Live from the Viking Sky (Ft Lauderdale to London) December 20, 2023 - May 6, 2024

[Clay Clayton]

Another beautiful day in Portugal!  After the past six days of go-go-go while in port and because we  spent so much time in and around Porto in 2018, we decided to have an easy day today.  Sky is docked at the port of Leixões which is 45-60 minutes from Porto proper. Unfortunately, we are at the old cruise terminal which is across the Leça River and therefore while we can see the great market in Matosinhos from our balcony where we planned to have lunch, getting there involves a long walk the wrong way to mount the bridge and then up and over.  

 

So we decided to head the other way and explore the area on the north side of the river.  We are glad we did. Like all of this part of Portugal the beaches are beautiful with wide walkways. In this case, in addition to an old fort that is now a police station, there is a public pool built into the rocks.  

 

 

We had a nice walk and enjoyed watching surfers ride the waves. After a nice walk, we headed back to the ship stopping for lunch and walking through the pleasant town. Lots of old buildings in need of a savior, some that had found theirs, and a couple of amazing new construction.

 

 

 

We stopped at the end of the beach at Brasão Leca for lunch. This local chain has lots of traditional dishes and we split Porto’s heart attack on a plate - a Francesinha, Porto’s version of a Croque Madam if as Mike put it a Croque Madam was healthy!  It’s a sandwich stuffed with sausage, steak, ham, and cheese. Then covered with more cheese, broiled until melty, then topped with an egg and served in a slightly spicy tomato sauce…with fries!  So tasty!  

 

 

We ordered a bowl of vegetable soup (likely some sort of pumpkin or squash-very good) and a “Mustard & Orange” salad. We expected mustard greens with some oranges…what we got was so much better!  Juicy ripe oranges with red onions in a mustardy vinaigrette.  Unlike at the places we ate in Lisbon the last two days, here we were happy to see bread, butter (in this case smoked ham butter!), and a bowl  of olives and capers delivered to the table.  In Portugal these are usually brought when you’re greeted and you are charged for them (in this case €1,85 pp) but if you don’t want them you ask them to take away.

 

The restaurant also had the prettiest driftwood sink in the restroom.  

 

After our wonderful lunch we walked back through town and found Sky at the end of one of the many little streets.  While not as fancy as the new terminal, the old one is a great renovation of what we expect was an old port side warehouse.
 

 

 

 

 

We leave in about an hour headed to A Coruña Spain where we will be taking a day long trip to Santiago de Compostela. Speaking of which, while strolling along the beach we saw 50 or more “pilgrims” making the hike to Santiago. We were asked and took a picture of three young ladies headed there, they said they had nine more days before they hoped to arrive. We think we like our mode of transportation better😂. But if you’re interested in more info: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago 

[SantaFe1]

19 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

while strolling along the beach we saw 50 or more “pilgrims” making the hike to Santiago.

We saw pilgrims in Baiona on their way to Santiago on our WC.  They carried a card that marked where they had been.  Quite a sight!

 

[Liz Masterson]

11 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

 

We stopped at the end of the beach at Brasão Leca for lunch. This local chain has lots of traditional dishes and we split Porto’s heart attack on a plate - a Francesinha, Porto’s version of a Croque Madam if as Mike put it a Croque Madam was healthy!  It’s a sandwich stuffed with sausage, steak, ham, and cheese. Then covered with more cheese, broiled until melty, then topped with an egg and served in a slightly spicy tomato sauce…with fries!  So tasty!  

 

 

 

We ordered a bowl of vegetable soup (likely some sort of pumpkin or squash-very good) and a “Mustard & Orange” salad. We expected mustard greens with some oranges…what we got was so much better!  Juicy ripe oranges with red onions in a mustardy vinaigrette.  Unlike at the places we ate in Lisbon the last two days, here we were happy to see bread, butter (in this case smoked ham butter!), and a bowl  of olives and capers delivered to the table.  In Portugal these are usually brought when you’re greeted and you are charged for them (in this case €1,85 pp) but if you don’t want them you ask them to take away.

 

 

SMOKED HAM BUTTER!?! 🫨😮🤤 YES!! PLEASE! And that all looks amazing!

[Clay Clayton]

I won the penultimate LCR on our sea day before Algadir (boy that seems forever ago!). 
 

Join us tomorrow (May 1st) for our final game and perhaps you’ll be the big winner.  All you need to do is be at the pool bar at 3:30 with 3 one dollar bills. No singles? No worries! Clay will have change. 

[Va Girl]

We have been lurking on this thread following the adventures of our good friends Clay and Mike.  So enjoying the commentary and pictures!

Since we were unable to get the helicopter pilot to "drop" his Birthday card to him on the deck, I have pulled out of "Lurkdom" to wish him an early Happy Birthday.  Hoping you win LCR again on May 2nd and have your traditional gin and tonic with a twist of lime to enjoy.  Oh wait have you switched to Mojitos???

Happy Birthday and hugs for afar,

Peggy and Lowell

[Clay Clayton]

Just now, Va Girl said:

We have been lurking on this thread following the adventures of our good friends Clay and Mike.  So enjoying the commentary and pictures!

Since we were unable to get the helicopter pilot to "drop" his Birthday card to him on the deck, I have pulled out of "Lurkdom" to wish him an early Happy Birthday.  Hoping you win LCR again on May 2nd and have your traditional gin and tonic with a twist of lime to enjoy.  Oh wait have you switched to Mojitos???

Happy Birthday and hugs for afar,

Peggy and Lowell

Birthday? You must have me confused with somebody else.  I don’t celebrate them anymore! 
 

Mojitos have become my LCR drink because our LCR bartender Clayfon makes such tasty ones!

[dottythecat]

Thanks for the travelogue, Clay. We board the Sky on May 6 for the British Isles cruise. Save me some pistachio buns! I am bringing LRC and have asked our traveling companions to bring some $$.  Barb

 

 

 

[Clay Clayton]

Just now, dottythecat said:

Thanks for the travelogue, Clay. We board the Sky on May 6 for the British Isles cruise. Save me some pistachio buns! I am bringing LRC and have asked our traveling companions to bring some $$.  Barb

 

 

 

Haven’t seen a pistachio bun in three months😢. Have a great cruise and the pool bar table is perfect for LCR and I think Clayfon will still be onboard when you are. 

[Clay Clayton]

I spoke too soon!  Yesterday was my birthday and we were awakened by a delivery of my favorite buns and a handcrafted artisanal birthday card of curated recycled materials made lovingly by Mike😂

 

 

 

After breakfast, we enjoyed the included walking tour of Cherbourg a very nice little town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were lucky that Thursday was market day in Cherbourg.  So many beautiful flowers, vegetables, pastries, breads, cheeses, etc.  

 

 

 

We decided to buy some cheeses, meats, and have a picnic. It was chilly and rain was threatening so we went back to the ship and enjoyed it onboard with our prepaid wine😂

 

 

We enjoyed the spa after lunch and had it all to ourselves! 
 

We had friends join us for dinner at Manfredi’s private room and had a great time.  We had visits from Mukesh-the Hotel Manager, Sam-the Guest Services Manager, and Max-the Excursions Manager along with what seemed like most of the servers and chefs onboard when they delivered a special birthday cake-they even had me “blow out”’the candle😂

 

 

 

 

 

We got back to the room to find another little remembrance of Portugal waiting for us along with another beautiful sunset. 

 

 

All in all, a wonderful birthday!

[cruising denise]

5 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

I spoke too soon!  Yesterday was my birthday and we were awakened by a delivery of my favorite buns and a handcrafted artisanal birthday card of curated recycled materials made lovingly by Mike😂

 

 

 

After breakfast, we enjoyed the included walking tour of Cherbourg a very nice little town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were lucky that Thursday was market day in Cherbourg.  So many beautiful flowers, vegetables, pastries, breads, cheeses, etc.  

 

 

 

We decided to buy some cheeses, meats, and have a picnic. It was chilly and rain was threatening so we went back to the ship and enjoyed it onboard with our prepaid wine😂

 

 

We enjoyed the spa after lunch and had it all to ourselves! 
 

We had friends join us for dinner at Manfredi’s private room and had a great time.  We had visits from Mukesh-the Hotel Manager, Sam-the Guest Services Manager, and Max-the Excursions Manager along with what seemed like most of the servers and chefs onboard when they delivered a special birthday cake-they even had me “blow out”’the candle😂

 

 

 

 

 

We got back to the room to find another little remembrance of Portugal waiting for us along with another beautiful sunset. 

 

 

All in all, a wonderful birthday!

Clay - belated happy birthday, and THANK YOU so much for sharing your wonderful pictures.  I've been following along since we disembarked in Cape Town.  While I don't regret our decision at all, you gave me the chance to see where you all went after we left the ship!

[Clay Clayton]

Just now, cruising denise said:

Clay - belated happy birthday, and THANK YOU so much for sharing your wonderful pictures.  I've been following along since we disembarked in Cape Town.  While I don't regret our decision at all, you gave me the chance to see where you all went after we left the ship!

Thank you-I thought about you the other night at the farewell gala-it was a very memorable and emotional night.  May 6th is likely to be another!

[Clay Clayton]

Beautiful day for our optional excursion to Giverny and Monet’s House and Garden today from Honfleur. Our first stop after about a hour and three quarters was a beautiful wedding venue (né Pig Farm) for a nice lunch. 

 

 

Mackerel Terrine

 

Poached Chicken and buttery Mashed potatoes with a cream sauce (sorry I forgot to take a phot before digging in🫢)

 

Delicious apple tart and French vanilla ice cream

 

After lunch we rode about another 20 minutes to get to Giverny. What a horde of tourists-they really need timed tickets!  But the gardens were so beautiful and the house interesting to see. The most amazing fact to me was that they only had eight gardeners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now about 20 minutes into our 2 hour drive back to the ship.  Mike and I agree we are glad we came but would only do it again if we were staying closeby and could be there when the gates open and/or enter just before closing. We saw lots of tourists on day trips from Paris as well as two groups from Viking River boats docked in nearby Vernon. 

 

Tomorrow we are in Dover…going too fast!

 

[OneSixtyToOne]

48 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Beautiful day for our optional excursion to Giverny and Monet’s House and Garden today from Honfleur. Our first stop after about a hour and three quarters was a beautiful wedding venue (né Pig Farm) for a nice lunch. 

 

 

Mackerel Terrine

 

Poached Chicken and buttery Mashed potatoes with a cream sauce (sorry I forgot to take a phot before digging in🫢)

 

Delicious apple tart and French vanilla ice cream

 

After lunch we rode about another 20 minutes to get to Giverny. What a horde of tourists-they really need timed tickets!  But the gardens were so beautiful and the house interesting to see. The most amazing fact to me was that they only had eight gardeners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now about 20 minutes into our 2 hour drive back to the ship.  Mike and I agree we are glad we came but would only do it again if we were staying closeby and could be there when the gates open and/or enter just before closing. We saw lots of tourists on day trips from Paris as well as two groups from Viking River boats docked in nearby Vernon. 

We visited Monet’s garden on a Viking River cruise and arrived right at opening. We had a great guide and she took us right to the pond before anyone else arrived. 

[Azulann]

Clay , Happy Birthday! Your celebration pictures are wonderful. What a great Viking Crew!!!!!. 

Loving all your fabulous pictures of your excursions in France.

It is a joy following along your WC on Viking Sky  

[Jim Avery]

I have also enjoyed very much your post and pix.  I think it is true @skygetsitall because the Neptune thread seems to have sailed off into the Bermuda Triangle or some other disappear place....

[CCWineLover]

Happy Birthday Clay!  Have been following your exploits these many months, and living vicariously by them and your pictures.  So much appreciated.  What an amazing trip.

Wishing you the best in your "re-entry" and assimilation back into the real world, such as it is.

See you and Mike next spring!

[friendlyfifer]

On 4/30/2024 at 4:04 PM, Clay Clayton said:

Birthday? You must have me confused with somebody else.  I don’t celebrate them anymore! 
 

Mojitos have become my LCR drink because our LCR bartender Clayfon makes such tasty ones!

Clay, Clayfon was on the Sky when you and we did the TA just as Covid struck. I think it was his first contract with Viking. We met up with him a few years later. Please send him our best wishes (George and David from Scotland). Thank you too for all your photos and posts from the WC. We are so jealous.

[cruising denise]

5 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We visited Monet’s garden on a Viking River cruise and arrived right at opening. We had a great guide and she took us right to the pond before anyone else arrived. 

 

6 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Beautiful day for our optional excursion to Giverny and Monet’s House and Garden today from Honfleur. Our first stop after about a hour and three quarters was a beautiful wedding venue (né Pig Farm) for a nice lunch. 

 

 

Mackerel Terrine

 

Poached Chicken and buttery Mashed potatoes with a cream sauce (sorry I forgot to take a phot before digging in🫢)

 

Delicious apple tart and French vanilla ice cream

 

After lunch we rode about another 20 minutes to get to Giverny. What a horde of tourists-they really need timed tickets!  But the gardens were so beautiful and the house interesting to see. The most amazing fact to me was that they only had eight gardeners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now about 20 minutes into our 2 hour drive back to the ship.  Mike and I agree we are glad we came but would only do it again if we were staying closeby and could be there when the gates open and/or enter just before closing. We saw lots of tourists on day trips from Paris as well as two groups from Viking River boats docked in nearby Vernon. 

 

Tomorrow we are in Dover…going too fast!

 

Thanks so much for posting these beautiful pix and the guidance about visiting Giverny in future.  I love Monet's work so much and your photos look like the paintings (I guess no surprise).  When we originally booked our excursions last September, we were tempted but had not signed up for this.  We thought that by this point in the cruise we would not be able to handle the long bus rides any more 😁 and wanted to do the Giverny visit another time when we are land based and closer.  So your comments are very helpful!  ENJOY THESE LAST DAYS!  What a voyage!  Even for us who cut it a bit short!

[Clay Clayton]

1 hour ago, friendlyfifer said:

Clay, Clayfon was on the Sky when you and we did the TA just as Covid struck. I think it was his first contract with Viking. We met up with him a few years later. Please send him our best wishes (George and David from Scotland). Thank you too for all your photos and posts from the WC. We are so jealous.

I’ll do it! Just fyi-he is gonna be a dad in June!

[odblnt]

It's been a pleasure following along on your cruise, and gazing longingly at the ship when you docked here. Safe travels home and on your future adventures.

 

Pete

[aungrl]

16 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

I spoke too soon!  Yesterday was my birthday and we were awakened by a delivery of my favorite buns and a handcrafted artisanal birthday card of curated recycled materials made lovingly by Mike😂

 

 

 

After breakfast, we enjoyed the included walking tour of Cherbourg a very nice little town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were lucky that Thursday was market day in Cherbourg.  So many beautiful flowers, vegetables, pastries, breads, cheeses, etc.  

 

 

 

We decided to buy some cheeses, meats, and have a picnic. It was chilly and rain was threatening so we went back to the ship and enjoyed it onboard with our prepaid wine😂

 

 

We enjoyed the spa after lunch and had it all to ourselves! 
 

We had friends join us for dinner at Manfredi’s private room and had a great time.  We had visits from Mukesh-the Hotel Manager, Sam-the Guest Services Manager, and Max-the Excursions Manager along with what seemed like most of the servers and chefs onboard when they delivered a special birthday cake-they even had me “blow out”’the candle😂

 

 

 

 

 

We got back to the room to find another little remembrance of Portugal waiting for us along with another beautiful sunset. 

 

 

All in all, a wonderful birthday!

First, Happy Birthday!  It looks like a perfect day.  And, I knew that at some point, those buns would appear, and no better time than your birthday.  😊

[Clay Clayton]

When we got back yesterday afternoon, there were a few of the entertainment staff and other crew out on the pier with music playing. As we went up the gangway, the wait and bar staff were coming down. Soon there was a long line of welcomers. As each bus arrived the party got louder and soon all of us on the balconies were in the party too. 
 

I have always thought the welcome back on the piers was a bit much-the crew works so hard for us to then ask them to come out and clap and dance was not for me.  But after watching how much fun they were having together between buses-when there were no guests on the pier has changed my mind.  They aren’t being forced to be happy, they are having a good time together.  

 

 

We just docked in Dover after a beautiful morning of getting closer and closer to the White Cliffs. 
 

 

 

[DogSaysStayHome]

23 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

I have also enjoyed very much your post and pix.  I think it is true @skygetsitall because the Neptune thread seems to have sailed off into the Bermuda Triangle or some other disappear place....

Agree, love reading the posts and the Neptune seems to be MIA. This roll call is just about to hit 1000 posts!

[CCWineLover]

23 minutes ago, DogSaysStayHome said:

Agree, love reading the posts and the Neptune seems to be MIA. This roll call is just about to hit 1000 posts!

Much of that thanks to Clay's wonderful posts helping us all live vicariously!

[aungrl]

6 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

Much of that thanks to Clay's wonderful posts helping us all live vicariously!

So I have to post something, as I see that we're one away from 1,000.  What a great cruise this has been, and we've all loved following along with you guys!