Port Power

The gardens were just lovely. We had fifteen minutes to stroll around before leaving. There is a small river running through the property. This was beautified by making a tiled canal and pagoda. During summer the ends of the canal would be closed, forming a pool. Gondolas were placed on the water for people to float back and forth for amusement.

There are still occasional problems adding photos and editing posts. When I moved to my phone to add the photos, the first line of description disappeared. I think it can easily be seen those first two photos are of the ballroom, also known as the throne room and the mirror room.

The view from the ballroom The music room A soup tureen that is prett cute. There were some lovely dishes on display. This room opens onto the terrace and gardens, and the walls are all tiled. The scenes are from countries around the world. The Ambassadors’ room, where ambassadors presented themselves to the king and queen. Royal seats at one end, then the ambassadors would have to walk backwards to their seats. Some lovely Chinoiserie pots

You cannot do anything until you have the record locator. From various other threads on this subject, that might only become available a matter of weeks before the flights. Silversea has the ability to hold seats for a long time. However, when you go into “manager my booking” you will see the flight details are there. That will give you the information you are after about class of flight. You cannot make any adjustments or seat selection until they seats are actually ticketed.

A section of the palace (on the left) is still used for important visitors, one of most recent being Queen Elizabeth II. Maybe it isn’t used as much or more recently as our guide said? This is the servants’ quarters and stable complex.

Sunday, 26 November, 2023. Lisbon On our second day in Lisbon, I went on a tour to the Royal Palace of Queluz and Ericeira Village. Lisbon was a monarchy from 1143 until 1910. It has had the same land border since 1249, one of the few countries in Europe that has kept its same borders for such a long time through history.It is the second oldest capital city in Europe after Athens, and one of the oldest cities overall. It was a nice drive out of Lisbon to the summer palace. Along the way we pass under an aqueduct. Not from Roman times, but opened in 1740 to bring water from the hills down to Lisboa.

In Copenhagen, an absolute must see is the architecturally fascinating opera house. The ship might do a tour. Otherwise book it yourself. Next June I will be staying at the Grand Hotel in Oslo pre-cruise with the tour group. I’ll have my fingers crossed @highplanesdrifters. And earplugs packed! On my own dime for three nights prior, I have booked the Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret. It is near the opera house and the port.

Have a great cruise @mysty and Myster. Enjoy yourselves. Don’t try to report from every port along the way.

On the way out of the dock on the boat, we saw an area where a ship and a yacht/ schooner were tied up. It looked like a place where they might be renovated. One of these ships wore a very familiar name. The next day, 26th, we had a new neighbour tied up in front of Silver Dawn. Wasn’t that the quickest makeover ever!!!

There was a neighbour at the port. Celebrity Infinity, a medium sized ship these days. I took these photos coming back, and couldn’t help laugh at the first one where the angle makes Silver Dawn look to tiny next to Infinity.

When most of the passengers had disembarked, our tour set off at 10:00am. There was a bus ride around town showing the highlights, and then a Tagus River cruise. Two bus loads of passengers were on the boat, but only about 50 people in all over two and a half decks. It was a foggy morning still, which made for some interest views and photographs.

Saturday, 25 November, 2023. Lisbon.

And now to the highlight of the trip. A local flamenco dance troupe came aboard to perform that evening in the Venetian Lounge. There were three musicians: drummer, vocalist and guitarist. There were five dancers. This was a wonderful show! Superb! The internet is not allowing photos to load at the moment, so I will try again later.

The ship was in Cadiz overnight. I cancelled the second day’s tour, which was the same bus trip around Cadiz and on to Jerez, this time for sherry tasting. As this had been a busy, port-intensive cruise, I felt a sleep in was deserved 😴💤 and a sherry from the bar later. 🍷

I don’t know how the post was duplicated, nor can I delete it. Never mind. Those horses are worth seeing twice! 😀

Yes, it was. Except that photos could be taken! I was at a performance of the Spanish Riding School only a few weeks ago.

In Australian, domestic aircraft have economy and business classes. You don’t say where you are flying from/to in Australia? Sydney to Perth with Qantas could be a B737 with 12 (three rows 2x2) business class seats that are more like premium economy. An A330 will have business class capsule type seats. Darwin to Sydney could be the same choices. The business class seats will give you access to the the business class lounges at all airports. If you are flying Virgin, they only have B737s.

The main event was the Royal Equestrian School. It was founded in 1973 by a famous bullfighter who wanted to retain the tradition of horses in the bullring. I think the family name is Tomek. He had won the “golden horse” trophy and wanted to give back to the community. The family is very famous in Spain. The building is a 19th century palace, home of a duke. The arena is new, but looks older to blend in. The grounds are lovely. The School is now government owned. The school is to train riders to a professional level, particularly in dressage, and to teach how to train horses. The school makes their own saddles and tack. A veterinarian course is also held there. In summer there are two performances a week. This last horse was amazing! He holds that foreleg up and rotates on the other foreleg! You can see his rear hoof prints have made a circle in the sawdust. The whole performance, 90 minutes with an interval, was amazing. There is an annual fair in Jerez dedicated to horses. People dress up in their flamenco dances and riding outfits. There are riding horses and carriages. Everything equine!

The main event was the Royal Equestrian School. It was founded in 1973 by a famous bullfighter who wanted to retain the tradition of horses in the bullring. I think the family name is Tomek. He had won the “golden horse” trophy and wanted to give back to the community. The family is very famous in Spain. The building is a 19th century palace, home of a duke. The arena is new, but looks older to blend in. The grounds are lovely. The School is now government owned. The school is to train riders to a professional level, particularly in dressage, and to teach how to train horses. The school makes their own saddles and tack. A veterinarian course is also held there. In summer there are two performances a week. This last horse was amazing! He holds that foreleg up and rotates on the other foreleg! You can see his rear hoof prints have made a circle in the sawdust. The whole performance, 90 minutes with an interval, was amazing. There is an annual fair in Jerez dedicated to horses. People dress up in their flamenco dances and riding outfits. There are riding horses and carriages. Everything equine!

Jerez is, of course, the home of sherry! Most famous is Tio Pepe. There is a lovely statue outside the winery. The whole production area is huge! There is another producer also very big a bit further away.

We started off with a walking tour around Jerez, along the old city walls and the Jerez Cathedral that was built on top of a previous mosque. It was built in the 18th century as a cathedral, but was not dedicated a cathedral until the 1980s.

With respect, I do believe this has become far off topic from my trip report.

Oh, how cynical! 🙂 With my invitations, there has actually been odd numbers. Another solo and myself; one couple and two solos plus one or two crew. It has always been an interesting night and I don’t try to analyse the selection process.