With only about 10 passengers on board, it was a particularly easy morning for us. All the other 120 or so were off on Porto optionals that we have been fortunate to complete at our leisure before joining our cruise. So it was a late breakfast, time on the foredeck with a coffee, then a quick "swim" on the Sun Deck, before a wander along the river to an upstream river beach.
Back for lunch, and again it was magnificent, as was the wine (breakfast was average). Took the transfer Rabelo boat back to old town Porto in the afternoon (our quay is about 600m upstream). Just took a stroll along the river, watching the local kids jump in off the walls and steps and visited one more church - quite wonderful, but doesn't even make it into the guide books.
Then we visited a musuem on an old Roman site which, during its subsequent history, had been a 14th century Customs House as well as the property where Henry the Navigator was reputedly born. Naturally, much is given over to Henry who was a driving force, and significant funder of the Portuguese journeys of discovery. Had another seniors "win" with free entry (and sadly without having to produce evidence!!). One great piece of history was a near fully formed anchor dated to the Romans (around 6BC) and only found in the Duoro river in 1995.
It appears that there are only about 12 "english only" passengers, and we may be the only Australians. Less formal and regimemented than other river cruises we have been on.
Beautiful french cuisine again for dinner and with wonderful Portuguese wines. Finished the night with a fado music show - quite haunting music.
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