Day 27 - Thursday 18th May 2023

We'd decided not to participate in the excursion this morning because it had been described as strenuous. I didn't want to risk it. So we were able to sleep in rather than setting an alarm. We went down for breakfast at about 8:15.

Today I decided to order something from the a la carte menu instead of just having the buffet and so I ordered the minute steak. In Australia, if you order steak for breakfast, you get an unimpressive thin piece that they wouldn't dare to serve you for lunch or dinner. By contrast, this minute steak was excellent - thick, juicy and well presented.

After a light lunch, we set off at 1:45pm for our outing to the Mateus Mansion with our guide, Renata. The bus took us up and over several bridges before eventually getting to the motorway. Along the way, we admired the view of the countryside, vineyards, houses and towns.

Renata explained that the Mateus Mansion is not related to the company that makes the famous Mateus wine. It merely provides the name for the wine and the photo for the label. She said the English equivalent of the name Mateus is Matthew.

After arriving near the mansion at 2:20, Renata rushed us to the entrance of the property which was a struggle for a few of us who aren't particularly mobile. There were lots of other tour groups there as well.

They divided our bus group into two different groups each with a local guide who then took us from room to room in one wing of the mansion. Apparently the family still lives in the other wing and relies on the income from tour groups.

Inside the house, we admired the furniture, paintings, carvings, vases, etc. Apparently the family are particularly proud of the library room which contains a very large number of old books. The final room was an elegant dining room.

After the tour of the house, we were free to explore the magnificent gardens around the house. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with a temperature of 23C.

We took plenty of photos of the flowers in the gardens. It was a blaze of colour.

One photo in particular was important. There is a belief that couples who walk hand-in-hand through the archway of trees will double the length of their relationship.

After the bus departed at 4pm, Renata continued her commentary about Mateus. She said Mateus was the first rose and the first to use their distinctive bottle shape. She said they have since changed to shape of the bottle. We reached the ship at about 4:30pm.

Predinner drinks was in the lounge at 6:15 and was followed by dinner at 7pm in the Crystal Dining Room. I had cod fish and Suzy had salmon. Both were delicious. Suzy didn't like the red wine and had a brandy instead.

At 9:30, there was a musical event with a violin and piano.

There was also talk about a photo competition. Each cabin could submit two entries. I had a photo of the bridges after sunset that I was considering submitting.

We were in bed by 10:30pm.