthouses and can

 be seen from some sixty miles away!

Outdoor dining as only the Europeans can do it - waiting for the lunch crowd.

Shopping opportunity in Lagos.

A very warm 82F and a brilliant blue sky while visiting Lagos, Sagres and
 Cabo de. S. Vincente (Cape St. Vincent).

Prince Henry the Navigator - born 1394

This statue commemorates the 'prince of Portugal', regarded as an originator

 of the Age of Discovery and the Atlantic slave trade, and who used Lagos as

 a launch pad for many of the expeditions he commissioned. It was inaugurated

 in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of his death.

We headed back to the ship for our lunch. On most days, when aboard, we dined 

(as did the majority of the passengers) on the open Lido Deck where the always 

amazing buffet was served. . . . . .and relaxing and chatting was so enjoyable.

A more formal served lunch was also available in the dining room but we

 much preferred eating outside in the sunshine and watching passing boat traffic.

Next port of call takes us back to a favorite place in Spain!

Portugal 2019 - Embarkation and a little sightseeing -

WELCOME ABOARD!

Returning to beautiful Portugal was exciting, however not much time was spent

 in Lisbon as it was just the jumping off point for the cruise on the Hebridean Sky

 which took us 2,197 nautical miles to visit five countries!

After a quick 'sightseeing' zip around the busy city via motor coach, we and our

 group who had all flown together from London, unloaded at the dock. 

We boarded within minutes, were taken to our cabin (which was like returning

 home as we had the same one on this ship last year on the Patagonia/Chile 

expedition), our luggage appeared immediately, and within half an hour we were

 doing the required safety drill in the lounge area and ready for champagne and

 the Sail-Away!

As you can see, Hebridean Sky is a small ship compared to the German

mega cruise ship docked ahead of us. It probably had several thousand 

passengers whereas we were just 110 making embarkation so quick and easy.

 Another fun thing was seeing familiar faces among the ship's fabulous 

crew - and that they remembered us!

Sail-Away on the River Tagus heading to the Atlantic Ocean and a short

overnight sail of just 157 nautical miles to Portimao in southern Portugal's 

Algarve region.

The Monument of the Discoveries

Here's the link to our former visit to Lisbon a few years ago

where you can enjoy better photos taken when we had more time

in that lovely city.

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; 

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sails shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.......................

John Masefield 1878-1967

A ship in the desert!

Some of you have asked where we are off to next.

I promised to share our upcoming trip so will do so now as time is getting short.

Leaving in early October for exotic places, some old and some new.

This will be another expedition on the Noble Caledonia ship, MS Hebridean Sky.

We were on this same ship last year when we traveled to Patagonia and the 

Chilean Fjords. Passengers usually number around 120 on these smaller

 expedition ships. Again, we'll be with our California friends, meeting up

 with them in London for the flight to Lisbon where the ship will be waiting.

Our itinerary will take us to Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara

 the Cape Verde Islands, and then back to London.

Imperial City of Taroudant, Morocco - past capital of the Saadian dynasty

This trip will include adventures in the Western Sahara desert, one of the least

 populated regions of the world.

What on earth does one wear to tea time in the desert?

Shall I be practical in linen pants and breezy tunic top, or throw caution to the

 desert winds and wear the zebra print kaftan? 

Must throw in a broad-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for certain.

A long, silky scarf perhaps, just in case there's a sandstorm brewing and I 

need to wind it around my head!

Laayoune Desert, Western Sahara

Afternoon tea in the desert with a nomadic tribe actually is part of the expedition

(and how I wish my very special 'tea friend' Marilyn in Portland, Oregon could be

 with me to enjoy that). 

Riding to the top of the sand dunes in 4X4 vehicles is also on the itinerary. . .

that long scarf may be required there.

MS Hebridean Sky

Photos via Noble Caledonia

I need help with packing for the Sahara Desert if you've ever been there - or at 
least some suggestions if you want to humor me. . . . . .please!

Sailing to Chile. . . . . . . . .

Cape Horn, Chile

March 9, 2018

51F Cloudy, rain possible

Our embarkation on the Noble Caledonia "Hebridean Sky" went very smoothly with luggage awaiting in a spacious cabin maintained by Ms. Andy, who kept us neat and tidy and replenished the tissue boxes often when I came down with the beastly cold! After the welcome briefing, usual lifeboat drill and Zodiac briefing, we set sail for Puerto Williams where we anchored for clearance into CHILE and took our two Chilean Pilots on-board---they stayed with us the entire voyage to keep us safe. After formalities were completed we continued towards Cape Horn.

"The evening was calm and bright, and we enjoyed a fine view of the surrounding isles. Cape Horn however demanded his tribute, and before night sent us a gale of wind directly in our teeth. We stood out to sea, and on the second day again made the land, when we saw on our weather-bow this notorious promontory in its proper form - veiled in mist, and its dim outline surrounded by a storm of wind and water."

Charles Darwin's journal description of Cape Horn

Charles Darwin, in The Voyage of the Beagle, a journal of the five-year expedition upon which he based The Origin of Species, described his 1832 encounter with the Horn.

Early morning arrival - thankfully a beautiful day with quite calm sea and sunshine - how lucky we were.

The cape lies within Chilean territorial waters, and the Chilean Navy maintains a station on Horn Island, consisting of a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse. A short distance from the main station is a memorial, including a large sculpture by Chilean sculptor José Balcells featuring the silhouette of an albatross, in remembrance of the sailors who died while attempting to "round the Horn". It was erected in 1992 through the initiative of the Chilean Section of the Cape Horn Captains Brotherhood.The terrain is entirely treeless, although quite lush owing to frequent precipitation. 

On arrival off Cape Horn, our Captain, in cooperation with the Chilean Pilots and 

our expedition leader Jane, assessed weather and sea conditions for Zodiac landings.

Above shows expedition team members heading ashore to determine all is OK

 for a safe landing. . . . . . . the beautiful Albatross memorial visible on the hill. . . . . . 

. . . . . and preparing for the 167 stair climb up the cliff!

View as we climbed the stairs, the ship at anchor, water quite flat, and a beautiful sunny morning to explore.

More steps to the memorial. . . . . . . 

We met the Chilean lighthouse keeper and his wife - the children were studying.

When asked if the children liked living there he told us they have already requested he 

sign on for another 2 year posting when this one is completed!

- The Chapel -

This first stop on our expedition voyage to the Chilean fjords  was going to be

 hard to beat - such a pleasant day as the strong winds and 

big sea swells stayed away. . . . . . 

. . . . . and we sailed away to dress up a bit for the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party

 followed by an excellent Welcome Dinner.

Next day we would be cruising through the majestic sea, ice and landscape of 

Garibaldi Fjord.

FIN DEL MUNDO - here we come. . . . . . .

. . . . . .soon we'll be leaving on our expedition trip, starting from
 Ushuaia, Argentina  - fin del mundo, the end of the world!

Not quite as far south as Antarctica this time, but far enough to view
 snow-capped mountains and glaciers, some amazing scenery, wildlife,
 and of course birds . . . . . . my dream is to see an Andean condor in flight!

Fortunately, sailing from Ushuaia, the rounding of the turbulent seas of 
Cape Horn will be via the Beagle Channel so hoping we'll not be tossed too
 badly. Bob has loaded up on seasickness pills but we're hoping for smooth
 sailing! It will be his first time riding on Zodiacs so packing waterproofs and
 warm clothing for life on a cold sea, is all part of this new experience for him.

I made this little map to give you an idea of our route.  

Starting from Raleigh, NC to Argentina via Dallas, TX - where we'll
 meet up with our friends, Paula, Kim & Rob, coming from San Francisco.
The overnight flight is long, arriving in Buenos Aires the next morning.

In Buenos Aires we join the group sailing with us, 120 passengers, and the
 expedition team. The crew will be waiting with the ship in Ushuaia.

 With two nights in Buenos Aires, a fun city, we'll have time for sightseeing
 and practicing our tango dancing before flying to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego -
see more about my previous visit here -  the southernmost city in the world which
 was also the jump off point when I sailed to Antarctica in 2013.

In Ushuaia we embark the beautiful Hebridean Sky. As we sail away on the
 evening tide to Chile, views such as this will be waiting as we visit the fjords,
 national parks, small coastal towns and villages, and islands.
  Hoping for good weather, smooth water for Zodiac rides, and sunshine
 for good photos to share with you later!

"Hasta luego"