Instead of flying back to the States this time, and since I had the time, I decided to sail back on the Seabourn Pursuit. The Newly built Pursuit is specifically designed as an expedition ship. It was coming to Lisbon from its construction shipyard in Genoa, Italy and being re-positioned to Antarctica. I decided to check it out for a possible future expedition. It has only 120 guest suites, 24 Zodiacs for exploration, two small submarines, and amazing high-tech capabilities. So, with only a one day stop in Madeira, then non-stop to Florida the entire voyage would take only 12 days. As a not so incidental benefit of this choice of transportation, not only would I gain an hour of sleep every other night going across the Atlantic, but I would suffer no jet lag when I got to my final destination in the States.
This is the vessel, The Seabourn Pursuit, before its maiden voyage across the Atlantic. I was not at all worried that it would end like the Titanic’s maiden voyage across the Atlantic. Just completed in Genoa, Italy in July, it is a Class 4 icebreaker expedition ship. These are the two dozen Zodiacs on board for deployment in most of the destinations to be explored and observed.The Captain’s bridge is high-tech and state of the art. The ship is equipped with stabilizers, amongst many other features.Another bridge perspectiveLooking out the side from the bridge. Along with all the exterior cameras, this allows a live actual view all the way down the starboard side from the bridge.One of the two on board submarines. A bit like Jules Verne.Another pic of the sub. Each sub holds three passengers in the front globe area and three in the rear globe area. The pilot’s seat is in the middle. The entry point is the opened hatch on top.View from inside the sub deployed in the water. These three passenger seats all swivel 360 degrees. With all the viewing polymer-like glass it doesn’t feel as claustrophobic as you might think. By next year the Titan’s implosion in 2023 will be a distant memory for some people. However, that event was not a positive for tiny submarines anywhere. The beautiful Madeira coastline. Here’s another place I could spend a ton of time. The population is a very manageable 250,000. The climate is temperate all year long as a result of being located in the Gulf Stream. Leaving the Island of Madeira bound for the States. From here it’s 10 days until we see any land.Chef’s market dinner after shopping in Madeira today. Great seafood and ahi, along with many island fruits and vegetables.Infinity pool at the rear of the ship. Not pictured is the adjacent and always necessary pool bar and grill. My view from in the pool looking forward at the ship. My view off the back from the pool. Nothing but water for a couple of thousand miles. It’s a very good feeling for me. My location somewhere in the Atlantic between Africa and The Americas on our way to the states.Beautiful sunset during cocktail time. What’s not to like here? So much prettier than flying back at 36,000 feet. And again, if you have the time, there’s nothing better than the “old-world” of traveling by ship. It puts my life into slow motion, which is a nice departure from what has become normal.
Lisbon is the last stop for me before I set sail for home in the States. Portugal is great. It’s eclectic, beautiful, old, new, and everything in between. The weather was perfect. The hotel I chose was in a great location just off the Avenue da Liberdade. Very walk friendly city, especially if you don’t mind hills. Lot’s of them here. Uber cars also work great.
Panoramic view of Lisbon.LX Market and one of its many bars. City walk on the Avenue da Liberdade.Little rental car. Definitely want to avoid any collisions in this thing. It’s electric too. Castle in Sintra. Inspires me to want to watch Game of Thrones.Coffee break at the LX Market.Great book store in the LX Market. Vintage audio as well as books being sold here.Classic albums same store. They also sold cassettes and 8tracks. Crazy.Walk in the park in Sintra. Touring option if the hills are too much. And this tuk tuk is quite festive too. Rent this one and it comes with all the corn chips you can eat, and a mariachi band.Parting shot of Lisbon as I set sail for the United States. More next week from the high-seas.
