Rough Seas, Boredom and....FINALLY, Porto


Rough Seas, Boredom and....FINALLY, Porto



10/13
Day one at sea. I took prophylactic meclizine because of the dire weather predictions. Actually, it wasn't as rough as the day we left Bergen but it was a significantly bouncy, rocky ride, especially in our cabin in the bow but I slept like the dead thanks to meclizine. The day was BORING and spent almost entirely in the 2nd floor lounge reading and playing Words with Friends. Meals were definitely not missed despite the rough seas. There was a nap involved, again, thanks to meclizine.

10/14
Day 2 at sea and more boredom. Somehow managed to sleep until 9:30 AM. For me, I'm sure it was meclizine related. In the afternoon I saw some people playing bridge. When I expressed interest, one of the players said she wanted to stop and invited me to take her place. It was perhaps the worst group of bridge players EVER! They were pre beginning level. I extricated myself after an hour or so.

10/15
We arrived in Porto after another rough sea night. It was foggy, rainy and windy. The rain was continuous though fairly light for most of the time. We had a bus tour and some walking but it was quite unpleasant being outside. The town is very appealing and it's a shame we weren't able to enjoy it more but everyone just wanted to be back on ship and dry. 

   
In the afternoon, I found another bridge group that needed a fourth. My partner was a guy likely in his 90's, pretty deaf and a brilliant bridge player. He's a national master in Great Britain but I don't know what that means. I really enjoyed playing with him. The other pair was another pathetic pair that have little bridge knowledge. 
At 4 PM, there was a fado concert. Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese music that is very emotional. It was a good concert with a guy playing a classical guitar, another playing a Portuguese guitar and a singer with a very good voice. Even Dick enjoyed it for it's uniqueness.
                                                       

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