River of Gold Viking River Cruise
Day 7: Thursday, November 14, 2024 - Braca d'Alva, Portugal
The day's statistics:
- Weather: low 60s
- Steps: 8,368 Linda; 10,064 Steve (including any pre-trip / leaving home steps)
- Miles traveled (approximately): 160
We awoke to some lifting fog - though the effect on the mountains was interesting.
The waterway was very narrow - and would get narrower on the otherside of the next lock.
At about 8:30 we entered the Lock of Valeira - one of the deepest locks in Europe at 32 meters (about 100 feet).
Most lock systems, like this one, have a hydrolic-power portion to the damn too - which helps contribute to the 60%+
green energy the country produces.
The gap between the top deck and the road over the lock was so short that the crewman on the top deck had to duck.
The waterway in this area was very narrow - so narrow that unlike most other rivers, two way traffic isn't possible.
So a ship traveling schedule is very important, including the locks.
Shortly after the lock and the narrow passage, where the river opened up a bit, on the side was an enscription that read:
"Since the beginning of time, nature had an obstable here, but man prevailed."
Tamara was providing a commentary about the river, locks, and the inscription - which was the highlight.
After being out on the deck for about an hour, it was time to seek refuge inside - and some warmth.
But the scenic sailing continued. There is a railway running on the left side (from this perspective) of the river.
Another few minutes down the river we came across a small dock in a rather isolated area.
This dock was near a bridge that crossed the river. While these two seem to be unrelated - and they generally are -
the reason they were brought up together was because there was a time in the previous year where a Viking ship had to
moor at that little dock because the water level was too high for the ship to fit. To make matters worse, there is very
little cell service in this spot too. So the Program Manager and other relevant staff had to make arrangements for
assistance while "hanging over the side of the railing because that was the only way to get cell service". Eventually
it was all worked out.
Are WE going to fit under there?!!?
The bridge had very little clearance as we passed under it, with the crewman having to duck - again - as we passed
under (he received a round of applause after we cleared the bridge - or was everyone cheering the fact that we cleared
the bridge?!!?). He had a stick that was used to measure the height clearance. I don't know how quickly the ship could
stop if it had to because the stick hit the bridge. But that isn't my job.
After the bridge, we continued on.
When I went to get a cup of coffee from the machine, I passed the display that had the lunch menu on it.
Our pinochle game was interrupted at 10:15 for a cooking demonstration with the chef making some pastel de data -
the same custard dessert we had at the end of our Flavors of Lisbon excursion three days prior.
At 11:00 was a Discover the World of Viking presentation where other cruises are teased. Having been on a few other
Viking cruises already, we were there more to fill the time - and because we were already in the lounge.
At the end of the presentation, we were given shots of Ginja [cherry] wine in little chocolate cups - about the size
of half a thumb - to sample.
The ship made a brief pause in Pacinho to drop off the passengers going on the Marialva Castle & Lunch excursion.
We weren't part of that group and at 12:30 we headed to the dining room for lunch.
We had lunch with Nan.
Linda had the cream of broccoli, proscuitto & buffalo mozarella foccaccia (not pictured), and seasonal fruit cup.
I had the cream of broccoli, BBQ baby back ribs (also not pictured), and banana split.
Around 2:15 the ship arrived in Barca d'Alva.
At 2:30 we departed for our afternoon excursion Castelo Rodrigo.
We took a bus ride into the mountains. The portugese plant on the mountain sides because space is
limited and they need to use all the space that is available. There were also some Roman ruins in the mountains.
We finally arrived at the town.
But our final destination was the castle on the top of the hill.
The bus dropped us off right at the opening to the complex. We began with a guided walking tour.
There was a very small, old church called
Igreja Paroquial de Castelo Rodrigo (Parish Church of Castelo Rodrigo) or Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rocamador (Our Lasy of Rocamador Church
While it may not be compeltely evident from the pictures (due to camera settings and or post manipulation), it was rather dark inside the
church and photography was rather difficult (if these were professional shots, I'd've used a tripod, perhaps additional
lighting, and left the shutter open longer, and I'd've had more time too) resulting in dark and or a little blurry images.
One house had the pilgrimage to Santiago symbol on the side. I believe this was the fourth sighting in a different city so far.
These doors are as short as they [may] look.
This was done as protection because the only way to enter the residence is to duck, head first. So an enemy
entering the residence is thus vulnerable to a beheading - ar attempted one - as they tried to break in.
The old jail.
The beads help keep the bugs out when the doors are left open.
After our guided tour, we were given a half hour of free time to do any additional touring or shopping
we wanted, then we had to meet by the cemetary where the buses were parked at 4:30 .
We boarded the bus and headed back whence we came. Mostly. But of coourse it was starting to get dark already too.
An original Roman bridge.
At 5:15 we arrived back at the ship.
We returned to our cabin and shed the usual items, and freshened up a bit.
After relaxing a few minutes, we headed to the lounge.
On the way we passed the menu screen now showing the dinner menu.
But before going to the lounge, we took a quick detour to the sundeck for a couple minutes.
We grabbed a cup of coffee and found a seat in the lounge, and relaxed a bit more before the 6:45 port talk.
We ate with Judy and Gary.
Tonights was not the usual menu night as tonight, like our preivous Taste of Germany, was Taste of Portugal with a full buffet.
Linda had a plate, maybe two.
I had three or four or five.
We enjoyed some fresh proscutto; salad, tomato and goat cheese; olives; fried patties of cod, shrimp, and fish; Portugese
stew; sausage; herring; and more. Dessert consisted of rice pudding; bread pudding; pastel de nata; and more.
Tonight was one of the few nights where we enjoted a live performance that wasn't just the pianist in the lounge.
Tonight we also saw the Flamenco Dance group Solearte.