We reached Porto Douro Marina around 18:00 Saturday evening to find it full in relation with regattas organised this weekend. After asking if we could stay overnight on the service peer, one spot was finally identified for us, with a view on the Douro bridge! Nice to have a spot in such a city.
Moored at the Douro Marina
Baiona to Porto is a 66 nautical miles ride along the coast with limited shelter places. Around 10 miles south of Baiona, we crossed the border into Portugal and the coastal landscape changed significantly. Lower shore, white houses with orange tile roofs, it gives us the impression to progress southwards indeed.
Ride of the day on left, Baiona to Porto, and the ride since Rochefort
At the end, it will be a 10 hours engine ride because of a total absence of winds...
Stéphane on watch
On the way, we are taken by much bigger than us, the Celebrity Apex. I let you judge: 306 m long par 39 m wide and 8.4 m deep (compared to 13.8 x 4,3 x 1.05 for Belisama), 14 passenger decks (vs 2), 3405 passengers and 1,320 crews (vs 12, including currently 2 crews), at 22,7 knots (6.5 knots). At the end, 0.3 GT for Belisama compared to 130,818 for Celebrity Apex...
And we were challenged as well by much smaller ones, going probably faster than the Celebrity Apex...
Below is the final approach to Porto.
Belisama at Douro Marina, photo by Stéphane
And finally, the traditional octopus for diner.
The following day, we take the bikes along the banks of the Douro river, upstream to Dom Luis I bridge. Extraordinary experience and urban landscape.
Along the southern Douro bank
Every brand of Port wine has its own boat represented
View of the North bank of the Douro river, from the Dom Luis Eiffel bridge.
Old Porto city around the cathedral, photo by Stéphane
Santo Ildefonso church
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