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
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
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