Lisbon - Record making bi-plane – Santa Cruz – on the bank of the Tagus River

An exact replica of the Santa Cruz, the third of three Fairey 111 bi-planes, used to make the first ever aerial crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922, stands next to the Belem Tower on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon, close to the spot where the flight took off from.

The Portuguese pilots Gago Coutinho along with Sacadura Cabral, were the first to fly across the South Atlantic Ocean a distance of 8,383km (5,209 mi). They took off from Lisbon on the 24 March 1922 and arrived in Rio de Janeiro 79 days later on the 6th June 1922 – although the actual flight time was only 62 hours and 26 minutes.

Because the sea-plane was not capable of carrying sufficient fuel for the long journey, it had to stop and refuel several times along the way. One purpose of the flight was to test some new aerial technology – the artificial horizon device.

When the pilots reached the coast of Brazil they were twice forced down by bad weather and had to ditch in the ocean. When rescue arrived, word went out for a replacement plane. With a similar aircraft (named the Santa Cruz) the aviators were able to continue their flight to Rio de Janeiro where they ditched in Guanabara Bay.

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Pic of plane and Tower taken during my recent visit to Lisbon. 

Pic of Rio de Janeiro (2013)

Pics of Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral is a public domain image

Vera Cruz - replica caravel of Carbal who discovered Brazil in 1500

This 23m vessel Vera Cruz can be seen on the Tagus River at Lisbon, Portugal.

It was locally made in 2000 and is constructed entirely of wood.

It is a replica of the caravel that discovered Brazil in 1500. The voyage led by Pedro Álvares Carbal, with 15 ships (carracks and caravels), was to sail to India around Africa – the route opened by Vasco Da Gama. However, on the way (sailing far enough west in the Southern Atlantic to catch the ‘volta do mar’ or ‘the turn of the sea’ - the winds to carry them around the horn of Africa) Carbal sighted land, which he thought was an island. 

After making landfall, he exchanged gifts with the indigenous indians. Carbal claimed the land for the Portuguese Crown and called it Ilha de Vera Cruz (Island of the True Cross). Once it was realized that this land was not an island, the name was changed several times before it was called Brazil (after the wood used for dying).

Carbal, who appears in the Momument to the Discoveries, standing next to Vasco da Gama, is recognized as being the first European to discover the South American continent.

 

Located in Lisbon’s Benin district is the Jeronimos Monastery. This magnificent building was constructed in 1502 to commemorate Vasco Da Gama's voyage of discovery. Vasco da Gama's tomb is inside by the entrance. 

Note: Unfortunately my own picture of the tomb was poor. This one is courtesy of Wiki Creative Commons.

The Azores – the Fortunate Isles – the setting for a book and the second port-of-call on my journey

Despite the ageing volcanic peaks of São Miguel being shrouded in mist, I was anxious to see all I could of this exotic location during my brief visit to the Azores. 

Situated 900 miles west of Lisbon and once thought to be the remains of Atlantis. The group of nine islands was originally known as the The Western Isles. 

The name, Azores, derived from the colonies of hawks (actually buzzards) that were the first inhabitants. The islands belong to Portugal.

In the early days, the French included the Azores in a group they called les isles fortunées, and it was two of the islands of this group that I used as the settings for my latest book – the fourth in the Oliver Quintrell nautical fiction series. I titled it “The Unfortunate Isles”. When writing the story two years ago, I relied entirely on research, mainly from the internet.

It seemed fitting that as the cruise ship I was on was entering the harbour, I saw a tall ship emerge from the mist. Of course, it wasn’t a naval frigate from the Napoleonic era, but the Royal Clipper of the Star Clippers’ line.

São Miguel, the largest of the islands and home to the capital, Ponta Delgada, is also known as the green island. The damp atmosphere and rich volcanic soil make for very lush and productive farmland. The hydrangeas, which grow in profusion along the road verges, were ready to burst into flower. Azaleas, too, were among the many flowers of the island.

The distinctive features of the old Portuguese settlement are found in the architecture with the contrast of black and white stones in the old buildings, especially the churches.

The geometric patterns of mosaics in the courtyards and along the pathways are made up of thousands of pieces of volcanic rock. They are just as I expected them to be. 

The old wharf of 1804 has disappeared but the fort is still standing at the western end of the port, and the city’s entrance gate is spectacular.

Sadly my journey to see the Green and Blue Lakes in the mountains was wasted as the mountain top was covered in mist. This picture is taken from a postcard. I did, however, glimpse the rugged coast line of the north and west of the island. This confirmed how difficult it would have been, in the days of sail, for vessels to enter some of the bays.

Having written “The Unfortunate Isles” using only research material, it was reassuring on visiting São Miguel to find that what I had described was relative accurate, taking into account the time frame of the novel was the early 1800s.

But I must admit to a strange experience when I was in the town square. I had the distinct feeling that Oliver Quintrell had walked over the same ground before me. Interesting. It goes to show how deeply an author becomes involved with his/her characters.

Next stop on my journey – Lisbon.

Note: "The Unfortunate Isles" is available from Amazon as an e-book or in paperback

New York, New York – one hell of a town – my recent visit

Following a night beside the Miami River – the river that flows from the Florida Everglades to the port, I boarded a cruise ship. New York was its next port-of-call.

Two days later, everyone aboard ‘MSC Divina’ was on deck to get the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Having welcomed millions of people to the US over the years, the grand lady did not disappoint. (To get some idea of the statue's size, you can see the visitors standing around the stone parapet at the bottom of the picture.)

The sun shone brightly from a clear sky and the River gleamed while the big barges laden with cargo (which I did not expect to see) glided up and down the waterway. 

The Brooklyn Bridge was easy to recognize but it was the new majestic One World Trade Centre building – the highest in the Western Hemisphere – that grabbed everyone’s attention. Shining in the morning sun, its faceted faces reflected the sun, the sky and clouds.

It has 94 floors, and is the tallest structure in New York City. With the massive spire on the top, the skyscraper it measures 541 meters tall or 1,776 feet – the number of feet being a deliberate reference to the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Manhattan is remarkable to me for the surprises it has in store for visitors. I found several things I did not expect: such as stepping off the cruise ship right onto the streets of Manhattan.

Buildings, which at a distance look as though they have been constructed of Lego blocks. A constant buzz of helicopters taking off and landing at a waterfront landing pad.

Blossom trees on the sidewalks heavy with flowers.

Old sailing ships and the aircraft carrier ‘Intrepid’ tied up alongside ferries and other boats on Manhattan’s foreshore. Even more surprising was to see a British/French Concord aircraft sitting on Pier 88 next to it.

Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Time Square, Greenwich Village and Central Park and more were all on the list, but foremost was a visit to the September 11 Memorial. Seeing the twin pools of remembrance, bordered with bronze panels inscribed with the names of the thousands of victims who perished, was a sobering experience.

Despite being familiar with the events of 9/11, it is hard to image, when standing in the footprint of the twin towers that such a horrific thing happened on that very site.

The new Tower overlooking the Memorial takes on an almost ethereal appearance as it melds with the sky and disappears into the Heavens.
 

My visit to New York has certainly left lasting memories.
Next stop The Azores.