We arrived in Porto as some places were closing but we managed to enjoy a port tasting at the Real Companhia wine shop on the south side of the river. Driving out of town we go over the Louis I bridge built by a student of Eiffel. Porto has more bridges than any other city in Europe, six.

We returned the next morning to Porto to visit the Cathedral and get brunch. After a great visit we headed towards Peso da Régua on the Douro River.

After settling in we walked the river and crossed over the bridge. Dinner out was another great Portuguese meal with the owner writing our final bill on the tablecloth.

The Sandeman Port logo,Don, stands proudAfter breakfast we went to Quinta da Pacheco for a Port tasting and a look around the property. This beautiful setting was just what I was looking forward to seeing and appreciate the wine growing region. It also has a distinction of a hotel who’s rooms are large wine barrels. We enjoyed our visit and headed south.

Coimbra where many of the old buildings/churches have been turned over to the university. Next to the Roman ruins at Conímbriga. This was the best archaeological dig sites I have been to. They have unearthed home sites with the tile floors mostly intact. The town was there due the Romans need for iron ore.

Our airbnb was a small outbuilding on a country property owned by a couple from England. They bought the property about five years ago. There was a giant wild fire that killed a hundred people and was one of the country’s worst natural disasters. There property is surrounded by the burnt trunks and is a reminder of how much worse it could have been.

We make our way back to Lisbon with the hope of exploring a little bit more of the downtown.

Traffic was backed up todayWe did see some of the items we wanted to and we’re happy to return the car and settle in for some luggage repacking. I had a little extra time so I entered a road race.Then I repacked!

Our hotel is very close to the airport so our 5:15 am check out worked well. We’re on our way home. Thanks Portugal 🇵🇹

My expectation was not high but each piece of the travel through Portugal was a pleasure. The country side, the cobblestone cities and the people were fun.

We looked around some of Lisbon’s waterfront tourist attractions and drove up the coast. Monument to the overseas fallen soldiers with the changing of the guard, Belem tower, and a monument honoring Discovery featuring Henry the Navigator.

As we drove up to the coast we first went through picture perfect Sintra. Next we came upon the remnants of windmills. Their ancient charm is not lost on the residents who keep these Historic monuments ready for a tilting by Don Quixote.

The surfing community’s near Ericeira provided spectacular Cliffside views of those who battled the waves. Then we enjoyed the artistry in the rocks of Peniche along with the 125 year old lighthouse and fort.

We ended the day in Nazaré where we enjoyed a great Portuguese dinner and drinks with the owner.It looked so much better before I attacked

The second day brought us to Porto by way of two monasteries that are heritage sites. We went first to Alcobaça Monastery and up to the fort for a birds eye view. We spent time touring the amazing Batalha Monastery with its beautiful sculptures and unfinished sections. It also had a changing of the guard.

Top two are the Alcobaca, then Batalha Here is a portrait of love….hands held incredible detailSheri is lower right to give perspective and yes you can see the sky in this section Flight

Our waiter was a Bollywood phenomenonThe best sounding band on the Italian cruise was the Beatles tributeKing Neptune Churros dipped in chocolate at 4pm dailyLong cruise right Sheri no pictures no ok one of you then

Snow in the mountains of Crete

The stop in Crete is our only stop In Greece and it provides me an opportunity to experience another country’s medical system. My throat has gotten to the point where even swallowing causes a grimace. The sharp pain for close to a week warrants a quick strep test. Thankfully it’s not positive and we get plenty of pharmacy remedies to ease the pain.

The best view of the harbor is from the medical clinic.The ship passes between Italy’s big toe and Sicily. We have a local pilot onboard as we pass close enough to enjoy seeing the small towns built into the hills close to the water. Later we pass Stromboli Island and are witness to a small eruption in its active volcano.

We spend the last Port day with Nerija and Davis exploring Civitavecchia while a lot of the passengers take the 90 minute bus ride to Rome. The harbor is guarded by a large Fort called Michelangelo since he designed the upper portion. We enjoyed walking the streets, watching the fishing boats and cappuccino with Internet.Michelangelo fort…he designed 2nd story

Now it’s time for the last dinner onboard and the last of the Harvey’s Bristol Cream saved for me at the third floor bar. We pack and put our luggage out. Come morning we are figuring our way around Genoa to our Airbnb.

First we must climb three long flights of stairs, ride in a rickety elevator, go through an ancient door and across a narrow ledge then we are rewarded with a peaceful place to spend the next 20 hours. We did venture out late day to explore a bit and get a take out pizza dinner.

Our morning mission is to get a cab at the train station that is only a 10 minute walk. We arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare for the first of our two Air France flight to Lisbon. I enjoyed flying over the snowcapped Alps in Switzerland and later when we cross into northern Spain to see their snowcap peaks as well.After 6,880 nautical miles we say goodbye

Thanks to Air France I have eaten this…

Arial shot of Lisbon’s aqueductAfter a long travel day the Lisbon car rental agent was just to mistrustful and I chose not to take a toll pass. Later I regretted that choice as a lot of the tolls are electronic only. to Google Maps we plotted our travel to avoid tolls and saw a lot more.I just went toward Jesus…couldn’t go wrong

Not her…Protected by the man….And a water gun… hopefully the pirates are busyLeaving India and heading toward Oman changes the security protocol on the ship. Till we are safely into the Red Sea a crew member is stationed on the stern, access to deck 3 exterior is restricted as water guns are set up and two dummies (mannequins) keep watch forward on Port and starboard. In the daily written announcement are the instructions of where to report should their be any conflict.

Not all port security vehicles come equipped with roof top gun mountsThe countryside outside the portThe tide was not right for big water spray Sheri is very Middle eastern in her beach towel … tomb building is through the treesOman is a country that is making strides to attract tourism. Now that the conflicts have subsided there is construction and many improvements. Our tour is through the desert landscape to a water spout on a beautiful point of land. We travel into the hills to visit Job’s tomb. His story is important to Jews, Muslims and Christians.

The camels are wild all throughout like deerMost are taken care of by someone The homes and neighborhoods are mostly new as they encourage people to move We are headed for an outdoor market but first stop outside the western compound for Sultan Qaboos (pronounced caboose) The humor in his name is that many are wondering if he’ll be the last Sultan…well yah who named him that. I smiled quietly.Acres of condo units ready for the Sultan’s family, staff and their families. frankincense tree where the incense comes froma spirited discussion outside the storewhere we bought oil you can just see the shopkeepers eyes …Sheri and I just make the bus after touching the Arabian Sea

Traveling up the Red Sea with mountains on each side, passing Mecca without any recognition and finally anchoring just outside the Suez Canal while the Northbound flotilla assembled.

Lots of oil rigs ablaze and our group of ships is assembled online It takes the full day to pass through the canal. They are finishing up an expansion of the canal which will increase revenues above the 5 1/2 billion per year that they now make. But as tourists we are happy to wave at the soldiers who wave their guns back and forth in response.There are several of these temporary bridge barges ready to go Some guard towers have a few steps and on the roof note the guns

Ships passing in the second lane heading southcanal has fishing, lots of selfies and sand Prior to Crete, Davis, at our table explained his home remedy for a cold. “Gim, take 80 milawiters of watka and a teaspoon of bepper and you will be like young boy” “Twice.” Ok what do I have to loose and he seems genuinely concerned. The pepper and vodka heat my core but when the buzz is gone the throat is pissed off.As I reach for the water look at Davis stirring his vodka and pepper. Some at the table were wondering if it would stay down. It did.

Taking memories of an amazing city and our time with Lindsey we depart Singapore on the Costa Fortuna. We weave amongst the hundreds of tankers that line the coast and deplete our phone plan.

Our table mates for dinners are a good natured couple slightly older than us from England who have had an extensive travel history from his work and post retirement from IBM and the European Space Agency. The second couple is a bit younger from Lithuania. They both are realtors and he recently bought an existing mink farming business which is a lot of work and he would like to sell. Her luggage did not arrive so my lack of dress shirts didn’t matter. After a few tries Sheri persuaded her to a least take a pair of pants. She appeared to handle this crisis well.long tailed macaques are adept at stealing and opening plastic bottles

After dinner we continue to navigate the ship and are always pleased to make it back to our room. The first stop is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Batu caves. Pilgrims will pierce many parts of their bodies and carry heavy items attached to the piercings up the 272 stairs. The caves are large enough to stand a jetliner in then off to the Petronas Towers famous as a Hollywood set however haze limits our distant views from the 1482 ft observation deck. At each break in the tour we run through the large towers mall (1,500,000 sq ft of shopping) and successfully replace dress shirts I left in Bali.

The second morning In Langkawi, Malaysia provides a chance to tour and go to the beach. The tour is on a suspended walkway that you reach by cable car. That was fun and the beach was nice.The glass isn’t cracked just reflecting the cables

After two sea days we arrive in Sri Lanka and visit a tea plantation. They employ primarily women because they are gentler to the plants as they pick. When I mentioned tea bags the guide huffed and just about gave me the snapping Z… tea snobs.. who knew. The workers pick the leavesThey get paid by the bag loadthe tea is dried, ground and sifted

Even the long drive was interesting as we stopped at a highway rest area and the differences to the US rest stops are interesting. Such as you pay to use the bathroom and eating with your hands is an art. Also the labor involved by the small farmers to cut and haul then separate and dry the rice. The roadside is the best open flat area to dry the rice for many farmers

yes lots of drying fish doesn’t smell good

After another sea day we stopped in Mangalore India. Crowded roads lead us to an outside market, a western Church school and a temple. We finished with a tour of a cashew factory. A lot of women doing small piece work here as well.

Somewhere after symptoms of Dengue were passing and I had started to exercise I gradually started to get the flu. See what exercise does!

small dashboard gods…we still got lostI was told that both of the above are the same god. They could have him look any way they wish.

With the millions of their god’s it makes Christianity so appealing. One God, one atonement for sin (Jesus) and a freedom to grow in grace. It is their bondage to the rituals both physically and financially which means they are never free.

Once we arrived at Lindsey’s we made up the pull out couch and set Jim up to rest. It felt strange leaving him sick but he was happier to rest without us watching him. Lindsey had planned a dinner with her friends so we got on the train and headed into town. We strolled through the Raffles area to the Happy Crab. You pre-order the crabs so they don’t run out. The food was delicious and Lindsey’s friends were wonderful.

On Sunday Lindsey had signed us up for a free sail in the harbor. We walked around the old city then went to a hawker area for a local coffee (strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk). We met up with Lindsey’s friend Jo and went sailing. We were out for an hour. Lots of fun. We went for a drink after then home to check on Jim. Then we went to a Thai place for dinner.

After work on Monday Lindsey and I took the bus to the botanical gardens with a beautiful orchid garden. Tuesday I went out in the morning to a supermarket to get Jim different foods that he might be able to eat. Since I could go off shopping I figured I could take the train downtown to the National Museum of Singapore. It was very interesting to learn about the history of Singapore, their invasion by the Japanese, and how they became their own country.

On Wednesday we took the subway train into the biggest mall in Singapore. A short walk to the river where Lindsey dinned on sweet potato fries. The area along the river has wood walkways with lights inserted. We walked across the river to Sentosa, a resort area with universal studios! We had a great time together.

Thursday was our first doctor day which took most of the day and a lot of Jim’s energy. After getting back from the hospital Lindsey and I left him to go to Holland Village for noodles then took a cab ride to the Singapore Zoo. We had tickets to the night safari. We rode in a tram to see animals that are active at night. They weren’t very active but we saw quite a few. Then we took a half hour to walk around and see more animals.

Friday night everyone was tired so we didn’t do anything but visit and go to bed early. On Saturday Lindsey and I went to her favorite coffee shop for cappuccino and to buy some beans. Then we walked around Tiong Bahru, an old town that is up and coming with young city people. It was very cute. The apartment buildings were only 2 or 3 stories high. Many are beginning to appreciate these since most of the buildings are tall. Jim went out with us to a hotel tonight. The beginning of his vacation in Singapore.

I was very sorry that Jim was so sick… but I did get to spend some wonderful one on one time with Lindsey. It allowed us time to share our lives with each other.

(Pictures 👍🏻

After arriving on February 23rd this story sums up my first four days in Singapore. Day two and I am already to get out though I have no energy. I hear music down in a common building located between two large apartments. I think wow a concert is just what I need. By the time I got dressed and ready to go down I realize the music is moving and I was able to see the funeral procession move away. Boy I am glad I didn’t walk into that.I should have noticed the hearse vanMy Singapore hospital

Each of the first few days was just waiting for the time I could get out. Four days of rest and malaise. Then three under a Dr’s care showed steady improvement. I gave myself a pass for a few hours out on March 2nd and Lindsey chose a bar 70 stories up with a great sunset view. Then it was on to watch the light and water show put on by the Marina Bay Resort. Great night.

The next day a longer outing to Chinatown, a Temple, the old city and then onto the hawker stalls to get the famous Chicken Rice served by Singapore’s version of the soup natzi. Another nice outing and the salubrious nature of the Singapore was taking hold.

On Monday we got the best blood results and the shackles came off. Sheri and I traveled to the Marina Bay Sands Resort for a look and then over to Gardens by the Bay. We spent a lot of time at the flowers dome, an enclosed (air conditioned) multi level tropical garden. Lindsey arrived after work in time for all of us to enjoy the high suspended walk between the artificial trees. Then onto the nearby hawker stalls for some Satay. On our way out we stayed for an amazing show of lights to music displayed on the artificial trees. We laid on our backs on the warm pavement and enjoyed.Gardens by the Bay has a large inside garden

I know that I only did a fraction of the actives Singapore and Lindsey were offering but I was glad I got a taste!!

Sheri had an entirely different Singapore experience. She would tell me about her adventures but in my glazed state I was little more than a sounding board. The tale continues in the sequel… Sheri’s great adventure.

Sheri, Wade and I enjoy an early morning ridge walk then spend the day connecting online with others and disconnecting from any routine. Heavy monsoon rains overflowing the pool was today’s entertainment. By mid afternoon it stopped just in time for a beverage and dinner.

Thursday is our day to return home and we’re all moving slowly so it is good we have a goal for the day. It is to taste the coffee know as Kopi Luwak. The coffee bean is fed to a Luwak, swallowed whole and when it comes out the staff picks through the dropping’s locating the bean. The cleaned casings are removed, beans roasted and….who was the first one to try that. Butt I must say it is good coffee! The whole process is depicted from freshly ejected beans under glass, removing husks and then roasting.Who’s gonna say it…come on. OK I will…Doesn’t he look pooped..Thursday is traditional dress day as seen from the students coming home

Our hosts bring us to a favorite restaurant for a great Italian meal and gelato too. It is a local institution but not what I expected.

On Friday though I am not feeling 100% Wade and I keep our morning paddle boarding plans and soon are riding waves and paddling out past the reef. As we headed home and stopped to do errands I gradually became more fatigued which I was to learn was dengue fever. The afternoon had us all returning to get those necessary and inexpensive massages. We located a barbershop and Paula guided me through the haircut process. At home I just wanted to sleep and could eat little as the downhill slide continued.

Though it ended rough the stay was great and Paula and Wade were the best hosts. I can’t imagine a better visit and we can’t thank you enough!!

The two health updates posts fill-in most of what it was like but it was great to have days with Lindsay and Sheri enjoying some of the best of Singapore.

I almost felt this good!

Pics too

“I’m going to someplace that I’ve never been before” Canned Heat 1968

I know where the beach is now so a sunrise walk starts the day. Returning home to the daily pool and breakfast ritual is not getting old.

We packed and headed out for three nights at a favorite of Paula and Wades in Ubud. Taking the scenic route through small towns and rice fields we would often come upon the completion or preparation for a festival. These religious events involve the community to decorate, cook and fund. Pressed into service by local religious leaders villagers are obliged to learn how their participation might change the bad fortunes, luck or predictions about their families future. I would at times be saddened for their never ending struggle as their extra monies and time gets syphoned.

Our Villa, similar to many around the Ubud community, is setback from the road and narrow cement alleyways lead to a scattering of villas tucked on the hillside and surrounded by tropical jungle. A three bedroom, three bath with private pool and a young man who gets us settled and returns each morning to prepare breakfast is only 35.00us per couple/night.

After enjoying the pool during a tropical rainstorm we head out for dinner. Their we walk three levels down the restaurant to a patio near a river. The thousands of stones laid into the walls and floors capture my attention.

Breakfast each day is an egg dish and a plate of fresh cut fruit. The passion fruit falls from a tree in the villa. Today we head north to a popular area to visit and view terraced rice fields and then to explore an expansive area inside a dormant volcano. My highlight was a man holding a child who came up while I was photographing his field of orange…….. He hurried across the street and returned with two cut flowers for me.

Our guides have many favorite places to eat and see and on the way home we ate at a roadside restaurant specializing in meats they grill in front of the restaurant. The restaurant, though often filled with smoke, is a very popular place.