(Photo by Sailor Girl)

A cruise ship departing Lisbon Port. You may see Lisbon's Bridge on the right, Christ the King on the top, beautiful reflections on the Tagus River and an amazing BLUE in the sky and on the water!... This you cannot find anywhere else in the World!...

Saint Vincent (2)

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

Another perspective of the monument to Saint Vincent, located at Largo das Portas do Sol (Plaza of the Doors of the Sun), in Lisbon. This place has one of the best views over Lisbon and the Tagus. Below you may find part of the outstanding view over the Tagus.

Photo taken by Sailor Girl at Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Largo das Portas do Sol), where the monument to Saint Vincent stands. The view is breathtaking.

Sister Ships

Another photo of «Mircea», one of «Sagres» sisters, taken by Sailor Girl last Saturday. Click to better view it. .

Sister Cities (2)

Photo by Sailor Girl. Click to better view it.

This is another proof that Lisbon (Portugal) and San Francisco (U.S.A.) should be officially declared twin cities!... You may confirm this at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo [HERE]!!!... * The photo depicts the Romanian Navy Training Ship «MIRCEA» departing Lisbon Port last Saturday at 9 am. She is sister to Portuguese Navy Training Ship «SAGRES»!...

RACE «ATLÂNTICO AZUL - MARINHA DO TEJO»

Cartaz de sonho desenhado por Alexandre Magalhães, do IADE, com imagem da canoa «Gavião dos Mares» a partir de fotografia de Teresa Maria Gamito, tirada na Real Regata das Canoas do Tejo de 2006 (clicar na imagem para a ampliar). * Dream Poster designed by Alexandre Magalhães from IADE, with an image of the typical Tagus Sailing Barge «Gavião dos Mares» based on a photo taken by Teresa Maria Gamito at The Royal Race of Typical Sailing Barges of the Tagus (now known as the «Tagus Navy») of 2006.

Dear Friends from All Over the World!

The «Race of Atlantic Blue - Navy of the Tagus» will take place Friday, 15 th August 2008. You may find some additional information about last year's Race in english at the labels «REGATA DO ATLÂNTICO AZUL» at the column on the right. Should you be interested in accompanying the Race aboard two Tagus Frigates, please send an email to [info@apaett.eu], indicating your name, email address and phone number, to enable the organisation to confirm your inscription and give you additional information.

Acompanhamento da Regata Atlântico Azul (15 de Agosto) no Varino "Boa Viagem" e no Bote Fragata "Baía do Seixal": conforme divulgado pela [ANMPN], terá lugar no próximo dia 15 de Agosto a Regata de Embarcações Típicas d«Atlântico Azul - Marinha do Tejo», organizada pelo Centro Náutico Moitense, e integrada nas festas do Rosário e da Amora, no percurso «Rosário - Lisboa - Seixal», com o programa que consta do cartaz (clique na imagem para a aumentar).

A organização vai colocar à disposição das pessoas interessadas em acompanhar a presente Regata, duas embarcações - Bote Fragata "Baía do Seixal" da CM do Seixal e Varino "Boa Viagem" da CM da Moita, às quais corresponde uma capacidade total de 80 passageiros. A Largada destas duas Embarcações será efectuada na Doca da Marinha às 08h00 (a Doca da Marinha fica a montante do Cais da Estação Fluvial do Terreiro do Paço). O Regresso das duas Embarcações à mesma Doca, terá lugar cerca das 12h00. Quem desejar acompanhar a Regata tem de se inscrever com a máxima das urgências, atendendo à lotação das embarcações. Para tal, basta enviar um e-mail para o endereço [info@apaett.eu], referindo o nome, bem como, contactos de email e de telefone, para possibilitar a confirmação de inscrição e o envio de informações complementares. A lista de inscrições [disponível online] será actualizada com as inscrições recebidas até ser atingida a lotação, altura em que as inscrições serão encerradas.

A nice surprise!...

Sailor Girl aboard «Svitzer Leixões» on Sunday, July 6, waiting for «CARNIVAL SPLENDOR»! This rare photograph was taken by Ricardo Martins (collaborator of [Sérgio Cruises]), who kindly sent it to me!... * Sailor Girl a bordo do «Svitzer Leixões» no Domingo, dia 6 de Julho, enquanto esperava pelo «CARNIVAL SPLENDOR»! Esta fabulosa fotografia foi tirada por Ricardo Martins (que colabora com o [Sérgio Cruises]), a quem agradeço o envio!...

SOLIDÃO OU SAUDADE?

(«A Table with a view», by Sailor Girl)

«Passados dois meses a navegar, comecei a pensar no sentido da solidão; um estado interior que não depende da distância, nem do isolamento, um vazio que invade as pessoas e que a simples companhia ou presença humana não podem preencher. SOLIDÃO foi a única coisa que eu não senti, depois que parti. Nunca em momento algum. Estava sim atacado de uma voraz SAUDADE. De tudo e de todos, de coisas e de pessoas que há muito não via. Mas a saudade às vezes faz bem ao coração. Valoriza os sentimentos, acende as esperanças e apaga as distâncias. Quem tem um AMIGO, mesmo que um só, não importa onde se encontra, jamais sofrerá de solidão; poderá morrer de saudades mas não estará SÓ!»

AMYR KLINK, in Antártica 360, em solitário. Gentilmente remetido por JC, a quem muito agradeço!...

The Ships' Washer (2)

More photos taken by Sailor Girl of the Ships' Washer in action! «Carnival Splendor» being washed by «Svitzer Leixões», last Sunday, who is also the Cloud Maker! You may find the first photo of this series on my post of March 31 [HERE]!...

(Fotografias de Sailor Girl)

Ontem consegui não falhar a um jantar muito agradável com amigos que já não via há uns tempos! Passámos depois pelo Teatro Nacional de São Carlos (ver o meu post de 7 de Julho, [Jorge de Sena]) e ainda conseguimos assistir ao fabuloso recital de piano por António Rosado! Que maravilha seria se abrissem sempre as portas de São Carlos ao público e nos oferecessem concertos todas as semanas, vá lá, todos os meses!!!...

Frase do dia: «Acho que precisamos é de submarinos maiores.... e se os pintassem de branco com a torre amarela ficavam lindos».

Quote of the Day: «What we really need is bigger submarines... and if they were painted in white with a yellow funnel they would become awsome».

The author of this wonderful quote will sooner or later identify himself...

Welcoming «Carnival Splendor»

(Photo by Sailor Girl, aboard «Svitzer Leixões», last Sunday morning, on the first call of «Carnival Splendor» to Lisbon Port ).

Frente Tejo * «Tage, les caprices d'un fleuve»

(Beautiful drawings of Traditional Barges of the Tagus by [Bonecos de Bolso])

Foi publicado hoje o Decreto-Lei n.º 117/2008, de 9 de Julho, que constitui a sociedade anónima de capitais exclusivamente públicos [Frente Tejo, S. A.], e aprova os respectivos Estatutos. Cliquem no link para aceder ao diploma.

Aproveito para agradecer à [ANMPN] o envio do fabuloso artigo publicado no Libération, referente ao Tejo e à Cultura Avieira, que podem ler [AQUI], intitulado «Tage, les caprices d'un fleuve», por Marie-Line Darcy, de que reproduzo o primeiro parágrafo: «Dans cette région d’hommes, de chevaux et de taureaux, le fleuve se fait, au gré de ses méandres, tour à tour Loire, Gironde ou océan mouvementé. Remontée à travers le temps et les courants.»

About «Leão Holandês» («Dutch Lion»)

(All photos by Sailor Girl)

The «[Leão Holandês]» («Dutch Lion») is a classic boat that organizes sailing cruises in Lisbon on the river Tagus or even until Cascais. Her teambuilding or party cruises, incentives, or other events (such as baptisms and even weddings) are always one of the finest I have had the privilege to testimony, along with other ships, such as Lisbon's «Príncipe Perfeito». The «Leão Holandês» makes sailing cruises an event to remember!... Her crew is highly efficient and really nice, just like her owner and captain, Mr. Dirk Willem Gesink, a real Dutch Lion also!!...

She is 35 metres long, 6.2 metres wide and has three masts, a 230-horsepower diesel engine and all the latest navigational and communications equipment, complying with international safety requirements. She is also equipped with double cabins below deck and various toilets and showers. The spacious, stylish lounge, which seats approximately 50 people can be used for both social and business activities. The ample deck space is convenient for various types of events. Meals may be served on deck or below, with a maximum capacity of 75pax on board.

Originally the Leão Holandês was built as a 2-Mast Schooner in the Northern Dutch town of Groningen in 1910 for a German skipper, captain Dehde, who used her as a freighter for wood. At that time she was christened “Amalie”. With this name she was taken to Germany and sawn in two parts at the wharf in Kiel in 1923. The operation served to add 6 metres and one mast to her original 32 meters. Until 1975 the ship was sailed under Danish flag and was then sold to the first Dutch owner. He traced the complete history of the ship obtaining her original blueprint and started to remodel her exactly as she was more than a half century earlier. The ship was then named “Sepha Vollaars” and sailed commercial trips from 1979-1983 in Holland. Sold in 1983, the ship sailed to Tahiti for the new Swiss owner, coming back to Europe 18 months later. By then, much of her beauty was gone.

When the present owners discovered the ship for sale in Belgium it meant an opportunity of a lifetime. They brought her to Portugal and named her «Leão Holandês». Some years later, and after having passed the difficulties of the local licences, the old three-Mast Schooner was once again hosting its sails and cruising Portuguese waters.

Passengers sailing aboard «Leão Holandês» can get official evidence of this unique happening, in the form of a special designed Certificate, before they step off the ship. Also, it is possible to receive one or more Certificates after the Cruise has ended. I have sailed with her twice and will order my Certificates as soon as possible!!!!

Tomorrow, Queen Elizabeth 2 will visit Lisbon Port once again

Photo by Sailor Girl of the Queen leaving Lisbon Port last September, on one of her several calls to Lisbon! She will be back again tomorrow morning!

Christ the King, watching over Lisbon and the Tagus

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

Cristo-Rei (Christ the King) is a monument overlooking Lisbon and the Tagus River. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer (Cristo o Redentor) statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Construction started in 1950, took nine years to complete and was inaugurated on May 17, 1959. It was funded by public subscription. The monument was built on the Southern bank of the Tagus River, facing Lisbon on the other bank. It is located at Pragal, municipality of Almada. The base of the monument, by architect António Lino, is in the form of a gate, standing 75 m (246 ft) tall. At the top is a statue of Christ the Redeemer, designed by sculptor Francisco Franco de Sousa, 28 m (92 ft)-tall. At the base of the statue is an observation deck (altitude: 184 m / 604 ft) providing panoramic views of Lisbon and one of Lisbon's Bridges (former «Salazar» Bridge).

(Text by Sailor Girl, with Wikipedia)

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!!!!....

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

VIVAM AS FORÇAS ARMADAS! VIVA PORTUGAL!

These are four of the many photos taken by me last Tuesday near the Tower of Belém, during the Ceremony in Honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway. Do not forget to click on the photos to better view them.

«NRP ÁLVARES CABRAL» and «NORGE» at River Tagus, on 27th May, 2008

This is one of the 187 photos taken by me yesterday near the Tower of Belém, during the Ceremony in Honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway. Unfortunatelly, I lost 87 of them when the battery ran out of charge while moving them from the camera... Well, there are worse things in life!... I will post many others as soon as possible! Do not forget to click on the photos to better view them.

O N.R.P. «Álvares Cabral» é o segundo navio da classe «Vasco da Gama» e foi o primeiro a ser concebido nos estaleiros navais da HDW, em Kiel. Este navio foi lançado à água em 6 de Junho de 1990, tendo como madrinha a Senhora Dona Maria Cavaco Silva, Mulher do então Primeiro-Ministro e actual Presidente da República. Foi adicionado ao efectivo da Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa no dia 24 de Maio de 1991.

On a different perspective...

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

I love containers and container ships since I was a child! I love their colours, I love to imagine what kind of goods they are carrying, how many toys they hide and who will receive them and where, what kind of clothes and bags and shoes are stored in such beautiful boxes!... Today's first music at Radio Atlântico Azul is called «Contentores» («Containers»), by the Portuguese band «Xutos & Pontapés» («Kicks & Kicks») and was played on a concert in 1989. I was there!!!...

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

«Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé! Um pouco de Fé!»

«A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith! A bit of Faith!»

«Contentores» («Containers»), by «Xutos & Pontapés», now playing at Rádio Atlântico Azul.

Belém really, but really really early in the morning

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

Maritime Art

(Photo by Sailor Girl)

One of the many awsome masterpieces of maritime art by the River Tagus front. I hope the Strategic Plan for the Revitalisation of the Riverfront, recently approved, will preserve the beautiful pieces of this Natural Museum by the River.

Uma das muitas «peças» de arte marítima do Tejo. Oxalá o Plano Estratégico da Frente Tejo (Frente Ribeirinha da Baixa Pombalina e Ajuda-Belém) mantenha intacto o acervo deste autêntico Museu Natural. Estaremos atentos.