For the first time in ages, I’m heading out on an adventure without painted toes, for no particular reason! So I have grabbed a bright picture from my planned destination for some visual interest.

I have been wanting to explore Portugal for ages, and it seems to me that many of my friends and family have already had the pleasure and loved it. If you have travelled there, you will no doubt have recognized the above picture which I did not take. But looking forward to seeing it!

I’m travelling once again with a Montreal based tour company called Wingbuddy. You may recall that I travelled with them last fall in South America, and while a logistically complicated trip I was disappointed in some of the logistics and communications from the local guides and company base employees. But I decided to give them another chance and I think this one will be less complicated and hopefully more smooth. (Also they kindly gave me a $250 credit that didn’t come close to repaying me for all the wasted time during my last trip, but at least eased the pain.)

I’m liking that we are at the same hotel in Lisbon for 3 nights, then in Porto for 3 nights with day trips during our stays in each main centre. Makes for a little less hectic time than some tours where you’re changing hotels each night. Then it’s over to the Azores for 5 nights.

Well, that’s the plan at least. However, I just heard today from the Azores Airline which I’m booked on for the flight from Lisbon to Azores on the 22nd that their baggage handlers may be on strike next week! But they haven’t cancelled any flights yet, and we know from past experience that by the time they do cancel the flights and try to book us on other carriers, they will likely be all booked. So it’s in Wingbuddy’s hands to deal with it if they do go out. Not an ideal situation and letting someone else book my flights has never been my favourite situation.

I’m waiting now at the Ottawa airport for my flight to Montreal which has been delayed 40 minutes making my connection in Montreal really tight. Sigh. Adventure in travel. Wish me luck.

It’s a more rigorous tour than I’ve done recently, so if you don’t hear from me on some days, it’s not that I’ve become lost or gone into hiding to stay in a better climate….. or maybe it is!