LISBON, PORTUGAL

Friday, May 24th
     Our Captain said in his usual PA when departing a port that in the early morning hours on way up to Lisbon we may encounter some rougher seas.  We are now sailing in the Atlantic Ocean so kind of expect that.  Well he was right, because around 1:30am we started "rocking and rolling".  It's now 9:30am and we are still moving about pretty good.  Guess we have been spoiled as this is really first heavy seas we have had since leaving Beijing in mid March.

     We are scheduled to be tied up at pier in Lisbon by 1pm.  We have a 4 hour "Lisbon Highlights" tour this afternoon.  We have been to Lisbon a couple of times before but have not seen the city.  We just got off cruise ships and took taxi directly to the airport or visa versa.  It's sunny now but temperature here in ocean is 57F this morning.  Hopefully it warms up some.  Forecast high calls for 77F and sunny skies.
     Lisbon is the capital and largest city in Portugal with a population of just over 500,000.  If you include the metropolitan area the population is 3 million.  Interestingly, Lisbon is the westernmost large city and westernmost capital city in Europe and only capital along the Atlantic coast.  It is the oldest city in western Europe.  Back in the 15th to 17th centuries Portuguese expeditions left from Lisbon including Vasco da Gama's expedition to India in 1497.  Today it is the country's chief seaport.  Lisbon is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism.
     It is now just after 9pm and we are still in Lisbon.  We were suppose to sail at 7pm but apparently one of our mooring lines got wrapped around one of our propellers as we left the pier.  So they had to call in some divers to go down and check it out.  They will have to get it untangled before we can leave here.  This could be a lengthy delay.  We dined up in Sette Mari and had some Italian food for dinner this evening.  Now we are back in suite and I am working on blog and Rebecca is calling people back in States.  We may go back down as is Beatles Night in Horizon Lounge after I get this posted.
     Tomorrow we are "suppose" to be in Oporto, Portugal at 9:30am.  With this delay who know IF or WHEN we will get there.  I got more great photos today so hope you can figure out how to "cut & paste" them on browser.

                                                        Taken with telephoto lens

                                                          Sailing up Tagus Rive

 Belem Tower--These towers were on both sides of the river and acted as a gateway to Lisbon and defense system at mouth of the Tagus River.  Tower on other side is gone.

 Monument to Discovers--Monument to Portuguese navigators.  Henry The Navigator is at front of this one.

 Named "April 25th Bridge" As that is date back in 1974 when democracy was restored to Portugal.

    Resembles Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco as built by same American company.

                                                     Old fortress at top of hill

                                                             Old part of Lisbon

 Everything was destroyed in a 1755 earthquake so all this was new built since then.  This is where old port was and ships were unloaded here by this square.

                                                    This is where we will dock

 Christ the King Statue--It is as tall as the hill it sits on and is replica of the one in Rio de Janerio in Brazil.

              General photos of city.  There are hundreds of museums and gobs of churches!

                                                           One of many monuments

                                                 Next few photos are of Rosio Square

                                                                    Train Station

                                                           Tram up the hill

Very wide boulevard.  Just one side as another equally as wide on other side.  All the upscale stores on it.

                                                Bullfighting ring built in early 1900's

 This is old aquaduct that supplied Lisbon with water.  Now not used for drinking but used for water in city fountains.

                                                              One of many churches

                                          This is the Maritime Museum that we toured.

                                                     Guards of Presidential Palace

 This is Jeronimos Monastery a 16th century architectural masterpiece.  It took 100 years to construct.

                                             This is where Vasco de Gama's remains are

                             There's going to be a NBA basketball deal here this weekend.

                                                                  Tower Of Belem

                                      Monument of plane that flew from Portugal to Brazil

                                                               "Monument of Discovers"

                                 Henry the Navigator at front with followers on ship behind.

                                                  Their version of Golden Gate Bridge

                                                       Our friends Donna & Roland

                                                         One of many churches

    Top right building is old Royal Palace when there was dictator ruling.  it is a museum now.

Cut & paste to your browser to view photos but all are on post.

https://goo.gl/photos/xmGzbMQjX7Dt2aYw6