We were appreciative of yet another November morning filled with warm sunshine. Eating breakfast overlooking the harbour, we watched a large cruise liner slowly slip into the terminal.  Another lazy day, we read our daily newspaper freshly downloaded onto our iPads then thought it was time to make a move.  We decided on a leisurely walk out of town, passing the historic pink facade of the Reid’s Palace Hotel which dates back to the 1890’s, then along past the Lido and the newer part of town known as the ‘hotel zone’ which is home to a cluster of modern hotels.  We were more than happy with our choice of hotel, the Casino Park, designed by the noted Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and built in the 1970’s.  It’s now a listed building and is one of the closest hotel’s to the town centre.  It’s classified as a 5 star, but I think this is perhaps rather generous, the balcony furniture needed replacing and the carpets on the upper corridors were a little worn.

Feeling better for our 90 minute walk, we changed into swimwear and found a shady spot around the pool to read books on our Kindle’s and doze a little in the warm Autumn sunshine.

We ate dinner in one of our favourite town centre restaurants and then returned along the waterfront.  It’s far quieter there in the evenings when the cruise liner passengers have returned to their ships and set sail to their next destinations.  To end the day we relaxed in the hotel lounge listening to the live music which is always of a high standard.

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