To Baiona
04/06/07 17:41 Filed in: Ria de Vigo
My theory is holding. Magnificent palm trees in the Plaza de Compostella and registration at the marina office resulted in 5 A4 sheets of paper being produced. So, our furthest port south, the biggest palm tree and the longest registration document. The daily cost is creeping up. €17 and change. The facilities at Real Club Nautico de Vigo are very tired and do not do justice to the two lovely buildings designed in the style of an ocean liner.
I gather that a financial restructuring is under way which may lead to improvements. The location is terrific. Minutes away from the centre of the largest city in Galicia.
The plan is to leave Vigo on Wednesday morning and sail further up the ria before visting the Islas Cies and then on to Baiona just south of the ria entrance. However I had heard and read a lot of negative comment about the marina at Baiona so after breakfast I caught a bus down to have a look.
In 1993 a replica of the caravel "Pinta" was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the original "Pinta" in Baiona in1493. "Pinta" was one of three ships in the Columbus expedition which discovered the Americas. Of the others "Santa Maria" sank on christmas day 1492 and "Nina" left with "Pinta" to return to Spain. The two became separated and "Nina" ended up in Lisbon
"Pinta" was not a big ship, just under 30m long with a draught of 2m and a beam of 6.6m and a displacement of 115 tons. She carried a crew of 27 under the command of Captain Martin Pinzon. With her three large sails she could reach a speed of 15 knots. Pretty impressive.
The display on board includes items brought back to Spain including, corn, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes and peanuts. It was well worth the entry cost of €1.
For another euro I was able to walk 3km around the walls of Monterreal Fort strategically placed to lob cannonballs at undesirable ships approaching Ria de Vigo from the south. Actually the history of a fort on the site goes back to the 9th century and the views are spectacular. While the walls remain a modern parador hotel has been built in the grounds.
Looking north from the fort, Islas Estellas in the foreground and Islas Cies in the distance.
I had thought there was only one marina at Baiona but there are now two. At the Monterreal Yacht Club mooring (med type) would cost €21.65 and a finger pontoon €29.75 plus €0.35 for electricity. Ouch! A stop at Baiona was looking unlikely but I called in at the new marina Puerto Deportiva de Baiona and was give a much more attractive rate of €14.53 all included.
Baiona with the old marina and fort wall in the foreground, "Pinta" in the centre and the new marina in the distance.
Back in Vigo I was unable to get the WiFi to work but, of all things, there is an Australian bar with free WiFi nearby. Off for a tinnie or two this evening.
I gather that a financial restructuring is under way which may lead to improvements. The location is terrific. Minutes away from the centre of the largest city in Galicia.
The plan is to leave Vigo on Wednesday morning and sail further up the ria before visting the Islas Cies and then on to Baiona just south of the ria entrance. However I had heard and read a lot of negative comment about the marina at Baiona so after breakfast I caught a bus down to have a look.
In 1993 a replica of the caravel "Pinta" was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the original "Pinta" in Baiona in1493. "Pinta" was one of three ships in the Columbus expedition which discovered the Americas. Of the others "Santa Maria" sank on christmas day 1492 and "Nina" left with "Pinta" to return to Spain. The two became separated and "Nina" ended up in Lisbon
"Pinta" was not a big ship, just under 30m long with a draught of 2m and a beam of 6.6m and a displacement of 115 tons. She carried a crew of 27 under the command of Captain Martin Pinzon. With her three large sails she could reach a speed of 15 knots. Pretty impressive.
The display on board includes items brought back to Spain including, corn, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes and peanuts. It was well worth the entry cost of €1.
For another euro I was able to walk 3km around the walls of Monterreal Fort strategically placed to lob cannonballs at undesirable ships approaching Ria de Vigo from the south. Actually the history of a fort on the site goes back to the 9th century and the views are spectacular. While the walls remain a modern parador hotel has been built in the grounds.
Looking north from the fort, Islas Estellas in the foreground and Islas Cies in the distance.
I had thought there was only one marina at Baiona but there are now two. At the Monterreal Yacht Club mooring (med type) would cost €21.65 and a finger pontoon €29.75 plus €0.35 for electricity. Ouch! A stop at Baiona was looking unlikely but I called in at the new marina Puerto Deportiva de Baiona and was give a much more attractive rate of €14.53 all included.
Baiona with the old marina and fort wall in the foreground, "Pinta" in the centre and the new marina in the distance.
Back in Vigo I was unable to get the WiFi to work but, of all things, there is an Australian bar with free WiFi nearby. Off for a tinnie or two this evening.