The Atlantic Coast of Western Europe

Embarkation day in Lisbon. ... Santa Apolonia Pier on the bank of the Rio Teju is directly opposite the city’s first Railway Station. Opened in 1865 it still bustles with life. A grand arch alongside leads into what is now the Military Museum. Built on the site of a 16th century shipyard this grand building houses what is said to be one of the largest collections of historic weapons in the world. Amongst them the sword of great Portugese explorer Vasco de Gama together with artefacts relating to his discovery of the sea route to India.

Safety drill complete, we set off in evening sun able to see from deck historic city buildings and passing under the huge 2.2 km long suspension bridge that connects the river banks. Constructed in 1966 and originally named Ponte de Salazar after the dictatorial Portugese Prime Minister of 1932 to 1968. The current name of Ponte de 25 Abril commemorates instead the date of the overthrow of his regime.

As the Captain welcomed passengers with a toast at his Cocktail Reception the stance of the personnel gives away that unfortunately the Atlantic welcomed Fram with some larger than friendly waves for a first night on board.

Gibraltar

Few places boast a view of two continents, but you do not even have to og to the top of the Jurassic limestone rock that constitutes Gibraltar to do just that. Africa and Europe are on opposite sides of the Strait that forms the entrance to theMediterranean Sea. Stiff breezes but beautiful warm sunshine showed off the spring wildflowers clinging to the rocks.

The best known residents of this densly populated British territory are the Barbary macaques of the upper slopes – where they are ready to amuse visitors with their antics.

In such a position to monitor the seas the first fort on Gibraltar was built by Moors. The last, major military construction the tunnels engineered by the British and Canadians during World War 2. The rock from these excavations used to create the airport runway still in use today. It may also be unique to Gibraltar that everyone can cross this tarmac by vehicle or on foot.

Economic Heart of a City

Casablanca – is the largest in port in Morocco and third largest port of all Africa. Those who stayed on board enjoyed the vessel and loading activities around Fram’s berth.

Highlight of the city tour was the Hassan II Mosque. The tallest religious structure in the world, taking thousands of craftsmen only six years to build, the interior is finished with sumptuous marble and Venetian chandeliers.

Those who journeyed along the coast to the capital were shown around different parts of Rabat. The city centre is UNESCO listed as much for its 20th century urban planning under a French Protectorate as its early buildings. Some date back to the 12th Century including the mosque commissioned by Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour but unfinished due to his death. Close to the Royal Palace complex and passing through the mighty entrance to Fortress of Chellah a colony of storks has taken to nesting amongst the Roman ruins.

Close to the Royal Palace complex and passing through the mighty entrance to Fortress of Chellah a colony of storks has taken to nesting amongst the Roman ruins.

Agadir in Morocco

The Kasbah (walled village) dominates the skyline, then the national flag of Morocco greets arrivals at the port of Agadir.

The walled souk of the city, with every kind of goods available provided an opportunity to practice bartering. Men with wheeled carts ready to carry large purchases out of the internal maze of shops. In the food section storekeepers perched on their stalls which were stacked high with a stunning selection of vegetables and spices.

Some travelled to Taroudant nicknamed “Little Marakkesh, stopping to see the endemic Argan trees along the way.  In the past locals used the oil produced from this tree as standard for cooking but now that it its roughly thirty times the price of olive oil this is no longer the case. The medicinal properties of Argan and the threat to its natural forests have made the species a focus for conservation.

No sooner had afternoon lectures finished than gannets joined us swooping over the waves as we continued our journey north along the Maghreb coast...

Some Special Landscapes

Arriving in Arrecife to clear skies it was obvious that we were going to see the small island of Lanzarote at its best. Guests spread out visiting several sites around the island. In the charming city centre the Good Friday parade commenced from the Iglesia de San Gines.

The Canary Islands are the tallest tips of a vast volcanic mountain range beneath the Atlantic . Some of the most spectacular scenery is found in the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya. The massive ‘”fire mountain” eruption of September 1730 that created this area continued for six years. For a different viewing platform you can try camel back.

The local artist Cesar Manrique embraced the lava landscape when building his own home, using the natural spaces in lava as underground rooms. His love and lobbying for the protection of this environment prompted the government to restrict urban development. Today the entire island is declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

In agriculture, the moisture getting into the ground from the limited rains is retained by a layer of excavated volcanic ash over the fields. The local guides today describing to passengers how humidity is created for long enough to enable crops to grow. At the Museo Agricola El Patio, goats basked in the sun, cockerels were crowing in amongst the traditional buildings, hens pecking.  And then there came a rescue. One of Fram’s junior passengers ensured that a lost chick was returned to its mother via the safe hands of one of the farmers.

Sailing on … the Fashion show finished a fabulous day.

Start of a Season

Yesterday, Las Palmas on Gran Canaria was preparing for the Easter Festival. In the Cathedral of Santa Ana the procession platforms were being varnished. Boxes of cut flowers were stacked waiting for the nimble fingered florist, who had already started making beautiful displays.

Today, Fram arrived from its Atlantic crossing to the port of Santo Catalina. Activity was high around the ship, bunkering completed as well as provisions delivered.

For passengers - after checking-in comes settling-in. Finding their way around the decks, though some already know the ship well. It is wonderful for us to see again those familiar with Fram having enjoyed other voyages.  Mandatory safety briefing over, we headed to the ocean as the sun was setting. Captain's introduction made this is the start of a season visiting many ports in Europe. It is only 112 nautical miles to the first of those, the town of Arrecife on Lanzarote Island.

Every journey has an end!

The weather during the last days has been very fine but not so hot anymore. During lunchtime we had still temperatures that allowed us to lay in the sun and sometimes in the evening we could recognize that some guests and crew got perhaps a little bit too much sun. But we enjoyed every minute. The time of BBQs has been over as it became too could in the evenings. But it was nice to sit in the restaurant again with a nice menu or dinner buffet.

 

 

Our sport activities came to an end and our Captain hand out the certificates to all winners.

We still had lectures and photo workshops going on. So we were trained to make nice portrait photos by our ships photographer. Here in the blog you can see that we have learned in our photo lesson.

In one afternoon we had the possibilty to visit even the engine room. That was a special highlight for most of us. Thanks to the chief engenier that he spent so much time with us and did not become tired to answer all our questions.

Last evening we had a nice Bingo together with the crew, of course with nice prices. We had lots of fun and felt happy with the winners.

Tomorrow we will reach Las Palmas. After the Captains Farewell Cocktail we enjoyed a last sunset on our cruise. Everybody felt a little bit sad that the trip should be over tomorrow. But for eight guests the end of this trip will be a beginning of a new trip as they will stay on board until Lisbon. To know that the end can be also a beginning of something new helped a bit to feel not too sorry.

Tomorrow we will reach Las Palmas. After the Captains Farewell Cocktail we enjoyed a last sunset on our cruise. Everybody felt a little bit sad that the trip should be over tomorrow. But for eight guests the end of this trip will be a beginning of a new trip as they will stay on board until Lisbon. To know that the end can be also a beginning of something new helped a bit to feel not too sorry.