Olá!
That's how you say hello in Portuguese.
I'm currently sailing on the Doura River in Portugal on the inaugural sailing of Avalon Waterway's new ship, Alegria. She makes a great first impression. The ship has capacity for 102 passengers, and this VIP sailing is about half full.
I'm excited to be sharing this trip with my niece on her first river cruise. We've just been on board for a couple hours, but have already cleared one set of locks. It's an amazing feat of engineering, and I'm impressed every time. We're looking forward to exploring some of the small towns along the river and tasting port and Portuguese wines.
It's been a hectic three weeks of travel, so when I get home next week I'll be ready to rest up and relax. I've got lots of writing and research to get done, so will be glued to my chair and keyboard.
Till next time --
Mary Jo & Tony
Have You Read:
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Review: Royal Clipper Sailing the Windward Islands
Turquoise waters and pristine beaches, coral reefs and the rhythmic sway of palm trees, lilting patois and new discoveries – the diversity of the Caribbean islands make for a diverse Caribbean cruise experience. On a tall ship sailing experience onboard the Royal Clipper, we found an idyllic balance of relaxation and exploration as we visited Caribbean islands new to us.
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Beer Travel: How to Plan a Craft
Beer Vacation
The concept of a craft beer vacation is no longer limited to a pub crawl. It’s now a full-fledged travel experience, combining the love of beer with the joy of exploration. Beer-centric vacations offer a taste of the world’s finest brews, along with a deep dive into the art of brewing.
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Caribbean Sipping: Barbados Rum Punch (with recipe)
You can find it everywhere in Barbados – restaurants, rum shops, cocktail stands on the beach, bottled and in stores, and served as a welcome drink in many hotels. The rum punch, also called Bajan Rum Punch, is not only a popular cocktail but also an important part of the island’s culture and hospitality.
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Here's what else is going on:
Traveling: Douro River, Portugal
Cruising with Avalon Waterways through the beautiful Douro Valley, discovering small towns and wonderful wine.
Reading: Cork Boat by John Pollack
Most people have childhood dreams; few ever pursue them. At the age of 34, John Pollack quit a prestigious speechwriting job on Capitol Hill to pursue an idea he had harbored since the age of six: to build a boat out of wine corks and take it on an epic journey.
I chose this book because I'd be sailing on the Douro. The author launched his cork boat on the Douro and I wanted to know all about it. While I'm sailing in quite a bit more luxury, I admire the effort. I know that he launched the boat, but am not sure what happens after that. I've got to finish reading it to find out.
If you missed the link to my 7th annual travel reading challenge, here's another chance. The list of new prompts, 30 in total - 24 basic and 6 advanced - can be found here. Join in! This is also where I keep track of what I've read for the year.
I'm reading this book for the prompt A Book About a Quest.
Watching: The Gentlemen (Netflix)
An action-comedy spin-off from a movie of the same name. After inheriting a sizable estate and a title, the protagonist learns there is a grow operation keeping the whole thing afloat. I'm only a couple of episodes into it, so am reserving judgment for now.
Listening: Cowboy Carter, Beyonce
Can Bey successfully cross over into country music? Time will tell, but her new release is breaking all sorts of records on Spotify.
SPONSOR: Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises yachts provide an intimate experience, with luxuries of time, space, and freedom, to immerse yourself in the journey and the destination. Each yacht carries between 148 and 342 guests, creating an extraordinary cruise experience. We'll be sailing on the Star Breeze next month as the ship moves to Tahiti
