Day 3 Lunch in Estoril, trip to the Canary Islands, 14th January 2026

A Cabana Restaurant in Espinho, the second time Jorge has taken me there for crab and other seafood. The ambiance, service and company were out of this world. We spoke to mom and Carlos as well as Darren. Opposite sides of the world but felt like we were all together ❤️ 

Rosa had to work so was unable to join us. We are so grateful to Jorge for making our day in Porto unforgettable.

Michael had Caldo Verde and a portion of pescada a hake style fish served as a round portion. He said it was the best fish he has ever had.

Could you want anymore, the crab, prawns, clams. Fantastic spread.

Jorge drove us back and there was so much traffic, he dropped us off earlier that expected, without going where he wanted next in case we were held up further.

We boarded the ship

When we got into the room our room steward had folded a dog, they are so talented.

Day 3 Port of Leixons for Oporto, trip to the Canary Islands, 14th January 2026

Jorge fetched us from the port, drove us into Porto and we went to walk along the Douro river that starts in Spain and finds its way to the sea near Porto. It was raining so we did not walk too far but he explained the various Port wine company's one can see on the other side of the river and how the barrels used to be carried down river in the boats we still see there today.

We then drove to the area where the stock exchange castle is situated and did a tour of this Islamic style castle.

This room looked like wood and steel yet all above eye level was white plaster painted to look like steel and wood. Unbelievable!

This room was called the wow room, intricate mosaics spelling Allah's name in various ways which Jorge hired out for his company's year end function.

Coffee afterwards which Michael did not enjoy. No choice of coffee with milk or sugar, you got an expresso, thats coffee! 

Day 2 at sea passing the Bay of Biscay and Fisterre at the tip of Spain, trip to the Canary Islands, 14th January 2026

Today was a chilled day with gym in the morning. Hours are 8:00 to 20:00 which messes up our plans of gym and then early breakfast before the masses. It's ok on sea days but if we want to get off the boat early, we have to plan for gym in tge evening before supper. Which I don't like, soooo I figured I will go to the theater and do my daily j there, when I have internet which means shore days, before anyone else is awake.

In the afternoon we did the relax room, a lovely room with loungers that face the sea, a steam session and then a sauna. 

We got back to the room, changed and had supper at the Borough Market which is a buffet whenere one can eat at anytime and then made our way to listen to a lovely lady sing soul, jazz and motown songs.

Day 1 at sea and Darrens birthday, trip to the Canary Islands, 13th January 2026

The first day at sea was lovely and restful with no internet, did i mention Michael wants me to detox from the internet. Not sure i can go 2 days.... We walked and explored the Ambition getting familiar with the location of the different restaurants, bars, shops, gym and spa.

We have the last sitting 20:15 at the Buckingham restaurant for a la carte dining which is late for us and we cannot make the entertainment at 22:30. We are just about asleep at the table so need a new strategy if we want to see the shows.

Our cabin seems a lot more spacious and we have a window to the ocean which allows in a lot of light and makes the place look bigger and brighter.

Boarding the Ambition of the Ambassador cruise line for the trip to the Canary Islands, 12th January 2026

Best English breakfast at the Dock Cafe in Tilbury. Michaels included fried bed with fried eggs ontop.

We walked to the end of the world pub and passed the cruise port and the fort in charge of stopping invadors into the Thames.

We walked back, collected our suitcases and once again made our way back to the cruise terminal on the Thames river.

Easy checkin and on-board ship with an awesome cabin. Our cabin has a window. We had a great dinner with intentions of going to the show, instead we fell into an exhausted sleep.

Tilbury, the AirBnB, 11th January 2026

We walked from Tilbury station to the AirBnB, the distance is short but it is drizzling and cold. We get to the door and the room is tiny but warm, clean and cozy. After settling in, we walked to go find a place to eat. Everything we had planned for is closed so we find an Indian takeaway. Food was plentiful and tasty.

We walked back and had a great night sleep.

Stanstead Airport, trip to Tilbury 11th January 2026

Our luggage took forever to arrive, at least 45 minutes, the last two bags.

Made our way to the station and printed our tickets after which we boarded the Greater Anglia express for Liverpool station. Got off and made our way through the financial district of London, wow, the buildings around Bishopsgate are huge and glass and metal artistically intertwined.

20 minutes later we boarded another train this time by the c2c company for Tilbury town after which we will walk to our nights accommodation.