Viking Torgil sailed from Vila Nova de Gaia at 6:30 a.m. Heading east from Porto along the Douro River, the scene was one of verdant forests and riverside villas and villages. There was some industry associated with the river, mainly sand and gravel wharves. But mostly it was a tranquil landscape with green hills rising up from the river. During breakfast, we traversed the first lock, Crestuma, 14 miles (23 km) from Porto. The Douro River has five dam and lock systems along its length in Portugal. They were built between 1965 and 1985. River vessels have reservations for each lock passage, so they have to keep to a schedule to arrive at the proper time. (Thus the captain could tell passengers the time each lock would be reached.) The dams have a dual purpose. They
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