Rebelo boats on Douro river Photo

Photographer’s Note

The traditional rabelo boats are unmistakeable and typical vessels, which, until 1965, transported port along the choppy and treacherous river Douro to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. It was a long journey over more than 150km that took 3 days and 3 nights. The boatmen (normally four) slept on board and ate cod, cured ham, oranges and corn bread.

With a robust build and elegant profile, the beautiful wooden boat originally measured 6 metres in length, with a very high sail and a capacity for 8 barrels of port.

Today, the remaining boats are a reminder of the early stages of the port trade. The main port companies display the symbols of their quality on festival days by hoisting their sail.

orfeonpessoa, PixelTerror, vinicio, Paolo, someguy, armilio, riclopes, apazevedo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (46493) 2006-03-13 3:39

Nice scenery and perfect photo. Fine composition, detailed note. Regards.

Cruize (0) 2006-03-13 3:45

Niiice! I wish I was there to see the history. I like your perspective and DOF Marjan. I wonder if the 4 boatsmen drank any port on their 3 day and 3 night journey?

This is a worthy image Marjan...well done.

Best wishes
Vernon

Angshu (30880) 2006-03-13 4:03

Wonderful shot Marjan. The boat in the front, with the beautiful hoses in the back provide a fascinating composition. Nice crisp blue sky too
Regards
Angshu

Keitht (1092) 2006-03-13 4:10

I like the composition. The buildings in the background add to the timelessness of the scene. The reflection of the boat is good although on my monitor the boat itself is a little dark.
The only point on composition is that a viewpoint slightly further right would have put the boat's masts either side of the top building rather than the flag partly obscuring it. A very minor point.

orfeonpessoa (81) 2006-03-13 6:54

Belo retrato do Porto! Não sendo original, é sempre belo! Boa nota.

tjanze (5674) 2006-03-13 12:55

Zdravo Marjan!
Tole si pa odlicno ujel.Res unikatna vesla na čolnu in tudi arhitektura zadaj je čudovita.
Lep pozdrav Vlado

beijokense (498) 2006-03-13 17:39

Hi Marjan,
beautiful shot, but no need to have a fake sky... it should have been lovely with a cloudy sky too.
Regards,
Beijo

alekpet (4657) 2006-03-14 3:59

Zdravo, Marjan.
Odlična kombinacija čolna z krasnim mestom od zadaj.
Odlična ostrina in barve.

Pozdrav, Aleksandar

PixelTerror (81492) 2006-03-14 4:00

Dober Dan Marjan,
A nice view from Porto including these famous port wine carrying boats now anchored in Gaia, maybe you could have framed a little bit to the left, so the rising tower would not be right on the boundary. Nice colors and sharpness.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

vinicio (21905) 2006-03-15 7:40

The story of this boat is very interesting, your photo is very good, beautiful colors and landscape, compliments, also for the note.
Ciao
Vinicio

Paolo (40445) 2006-03-15 12:14

Hi Marjan, wonderful shot.
a large view of the city from the river banks.
good colours and light with excellent POV and focus.
a really beauty view.
thanks, ciao

someguy (749) 2006-03-15 12:28

Fantastic composition, the depth of field on this shot is incredible! Very well done.

carper (60991) 2006-03-15 12:33

yes Marjan it's a very good one you yours.
the composition is well taken, the pov is fantastic, and yes I like the beauty of the shot, my compliments Marjan for this fantastic job.
gr. jaap

AiresSantos (35803) 2006-03-16 14:29

Great capture in the Douro River, my friend.
I like the reflections and the details. Excellent colors, sharpness and light.
Very well done,
aires

armilio (311) 2006-03-19 6:50

Nice shot. But that sky...
As you say in your note "rAbelo" is the name of this tipical boat.
Regards.
Armilio.

riclopes (32362) 2006-03-23 5:24

Hi Marjan,
I found your gallery very interesting and it wasn't easy to choose this shot. I just made a critic to a similar photo of EGFIESTA,
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Portugal/photo343758.htm

This composition is excellent, with the sight of the beautiful typical rabelo boat in foreground and the gorgeous view of the Oporto in the background. The quality of the image is perfect, with marvellous colours and so many nice details to observe. Congratulations for this superb work!
Thanks a lot for sharing,
Ricardo

Gerrit (33056) 2006-03-23 7:01

Hi Marjan,
extraordinairy fragile shipshere in the forground and the view of the city is excellent.
Good work,
Thanks and regards, Gerrit

apazevedo (5469) 2006-03-25 17:16

Nice perspective of the typical Porto, Marjan. You captured in fact a traditional view and the composition is very pleasant. Also a good note, I just want to say that your title says "Rebelo boats", but they are in fact "Rabelo boats", as you say in your text, anyway. Good work!

jrj (34527) 2006-03-27 3:50

Hi M
Good compo of these boats for transport of port wine along Duoro. As always very effectful to have the old city and harbour of Porto included.

vbbreizh (2622) 2006-03-30 12:06

Hi Marjan
I like this one...with a beautiful reflection of the boat in the foreground and a nice coloured background.
Nice shot !
Regards, Gilles

yesterday (9738) 2006-04-23 14:59 [Comment]

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Voltri (1717) 2006-04-23 15:32

Nice composition and excellent colors.

kita (263) 2006-05-19 6:19

HI
It is not natural. I thing that you copy and paste the sky from other photo :)

ncfg (132) 2006-09-20 9:07

I love this scenery! Great photo! Lovely colours and good POV. I photos of Rebelo boats but from other POV.

trips (1486) 2007-02-08 11:26

Hi Marjan,

Beautiful composition. Porto is beautiful and the Rebelos are something unique!I have a picture very alike this one... now I don't know if I should post it... I think yours is better eheh ...
Anyway, you have a great collection of pictures of Portugal. I see you had good time here. And I feel happy about that!
Cheers,
Pedro