Trip with F's on a BP. Firsts, family, Food and Fun.

[drron]

Dinner on the last night was at the Grill on the pool Deck. We usually do he Hot Rocks but tonight we let the kitchen do the cooking. And they did it just as we like. So the menu.




And the complimentary Wines for the night. Easy drinking.


Compare to the price of the Connoisseur Wine list. And their prices are in USD.


Leuwin Estate. $147 = $A 226. In Australia easy to find ~ 155.
St Henri. $190 + $A 292. even at Penfolds - 135.
Tell em their dreaming.
Now prior to Covid the premium wines were often great value. About 7 years ago I was paying ~ $A35 a bottle. They only ad 3 bottles so I bagged them all.
Now to the food. I started with the spicy pasta, feta and avocado started which was nice


M rsdrron had the NZ lamb chops that we would call cutlets. Added the sweet potato fries.


And I had the fillet steak with sweet potatoes and battered mushrooms.


And cooked just about perctly. A little lrss would be perfection.


Ice cream for dessert.


The ship had left the port as we started dinner. Unfortunately the restaraunt seating part of the pool deck on either side is enclosed in glss which was a bit dirty. But here we go anyway.

 

[drron]

Lunch on that day was rather unusual. We were invited to lunch with the Captain. We don't turn down an invitation like thateven though it was the last day of the voyage and lunch not dinner. Also unusual it was the same group we had at the Officers dinner in La Terazza. It turned out we had all had at least 6 voyages with the Captain. I also had usually mentioned him n a positive way in the Voyage questionares. He is genuinely liked by the crew. on one prevous cruise I just couldn't sleep so got up at 0530 and started walking laps. You look down on the pool deck and the staff were putting out the deck chairs and restaurnt furniture. Captain Kulas walked out and started putting out the furniture as well.
We dined in Atlantide. I go to take the menu before the captain arrived bu only 1 other photo.




I had the howder and it was much better this time as was the Stroganoff.


I managed to squeeze in the cheese cake.
The last day there were 2 putting sessions and I placed first then second.
But in the trivia our little team won by the proverbial mile with a perfect score. We didn't even have to guess any answers.

 

[drron]

We never miss the Captain's farewell and the crew parde. Tonight several crew were being recognised for their service.






He likeed my quip when we entered so used it o stage. Never trust a skinny chef.






The butlers. The women from Africa are excellent




















And you get to see and acknowledge those who work out of sight of the passengers.

 

[drron]

Our final meal and we went back to Atlantide.




Mrsdrron had the mushroom tartar e and said it was ice,


I had the Assiete of duck and a pasta dish from the everyday m enu.




Mrsdrron had the scallops for main.


I had the most reliable dish the fillet steak.




Mrdron's dessert I have forgotten.

I had a plate of Gorganzola and the dessert of the day.

 

[drron]

We awoke in Lisbon. We were to be out of our suite by 0830. I doubt we were out of bed by that time except fo the excursion to Normandy Beaches
Through back the curtains and lisbon was puting on an awesom welcome show for us.








































We left our suite on time. I picked up a breakfast baguette from Arts cafe and then sat in the Dolce Vita lounge until 1030 and went and picked up our bag.

 

[drron]

After collecting our bag we went out to the street to wait where the taxis pick up. There was a crowd waiting b ut most got into 2 vans that arrived and obviously ordered. We were now 4th in line. Unfortunately that still tok nearly half an hour. What appeared to be a regular taxi pulled up and we hopped in. Did they tell you it's a 45 Euro fixed fare. No. I noted that there was no meter. Ah well it's too late now and with my mobility problems what are we going to do anyway.
The car was a Lodgy. more appropriate if the L became a D. And he was a poor driver wandering over lines, through 5 red lights and obviously taking us on a long detour. I don't understand why if it was a fixed fare. Fortunately we survived and fortunately i had 45 Euros to pay him with. It was good to walk into the IC Lisbon again.

It was now about 1130 and a little early for check in. We waited in the lounge and had a cup of coffee.


Just after 12 we were told our room was ready. But in the lounge the fellow said you should come to afternoon tea but you have to book at Reception so before going to the room I asked if we could book afternoon tea. She said yes., I will book you in for tomorrow. i said what about today. sorry you need to book before midday. So we didn't bother with afternoon tea.
So the room.










And the views.












And as well as a fruit bowl we were delivered some sweets.

 

[VPS]

After collecting our bag we went out to the street to wait where the taxis pick up. There was a crowd waiting b ut most got into 2 vans that arrived and obviously ordered. We were now 4th in line. Unfortunately that still tok nearly half an hour. What appeared to be a regular taxi pulled up and we hopped in. Did they tell you it's a 45 Euro fixed fare. No. I noted that there was no meter. Ah well it's too late now and with my mobility problems what are we going to do anyway.
The car was a Lodgy. more appropriate if the L became a D. And he was a poor driver wandering over lines, through 5 red lights and obviously taking us on a long detour. I don't understand why if it was a fixed fare. Fortunately we survived and fortunately i had 45 Euros to pay him with. It was good to walk into the IC Lisbon again.

It was now about 1130 and a little early for check in. We waited in the lounge and had a cup of coffee.
View attachment 477094

Just after 12 we were told our room was ready. But in the lounge the fellow said you should come to afternoon tea but you have to book at Reception so before going to the room I asked if we could book afternoon tea. She said yes., I will book you in for tomorrow. i said what about today. sorry you need to book before midday. So we didn't bother with afternoon tea.
So the room.
View attachment 477095

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And the views.
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And as well as a fruit bowl we were delivered some sweets.
View attachment 477106

An Uber from the Lisbon port would have probably cost about 10 euro max.

 

[drron]

An Uber from the Lisbon port would have probably cost about 10 euro max.

But where's the fun in that.
So back to the TR. After settling in I went for a walk. Up the hill to an old jail. It is still in use as the Central Lisbon Prison.
First the walk up the hill.





Quite a few jacarandas.


Under the tree on the right side of the picture you can see some young fellows. They were trying to out do each other on the equipment as well as showing their muscles. I sat and watched for 30 minutes - actually to take some plane photos as they approached LIS. As I was about to go a young slightly built woman and she showed them how to do things. On the overhead bar it was easy and without much effort lifted herself up with her arms completely above the bar. she then swung around and did a handstand on the bar and finally a perfect dismount. I had a good giggle.

Now behind the tree is the prison. And now several pictures.














It certainly looks beautiful in parts but apparently it is one of the worst prisons to find yourself in.

Prison Conditions and Misconduct in Portugal

Despite Portugal having a remarkably low prison population — currently 118 per 100,000 individuals — the country is still plagued with police misconduct and issues over the treatment of prisoners. All of Europe is under strict review of policies from the European Committee for the Prevention of Tort

www.msuilr.org

 

[VPS]

But where's the fun in that.
So back to the TR. After settling in I went for a walk. Up the hill to an old jail. It is still in use as the Central Lisbon Prison.
First the walk up the hill.

View attachment 477159

View attachment 477160

Quite a few jacarandas.
View attachment 477161

Under the tree on the right side of the picture you can see some young fellows. They were trying to out do each other on the equipment as well as showing their muscles. I sat and watched for 30 minutes - actually to take some plane photos as they approached LIS. As I was about to go a young slightly built woman and she showed them how to do things. On the overhead bar it was easy and without much effort lifted herself up with her arms completely above the bar. she then swung around and did a handstand on the bar and finally a perfect dismount. I had a good giggle.

Now behind the tree is the prison. And now several pictures.
View attachment 477162

View attachment 477163

View attachment 477164

View attachment 477165

View attachment 477166

View attachment 477167

View attachment 477168

It certainly looks beautiful in parts but apparently it is one of the worst prisons to find yourself in.

Prison Conditions and Misconduct in Portugal

Despite Portugal having a remarkably low prison population — currently 118 per 100,000 individuals — the country is still plagued with police misconduct and issues over the treatment of prisoners. All of Europe is under strict review of policies from the European Committee for the Prevention of Tort

www.msuilr.org

I was so embarrassed with the prices of uber in Lisbon I was giving them a tip equivalent to the fare and in cash. They were very happy

 

[drron]

And here are some of those plane shots.






And the jacaranda with still a few flowers.


Then it was time to get back to the IC for the drinks and canapes.
















And they bake these lovely little things.


And I couldn't resist the coconut rice pudding so found a bigger bowl.

 

[drron]

Breakfast is always in their breakfast restaurant for all guests. It is often Bedlam so today there was no hope of buffet pictures so what i helped myself to.




They also have a menu for hot dishes plus some others.




I had the eggs Benedict. Not too bad.


And of course this being Lisbon then breakfast finishes with these.

 

[drron]

In the afternoon I went for a walk down towards the waterfront going ona different route for some time compared with our last visit. Even had a chat with a few locals. mainly old men but at one point a couple of young women out walking with their father slowing me up even more. so first a few shots of the back streets.



Just after that picture i was waiting to cross a main street. An ambulance with sirens blaring was speeding up the hill. at the next intersection the lights were green for the ambulance and a fellow on an E-scooter came flying out on from the road on the right from the Ambulance. fortunately this gave the ambulance driver a few more seconds to respond. brilliant driving to miss the E-scooter but not loosing speed to continue his journey.
Continuing the journey. I turned left at this upcoming intersection. It was a very narrow street and in places next to no footpathes. But some lovely buildings. Most of my conversations were on this street.













And this little park with a little memorial which I think was a person very important to the local community.






And ending at one of the main roads Avenida De Liberdade.












I turned around here and headed back up the Avendida.

 

[drron]

And then a sad place. Where the Ascensor ga Gloria came to it's tragic end. I travelled up and down on it when we were in Lisbon last.






There was a market on. nothing that interested me.


















I was now at Marquis de Pombal Square and the figure on top is the Marquis who ruled Portugal from 1750-1777 and who supervised the restoration of lisbon after the destructive earthquake of 1755.