Of Pilgrims and Seafarers

Quite many of us actually did not witness the first landing of the day: At 7am we dropped a  sizable part of our guests in Villagarcia, Spain, to take part in a whole-day land operation which led to the very famous pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, a hallmark of the European Catholicism. As crowded as it might be, there is a faszination to this sacred place that people find near impossible to ignore. That's on a normal day. Imagine our surprise to bump into the ceremoniy for the inauguration of the 800-year celebrations… Many more people there, all completely exited, especially when they did the "Abraza a sua Catedral", the group hugging of the famous cathedral. That was worth the long walk, indeed!

In the meantime, the others took it much more easy today, getting up just in time to catch breakfast while enjoying the scenic passage out of Villagarcia with hundreds and hundreds of slim, elegant boats that are tied up in the bay for the sake of clam cultivation, like a ceremonial defilée to honour MS FRAM on her way out.

On a calm ocean things went just veeeeery relaxed, attending some briefings and lectures that were picked suitably for the Portuguese/Spanish surroundings: History of Portuguese seafarers, Principles of Navigation, applied first by the aforementioned navigators, and Spanish art. Cap Finisterre lay far off in the distance; Spanish authorities did not allow us to pass close enough to take a peek. Inshallah. Only a little later, as it seemed, the landmark of the north-western tip of Spain appeared: The characteristic silhouette of the Hercules Tower, pointing skywards like a menacing finger. Only that this is no threat, but the worlds oldest lighthouse, commissioned by the Roman emperor Trajan and continously operated since almost 2000 years. It marks the entrance to La Coruña, friendly harbour town with beautiful architecture and uniquely glazed houses. 

While the "pilgrims" stormed on board to have dinner, the other party strolled to town to enjoy another mild evening in this small, but charming and vibrant place.

So everybody got his share and will certainly have a good nights sleep and be up and ready for our first full sea day.

A Portrait of Porto

A friendly weathergod spoils us in the morning, light breezes and sunshine accompany us all the way into Leixoes, the gateway to one of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto. The formerly used prefix "O"Porto is just the now redundant article, "The" Port. Whatever, we are here to see the sights, not to do grammar… The river Douro floats lazily under the big bridge that connects the old centre Ribeira with the rest of the city. To get a genuine impression of what this city's fame and riches were built upon, you better join the guided tour with the wine tasting. It's a real treat for eyes and all the other senses, and you can combine it with either a walking tour or even a Douro River cruise in one of the slim, traditional boats that populate the waters under the famous Dom Luis bridge.     However, quite many decided to explore the old, narrow and winding cobblestone alleys on their own. All they had to do was to catch a lift with the shuttle bus and then amble through the very pittoresque atmosphere, sneaking into a shop here, getting a sample of port wine there. And to benefit from an incredible warm, colourful day that offered far too many photo opportunities. (But then again, some can never get enough pictures...) A few of them we'd like to show you here without further explanations; just enjoy these shots as a leisurely declaration of sympathy to a beautiful city.

To new shores

Those of you who have followed the Blog recently will know that this is an important day: After three weeks on the open waters, after the crossing of the equator, after waves and waves and more waves, finally MV FRAM reaches the shores of Europe to start the season in the northern hemisphere. Not that everybody on board did not like the peaceful, calm course of the days, but now it is time again for some action! And Lisbon is the ideal starting point for probably some of the most colourful itineraries that will bring us to eleven countries in one month. Springtime in Western Europe is the motto of this week's trip, which will take us along the coast of Portugal, the northern tip of Spain, France and the British Channel Islands. 

And springtime it surely was for all the new arrivals, coming mostly from Norway and England, places that are just about to shake off winter's cold grip. A gentle 26 degrees and slightly hazy skies that gave the silhouetta of Lisbon's old town a nigh-oriental impression. Not much time to marvel, though, cause everybody is brought straight to the pier where their home for the next seven days lays fast. For more than just a few the sighting of MV FRAM is not a first, it also is a well-known routine to check in, activate your cruise card and receive the luggage at the cabin; some have been three times on the ship within the last twelve months… So, welcome back everybody, and a warm welcome to you who discover FRAM for the first time!

Eight o' clock sharp, the lines are cast and we make our way towards the mouth of the Tejo River, while the sun sets in the West. Warm air on the decks during the necessary saftey drill, cold champagne during the Captain's welcome. And suddenly it is already midnight, and the decks are getting quiet. A good first night to everybody!