Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

[NorbertsNiece]

I only came here as it appeared within easy walking distance of the ship. As it turned out quite an amazing educational experience for me.

 

The National Pantheon-Church of Santa Engrácia, the only example of Baroque architecture in Portugal, stands in front of the Tagus, overlooking the historic area of the city, being an unmissable reference in the Lisbon skyline. 

 

Info from : https://www.panteaonacional.gov.pt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I climb the 181 steps to the terrace. There are points in the climb with spectacular internal views. The terrace provides fabulous views of Lisbon and the river below.

 

It is on the way down that I am stopped in my tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Lisbon contd

 

There was a small unsigned side room with four brilliant white sarcophagi inside. 

 

As I read the names inscribed on them I recognised one in particular. That of Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, nicknamed the "Black Panther", the "Black Pearl" or "O Rei". Eusébio was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time as well as Benfica's best player ever.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

It's at this point only now the penny has dropped and a bit of advanced research would not have gone amiss. Am running out of battery but Google the Pantheon and discover the apparent sarcophagi in the main body of the monument are in fact memorials and include Vasco da Gama(1460/1469?-1524) who was a great Portuguese navigator during the Age of Discoveries, he commanded the armada that would reach India by sea (1497-1498), opening up to the Portuguese one of their most prosperous eras and unprecedented maritime dominance.

 

Vasco da Gama was commissioned by D. Manuel I to lead the squadron bound for India, making him the first commander to undertake the journey by sea from Europe to Asia.

 

The reputation achieved by the Portuguese navigator in his eastern missions, managing to obtain important commercial concessions and founding Portuguese trading posts in India (Cochin and Cananor), led D. João III to appoint him governor of Portuguese India, with the title of viceroy, in 1524. He would die that same year, in Cochin, a victim of malaria.

 

His remains were transferred to Portugal, in 1538/1539, to the church of the Convent of Nossa Senhora das Relíquias, where they remained until 1880, when his remains were received in the Jerónimos Monastery on the occasion of the celebration of the tercentenary of the death of Luís de Camões.

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Another memorial of note was that to Henry the Navigator (1394-1460)

 

Fifth son of King D. João I and D. Filipa de Lencastre, was born in Porto on February 4, 1394.

 

He was one of the most important figures at the beginning of the Portuguese Discoveries, with his action being decisive in North Africa, in the conquests made, and in the Atlantic with the discovery of the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores and the recognition and establishment of commercial warehouses in the West African coast.

 

At the time of the his death, in 1460, the African coast had been explored up to what is now Sierra Leone.

 

D. Henrique (Henry) died on September 13, in the village of Sagres, aged 66. Provisionally buried in the now-disappeared church of Santa Maria da Graça in Lagos, his remains were transferred to the Monastery of Batalha in the Centro region of Portugal, where they remain in one of the parietal tombs of the Founder's Chapel.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I headed back to the ship by my usual downhill fashion. 

 

FYI the cruise terminal in Lisbon has shopping facilities which you can investigate before heading out.

 

Sailaway happened whilst we were at dinner so only managed a couple of pics through the Grill window.

 

 

 

 

 

[Banjo an]

Norbert’s Niece. You’ve done a Stirling job. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed your blog which for us Saga virgins has been really helpful. 
You never told us if the ship if full or not. Just over a week now till we leave for the Caribbean.

[FannyLiz]

10 minutes ago, Banjo an said:

 Just over a week now till we leave for the Caribbean.

 

SO excited ! What time are you being picked up Banjo ? I’m 11.45am to 12.15pm ( 76 miles from Portsmouth )  

[Banjo an]

15 minutes ago, FannyLiz said:

 

SO excited ! What time are you being picked up Banjo ? I’m 11.45am to 12.15pm ( 76 miles from Portsmouth )  

As soon as my wife returns from the hairdressers!!
8.55am actually.

[FannyLiz]

2 hours ago, Banjo an said:

As soon as my wife returns from the hairdressers!!
8.55am actually.

You either live a long way away or you are going to be there before the current cruisers get off !

[Banjo an]

14 minutes ago, FannyLiz said:

You either live a long way away or you are going to be there before the current cruisers get off !

250 miles away actually. 🍸

[Vivaldi]

3 hours ago, Banjo an said:

You never told us if the ship if full or not.

 

In an early post, NorbertsNiece did say that there were 949 passengers on board. The maximum capacity is 987.

 

It's been a brilliant blog NorbertsNiece. Very many thanks for it -but after you get home what will I have to look forward to each morning when I put the computer on?

[Windsurfboy]

7 hours ago, FannyLiz said:

 

SO excited ! What time are you being picked up Banjo ? I’m 11.45am to 12.15pm ( 76 miles from Portsmouth )  

 

4 hours ago, Banjo an said:

250 miles away actually. 🍸

 

Same cruise pick up 7.30 am , live 250 miles away but no motorwayjust A roads mainly single carriageway or we'd be there for breakfast 

[Brummijam]

1 hour ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

 

Same cruise pick up 7.30 am , live 250 miles away but no motorwayjust A roads mainly single carriageway or we'd be there for breakfast 

Fantastic blog, Thanks for sharing your trip with us all.👏🏻👏🏻

Keep well.

[NorbertsNiece]

14 hours ago, Vivaldi said:

 

In an early post, NorbertsNiece did say that there were 949 passengers on board. The maximum capacity is 987.

 

It's been a brilliant blog NorbertsNiece. Very many thanks for it -but after you get home what will I have to look forward to each morning when I put the computer on?

Hi 👋 thank you so much! In 6 weeks I'll be blogging again!! My signature will reflect the CC link. Sadly not with Saga as they cancelled a similar itinerary twice due to Covid and haven't reinstated it 😢

[LandC]

Thanks for your blog NorbertsNeice.  Antarctica with HAL on Oosterdam should be interesting, and very different to the Adriatic!

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 22 Final sea day, final day

 

Good morning everyone and thanks for being out there! It really helps to know you're reading and commenting.

 

Had a play with phone settings, probably not the right time to be practicing but it worked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[debs246]

Thank you so much @NorbertsNiece for your informative blog and excellent photos. I feel much better prepared for boarding the SoA for the first time in November - so excited! Safe travels home. 😊

[Windsurfboy]

Great blog thanks.

 

Great photos,  how come mine are always at a angle 

[FannyLiz]

6 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Great photos,  how come mine are always at a angle 

Take more soda water with it.

[NorbertsNiece]

Geoff won the GK quiz on his own with the tie breaker answer! 19/20 otherwise 👏👏

He was on his own as I was busy shopping at the Supercraft Cruises and Jolly Super Things sale of items 😉 

 

Back in the cabin there's a little SAGA Cruises Ltd. gift ❤️

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Almost at the English Channel. Am reliably informed aka Western Approaches.

 

 

[Banjo an]

Safe travels home Norbert’s Niece.

[NorbertsNiece]

The saddest sight you'll ever see on a cruise ship. We're all packed and watching the Variety Show featuring the guest artists as well as the ship cast. Lovely.

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

0600

Disembarkation day.

 

Good morning and thanks for following. 

 

Awake. Breakfast planned for 0630.

 

Our clocks went back an hour last night.

 

Ship currently turning to starboard in the harbour in order to park up.

 

I have so many thanks to give. Let's start with Ely our room steward. Quietly competent, ever smiling, helpful. A real asset to the housekeeping team.

 

Then there's Ajay, Christian and Johnson in the Grill. They couldn't do enough for me. Such a joy to be served by them.

 

Ship still turning. I need to get up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2023 by NorbertsNiece