Captivating the Canary Islands [Portugal Morocco Spain Cruise]

  We slept in, so were a little late joining Joan & Bob for breakfast, before we made our leisurely way to the train station. A kind attendant helped us buy the correct tickets and get to the necessary platform for the train to Sintra. When we got off the train, we were approached by a woman named Flower, offering touring services. After some conversation and debate, we decided to do the local area with her. We drove up the mountain to where we had a great view of the castle,  and she told us its story. We opted not to tour the castle, but just enjoy the view and its history. Then Larry and Bob sat while Joan and I went with Flower up a path to see the Moorish fortification on another mountai n. The history of this place is so long and so interesting and the surroundings are so very beautiful. We were very happy to enjoy all the green leaves and spring blossoms after the miserable winter at home. It’s a great place to visit. We had lunch on the outdoor patio of a local res...

After a nice breakfast and pack-up, we took a taxi from the hotel to the cruise terminal. The boarding process was easy, and soon we were enjoying lunch beside the pool. The afternoon was for resting and settling into our stateroom. The sail-away party at 5 was fun, with appies and drinks and music, poolside, as we sailed out through Lisbon. We enjoyed music in one of the lounges until dinner time. After a delicious dinner, we were back in the lounge again until time for the welcome-aboard show in the theatre. It was great and we look forward to excellent entertainment on this cruise.

We anchored at Portimao and tendered to shore. Rough ride! The captain even mentioned that it was a near call whether to cancel. However, we made it to shore and boarded a very comfortable bus for our 4-hour panoramic tour of the area. We wandered through Silves, a lovely old town and a mountaintop group of craft shops and restaurant. [Photo of curious Beach Volley Ball Tournament] The views were a bit Hampered by haze, but still most impressive. Back in Portimao, we drove through the tourist area (many high-rise hotels and suite hotels) to a waterfront restaurant for fresh orange juice. Oranges are the biggest local crop and this is their peak season. So – yum!! Once back on board we had a light lunch by the pool and put our feet up until time for trivia. I found a great team – Almost There – and we had fun but didn’t win any points. I had somehow managed to find an incorrect menu for dinner so my pre-order didn’t work. They still gave me a great meal, but we were awhile at dinner, so...

The seas were rough from dinner time until early morning. It became much calmer as we approached Casablanca. This is one of the few countries where our phone plan doesn’t work, so we just have cameras, no communications.  The tour today was disappointing. The bus wasn’t in great shape, including the sound system, so it was difficult to hear and understand the guide. The constant chatterers ahead of us didn’t help that. At one stop, there were crowds of people and by the time we got off the bus, our guide was out of sight. We caught up with 2 other wrong groups and stayed with each for a few minutes before we realized they weren’t ours. Finally, we found the right one, but walking around it was even less possible to hear and understand him.  We visited the huge beautiful amazing mosque that is visible all over. We couldn’t go into the mosque itself, but spent some time in the museum. We drove through a great variety of neighbourhoods, rich and poor, beautiful and shabby.  ...

  Today we seemed not to be playing with a full deck. Literally, I guess, since the first thing that happened was that I lost my key card. Easily replaced, thank goodness. Agadir is an interesting place. It is a modern city, unlike most in Morocco. It was an ancient city but was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1960 and was rebuilt with wide avenues, lush parks and seismic-resistant buildings. Our first stop was called Fantasia, where we saw a show, consisting of local music, acrobatics and snake-charming.  The most dramatic part was a charge from the fare end of the field, by 5 warriors on horses, who fired their very loud rifles as they arrived. That happened 4 times. We could see why a Berber attack was a very frightening event. Next was a visit to an agar(?) oil production place, where we heard about the oil, local to this area, and how it is made. From there, we moved on to the biggest souk in Morocco. Our guide said we could stick with him or meet back at the ent...

  A day at sea was very welcome to all the weary passengers. We had a late breakfast in the Compass Rose dining room. Joan & I went to a bracelet-making class, then went and played bingo. Didn’t win, but had fun.  We relaxed, had a late lunch, and relaxed some more. I decided to try the Mensa quiz and tween that and trivia, finally collected a few points. (we were 2nd in trivia).  A very late birthday dinner at Prime 7, meant we missed tonight’s show, but was a great way to celebrate his birthday. All Photos of the Day

We had ordered a very early room service breakfast, so were up in time to watch the arrival and tie-up at Las Palmas. Our tour set out at 8, starting with a photo stop overlooking Las Palmas. We drove to Teror, a lovely village in the mountains. We visited the beautiful church and enjoyed the square. It was early, so the town was just coming alive. There was quite a bit of damage from a severe tropical storm last Tuesday. We were glad to have missed that. It may account for our rough tendering at Algarve. On to Arucas, where we admired the church from the outside and strolled the main street. Another lovely town. The whole island is beautiful and it sits in a strategic position relative to trade winds and ocean currents. Christopher Columbus stayed here at the beginning of his historic voyage to the new world. It is also very fertile. They can harvest potatoes 3 times a year. Coal used to be shipped here from the UK to refuel boats heading to the Americas or the east. Rather than retur...

It seemed like a very early morning, since once again we set our clocks ahead an hour. Daylight Saving Time started today in Europe. We met Joan & Bob in the theatre and left on a terrific tour of the Santa Cruz area. We visited a high area with great views (through it was hazy), an amazing garden, the best market yet, and the opera house. We couldn’t go inside but walking through that area was delightful. Our guide is a teacher/historian and provided an amazing description of the history and life style of the islands. This is where Adm. Horatio Nelson lost his arm, but the local forces offered him help and he became friendly. There’s even a street named for him. I had hoped to see a Palm procession, but didn’t. Church bells were ringing though. We lunched by the pool, then relaxed in our room. Trivia was the best day yet – just 1 wrong answer, but we were 2 nd . Still – points. Of course, one person had suggested the right answer and we voted him down. Typical. Oh well We watched ...

Fortunately, the rough seas did not  prevent our docking at Funchal, on the beautiful island of Madeira. It was a relaxing morning, onboard, before our early afternoon departure for a tour of the area. There are several mountains around this harbour area and our skilled driver took the bus up and down the narrow, winding roads on a few of them.  At the peak of the highest one, we enjoyed the local cherry liqueur and Christmas cake, and could see the valley community that was originally the refuge of a group of nuns who fled the harbour area to escape pirates. The Christmas cake is a local custom. About December 8 th or 10 th every year, the fruitcake is made from a family recipe that includes local molasses, and probably local rum for soaking. Many cakes are made, and the last of the cakes from the year before are eaten on the day the new ones are made. If last year’s cake isn’t up to standard, a new recipe is required.  We had a great guide and an amazing driver, so it...

Although the clocks were set ahead again overnight, it didn’t bother us so much. We got up a bit later than usual and had a relaxed breakfast in Compass Rose. Larry went to a lecture about treasure-seeking Spaniards, while I attended another bracelet-making class. Joan still isn’t feeling up to activities and this is a good day for her to rest. I had intended to play bingo, but got involved in an interesting conversation about grandkids, travel and paper crafting that was more engaging. It’s chilly today and still quite rough. In the afternoon, TRIVIA!! We won!!! Just one error, and once again someone had suggested the right answer, but we went a different way. No worries. No one got a perfect score today. We were so pumped, we went on to the 60s name that tune game. Oh well. We did OK, but no points. The crew show was terrific. Sadly, that means we’re near the end of the cruise. [pre-dinner drinks at the fav bar had a couple replace the singing pair] Sigh. Dinner was great as always a...

What a lovely day! We lazed about all morning – well, if packing the bags that were so nicely put on our bed by our by cabin staff counts as lazing. Then we met Joan & Bob for lunch and went ashore together for our tour. We drove through the part of the city nearest the port, then walked through streets and parks to a Flamenco bar.  The performance was astonishing – and loud! We walked through the city and heard about the nightly processions during Holy Week, which is this week. Some passersby were wearing costumes with particular meaning. There are hundreds of chairs set up for watchers of the processions and there is a great deal of wax on the pavement from the large candles they carry in the processions. Eventually we made our way back to the bus and thence to the ship. I was late for trivia, but got to play with my usual team. So close, but no points. Next up was redeeming points – I got a tee shirt and a luggage strap. At dinner, Bob felt unwell and left. Joan checked on h...

Disembarking was smooth and we easily found our pre-arranged transport. The hotel proved to be rather isolated, but we were happy to just relax there and plan a day in town for tomorrow. Bob still feels unwell, so this is better anyway.  Larry, Joan & I visited a nearby MAKRO store, which is like Costco, but more-clearly geared to the hospitality industry. On the way back, we stopped at a convenience store for cheese, crackers, chips and beer. Then Joan & I played cards while the guys did their own thing – I think showers and naps and some computer stuff. It seems we all are ready for ordinary life. The dinner was more generous than we expected, but good. Then we turned in.

After a pleasant breakfast, we tried to check in online for tomorrow’s flights, but Portuguese Air wouldn’t let us, so we were blocked on Air Canada as well. Very annoying, but here’s hoping we will get home. We chatted with Esperanza, here at the hotel and she advised us about going into the city centre.  Good Friday is a day off for everyone except those working in tourist places. Bob stayed at the hotel. Joan, Larry & I walked through many streets and saw the Roman amphitheatre, the walls of the old fort, the outside of a huge cathedral and a beautiful park. The city was crowded with pedestrians. Like in Cadiz, there are hundreds of temporary chairs set up along the streets where there will be (and have been) processions with elaborate scenes carried on the shoulders of members of groups, along with bands and so on. We didn’t see any processions, unfortunately. [You must check these Youtube links to see what the processions are about: Malaga Easter Parade   Insider Expl...

Easy, early taxi ride to the airport, followed by several bad moments, the worst of which was the appearance on the check-in computer that our tickets to Toronto were cancelled. After a few worried minutes, some senior airline person resolved it, and we got our boarding passes for both flights. The gate seemed to change 3 times, but we eventually were aboard our flight to Lisbon, where we had time for one last wonderful Portuguese tart before catching the flight to Toronto. It was long, but we made it, and got home by dinner time. Wonderful trip. So happy to travel with long-time friends, and enjoy the luxury of Regent Seven Seas.