Wednesday, May 30, 2012
May 29, 2012 - Cadiz, Spain
May 29, 2012 - Cadiz, Spain
Last night we watched a cast show with the music of Cole Porter. The dancers are very talented. There was a tap dancing number that was outstanding. Overall the entertainment has been good. I really think the costumes are the best I have seen on any ship. We really get a close up view sitting in the front row thanks to Myrna.
We turn the clock ahead one hour tonight because Cadiz is GMT+1, tomorrow we turn the clock back one hour because Lisbon is on GMT. Makes you dizzy.
We had all been to Cadiz on our Rome to Fort Lauderdale cruise on 2009, but on that trip we took the all day tour to Seville. We decided to use the Hop On Hop Off Bus, but then Don and Myrna decided to just walk into the old city center which ended very near to where we were docked. Evelyn and I want to see more of Cadiz, including the new parts of the city.
We left the ship before 10am and while walking to the bus stop I found that I had left the camera battery in the charger so I had to go back to the ship. The cost of the Hop bus is 15 euros, when I looked on the internet to find out, it quoted the regular price as $26 and an internet special at $20 plus a $3.50 handling charge. Currently 15 euros is less then $20. My only problem is that I'm using euros I bought last year for $1.50 each. The only plus is that I already considered the money spent.
It was very foggy when we left the ship and the bus first goes around the new city, outside the old wall, where the beaches are. It was hard to see in the fog, but the beaches reminded us of Santa Monica. Very deep beach, with lots of sand. It didn't look to be good for surfing, but there maybe times of the year when it is. The weather reminded me of May gray or even June gloom. A short distance from the beach road it was clear and blue.
We then drove back to the old part of the city. It reminded us of Florence, with narrow streets and old buildings surrounding large open public squares. We pasted the central area and the drove thru a very nice residential area with a beautiful botanical garden at the edge of the bay. The gardens had palms and ever greens trimmed in shapes the were spirals and pinnacles. Reminded Evelyn of Alice in Wonderland. It ran along the coast for at least a mi,e with paths, benches and a wide selection of blooming shrubs and flowers, really very inviting. Cadiz sort of juts out with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a Bay on the other. All of Cadiz is on the Atlantic side of Spain with the Straight of Gibraltar to the east.
We road around again to get off at the central area and also to see if the fog had cleared, it had a little. The central square was very busy, with a combination of tourist and locals. Another cruise ship is in port, the Maria - from Oceanna. We found a cafe and sat outside and had lunch. The special included: bread, olives, potatoe salad with tuna and olive oil, a plate of cold cuts served on a bed of potato chips, two beverages and paella for 18 euros. Why too much food, but we managed to eat most of it. Evelyn can't wait to get home to make the potato salad and a paella. She already purchased some saffron in the Canaries. The weather was great, the fog had lifted and we had bright sun shine and temperature in the low 70s. After lunch we walked the streets of the old city and then walked back to the ship. The on,y purchase was a magnet. Looked for Spanish olive oil but didn't see any. Spain produces more olive oil and some say better than
Italy.
We had dinner on the dinning room after drinks in the Casino Lounge. Tonight is "Dancing with the Strips" where the ship's dancers, dance with a ship's officers. The show was at 10pm and we wanted a front row seat. The Cabaret Lounge is setup more as a night club and the best seats are in the front row. Before "the dancing" there is a regular show with Gregg Scott a very tall violinist from England at 8:30pm. We finished dinner about 7:30pm and the hung out by the show room until the first show was over and then ran for our seats. Myrna also got into a fight with a lady that out weight her by 100 pounds, but everything turned out ok and we got our seats. Evelyn and I had our IPads and read until show time. After the show, which was very good, we read some more until the "dancing" show. There were four pairs and they all did a good job. There were judges who were the comedy part of the show. The junior officer Sabastiani who was are escort on the bridge tour was dancing and we supported him. He was very good doing a disco routine and won the competition with his partner Rochelle, one of the dancers. She is from Australia so it was very multi national. The whole program was very entertaining. They only stage this occasionally and it is a specialty of the cruise director David. The couples have to fine time and space for rehearsal between their regular duties. It was really fun and a lot more entertaining that the staff talent shows that are usually scheduled.
Tomorrow is Lisbon.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Last night we watched a cast show with the music of Cole Porter. The dancers are very talented. There was a tap dancing number that was outstanding. Overall the entertainment has been good. I really think the costumes are the best I have seen on any ship. We really get a close up view sitting in the front row thanks to Myrna.
We turn the clock ahead one hour tonight because Cadiz is GMT+1, tomorrow we turn the clock back one hour because Lisbon is on GMT. Makes you dizzy.
We had all been to Cadiz on our Rome to Fort Lauderdale cruise on 2009, but on that trip we took the all day tour to Seville. We decided to use the Hop On Hop Off Bus, but then Don and Myrna decided to just walk into the old city center which ended very near to where we were docked. Evelyn and I want to see more of Cadiz, including the new parts of the city.
We left the ship before 10am and while walking to the bus stop I found that I had left the camera battery in the charger so I had to go back to the ship. The cost of the Hop bus is 15 euros, when I looked on the internet to find out, it quoted the regular price as $26 and an internet special at $20 plus a $3.50 handling charge. Currently 15 euros is less then $20. My only problem is that I'm using euros I bought last year for $1.50 each. The only plus is that I already considered the money spent.
It was very foggy when we left the ship and the bus first goes around the new city, outside the old wall, where the beaches are. It was hard to see in the fog, but the beaches reminded us of Santa Monica. Very deep beach, with lots of sand. It didn't look to be good for surfing, but there maybe times of the year when it is. The weather reminded me of May gray or even June gloom. A short distance from the beach road it was clear and blue.
We then drove back to the old part of the city. It reminded us of Florence, with narrow streets and old buildings surrounding large open public squares. We pasted the central area and the drove thru a very nice residential area with a beautiful botanical garden at the edge of the bay. The gardens had palms and ever greens trimmed in shapes the were spirals and pinnacles. Reminded Evelyn of Alice in Wonderland. It ran along the coast for at least a mi,e with paths, benches and a wide selection of blooming shrubs and flowers, really very inviting. Cadiz sort of juts out with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a Bay on the other. All of Cadiz is on the Atlantic side of Spain with the Straight of Gibraltar to the east.
We road around again to get off at the central area and also to see if the fog had cleared, it had a little. The central square was very busy, with a combination of tourist and locals. Another cruise ship is in port, the Maria - from Oceanna. We found a cafe and sat outside and had lunch. The special included: bread, olives, potatoe salad with tuna and olive oil, a plate of cold cuts served on a bed of potato chips, two beverages and paella for 18 euros. Why too much food, but we managed to eat most of it. Evelyn can't wait to get home to make the potato salad and a paella. She already purchased some saffron in the Canaries. The weather was great, the fog had lifted and we had bright sun shine and temperature in the low 70s. After lunch we walked the streets of the old city and then walked back to the ship. The on,y purchase was a magnet. Looked for Spanish olive oil but didn't see any. Spain produces more olive oil and some say better than
Italy.
We had dinner on the dinning room after drinks in the Casino Lounge. Tonight is "Dancing with the Strips" where the ship's dancers, dance with a ship's officers. The show was at 10pm and we wanted a front row seat. The Cabaret Lounge is setup more as a night club and the best seats are in the front row. Before "the dancing" there is a regular show with Gregg Scott a very tall violinist from England at 8:30pm. We finished dinner about 7:30pm and the hung out by the show room until the first show was over and then ran for our seats. Myrna also got into a fight with a lady that out weight her by 100 pounds, but everything turned out ok and we got our seats. Evelyn and I had our IPads and read until show time. After the show, which was very good, we read some more until the "dancing" show. There were four pairs and they all did a good job. There were judges who were the comedy part of the show. The junior officer Sabastiani who was are escort on the bridge tour was dancing and we supported him. He was very good doing a disco routine and won the competition with his partner Rochelle, one of the dancers. She is from Australia so it was very multi national. The whole program was very entertaining. They only stage this occasionally and it is a specialty of the cruise director David. The couples have to fine time and space for rehearsal between their regular duties. It was really fun and a lot more entertaining that the staff talent shows that are usually scheduled.
Tomorrow is Lisbon.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 28, 2012 - Casablanca, Morocco
May 28, 2012 - Casablanca, Morocco
The weather is great, sunny, mild temp and no rain. We were in Casablanca three years ago and took the city tour. We really didn't have much time to shop. Evelyn had wanted to go to Marrakech but I just didn't want to make the 7or 8 hour R/T drive, the tour was a total of 12 hours. Not my idea of fun, so I had to find good shopping or I would be in trouble. We had already seen the highlights of Casablanca as I mentioned including the Hassan II Mosque which has the tallest minaret in the world. It is quite something.
We left the ship around 10am and took the free shuttle to the port gate. My guess is that it is about a mile or more to the port gate from the ship. We walked up the street from the port and found a number of shops beginning to open. Bargaining is the way here and you have to be prepared to walk away. The shops will take either dollars or euros or the local currency "Dirham". After a few blocks we found the souk market and then the real shopping began. Myrna is a very good bargainer and I had her train Evelyn. We got some interesting things and it wad fun walking around. Everyone was friendly. The sellers pressed hard but knew when to back off, they understood no. After about two hours we found a small cafe and Don and I had a beer and Evelyn had coffee, they didn't have diet coke (or light as it is referred to ), so Myrna passed. We walked back to the shuttle and returned to the ship.
We had lunch and then played bridge.
We will eat dinner in the buffet and see the show tonight.
Tomorrow is Cadiz, Spain.
Casablanca, although close to Europe is definitely not European. Morocco is North African and the infrastructure, and general look of the city clearly demonstrates that. You see women in all types of Islamic dress and even some in western attire. It I'd the second largest cit in Africa, second only to Cairo.
And finally, there was no Rick's Cafe in Casablanca during WWII although the city was under Vichy control so by proxy all sorts passed through during the war. It is colorful and has an energy all it's own. Everyone, at least all the men seem to smoke. This must be where US tobacco companies are making all their money. "no smoking" has not yet reached Morocco..
Sent from my iPad
Hal
The weather is great, sunny, mild temp and no rain. We were in Casablanca three years ago and took the city tour. We really didn't have much time to shop. Evelyn had wanted to go to Marrakech but I just didn't want to make the 7or 8 hour R/T drive, the tour was a total of 12 hours. Not my idea of fun, so I had to find good shopping or I would be in trouble. We had already seen the highlights of Casablanca as I mentioned including the Hassan II Mosque which has the tallest minaret in the world. It is quite something.
We left the ship around 10am and took the free shuttle to the port gate. My guess is that it is about a mile or more to the port gate from the ship. We walked up the street from the port and found a number of shops beginning to open. Bargaining is the way here and you have to be prepared to walk away. The shops will take either dollars or euros or the local currency "Dirham". After a few blocks we found the souk market and then the real shopping began. Myrna is a very good bargainer and I had her train Evelyn. We got some interesting things and it wad fun walking around. Everyone was friendly. The sellers pressed hard but knew when to back off, they understood no. After about two hours we found a small cafe and Don and I had a beer and Evelyn had coffee, they didn't have diet coke (or light as it is referred to ), so Myrna passed. We walked back to the shuttle and returned to the ship.
We had lunch and then played bridge.
We will eat dinner in the buffet and see the show tonight.
Tomorrow is Cadiz, Spain.
Casablanca, although close to Europe is definitely not European. Morocco is North African and the infrastructure, and general look of the city clearly demonstrates that. You see women in all types of Islamic dress and even some in western attire. It I'd the second largest cit in Africa, second only to Cairo.
And finally, there was no Rick's Cafe in Casablanca during WWII although the city was under Vichy control so by proxy all sorts passed through during the war. It is colorful and has an energy all it's own. Everyone, at least all the men seem to smoke. This must be where US tobacco companies are making all their money. "no smoking" has not yet reached Morocco..
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 26, 2012 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
May 26, 2012 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
We docked early and the city is a five minute walk out of the port. We had decided to use The Hop On Hop Off bus (15 euros) and not take a tour. Don and Myrna are still moving slow from dinner last night so we were on our own. At breakfast another couple, Frank and Lila from Chicago and Florida, sat with us and we decided to do the bus together.
The bus stop was at the entrance to the port. There are 13 stops and you can get on and off as you please. The route is narrated and there is a map. It is a good way to see the city and the decided which areas you would like to see more. We got off at the central market and walked thru. The locals were shopping and there were many meat, produce and baked goods stalls. The flowers were beautiful as was the fruit and produce. The Canary Islands are part of Spain so it was an excellent opportunity to purchase safran. Before we got back on the bus we shopped for souvenirs along the street.
Our next stop was the city center, we could see the ship, which a short walk from where we were. This area is a walking street full of shops and resturants. It is a beautiful day, sunny and about 75 degrees. The streets were filled with local families having a Saturday outing. We walked for a while and then had lunch at a small cafe with tables outside. After lunch our friends took the bus back to the ship and Evelyn and I walked.
The Canary Islands are part of Spain, but are closer to Africa. The climate is very steady all year long. They get over 6 million visitors each year because of it's weather and beaches. This was a very big change after the last five African mainland ports. This is a place I would be willing to return too. The architecture is very European as are the boulevards and squares.
Sailing out of Tenerife gave us a chance to see the Island from the sea. We had cocktails in our cabin and we left the balcony door open. The weather was clear and sunny, very mild. The coast is hilly, with green areas, the highest point in Spain is in the Canary Islands, with a height of 12,000 ft.
We had dinner in the dinning room and the saw the show with Sammy Goldstein, who normally plays in the Casino Lounge. More like a Las Vegas lounge show then a main room show. It was entertaining to most because they had all ready become used to his style.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We docked early and the city is a five minute walk out of the port. We had decided to use The Hop On Hop Off bus (15 euros) and not take a tour. Don and Myrna are still moving slow from dinner last night so we were on our own. At breakfast another couple, Frank and Lila from Chicago and Florida, sat with us and we decided to do the bus together.
The bus stop was at the entrance to the port. There are 13 stops and you can get on and off as you please. The route is narrated and there is a map. It is a good way to see the city and the decided which areas you would like to see more. We got off at the central market and walked thru. The locals were shopping and there were many meat, produce and baked goods stalls. The flowers were beautiful as was the fruit and produce. The Canary Islands are part of Spain so it was an excellent opportunity to purchase safran. Before we got back on the bus we shopped for souvenirs along the street.
Our next stop was the city center, we could see the ship, which a short walk from where we were. This area is a walking street full of shops and resturants. It is a beautiful day, sunny and about 75 degrees. The streets were filled with local families having a Saturday outing. We walked for a while and then had lunch at a small cafe with tables outside. After lunch our friends took the bus back to the ship and Evelyn and I walked.
The Canary Islands are part of Spain, but are closer to Africa. The climate is very steady all year long. They get over 6 million visitors each year because of it's weather and beaches. This was a very big change after the last five African mainland ports. This is a place I would be willing to return too. The architecture is very European as are the boulevards and squares.
Sailing out of Tenerife gave us a chance to see the Island from the sea. We had cocktails in our cabin and we left the balcony door open. The weather was clear and sunny, very mild. The coast is hilly, with green areas, the highest point in Spain is in the Canary Islands, with a height of 12,000 ft.
We had dinner in the dinning room and the saw the show with Sammy Goldstein, who normally plays in the Casino Lounge. More like a Las Vegas lounge show then a main room show. It was entertaining to most because they had all ready become used to his style.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 27, 2012 - at sea
May 27, 2012 - at sea
This is our last week on the ship, we disembark in Dover, England, next Sunday.
We slept in and it was nice. The seas are running pretty high, but the skies are clear and it sunny and cooler then then we have been experiencing. Today there is a Sunday brunch which the whole trivia team will go to after morning trivia. We are now waiting for our bridge lesson, we will play bridge this afternoon for the last time on this cruise. We have three ports in a row: Casablanca, Cadiz (Spain), and Lisbon (Portugal). Then we have two sea days and then Le Havre, France, where we have a tour in the afternoon to Rouen. The next day we dock in Dover. We need the last sea day to pack and I would like one day to just relax and do nothing.
This is the second Sunday that there has been "Brunch" in the main dinning room. The first was on Mothers Day. This must be fairly new because they did not offer this last year when we were on the same ship. It is quite an extravaganza. When you consider all the meals until know it takes a pretty extravagant spread to impress us. They aren't doing this on other Princess ship's as far as w know.
We are spending three nights in London during the Queen's 60th Jubilee. It is a three day bank holiday for the UK.
After bridge we attended the Cruise Critic party and then at 6pm we invited our new friends Frank and Lila to share our plate of canapé at the suite party. We then had dinner in the Bistro. I had a calzone which was large enough to feed two people at least.
We missed the show so Evelyn and I then sat in the Casino Lounge and listen to music of Sammy Goldstein doing Broadway show tunes.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
This is our last week on the ship, we disembark in Dover, England, next Sunday.
We slept in and it was nice. The seas are running pretty high, but the skies are clear and it sunny and cooler then then we have been experiencing. Today there is a Sunday brunch which the whole trivia team will go to after morning trivia. We are now waiting for our bridge lesson, we will play bridge this afternoon for the last time on this cruise. We have three ports in a row: Casablanca, Cadiz (Spain), and Lisbon (Portugal). Then we have two sea days and then Le Havre, France, where we have a tour in the afternoon to Rouen. The next day we dock in Dover. We need the last sea day to pack and I would like one day to just relax and do nothing.
This is the second Sunday that there has been "Brunch" in the main dinning room. The first was on Mothers Day. This must be fairly new because they did not offer this last year when we were on the same ship. It is quite an extravaganza. When you consider all the meals until know it takes a pretty extravagant spread to impress us. They aren't doing this on other Princess ship's as far as w know.
We are spending three nights in London during the Queen's 60th Jubilee. It is a three day bank holiday for the UK.
After bridge we attended the Cruise Critic party and then at 6pm we invited our new friends Frank and Lila to share our plate of canapé at the suite party. We then had dinner in the Bistro. I had a calzone which was large enough to feed two people at least.
We missed the show so Evelyn and I then sat in the Casino Lounge and listen to music of Sammy Goldstein doing Broadway show tunes.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 25, 2012 - at sea
May 25, 2012 - at sea
Again we slept in because of the time change. We are not playing bridge today. We all need a break. Also Hyperion Knight is giving a special afternoon concert at 3pm which we want too attend. We are looking for our next cruise so I'll spend some time on that.
Evelyn and I would like to do one that goes to Iceland and Greenland (we found one that does the UK and the around the top of the world to New York, Myrna doesn't want to fly and would like to do a R/T from Los Angeles or San Diego (there are either 14 day Hawaii or 28 day Tahiti). The Tahiti stops at each of 4 of the Hawaiian islands for one day each. Evelyn doesn't like the idea of the LA - Hawaii leg as a waste of time. And besides the 28 days has 19 sea days. More about this later. We may be looking for new travel buddies.
The concert was very good. Then we had to change our clothes for Friday night services' and the for dinner at Sabatini's. We has a good turn out for services, picking up some new people. Before we had dinner we stopped at the suite party for drinks,
The ship has two speciality restursnts, Sternling's Steakhouse and Sabatini's, the Italian restaurant. Each has a cover charge of $20 per person. We both had vouchers for a free dinner at Sabatini's and a bottle of champaign from our travel agent because we booked using the American Express Platinum card.
Between the two I like Sabatini's better. They have one of the best veal chops I've eaten. Nelson the matre de remembers everyones name and is very personable. It is a lot of food, but I have learned to pace myself and only eat half the appetizer and the pasta course, saving myself for the veal chop. Others in our party ate too much and complained that they did not have a restful night. Instead of the champaign we we able to get a nice chianti, the first time then have allowed us to make the switch.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Again we slept in because of the time change. We are not playing bridge today. We all need a break. Also Hyperion Knight is giving a special afternoon concert at 3pm which we want too attend. We are looking for our next cruise so I'll spend some time on that.
Evelyn and I would like to do one that goes to Iceland and Greenland (we found one that does the UK and the around the top of the world to New York, Myrna doesn't want to fly and would like to do a R/T from Los Angeles or San Diego (there are either 14 day Hawaii or 28 day Tahiti). The Tahiti stops at each of 4 of the Hawaiian islands for one day each. Evelyn doesn't like the idea of the LA - Hawaii leg as a waste of time. And besides the 28 days has 19 sea days. More about this later. We may be looking for new travel buddies.
The concert was very good. Then we had to change our clothes for Friday night services' and the for dinner at Sabatini's. We has a good turn out for services, picking up some new people. Before we had dinner we stopped at the suite party for drinks,
The ship has two speciality restursnts, Sternling's Steakhouse and Sabatini's, the Italian restaurant. Each has a cover charge of $20 per person. We both had vouchers for a free dinner at Sabatini's and a bottle of champaign from our travel agent because we booked using the American Express Platinum card.
Between the two I like Sabatini's better. They have one of the best veal chops I've eaten. Nelson the matre de remembers everyones name and is very personable. It is a lot of food, but I have learned to pace myself and only eat half the appetizer and the pasta course, saving myself for the veal chop. Others in our party ate too much and complained that they did not have a restful night. Instead of the champaign we we able to get a nice chianti, the first time then have allowed us to make the switch.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Friday, May 25, 2012
May 24, 2012 - at sea
May 24, 2012 - at sea
We turned the clock forward last night one hour. Because of the change we didn't get up until after 8am. Tonight is a formal night and there is a cocktail party for Captain Circle members (passengers who have sailed on any Princess ship before) of which I would guess are about 90 percent of the passengers. It will be a normal sea day.
The weather is overcast and the seas are running a little higher which gives the ship a little roll. I would think it will stay that way until we get into the Mediterranean. The temperature may not get above the low 70s. We'll see if Hal's weather prediction is any better than the TV
In trivia we got 19 out of 20 and still came in second. Evelyn knew the 20th question which was "what is the all time best selling movie". Not box office. The answer is ET but she didn't have the courage of her conviction. Anyway we would have lost the tie breaker...
In the dinning room for lunch and there was a mix up and Myrna didn't get her meal until after the rest of us and then she wasn't happy with the sandwich. As we all say "It's only one meal".
We played bridge.
It seems I was wrong about the percentage of returning passengers, it is 89 percent, only about 75 passengers are first time with Princess. At the party they said that there are over 10 million Captain Circle members. They had a drawing at the party and we won a bottle of champaign. I had it sent to our table and we had it with dinner. On the sweet side but ok. Tonight was lobster night was we all enjoyed the meal.
Afterwards we listened to music in the Casino Lounge. We move the clock forward one hour again tonight. We are now back on GMT.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We turned the clock forward last night one hour. Because of the change we didn't get up until after 8am. Tonight is a formal night and there is a cocktail party for Captain Circle members (passengers who have sailed on any Princess ship before) of which I would guess are about 90 percent of the passengers. It will be a normal sea day.
The weather is overcast and the seas are running a little higher which gives the ship a little roll. I would think it will stay that way until we get into the Mediterranean. The temperature may not get above the low 70s. We'll see if Hal's weather prediction is any better than the TV
In trivia we got 19 out of 20 and still came in second. Evelyn knew the 20th question which was "what is the all time best selling movie". Not box office. The answer is ET but she didn't have the courage of her conviction. Anyway we would have lost the tie breaker...
In the dinning room for lunch and there was a mix up and Myrna didn't get her meal until after the rest of us and then she wasn't happy with the sandwich. As we all say "It's only one meal".
We played bridge.
It seems I was wrong about the percentage of returning passengers, it is 89 percent, only about 75 passengers are first time with Princess. At the party they said that there are over 10 million Captain Circle members. They had a drawing at the party and we won a bottle of champaign. I had it sent to our table and we had it with dinner. On the sweet side but ok. Tonight was lobster night was we all enjoyed the meal.
Afterwards we listened to music in the Casino Lounge. We move the clock forward one hour again tonight. We are now back on GMT.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 23, 2012 - Mindelo, Cape Verde Island
May 23, 2012 - Mindelo, Cape Verde Island
The ship docked at 7am. We are about 300 miles do west of Dakar. We are in the Atlantic but the prevailing breezes are from the east and are considered sub-saharan. The island have been in a drought for the past few years. This seems cyclical based in the archipelago's history. Some islands get ore rail than others. Our tour is this afternoon, so we had the ship to ourselves. Evelyn and I worked out and the had breakfast with Don and Myrna. We then played party bridge for a couple of hours. The ship was really deserted especially the fitness center. Like having a giant yacht to yourself.
When we got back to our cabin there were putting up new drapes. It seems that need it or not all replacements are done on a schedule.
Cape Verde is a group of 14 volcanic islands, 9 of which are inhabited. When the Portuguese first came here in 1456 there were no inhabitants. The Island received there independence in 1975 from Portugal. The official language is Portuguese, but a Cape Verdean Creole is also spoken.
We are taking a city and cultural tour. The bus holds about 30 people, but the are only 18 of us and guide and driver. The bus has no A/C, but there a nice breeze which keeps the temperature in the mid-70s. Our guide is a young woman who just graduated from college and has a two-year scholarship get her masters in English at Bridgewater College in Boston. She spoke great English and was very knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor.
We stopped at the fish market and the produce market, then the town square. This island has a population of 80 thousand of which 90 percent live in the city. The town is a little like New Orleans. Brightly colored building with balconies with a lot of metal work. We visited a handicraft museum which had some interesting pieces. Evelyn was able to buy a magnet. Of the six West African countries that we visited this was the first magnet since South Africa. Are last stop was out of the city at a beach about a 25 minute ride over a cobblestone road. We had a wine tasting and were entertained with some local dancing. The area we visited is the site of a music festival put on every August which attracts over 50 thousand visitors. In addition to some vacation homes the festival goers pitch tents. Sounds like Woodstock. The tour was fun and entertaining. We got back to the ship a little after 5pm and sat in the Tahitian Lounge and had a drink as the ship sailed.
We had dinner in the buffet and called it a night.
We have been getting o'dovors delivered to our cabin everyday on this cruise and the last one. Some times we don't eat them and I have the room stewart take them away. Myrna told Don to have the delivery stop on days that we were in port, but to have them on sea days. It seems that now they are not getting them on any day and now Myrna wants Don to call and get them started again. Part of the problem is we don't really know what department ordered then. Maybe public relations, maybe catering, we just don't know where they are being sent from.
The next two days are at sea.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
The ship docked at 7am. We are about 300 miles do west of Dakar. We are in the Atlantic but the prevailing breezes are from the east and are considered sub-saharan. The island have been in a drought for the past few years. This seems cyclical based in the archipelago's history. Some islands get ore rail than others. Our tour is this afternoon, so we had the ship to ourselves. Evelyn and I worked out and the had breakfast with Don and Myrna. We then played party bridge for a couple of hours. The ship was really deserted especially the fitness center. Like having a giant yacht to yourself.
When we got back to our cabin there were putting up new drapes. It seems that need it or not all replacements are done on a schedule.
Cape Verde is a group of 14 volcanic islands, 9 of which are inhabited. When the Portuguese first came here in 1456 there were no inhabitants. The Island received there independence in 1975 from Portugal. The official language is Portuguese, but a Cape Verdean Creole is also spoken.
We are taking a city and cultural tour. The bus holds about 30 people, but the are only 18 of us and guide and driver. The bus has no A/C, but there a nice breeze which keeps the temperature in the mid-70s. Our guide is a young woman who just graduated from college and has a two-year scholarship get her masters in English at Bridgewater College in Boston. She spoke great English and was very knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor.
We stopped at the fish market and the produce market, then the town square. This island has a population of 80 thousand of which 90 percent live in the city. The town is a little like New Orleans. Brightly colored building with balconies with a lot of metal work. We visited a handicraft museum which had some interesting pieces. Evelyn was able to buy a magnet. Of the six West African countries that we visited this was the first magnet since South Africa. Are last stop was out of the city at a beach about a 25 minute ride over a cobblestone road. We had a wine tasting and were entertained with some local dancing. The area we visited is the site of a music festival put on every August which attracts over 50 thousand visitors. In addition to some vacation homes the festival goers pitch tents. Sounds like Woodstock. The tour was fun and entertaining. We got back to the ship a little after 5pm and sat in the Tahitian Lounge and had a drink as the ship sailed.
We had dinner in the buffet and called it a night.
We have been getting o'dovors delivered to our cabin everyday on this cruise and the last one. Some times we don't eat them and I have the room stewart take them away. Myrna told Don to have the delivery stop on days that we were in port, but to have them on sea days. It seems that now they are not getting them on any day and now Myrna wants Don to call and get them started again. Part of the problem is we don't really know what department ordered then. Maybe public relations, maybe catering, we just don't know where they are being sent from.
The next two days are at sea.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 22, 2012 - at sea
May 22, 2012 - at sea
We are headed to the Cape Verde Islands and the city of Mindelo and the seas are a little rougher. The ship is rocking a little more then usual. We turned back the clock an hour last night and we are only six hours ahead of Los Angeles.
It seems that there is shuttle from the ship to the town center and for this one there is a $16 R/T per person. We have an afternoon tour so I don't think we will need the shuttle. This is the first time Princess has charged for the shuttle and I wondered why. Next time I'm at the tour desk I will ask.
We finished up our bridge lesson and are waiting for trivia to begin. The Cruise Critic group is meeting for lunch today and Evelyn and I will be going. We are skipping bridge this afternoon because we want to meet with the future cruise desk to plan our next cruise. If we book on the ship we get a lower deposit and a room credit. No matter what you can always cancel up to ninety days prior to departure without penalty. Also it is very nice, not to hot or humid and I would like to lay out by the pool.
Evelyn and I enjoyed the Cruise Critic lunch, we sat with two ladies from Australia and an Indian couple from San Francisco. All of these people have cruise knowledge which they are willing to share and you can learn a lot. It gives you a chance to meet people with common interests. It is like going to Friday night services to meet all the Jewish passengers.
We talked to the future cruise desk and we are looking at a couple of cruises for next year.
I asked the tour desk about the shuttle charge and was told that if the town is within walking distance (and with no obstacles) there is a charge for shuttle, if you can't walk there is no charge. It does seem logical.
We ate in the dinning room. It seems that on sea days we eat in the dinning room and on port days at the buffet. Tomorrow we are in Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands. The next two days we are at seas and then the Canary Islands. The first sea day is a formal night so we will eat in the dinning room and the next night we have a reservation in Sabatini's.
Tonight was the second concert of Hyperion Knight and he was excellent. While the playing was good, it was his explanation of each piece and information about the composer that made the evening enjoyable.
People take cruises for 2 different reasons. 1st is the ports. You can unpack and see a smattering of many places. 2nd is the sea days. Lazy days doing not much at all. Except I think we are more scheduled on sea days than port days. Work-out, breakfast (or at least coffee) bridge lesson, trivia, lunch, nap, bridge, dress for dinner, cocktails, dinner, entertainment and I'm exhausted.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We are headed to the Cape Verde Islands and the city of Mindelo and the seas are a little rougher. The ship is rocking a little more then usual. We turned back the clock an hour last night and we are only six hours ahead of Los Angeles.
It seems that there is shuttle from the ship to the town center and for this one there is a $16 R/T per person. We have an afternoon tour so I don't think we will need the shuttle. This is the first time Princess has charged for the shuttle and I wondered why. Next time I'm at the tour desk I will ask.
We finished up our bridge lesson and are waiting for trivia to begin. The Cruise Critic group is meeting for lunch today and Evelyn and I will be going. We are skipping bridge this afternoon because we want to meet with the future cruise desk to plan our next cruise. If we book on the ship we get a lower deposit and a room credit. No matter what you can always cancel up to ninety days prior to departure without penalty. Also it is very nice, not to hot or humid and I would like to lay out by the pool.
Evelyn and I enjoyed the Cruise Critic lunch, we sat with two ladies from Australia and an Indian couple from San Francisco. All of these people have cruise knowledge which they are willing to share and you can learn a lot. It gives you a chance to meet people with common interests. It is like going to Friday night services to meet all the Jewish passengers.
We talked to the future cruise desk and we are looking at a couple of cruises for next year.
I asked the tour desk about the shuttle charge and was told that if the town is within walking distance (and with no obstacles) there is a charge for shuttle, if you can't walk there is no charge. It does seem logical.
We ate in the dinning room. It seems that on sea days we eat in the dinning room and on port days at the buffet. Tomorrow we are in Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands. The next two days we are at seas and then the Canary Islands. The first sea day is a formal night so we will eat in the dinning room and the next night we have a reservation in Sabatini's.
Tonight was the second concert of Hyperion Knight and he was excellent. While the playing was good, it was his explanation of each piece and information about the composer that made the evening enjoyable.
People take cruises for 2 different reasons. 1st is the ports. You can unpack and see a smattering of many places. 2nd is the sea days. Lazy days doing not much at all. Except I think we are more scheduled on sea days than port days. Work-out, breakfast (or at least coffee) bridge lesson, trivia, lunch, nap, bridge, dress for dinner, cocktails, dinner, entertainment and I'm exhausted.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
May 21, 2012 - Dakar, Senegal
May 21, 2012 - Dakar, Senegal
We docked this morning before 7am and are now awaiting clearance to go ashore. We are going to Ile de Goree to see the slave history sites. Evelyn is already nervous about missing shopping. On this cruise Princess has has a free shuttle in every port. This is a departure from past practices. I have noticed a lot of improvement in the support of independent travel. They are providing a lot more information on doing things on your own not just on a Princess tour.
We left the ship at 8:30 am for our tour. It was a chartered ferry so we were picked up quite close to our ship's berth. It is about a 15 minute ride to the island. We were in groups of about 30 people. It took a while to get organized and the one group visited the slave house and the rest took a walking tour of the island. It has been inhabited since the late 1400s and between 1536 and 1848 ( the date France abolished slavery) between 15 to 20 million Africans were sent to the Americas as slave, over 6 million died in transit. According to what we have read approximately 40 million African's were captured during the 300 years slavery was practiced. How many actually made it to the new world is unknown.
During our walk about we were being trailed by many sellers of local merchandise. We brought two hats for $10 and then got two more for $5. We brought four small sand paintings. The sand paintings are a local craft where sands of different shades are used with a glue made from a local tree called "The Monkey Bread Tree", A couple of t-shirts and some local jewelry.
We then returned to the slave house (the current one was built in 1776) for our tour. It is heartbreaking to see the conditions that the people were forced to endure and the inhuman treatment. The door of no return is the last time they would ever see Africa. This door leads directly to a sea wall and you either get on the ship or are pushed into the sea.The island is the most westerly point in Africa and as such is closest to the Americas. This is one of the reasons that a great deal of the slave trade was here.
Our last stop was the Fort and we got a interesting explanation of life in Senegal. Over 80 percent of the population is Muslim and many have up to four wife's.
Of the five West African countries that we have visited Senegal is the most developed. The city of Dakar, which is the capital, was founded just over 100 years ago even though it has a fine harbor. Before that most trade took place near or on Goree Island. In 1677 the French captured the Island from the Dutch. The French controlled Senegal until 1960 when they were given independence. During WW II there was a naval battle between British/free French and Vichy French, who controlled Senegal. The battle was called off after several British battleships were damage and Senegal stayed in Vichy control until 1943.
We returned to the ship for lunch and the decided to take the ship's shuttle to Independence Square and walk around. Many people were selling the same things we had already purchased. Don and Myrna decided to go back to the ship, but Evelyn wanted to look around some more. A local latched on to us and wanted to show us where the central market was. We couldn't shake him - he wouldn't take no for an answer. Finally we turned around and started to walk back to the shuttle and some how Evelyn insulted him ( so he thought) and he wanted to know way I let my wife insult him. He wasn't angry or threading but it was very uncomfortable. He even went so far as to ask Hal how he could allow me to act that way...didn't he (Hal make the decisions). We finally made it back to the shuttle stop and the shuttle was just loading and we found Don and Myrna on the shuttle. In the end I gave the guy a couple of dollars. As I was getting on the shuttle, through the crowd of sellers I could feel someone trying to get into my packet and I slapped the hand away. It is something you need to be aware of, on the shuttle from the ship a local guide told us to be careful because there would be pickpockets around the shuttle stop. We never felt afraid in any of our stops and we were not afraid here.
We had dinner in the buffet with a couple who have the cabin next door to us. About 10 years younger then us and very well traveled.
The entertainment was a magician who I could have done without. We were not close enough to the stage to have a good view and he really didn't do anything new.
We are taking on 200 tons of fuel and are still at the fueling dock at midnight.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We docked this morning before 7am and are now awaiting clearance to go ashore. We are going to Ile de Goree to see the slave history sites. Evelyn is already nervous about missing shopping. On this cruise Princess has has a free shuttle in every port. This is a departure from past practices. I have noticed a lot of improvement in the support of independent travel. They are providing a lot more information on doing things on your own not just on a Princess tour.
We left the ship at 8:30 am for our tour. It was a chartered ferry so we were picked up quite close to our ship's berth. It is about a 15 minute ride to the island. We were in groups of about 30 people. It took a while to get organized and the one group visited the slave house and the rest took a walking tour of the island. It has been inhabited since the late 1400s and between 1536 and 1848 ( the date France abolished slavery) between 15 to 20 million Africans were sent to the Americas as slave, over 6 million died in transit. According to what we have read approximately 40 million African's were captured during the 300 years slavery was practiced. How many actually made it to the new world is unknown.
During our walk about we were being trailed by many sellers of local merchandise. We brought two hats for $10 and then got two more for $5. We brought four small sand paintings. The sand paintings are a local craft where sands of different shades are used with a glue made from a local tree called "The Monkey Bread Tree", A couple of t-shirts and some local jewelry.
We then returned to the slave house (the current one was built in 1776) for our tour. It is heartbreaking to see the conditions that the people were forced to endure and the inhuman treatment. The door of no return is the last time they would ever see Africa. This door leads directly to a sea wall and you either get on the ship or are pushed into the sea.The island is the most westerly point in Africa and as such is closest to the Americas. This is one of the reasons that a great deal of the slave trade was here.
Our last stop was the Fort and we got a interesting explanation of life in Senegal. Over 80 percent of the population is Muslim and many have up to four wife's.
Of the five West African countries that we have visited Senegal is the most developed. The city of Dakar, which is the capital, was founded just over 100 years ago even though it has a fine harbor. Before that most trade took place near or on Goree Island. In 1677 the French captured the Island from the Dutch. The French controlled Senegal until 1960 when they were given independence. During WW II there was a naval battle between British/free French and Vichy French, who controlled Senegal. The battle was called off after several British battleships were damage and Senegal stayed in Vichy control until 1943.
We returned to the ship for lunch and the decided to take the ship's shuttle to Independence Square and walk around. Many people were selling the same things we had already purchased. Don and Myrna decided to go back to the ship, but Evelyn wanted to look around some more. A local latched on to us and wanted to show us where the central market was. We couldn't shake him - he wouldn't take no for an answer. Finally we turned around and started to walk back to the shuttle and some how Evelyn insulted him ( so he thought) and he wanted to know way I let my wife insult him. He wasn't angry or threading but it was very uncomfortable. He even went so far as to ask Hal how he could allow me to act that way...didn't he (Hal make the decisions). We finally made it back to the shuttle stop and the shuttle was just loading and we found Don and Myrna on the shuttle. In the end I gave the guy a couple of dollars. As I was getting on the shuttle, through the crowd of sellers I could feel someone trying to get into my packet and I slapped the hand away. It is something you need to be aware of, on the shuttle from the ship a local guide told us to be careful because there would be pickpockets around the shuttle stop. We never felt afraid in any of our stops and we were not afraid here.
We had dinner in the buffet with a couple who have the cabin next door to us. About 10 years younger then us and very well traveled.
The entertainment was a magician who I could have done without. We were not close enough to the stage to have a good view and he really didn't do anything new.
We are taking on 200 tons of fuel and are still at the fueling dock at midnight.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 20, 2012 - at sea
May 20, 2012 - at sea
We slept in this morning.
We are now half way though the cruise. We are in port tomorrow in Dakar, Senegal. We have a tour book to go to Ile de Goree which is an island off the coast which was the site of the slave detention and the major point of departure in this area of Africa.
Before we left home I joined a web site called Cruise Critic. They have a bulletin board online for cruises which allows passengers on the same cruise to set up private tours. Today they have a get together and we are going. We have already met a member who we play bridge with. He organized a tour to Marrakech while we are in Casablanca. He had a cancelation and asked if we want to go, Evelyn does but I don't want to do a 7 hour round trip bus drive. You only have a couple of hours once you get there. Evelyn says I had better find her something to do in Casablanca or I'm in trouble. We have toured Casablanca before, but we never got to the really good markets so I'll find out where they are and we can go there for shopping. We have already done the regular city tour and the grand Mosque. Casablanca isn't as romantic as Rick portrays it in the movies.
One of my food complaints is there is no bread for sandwiches at the lunch buffet. They have ready made sandwiches, but today they were carving roast beef and it dawned on me to go to the grill and get a hamburger bun and make a roast beef sandwich. We were on this same ship six months ago and I never though of doing that. Duh!!
We played bridge and are awaiting the results. In duplicate you never know how well you do until ever one plays the same hand and the results are tallied. You can bid and make a contract, but someone may bid a better contract and make it. We just wait and see. The results today were not good.
The Cruise Critic get together was informative. We now have a better understanding how it works and it is something that we may use in the future.
The entertainment tonight was Shan O'shay, billed as a comic he really is a funny impressionist singer. He started out slow, but improved as the show progressed. He is good friends with Hyperion Knight the pianist and Don thinks there are a couple.
We played music trivia in the Casino Lounge and our team scored 17 out of 25. We thought the score was pretty good and we finished third. All the questions were multiple choice so maybe that helped a little. Our team name is now"Deck 8" as a all of our cabins are on the 8th deck.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We slept in this morning.
We are now half way though the cruise. We are in port tomorrow in Dakar, Senegal. We have a tour book to go to Ile de Goree which is an island off the coast which was the site of the slave detention and the major point of departure in this area of Africa.
Before we left home I joined a web site called Cruise Critic. They have a bulletin board online for cruises which allows passengers on the same cruise to set up private tours. Today they have a get together and we are going. We have already met a member who we play bridge with. He organized a tour to Marrakech while we are in Casablanca. He had a cancelation and asked if we want to go, Evelyn does but I don't want to do a 7 hour round trip bus drive. You only have a couple of hours once you get there. Evelyn says I had better find her something to do in Casablanca or I'm in trouble. We have toured Casablanca before, but we never got to the really good markets so I'll find out where they are and we can go there for shopping. We have already done the regular city tour and the grand Mosque. Casablanca isn't as romantic as Rick portrays it in the movies.
One of my food complaints is there is no bread for sandwiches at the lunch buffet. They have ready made sandwiches, but today they were carving roast beef and it dawned on me to go to the grill and get a hamburger bun and make a roast beef sandwich. We were on this same ship six months ago and I never though of doing that. Duh!!
We played bridge and are awaiting the results. In duplicate you never know how well you do until ever one plays the same hand and the results are tallied. You can bid and make a contract, but someone may bid a better contract and make it. We just wait and see. The results today were not good.
The Cruise Critic get together was informative. We now have a better understanding how it works and it is something that we may use in the future.
The entertainment tonight was Shan O'shay, billed as a comic he really is a funny impressionist singer. He started out slow, but improved as the show progressed. He is good friends with Hyperion Knight the pianist and Don thinks there are a couple.
We played music trivia in the Casino Lounge and our team scored 17 out of 25. We thought the score was pretty good and we finished third. All the questions were multiple choice so maybe that helped a little. Our team name is now"Deck 8" as a all of our cabins are on the 8th deck.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Sunday, May 20, 2012
May 19, 2012 - at sea
May 19, 2012 - at sea
Happy birthday to me. It's Hal's birthday and I started the day with a card for him. The ship decorates the front doors of the cabins with birthdays or anniversary's so all of our neighbors were wishing him a happy birthday.
It was raining when we woke, but by the time we got on deck the sun had come out. I did some time in the gym on a bike and Evelyn walked the track.
For my birthday we are going to the Steakhouse for dinner. Other then that our day will be the normal sea day.
There is no Internet service at this time and I don't know what is the problem. We have finished our bridge lesson for today and are in the Tahitian lounge waiting for trivia.
The Ocean Princess is a small cruise ship, just over 30 thousand tons, most of the ships are 3 times larger. It carries just over 600 passengers and a crew of 350. It is small enough to find your way around, but with enough space to also be alone if you want. There is a salt pool and two fresh water jacuzzis. They have a casino, with blackjack, 3- card poker, and roulette. It seems to be getting a lot of business. You don't even need cash, but can use your cruise card to play. The dinning room is on deck 5 and it has a bar just outside of it. Between the dinning and the show room there are shops and the casino bar. In the evening there is always a group playing in the casino lounge.
Besides the bridge and trivia there are daily dance classes, exercise classes and arts and crafts, ceramic painting and other activities. There is also a series of lectures either on the ports we will visit or on the history of the various areas. There are enough choices that you can always find something to do if you want. Being a long cruise most of the passengers are older, but very active. With only 600 passengers you pretty much meet everyone. There are even people we have met again from other cruises.
We just returned to our cabin from bridge and the wonderful news that our niece Danielle has passed the bar - it was a very nice birthday present for me.
We had drinks at the suite party and dinner in the Steakhouse. The service is great and the food is a step up from the regular dinning room. I paced myself: I ate the appetizer, a very good scallops dish, a third of a very tasty blue onion soup, and about 2/3 of my ribeye. I passed on desert, but a birthday cake and song were delivered to the table. The "Chef's Tables" was going on also, so the head Matra'd came by our table to say hello and check on the food. We were there for about two hours. Evelyn noticed that the desert they served at the Chef's Table was the same one we had on our last Chef's Dinner on this ship last year. She is no longer interested in doing it again. Our guess is that the rest of the menu is probably the same.
By the time we finished it was past our normal going to bed time, but because it was a special occasion we stayed up for the show, which was the ship' s company singing and dancing many of the famous movie songs. They do a great job and are very entertaining.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Happy birthday to me. It's Hal's birthday and I started the day with a card for him. The ship decorates the front doors of the cabins with birthdays or anniversary's so all of our neighbors were wishing him a happy birthday.
It was raining when we woke, but by the time we got on deck the sun had come out. I did some time in the gym on a bike and Evelyn walked the track.
For my birthday we are going to the Steakhouse for dinner. Other then that our day will be the normal sea day.
There is no Internet service at this time and I don't know what is the problem. We have finished our bridge lesson for today and are in the Tahitian lounge waiting for trivia.
The Ocean Princess is a small cruise ship, just over 30 thousand tons, most of the ships are 3 times larger. It carries just over 600 passengers and a crew of 350. It is small enough to find your way around, but with enough space to also be alone if you want. There is a salt pool and two fresh water jacuzzis. They have a casino, with blackjack, 3- card poker, and roulette. It seems to be getting a lot of business. You don't even need cash, but can use your cruise card to play. The dinning room is on deck 5 and it has a bar just outside of it. Between the dinning and the show room there are shops and the casino bar. In the evening there is always a group playing in the casino lounge.
Besides the bridge and trivia there are daily dance classes, exercise classes and arts and crafts, ceramic painting and other activities. There is also a series of lectures either on the ports we will visit or on the history of the various areas. There are enough choices that you can always find something to do if you want. Being a long cruise most of the passengers are older, but very active. With only 600 passengers you pretty much meet everyone. There are even people we have met again from other cruises.
We just returned to our cabin from bridge and the wonderful news that our niece Danielle has passed the bar - it was a very nice birthday present for me.
We had drinks at the suite party and dinner in the Steakhouse. The service is great and the food is a step up from the regular dinning room. I paced myself: I ate the appetizer, a very good scallops dish, a third of a very tasty blue onion soup, and about 2/3 of my ribeye. I passed on desert, but a birthday cake and song were delivered to the table. The "Chef's Tables" was going on also, so the head Matra'd came by our table to say hello and check on the food. We were there for about two hours. Evelyn noticed that the desert they served at the Chef's Table was the same one we had on our last Chef's Dinner on this ship last year. She is no longer interested in doing it again. Our guess is that the rest of the menu is probably the same.
By the time we finished it was past our normal going to bed time, but because it was a special occasion we stayed up for the show, which was the ship' s company singing and dancing many of the famous movie songs. They do a great job and are very entertaining.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 18, 2012 - at sea
May 18, 2012 - at sea
We are sailing west before turning north towards Senegal. It is a beautiful day, calm seas, clear sky and temperature in the high 80s, but muggy.
I read the clock wrong this morning and we ended getting up at 6am instead of what I thought was 7am. I'm now seating on the balcony looking for other ships, and I have seen a few. We are doing over 17 knots which is much faster then we have done the last couple of days.
It's 13 turns around the track on deck 10 to make a mile. On the sea days Evelyn tries to get some exercise. Today she did 3 miles. The fitness center is pretty busy in the mornings so the track is easier.
Today was just a normal sea day: breakfast, bridge lesson, trivia ( we came in second), lunch, play bridge (came in 5th out of six), Friday services, dinner in the dinning room (it was a formal night), listen to music in the Casino Lounge and then saw one of the best piano players ever - Hyperion (yes) Knight - wonderful concert pianist, we can't wait for his next show.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We are sailing west before turning north towards Senegal. It is a beautiful day, calm seas, clear sky and temperature in the high 80s, but muggy.
I read the clock wrong this morning and we ended getting up at 6am instead of what I thought was 7am. I'm now seating on the balcony looking for other ships, and I have seen a few. We are doing over 17 knots which is much faster then we have done the last couple of days.
It's 13 turns around the track on deck 10 to make a mile. On the sea days Evelyn tries to get some exercise. Today she did 3 miles. The fitness center is pretty busy in the mornings so the track is easier.
Today was just a normal sea day: breakfast, bridge lesson, trivia ( we came in second), lunch, play bridge (came in 5th out of six), Friday services, dinner in the dinning room (it was a formal night), listen to music in the Casino Lounge and then saw one of the best piano players ever - Hyperion (yes) Knight - wonderful concert pianist, we can't wait for his next show.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 17, 2012 - Tema, Ghana
May 17, 2012 - Tema, Ghana
This morning we arrived in Tema which is the port for Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Our tour today includes: the Nkrumah Mausoleum, the final resting place of the African leader and the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, the National Museum, and the local Arts and Crafts Center. The ride from Tema to Accra is about an hour if you have no traffic or in our case a police escort. There were two buses in our group and we had a motorcycle escort the whole time except for a portion of our return. We never stopped for a traffic light, we drove on the wrong side of the road (into on coming traffic), and we managed to make a South Korean envoy pull over to let us pass. They even had the South Korean flags flying from the fenders of the black sedan. Quite an experience.
Ghana is a step up from Togo and Benin. Much more economically advanced, though people are still selling along the streets. You don't see a lot of garbage in the streets and I even saw a trash truck. Lots of cars, few motorbikes. Our bus has working A/C which was nice. We did purchase a few things at the art and craft center and we are learning to bargain better. The Mausoleum and National Museum were interesting. The monument to Nkrumah was very impressive and the buildings were well build and maintained. There seems to be a good size middle class in Ghana.
We stopped at the La Palm Beach Hotel for a rest break. We were told that drinks, water, beer, or soda would be $2. We had trouble convincing the bar tender and when we finally got that strighted out they didn't want to take $1 bills. We we told that they get a better rate of exchange for larger bills. The idea being if your drink was $2, then you gave then at least a $5 and they gave you $3 back. That's enough to make you dizzy and we doubted the front office knew anything about the scheme. Someone on our bus took the $1s and gave them a bigger bill. Interesting, I guess there is always an angle.
We had a strange stop at a place that makes coffins - coffins in the shape of "beer can", "coke bottle", and another things or occupations. You could pre-need and order what ever you wanted. I'm thinking of a TV remote for Hal for need in the distant future.
We got back to the ship around 1pm. Our next three days are at sea and the next port is then Dakar, Senagal.
We had some excitement at sailing, two couples were missing. Everyone was to be on board by 5:30 pm and the ship usually sails at 6pm. At 5:30 the ship started making announcements every 15 minutes about these two couples. In order to get off and on the ship you must insert your cruise card in a reader, which records if you are aboard. So the ship know who is on board and who isn't. So if they start calling your name you know there is a problem. The ports require the ship to leave on schedule because of the pilots and the need for dock space. Ships pay to dock and the timing and scheduling is a ballet for a busy port. So any delay can cost money, not just for the ship but for the passengers. It is expensive to have the pilot boat take you to the ship or even worst have to fly to the next port. As the ship holds all the passports, that means a stop at the American Embassy too. ( we found out later the ship gives your passport to the port officials ) Anyway these two couples showed up a few minutes after 6 and made it on board. All of us on the gangway side waived from our balcony's and gave them a round of applause. My guess is they were held up by traffic and didn't estimate the drive time.
We went up to the lounge reserved for suite passengers and enjoyed an adult beverage and then had dinner in the buffet.
The evenings show was Mathew Fallon, a hypnotist. Don volunteer to go on stage, but was not put under. That is code for not being a good subject. They started with 7 volunteers and only 3 were actually put under. It was an ok show, but I would have liked more action by the subjects. Despite the hypnotist saying no one would be embarrassed or humiliated when Myrna said something to one of the subjects the next day, the poor woman turned around and walked away.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
This morning we arrived in Tema which is the port for Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Our tour today includes: the Nkrumah Mausoleum, the final resting place of the African leader and the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, the National Museum, and the local Arts and Crafts Center. The ride from Tema to Accra is about an hour if you have no traffic or in our case a police escort. There were two buses in our group and we had a motorcycle escort the whole time except for a portion of our return. We never stopped for a traffic light, we drove on the wrong side of the road (into on coming traffic), and we managed to make a South Korean envoy pull over to let us pass. They even had the South Korean flags flying from the fenders of the black sedan. Quite an experience.
Ghana is a step up from Togo and Benin. Much more economically advanced, though people are still selling along the streets. You don't see a lot of garbage in the streets and I even saw a trash truck. Lots of cars, few motorbikes. Our bus has working A/C which was nice. We did purchase a few things at the art and craft center and we are learning to bargain better. The Mausoleum and National Museum were interesting. The monument to Nkrumah was very impressive and the buildings were well build and maintained. There seems to be a good size middle class in Ghana.
We stopped at the La Palm Beach Hotel for a rest break. We were told that drinks, water, beer, or soda would be $2. We had trouble convincing the bar tender and when we finally got that strighted out they didn't want to take $1 bills. We we told that they get a better rate of exchange for larger bills. The idea being if your drink was $2, then you gave then at least a $5 and they gave you $3 back. That's enough to make you dizzy and we doubted the front office knew anything about the scheme. Someone on our bus took the $1s and gave them a bigger bill. Interesting, I guess there is always an angle.
We had a strange stop at a place that makes coffins - coffins in the shape of "beer can", "coke bottle", and another things or occupations. You could pre-need and order what ever you wanted. I'm thinking of a TV remote for Hal for need in the distant future.
We got back to the ship around 1pm. Our next three days are at sea and the next port is then Dakar, Senagal.
We had some excitement at sailing, two couples were missing. Everyone was to be on board by 5:30 pm and the ship usually sails at 6pm. At 5:30 the ship started making announcements every 15 minutes about these two couples. In order to get off and on the ship you must insert your cruise card in a reader, which records if you are aboard. So the ship know who is on board and who isn't. So if they start calling your name you know there is a problem. The ports require the ship to leave on schedule because of the pilots and the need for dock space. Ships pay to dock and the timing and scheduling is a ballet for a busy port. So any delay can cost money, not just for the ship but for the passengers. It is expensive to have the pilot boat take you to the ship or even worst have to fly to the next port. As the ship holds all the passports, that means a stop at the American Embassy too. ( we found out later the ship gives your passport to the port officials ) Anyway these two couples showed up a few minutes after 6 and made it on board. All of us on the gangway side waived from our balcony's and gave them a round of applause. My guess is they were held up by traffic and didn't estimate the drive time.
We went up to the lounge reserved for suite passengers and enjoyed an adult beverage and then had dinner in the buffet.
The evenings show was Mathew Fallon, a hypnotist. Don volunteer to go on stage, but was not put under. That is code for not being a good subject. They started with 7 volunteers and only 3 were actually put under. It was an ok show, but I would have liked more action by the subjects. Despite the hypnotist saying no one would be embarrassed or humiliated when Myrna said something to one of the subjects the next day, the poor woman turned around and walked away.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Friday, May 18, 2012
May 16, 2012 - Lome, Togo
May 16, 2012 - Lome, Togo
We docked on time this morning. We are on the pier side and the tour buses look about the same as yesterday.
But like yesterday we had a folkloric drum group and dancers to welcome us. I don't think too many cruise ship's stop at these ports so it is still a big deal.
Togo is another long narrow country sandwiched between Benin and Ghana. In the 1880s Germany claimed the 32 mile coast between the French in Benin and the British in Ghana. After 1900, Germany decided to turn Togo into a model colony, and began a program of building and development. It became the only German colony to be self sufficient. In WW I it was occupied by the French and British in 18 days. In 1960 Togo became independent.
It is currently a republic transitioning to a multiparty democracy.
Our tour today includes the National Museum and the Fetish Market.
Our tour left on time which was nice. The buses were the same as yesterday, no A/C, but comfortable. We managed to get a seat with an open window and on the right side of the bus which is better for sightseeing. After many years we have learned the tricks of tour buses. The two guides took turns, both with reasonably good English.
We had two guides, a driver and a security person. We have not felt unsafe in any of the ports.
Our first stop was the Fetish Market. For those of you unaware, a fetish market is a one stop shop for all that is voodoo. Bone, horn, toads eyes, charms, dolls and anything prescribed by a voodoo priest to conduct what ever ceremony you want. The dolls sold we were told are not real though. Most of the other items looked authentic. The sellers were very aggressive and it was hard to deal with the large number of sellers at the same time. Evelyn took a picture of a young boy and then he wanted her to give him money. It cost me a dollar to get her out of hock. She should have known... Here you bargain for everything. We bought two voodoo dolls and paid $10 each. But the experience wasn't very pleasant but interesting.
Our next stop was the handicraft market, where the sellers had a much better attitude. Still needed to bargain hard and we got a very nice wood statue and a wall hanging. You don't have any idea of what a good price is so you need to bargain to a point that you feel that you have made a good deal. We were told that the first price you are offered is double so that gives you a base for your bargaining. I now have 3 rules of shopping. The 1st is if you like it buy it, because you won't see it again (as in the next day), 2nd. decide what it is worth to you don't go over that amount and 3rd be prepared to walk away. Now if I just take my own advise.
We then stopped at Independence Square and the the National Museum. The Museum was very interesting, the Togo people seem to be proud of the German colonization and the fact that it has been good for them. At the Museum they display the colonial leaders along side the current leaders.
We drove along the beach area to see the fishermen and found ourselves at the Togo/Ghana boarder which seems to be a part of Lome. We then drove back to the docks to see the fish market and then back to the ship.
In comparing Togo and Benin I think that Togo is a little better developed, though it is a close call. We drove by the US Embassy and it made me wonder how much money do you have give as a contribution not to get that job. I guess you could be stationed in Benin...
The port area is massive, with many ship's anchored off shore. We saw a Mercy ship which has been here for a number of months, providing free medical services. Our guide said that they have done many cataract operations that has restored sight for many people. A simple operation that is done every day in our country.
My observation about shoes is still a theory, however fewer flip flops and more leather sandals.
I think I should mention the wonderful cotton prints both worn by the man and women. Loose fitting pants and shirts on the men and wonderful dresses and sometimes head scarfs worn by the women. We have seen women carrying all sorts of parcels and baskets on their heads. We tried to lift a pan filled with green coconuts that a woman had lowered from her head. It was really heavy. It's quite an art. I guess you would say a learned skill. They walk everywhere with bundles large and small with out much effort.
Tomorrow is Ghana.
We had dinner in the dinning room. The theme was " Baltic" and the staff was wearing Hawaiian shirts and the menu had a large selection of fish. Go figure...
The show was very good, Joe Sackenheim, who is part of the Princess onboard entertainment did an hour of 40s, 50s, and 60s songs. He has nice voice and a good stage presents.
Evelyn and I then went to the African Nights Deck Party around the pool. Balmy and slightly breezy, starlit and under the lights of the ship. Really very pleasant and romantic. We did not stay for the desert buffet.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We docked on time this morning. We are on the pier side and the tour buses look about the same as yesterday.
But like yesterday we had a folkloric drum group and dancers to welcome us. I don't think too many cruise ship's stop at these ports so it is still a big deal.
Togo is another long narrow country sandwiched between Benin and Ghana. In the 1880s Germany claimed the 32 mile coast between the French in Benin and the British in Ghana. After 1900, Germany decided to turn Togo into a model colony, and began a program of building and development. It became the only German colony to be self sufficient. In WW I it was occupied by the French and British in 18 days. In 1960 Togo became independent.
It is currently a republic transitioning to a multiparty democracy.
Our tour today includes the National Museum and the Fetish Market.
Our tour left on time which was nice. The buses were the same as yesterday, no A/C, but comfortable. We managed to get a seat with an open window and on the right side of the bus which is better for sightseeing. After many years we have learned the tricks of tour buses. The two guides took turns, both with reasonably good English.
We had two guides, a driver and a security person. We have not felt unsafe in any of the ports.
Our first stop was the Fetish Market. For those of you unaware, a fetish market is a one stop shop for all that is voodoo. Bone, horn, toads eyes, charms, dolls and anything prescribed by a voodoo priest to conduct what ever ceremony you want. The dolls sold we were told are not real though. Most of the other items looked authentic. The sellers were very aggressive and it was hard to deal with the large number of sellers at the same time. Evelyn took a picture of a young boy and then he wanted her to give him money. It cost me a dollar to get her out of hock. She should have known... Here you bargain for everything. We bought two voodoo dolls and paid $10 each. But the experience wasn't very pleasant but interesting.
Our next stop was the handicraft market, where the sellers had a much better attitude. Still needed to bargain hard and we got a very nice wood statue and a wall hanging. You don't have any idea of what a good price is so you need to bargain to a point that you feel that you have made a good deal. We were told that the first price you are offered is double so that gives you a base for your bargaining. I now have 3 rules of shopping. The 1st is if you like it buy it, because you won't see it again (as in the next day), 2nd. decide what it is worth to you don't go over that amount and 3rd be prepared to walk away. Now if I just take my own advise.
We then stopped at Independence Square and the the National Museum. The Museum was very interesting, the Togo people seem to be proud of the German colonization and the fact that it has been good for them. At the Museum they display the colonial leaders along side the current leaders.
We drove along the beach area to see the fishermen and found ourselves at the Togo/Ghana boarder which seems to be a part of Lome. We then drove back to the docks to see the fish market and then back to the ship.
In comparing Togo and Benin I think that Togo is a little better developed, though it is a close call. We drove by the US Embassy and it made me wonder how much money do you have give as a contribution not to get that job. I guess you could be stationed in Benin...
The port area is massive, with many ship's anchored off shore. We saw a Mercy ship which has been here for a number of months, providing free medical services. Our guide said that they have done many cataract operations that has restored sight for many people. A simple operation that is done every day in our country.
My observation about shoes is still a theory, however fewer flip flops and more leather sandals.
I think I should mention the wonderful cotton prints both worn by the man and women. Loose fitting pants and shirts on the men and wonderful dresses and sometimes head scarfs worn by the women. We have seen women carrying all sorts of parcels and baskets on their heads. We tried to lift a pan filled with green coconuts that a woman had lowered from her head. It was really heavy. It's quite an art. I guess you would say a learned skill. They walk everywhere with bundles large and small with out much effort.
Tomorrow is Ghana.
We had dinner in the dinning room. The theme was " Baltic" and the staff was wearing Hawaiian shirts and the menu had a large selection of fish. Go figure...
The show was very good, Joe Sackenheim, who is part of the Princess onboard entertainment did an hour of 40s, 50s, and 60s songs. He has nice voice and a good stage presents.
Evelyn and I then went to the African Nights Deck Party around the pool. Balmy and slightly breezy, starlit and under the lights of the ship. Really very pleasant and romantic. We did not stay for the desert buffet.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 15, 2012 - Cotonou, Benin
May 15, 2012 - Cotonou, Benin
It is around 7am and we are just arriving in Cotonou. It is the economic capital of Benin, the government is located in Porto Novo. Our tour today is of both cities. Cotonou means "mouth of the river of death". It was here that the Dahomey kingdom sent about 10,000 slaves per year to the Americas. When European powers attempted to halt the trade in human beings the Dahomey refused to cooperate since their largest source of income would be lost. So the British and France seized the areas. The French formalized their control of the colony in 1882, and slavery was banned forever. That is why French is the national language. The county gained it's independence in 1960. The government is a multiparty democracy. All that being said we have been warned about the high crime in the area and to be careful. This is the area where voodoo is still practice.
This morning we had breakfast in our cabin. It is easier and quicker then going to the buffet.
We were to dock around 7am, but due to port traffic (a ship was in our berth) we didn't leave the ship for our tour until about 9:30am. The bus did not have A/C, but the windows were open. The temperature was in the mid-80 s, but it was humid. The tour did provide water for us. We drove an hour from Cotonou to Port Novo to our first stop at the Museum Honme', Palace of the Port Novo Kings, then to the Ethnographic Museum, then back to the Museum Honme' for a folkloric dance. Then the hour drive back to Cotonou for the stop at the handicraft market. We purchased a Amazon warrior mask and a wall hanging. Then back to the ship.
The best part of the tour was driving in the cities and seeing the people in their daily life. The streets are a mixture of new, old, very old, rubble and the ever present garbage.
Each street has it's vendors lining the road - selling everything: food, tires, luggage, bootleg gasoline, furniture and everything you would need to setup housekeeping. There are cars, but the main means of transportation is the motor bike/cycle. It didn't seem to be much public transportation. The motorbikes also served as taxis. We did not see any begging, like in India. We saw many schoolchildren dressed in uniforms. They were very friendly and polite. It was an eye opening experience and people who complain about our country should kiss the ground they walk on. Believe me no one gets on a plane for a vacation in Benin.
Poor is an understatement however education is free and mandatory. One of our fellow passengers had candy and another had balloons. They are always a hit with the kids and I will check tonight in the ship's shop for some wrapped candy. It's nice to ask if you can take their picture and then give or offer them something. Big eyes and smiling faces. Despite the low income of the country, the children look reasonably well fed, clean and happy.
I have decided you can take the economic temperature of a country by the shoes you see the general population wearing. Here in Benin it's flip flops....
Hal mentioned slavery. Between the local Chiefs', Those from Northern Africa, and even some Europeans the capture of locals or the opposing tribe for profit was a major source of income for those in the slave trade.
We think of jazz melodies and voodoo coming from Jamaica... Well folks it all came via the slave trade from West Africa that started between tribes in the 1400's and to the new world (Brazil) in the 1500's
Tomorrow we are in Togo and I look forward to our tours. I hope it is as interesting Peppercorn as today's.
We ate dinner on the buffet and the place bridge. We set the clock back one hour tonight so we get an extra hour of sleep.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
It is around 7am and we are just arriving in Cotonou. It is the economic capital of Benin, the government is located in Porto Novo. Our tour today is of both cities. Cotonou means "mouth of the river of death". It was here that the Dahomey kingdom sent about 10,000 slaves per year to the Americas. When European powers attempted to halt the trade in human beings the Dahomey refused to cooperate since their largest source of income would be lost. So the British and France seized the areas. The French formalized their control of the colony in 1882, and slavery was banned forever. That is why French is the national language. The county gained it's independence in 1960. The government is a multiparty democracy. All that being said we have been warned about the high crime in the area and to be careful. This is the area where voodoo is still practice.
This morning we had breakfast in our cabin. It is easier and quicker then going to the buffet.
We were to dock around 7am, but due to port traffic (a ship was in our berth) we didn't leave the ship for our tour until about 9:30am. The bus did not have A/C, but the windows were open. The temperature was in the mid-80 s, but it was humid. The tour did provide water for us. We drove an hour from Cotonou to Port Novo to our first stop at the Museum Honme', Palace of the Port Novo Kings, then to the Ethnographic Museum, then back to the Museum Honme' for a folkloric dance. Then the hour drive back to Cotonou for the stop at the handicraft market. We purchased a Amazon warrior mask and a wall hanging. Then back to the ship.
The best part of the tour was driving in the cities and seeing the people in their daily life. The streets are a mixture of new, old, very old, rubble and the ever present garbage.
Each street has it's vendors lining the road - selling everything: food, tires, luggage, bootleg gasoline, furniture and everything you would need to setup housekeeping. There are cars, but the main means of transportation is the motor bike/cycle. It didn't seem to be much public transportation. The motorbikes also served as taxis. We did not see any begging, like in India. We saw many schoolchildren dressed in uniforms. They were very friendly and polite. It was an eye opening experience and people who complain about our country should kiss the ground they walk on. Believe me no one gets on a plane for a vacation in Benin.
Poor is an understatement however education is free and mandatory. One of our fellow passengers had candy and another had balloons. They are always a hit with the kids and I will check tonight in the ship's shop for some wrapped candy. It's nice to ask if you can take their picture and then give or offer them something. Big eyes and smiling faces. Despite the low income of the country, the children look reasonably well fed, clean and happy.
I have decided you can take the economic temperature of a country by the shoes you see the general population wearing. Here in Benin it's flip flops....
Hal mentioned slavery. Between the local Chiefs', Those from Northern Africa, and even some Europeans the capture of locals or the opposing tribe for profit was a major source of income for those in the slave trade.
We think of jazz melodies and voodoo coming from Jamaica... Well folks it all came via the slave trade from West Africa that started between tribes in the 1400's and to the new world (Brazil) in the 1500's
Tomorrow we are in Togo and I look forward to our tours. I hope it is as interesting Peppercorn as today's.
We ate dinner on the buffet and the place bridge. We set the clock back one hour tonight so we get an extra hour of sleep.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 14, 2012 - at sea
May 14, 2012 - at sea
This morning we crossed the equator and this afternoon there will be a "Crossing the Equator" ceremony. They asked for volunteers for the ceremony and having been in the army I know never to volunteer. Supposedly King Neptune and his bride will be there for the ceremony.
This morning we are having a Piracy Drill. There has been pirate activity in the Bight of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea ( I guess that is where we are) so we will have the drill. We did this on the last cruise on the east side of Africa. When they announce Tango Papa you know that the call sign for the drill.
Both these activities will interfere with bridge, our lesson starts at 9:30 am and the drill is at 10 am and playing bridge starts at 2:30 pm and the equator ceremony is at 2pm.
This is our last day at sea, tomorrow we dock in Cotonou, Benin. The next day is Lome, Togo, and then Tema, Ghana.
We had about a half- hour of bridge lesson and then the pirate drill, which took up an half-hour. We played trivia and finished high but not good enough to win.
After lunch we waited until 1:30 pm and then went to the pool area to watch the "Crossing" ceremony. It was interesting, with King Neptune renewing his vows with his wife "Double DD". Then the pollywogs were covered with slime - whipped cream, pasta, chocolate syrup, eggs and anything else that was handy. There were seven volunteers who made the transition from pollywogs to shellbacks for all of us pollywogs. The Staff Captain and Cruise Director both ended up in the pool. The ceremony was really fun to watch, I don't think I would want to participate. We heard from other passengers that on other cruises random passengers along with crew and staff were thrown in the pool. Make sure your watch is waterproof...
After the ceremony Evelyn took a little nap and I laid out by the pool. Don and Myrna played afternoon bridge.
The pool is salt water and the temperature of the air and water is the same, 29c or about 88 f. Some broken clouds and the seas are really flat.
We ate in the dinning room and it was Italian night. I am trying to cut back because I think I gained a few pounds, normally I would say that the salt air shank my cloths, but i've been on too many cruises to believe that tale.
We have to get up early tomorrow so we played a few hands of bridge and then called it a night.
We have been on this ship before. With only about 300 cabins it is quite intimate. The trade off is that you don't have all of the amenities of a bigger ship. The fitness center is a little small and if you are early on the track (13 times around is a mile) it looks a little like the 405 at rush hour. The equipment is ok, with treadmills etc but again there is a wait if you want to get your workout out of the way early.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
This morning we crossed the equator and this afternoon there will be a "Crossing the Equator" ceremony. They asked for volunteers for the ceremony and having been in the army I know never to volunteer. Supposedly King Neptune and his bride will be there for the ceremony.
This morning we are having a Piracy Drill. There has been pirate activity in the Bight of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea ( I guess that is where we are) so we will have the drill. We did this on the last cruise on the east side of Africa. When they announce Tango Papa you know that the call sign for the drill.
Both these activities will interfere with bridge, our lesson starts at 9:30 am and the drill is at 10 am and playing bridge starts at 2:30 pm and the equator ceremony is at 2pm.
This is our last day at sea, tomorrow we dock in Cotonou, Benin. The next day is Lome, Togo, and then Tema, Ghana.
We had about a half- hour of bridge lesson and then the pirate drill, which took up an half-hour. We played trivia and finished high but not good enough to win.
After lunch we waited until 1:30 pm and then went to the pool area to watch the "Crossing" ceremony. It was interesting, with King Neptune renewing his vows with his wife "Double DD". Then the pollywogs were covered with slime - whipped cream, pasta, chocolate syrup, eggs and anything else that was handy. There were seven volunteers who made the transition from pollywogs to shellbacks for all of us pollywogs. The Staff Captain and Cruise Director both ended up in the pool. The ceremony was really fun to watch, I don't think I would want to participate. We heard from other passengers that on other cruises random passengers along with crew and staff were thrown in the pool. Make sure your watch is waterproof...
After the ceremony Evelyn took a little nap and I laid out by the pool. Don and Myrna played afternoon bridge.
The pool is salt water and the temperature of the air and water is the same, 29c or about 88 f. Some broken clouds and the seas are really flat.
We ate in the dinning room and it was Italian night. I am trying to cut back because I think I gained a few pounds, normally I would say that the salt air shank my cloths, but i've been on too many cruises to believe that tale.
We have to get up early tomorrow so we played a few hands of bridge and then called it a night.
We have been on this ship before. With only about 300 cabins it is quite intimate. The trade off is that you don't have all of the amenities of a bigger ship. The fitness center is a little small and if you are early on the track (13 times around is a mile) it looks a little like the 405 at rush hour. The equipment is ok, with treadmills etc but again there is a wait if you want to get your workout out of the way early.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 13, 2012 -at sea
May 13, 2012 -at sea
Today is Mother's Day and the ship is having a special brunch "Dolce Vita" in the dinning room.
Both Evelyn and I walked the track this morning, I did a mile and Evelyn did two. We had coffee in the buffet before the bridge lecture. After the lecture we all did the brunch.
It was the best food presentation that I have seen on either this cruise or the last one. We sat at a table for eight with two other couples and had an enjoyable experience. My guess is that the majority of the passengers are over 60 and it is interesting how we have so much collective knowledge that we can solve most of the world problems. We missed trivia and heard later in the day that because of us not being there the remainder of the team lost. Who knows...
After the brunch Evelyn and I sat on our balcony and read until it was time for bridge. The weather continues to be great, calm seas, low humidity with the temperature in the low 80s.
At bridge we again felt that we played well, but as of now we don't have the results.
We are eating in the dinning room tonight, but will go down around 6:30pm. We have early seating but the service is quick and we can still be out before 8pm, which gives the staff time to setup for the late seating.
Barry Hilton is back with another show, but we may skip it.
Tomorrow we cross the equator and we will not longer be pollywogs but become shellback I think, more tomorrow.
After dinner we decided to see the show and Mr. Hilton was much funnier then his first show, so I'm glad we went. After the show we listened to Sammy Goldstein, a piano entertainer, in the casino lounge. He tries to remember your name by association. I'm "Hal the computer" from 2001 and Evelyn is "Evelyn Keys" the movie star. He is entertaining. We stopped by the "50's & 60's Sock Hop Party" for a few minutes.
We did much better in bridge coming in the middle of 8 teams.
I think my phone was hacked in Namibia. I had a voice mail and when I called there was nothing, then I started get email returns. I sorry if it caused a problem. I will not answer any voice mails until I get home. If You have to call on my cell while I am away, please just call and hang up and it will show up as a "missed call" and I know who it is I'll call back, but the easiest way to contact us is by email.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Today is Mother's Day and the ship is having a special brunch "Dolce Vita" in the dinning room.
Both Evelyn and I walked the track this morning, I did a mile and Evelyn did two. We had coffee in the buffet before the bridge lecture. After the lecture we all did the brunch.
It was the best food presentation that I have seen on either this cruise or the last one. We sat at a table for eight with two other couples and had an enjoyable experience. My guess is that the majority of the passengers are over 60 and it is interesting how we have so much collective knowledge that we can solve most of the world problems. We missed trivia and heard later in the day that because of us not being there the remainder of the team lost. Who knows...
After the brunch Evelyn and I sat on our balcony and read until it was time for bridge. The weather continues to be great, calm seas, low humidity with the temperature in the low 80s.
At bridge we again felt that we played well, but as of now we don't have the results.
We are eating in the dinning room tonight, but will go down around 6:30pm. We have early seating but the service is quick and we can still be out before 8pm, which gives the staff time to setup for the late seating.
Barry Hilton is back with another show, but we may skip it.
Tomorrow we cross the equator and we will not longer be pollywogs but become shellback I think, more tomorrow.
After dinner we decided to see the show and Mr. Hilton was much funnier then his first show, so I'm glad we went. After the show we listened to Sammy Goldstein, a piano entertainer, in the casino lounge. He tries to remember your name by association. I'm "Hal the computer" from 2001 and Evelyn is "Evelyn Keys" the movie star. He is entertaining. We stopped by the "50's & 60's Sock Hop Party" for a few minutes.
We did much better in bridge coming in the middle of 8 teams.
I think my phone was hacked in Namibia. I had a voice mail and when I called there was nothing, then I started get email returns. I sorry if it caused a problem. I will not answer any voice mails until I get home. If You have to call on my cell while I am away, please just call and hang up and it will show up as a "missed call" and I know who it is I'll call back, but the easiest way to contact us is by email.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 12, 2012 - at sea
May 12, 2012 - at sea
The sea days run as a routine. Breakfast, bridge lesson, trivia, lunch, play bridge, dinner, show and to bed. The only change seems to be where to eat: buffet, dinning room or Bisto.
The weather continues to be great, warm, but not hot or humid. We are getting close to the equator and you would think it should start getting warmer more humid and possibly rainy.
I think on monday we will cross the equator and there will be a ceremony for those who are called pollywogs, that is someone who has not crossed the equator by ship.
We had a good run at bridge and when we returned to the cabin there was a note that the purser's office would like to see us. I'm sure it has to do with the flood in our cabin. They offered to give us a credit on our bill and I accepted their apologies for the problems. We were inconvenienced for one night and the ship made everything right so I felt they did the right thing.
We came in last in bridge, we don't understand because we felt we played well. I guess we need to be more aggressive in our play.
We had dinner in the Bisto and I wasn't impressed. I had a steak which was cooked right but didn't have much taste. We have noticed that they don't season the dishes very much. It is only one meal.
Tonight's entertainment is Brandi Chapman, a vocalist from the USA who we really enjoyed. She mentioned that she had worked with Roy Clark in Branson, Mo., and opened for many of the acts.
We received a notice about the high crime areas in our next four African ports. We also heard that there is pirate activity along the coast in this area, something new to worry about.
Tomorrow is mother's day and there is a special brunch in the dinning room.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
The sea days run as a routine. Breakfast, bridge lesson, trivia, lunch, play bridge, dinner, show and to bed. The only change seems to be where to eat: buffet, dinning room or Bisto.
The weather continues to be great, warm, but not hot or humid. We are getting close to the equator and you would think it should start getting warmer more humid and possibly rainy.
I think on monday we will cross the equator and there will be a ceremony for those who are called pollywogs, that is someone who has not crossed the equator by ship.
We had a good run at bridge and when we returned to the cabin there was a note that the purser's office would like to see us. I'm sure it has to do with the flood in our cabin. They offered to give us a credit on our bill and I accepted their apologies for the problems. We were inconvenienced for one night and the ship made everything right so I felt they did the right thing.
We came in last in bridge, we don't understand because we felt we played well. I guess we need to be more aggressive in our play.
We had dinner in the Bisto and I wasn't impressed. I had a steak which was cooked right but didn't have much taste. We have noticed that they don't season the dishes very much. It is only one meal.
Tonight's entertainment is Brandi Chapman, a vocalist from the USA who we really enjoyed. She mentioned that she had worked with Roy Clark in Branson, Mo., and opened for many of the acts.
We received a notice about the high crime areas in our next four African ports. We also heard that there is pirate activity along the coast in this area, something new to worry about.
Tomorrow is mother's day and there is a special brunch in the dinning room.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 11, 2012 At Sea
May 11, 2012 At Sea
The seas are calm and sunny skies. The temperature is very mild, in the mid-70s. We had a quick breakfast and the did a short session at the bridge lecture in order to get to our ship's bridge tour. Evelyn and I had done this before on the Golden Princess but it was the first time for Don and Myrna. We were met and escorted to the bridge where the junior officer of the watch, his name was Sabastiano was our tour guide. He spent about 25 minutes explaining the various equipment that is used to navigate and maintain the safety of the ship. He was very young and to Evelyn and Myrna seemed quite handsome. The captain Carlo Servillo came in a we chatted with him for about 15 minutes and then took pictures. I think one of the primary duties of the captain is PR and the ability to speak easily, he made us feel welcome and we all enjoyed the conversation. Later on when we met him again at the captain' s welcome aboard party her did remember us. It is always a great privelidge to be invited to the bridge. After 9-11 security became a major issue and all regular bridge tours were discontinued.
We had lunch in the dinning room. Both the service and food were good. I have been very impressed with the crew and staff. Everyone one is very accommodating and friendly, even the staff at the front desk.
We played bridge again and didn't do well, we came in last. We need to play better between the two of us each one thinks the other one is making the mistake.
We went to Friday night services. The service is always conducted by a passenger, although the ship provides the wine, printed sabbath prayers ( that were donated by a passenger on a previous cruise ) and a very good challah bread. It was conducted by a gentleman from Brentwood who we met on the last cruise six months ago.
It was formal night so we were all dress up, Don and I in tuxes and the ladies in dresses.
After dinner we attended the Captain's welcome aboard party and then stayed on for the show which was a variety show by the cruise on board entertainers singing and dancing to songs of the 50's and 60's. One of the better shows.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
The seas are calm and sunny skies. The temperature is very mild, in the mid-70s. We had a quick breakfast and the did a short session at the bridge lecture in order to get to our ship's bridge tour. Evelyn and I had done this before on the Golden Princess but it was the first time for Don and Myrna. We were met and escorted to the bridge where the junior officer of the watch, his name was Sabastiano was our tour guide. He spent about 25 minutes explaining the various equipment that is used to navigate and maintain the safety of the ship. He was very young and to Evelyn and Myrna seemed quite handsome. The captain Carlo Servillo came in a we chatted with him for about 15 minutes and then took pictures. I think one of the primary duties of the captain is PR and the ability to speak easily, he made us feel welcome and we all enjoyed the conversation. Later on when we met him again at the captain' s welcome aboard party her did remember us. It is always a great privelidge to be invited to the bridge. After 9-11 security became a major issue and all regular bridge tours were discontinued.
We had lunch in the dinning room. Both the service and food were good. I have been very impressed with the crew and staff. Everyone one is very accommodating and friendly, even the staff at the front desk.
We played bridge again and didn't do well, we came in last. We need to play better between the two of us each one thinks the other one is making the mistake.
We went to Friday night services. The service is always conducted by a passenger, although the ship provides the wine, printed sabbath prayers ( that were donated by a passenger on a previous cruise ) and a very good challah bread. It was conducted by a gentleman from Brentwood who we met on the last cruise six months ago.
It was formal night so we were all dress up, Don and I in tuxes and the ladies in dresses.
After dinner we attended the Captain's welcome aboard party and then stayed on for the show which was a variety show by the cruise on board entertainers singing and dancing to songs of the 50's and 60's. One of the better shows.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 9, 2012 - Luderitz, Namibia
May 9, 2012 - Luderitz, Namibia
Namibia is just north of South Africa on the Atlantic. We sailed all night mostly through fog, as the horn kept blowing. We had breakfast with Don and Myrna and are now waiting to clear immigrations before going on our tour. The weather is good, clear and sunny, not very hot so far.
Luderitz is located on the edge of the Namib Desert and is a relic of German colonial rule having been establish by German merchants. Diamonds were discovered in 1908 which was a boom to the economy. After World War I Germany lost control of Namibia to South Africa. And the country wad named West South Africa. English is the official language. Around the early 1980's it gained it's independence and was named Namibia.
We took a walking tour of the town, Luderitz. We stopped at the local museum, church, and the mansion of a former German merchant. Could have done it on our own. After about two hours we had time to shop. You know the shopping is no good when Evelyn can't find anything to buy. I did pick up two 6-packs of a local beer called Tafel brewed in Windhoek, the Capitol to bring on the ship. I used the last of my SA Rand, $5 a 6-pack. Don and Myrna took the shuttle back to the ship and Evelyn and I walked back.
We had lunch and then played bridge for an hour. The ship sailed around 4pm and we were soon in fog again. We found out that this is the area known as the skeleton coast. I think because of the number of ship wrecks do to the fog. Sounds like something out of a trashy novel.
After bridge we all took a nap. Because we have 1st seating dinner there is not a lot of time for napping before dinner.
We had drinks in the cabin, and the infamous plate of canapé started showing up again. We are not sure why we get them, but they were nice with our drinks.
We got down to the dinning room about 6:15pm and had no problem finishing dinner by 7:30pm without feeling rushed. We will push to 6:30pm.
The show was Clare Langham, a flautist, a flautist plays the flute for the uninformed. We had seen her before, if you sail enough you begin see the same performers, and I enjoy her playing. She was really quite good.
Tomorrow we are in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Namibia is just north of South Africa on the Atlantic. We sailed all night mostly through fog, as the horn kept blowing. We had breakfast with Don and Myrna and are now waiting to clear immigrations before going on our tour. The weather is good, clear and sunny, not very hot so far.
Luderitz is located on the edge of the Namib Desert and is a relic of German colonial rule having been establish by German merchants. Diamonds were discovered in 1908 which was a boom to the economy. After World War I Germany lost control of Namibia to South Africa. And the country wad named West South Africa. English is the official language. Around the early 1980's it gained it's independence and was named Namibia.
We took a walking tour of the town, Luderitz. We stopped at the local museum, church, and the mansion of a former German merchant. Could have done it on our own. After about two hours we had time to shop. You know the shopping is no good when Evelyn can't find anything to buy. I did pick up two 6-packs of a local beer called Tafel brewed in Windhoek, the Capitol to bring on the ship. I used the last of my SA Rand, $5 a 6-pack. Don and Myrna took the shuttle back to the ship and Evelyn and I walked back.
We had lunch and then played bridge for an hour. The ship sailed around 4pm and we were soon in fog again. We found out that this is the area known as the skeleton coast. I think because of the number of ship wrecks do to the fog. Sounds like something out of a trashy novel.
After bridge we all took a nap. Because we have 1st seating dinner there is not a lot of time for napping before dinner.
We had drinks in the cabin, and the infamous plate of canapé started showing up again. We are not sure why we get them, but they were nice with our drinks.
We got down to the dinning room about 6:15pm and had no problem finishing dinner by 7:30pm without feeling rushed. We will push to 6:30pm.
The show was Clare Langham, a flautist, a flautist plays the flute for the uninformed. We had seen her before, if you sail enough you begin see the same performers, and I enjoy her playing. She was really quite good.
Tomorrow we are in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 10 , 2012 - Walvis Bay, Namibia
May 10 , 2012 - Walvis Bay, Namibia
Walvis Bay is up the coast from Luderitz, maybe 500 plus miles. It is a very large commercial port of about 70 thousand people. The economy is diamonds, fishing, and uranium mining, with some tourism. In both Luderitz and here you notice how clean the streets are, not a lot of trash. Unemployment is high here around 35-45 percent. We were told that only 5 percent of the worker pay income tax and a lot of people work off the books. Our guide who came from Germany with his family about 30 years ago originally owned a iron business for about twenty years. He told us he finally closed it a couple of years ago and started a tour business. He said that with the 18 paid holidays, four weeks medical leave and three week vacation time it was no longer worth being in business with employees. Does that sound familiar. He also operates a small guest house which is on the same property as him home in addition to his tour guide business.
Our tour today was to Namib-Naukluft Park in the Nambi Desert. Myrna was feeling sick and did not go, so Don, Evelyn and I boarded our all-terrain vehicle with another couple. Our guide was, Ziggy, the expat from Germany 30-years ago. It was a five hour tour mostly over dusty and bumpy dirt roads. Very little rain and the landscape is brown, but the rock formations were very interesting. We stopped to see the Welwitschia Plant which is unique to Namibia. It can live to 2000 thousand years. The ones we saw were 200 to 300 years old. The plant only propagates in wet weather and the newer (younger) plant we saw started in the 1930s. We stopped for sparking wine and oysters (no oysters for us) and then stopped at some very large sand dunes, 500 feet tall. A few people climbed to the top. Overall I enjoyed the afternoon. We felt like we had been dropped on a desert moon although we were never more that 20 miles at most from the ocean. The Namib Desert is right up to the water line. There is no change in retain. Needless to say there is little landscaping and all fresh water is precious.
So far we have found everyone we have meet to be friendly and mostly of European heritage. It's easy for us to forget that many areas of Africa were settled with Europeans with few locals in the area at the time of colonization. There seem to be three distinct groups of population in both South Africa and Namibia, Blacks, Colored (those of mixed heritage) and Whites. There is no legal segregation but hear there is self segregation through neighborhoods.
We returned to the ship to find an invitation to visit the bridge tomorrow.
Myrna has recovered and we all had a snack in the buffet. We are eating dinner in the buffet tonight.
The next four days we will be at sea.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Walvis Bay is up the coast from Luderitz, maybe 500 plus miles. It is a very large commercial port of about 70 thousand people. The economy is diamonds, fishing, and uranium mining, with some tourism. In both Luderitz and here you notice how clean the streets are, not a lot of trash. Unemployment is high here around 35-45 percent. We were told that only 5 percent of the worker pay income tax and a lot of people work off the books. Our guide who came from Germany with his family about 30 years ago originally owned a iron business for about twenty years. He told us he finally closed it a couple of years ago and started a tour business. He said that with the 18 paid holidays, four weeks medical leave and three week vacation time it was no longer worth being in business with employees. Does that sound familiar. He also operates a small guest house which is on the same property as him home in addition to his tour guide business.
Our tour today was to Namib-Naukluft Park in the Nambi Desert. Myrna was feeling sick and did not go, so Don, Evelyn and I boarded our all-terrain vehicle with another couple. Our guide was, Ziggy, the expat from Germany 30-years ago. It was a five hour tour mostly over dusty and bumpy dirt roads. Very little rain and the landscape is brown, but the rock formations were very interesting. We stopped to see the Welwitschia Plant which is unique to Namibia. It can live to 2000 thousand years. The ones we saw were 200 to 300 years old. The plant only propagates in wet weather and the newer (younger) plant we saw started in the 1930s. We stopped for sparking wine and oysters (no oysters for us) and then stopped at some very large sand dunes, 500 feet tall. A few people climbed to the top. Overall I enjoyed the afternoon. We felt like we had been dropped on a desert moon although we were never more that 20 miles at most from the ocean. The Namib Desert is right up to the water line. There is no change in retain. Needless to say there is little landscaping and all fresh water is precious.
So far we have found everyone we have meet to be friendly and mostly of European heritage. It's easy for us to forget that many areas of Africa were settled with Europeans with few locals in the area at the time of colonization. There seem to be three distinct groups of population in both South Africa and Namibia, Blacks, Colored (those of mixed heritage) and Whites. There is no legal segregation but hear there is self segregation through neighborhoods.
We returned to the ship to find an invitation to visit the bridge tomorrow.
Myrna has recovered and we all had a snack in the buffet. We are eating dinner in the buffet tonight.
The next four days we will be at sea.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 8, 2012 - At Sea
May 8, 2012 - At Sea
Last night we gained an hour and are now the same time as London, 8 hours ahead of the US. I' m hopping that it will been our last time change. We slept alright even with the musty smell of the carpet. It must have gotten foggy because at some time during the night the ship's fog horn started sounding every two minutes. We awoke to cool weather and fog.
We went to the excise room which was too crowned for me, but I left Evelyn to work out. I did some stretching and then had breakfast. Having a 6pm dinner has made me more aware of how much I am eating for both breakfast and lunch. So far my weight is holding.
After breakfast we attended the bridge lecture. I like the way the instructor is teaching, so I may attend more. After that Evelyn and I sat in the Tahitian Lounge and read until 11am trivia. Our team is us and Myrna and Don and Will and Helen from the UK. We came in second, but should have won. You'll hear that allot.
Lunch was next and we sat with a very nice couple from Canada.
We decided to check on our cabin and discovered that they are about to change our carpet, that should get everything back to normal. Princess is doing the right thing. Altogether we have heard as many as 20 cabins were effected by the water leak. Ours and the ones on either side seem to have gotten the worst of the water.
We are now in the library waiting to play afternoon bridge. When there are sea days it is not unusual for there to be a bridge director. They generally give a lesson or a lecture in the morning and manage a duplicate game in the afternoons on the sea days. Over the years we have had both good and very poor directors. This one seems to be quite good.
We finished 4th of 6 couples playing East/West. Don and Myrna came in 1st in North/South.
We had dinner in the dinning room. 6pm seating is a little to early, but our waiter and the assist seem good. We will push getting there to 6:30pm, the service at first seating is always quick and we can still finish in enough time for them to set up for the next seating.
The show was Barry Hilton, a comic, from South Africa. He had some funny moments.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Last night we gained an hour and are now the same time as London, 8 hours ahead of the US. I' m hopping that it will been our last time change. We slept alright even with the musty smell of the carpet. It must have gotten foggy because at some time during the night the ship's fog horn started sounding every two minutes. We awoke to cool weather and fog.
We went to the excise room which was too crowned for me, but I left Evelyn to work out. I did some stretching and then had breakfast. Having a 6pm dinner has made me more aware of how much I am eating for both breakfast and lunch. So far my weight is holding.
After breakfast we attended the bridge lecture. I like the way the instructor is teaching, so I may attend more. After that Evelyn and I sat in the Tahitian Lounge and read until 11am trivia. Our team is us and Myrna and Don and Will and Helen from the UK. We came in second, but should have won. You'll hear that allot.
Lunch was next and we sat with a very nice couple from Canada.
We decided to check on our cabin and discovered that they are about to change our carpet, that should get everything back to normal. Princess is doing the right thing. Altogether we have heard as many as 20 cabins were effected by the water leak. Ours and the ones on either side seem to have gotten the worst of the water.
We are now in the library waiting to play afternoon bridge. When there are sea days it is not unusual for there to be a bridge director. They generally give a lesson or a lecture in the morning and manage a duplicate game in the afternoons on the sea days. Over the years we have had both good and very poor directors. This one seems to be quite good.
We finished 4th of 6 couples playing East/West. Don and Myrna came in 1st in North/South.
We had dinner in the dinning room. 6pm seating is a little to early, but our waiter and the assist seem good. We will push getting there to 6:30pm, the service at first seating is always quick and we can still finish in enough time for them to set up for the next seating.
The show was Barry Hilton, a comic, from South Africa. He had some funny moments.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
May 7, 2012 - Cape Town
May 7, 2012 - Cape Town
We left the ship around 8:30am to go to Robben Island. The ship's tour hostess told us how to get to the ferry by walking, so we followed her directions and found the ferry terminal in about 10 mintues. We had purchased the tickets on the internet and joined the line to board the ferry, The ride was about 30 mintues. Robben Island has been used as a prison for many years, but is most famous for the political prisoners held there during the apartide period (1948-1994). We took a 45 mintue bus ride around the Island and then had a guided tour through the prison, where we saw the cell where Nelson Mandela was held. Our guide was a former prisoner. We walked back to the ferry for the ride back to Cape Town harbor. There is much other history to the island including it's use earlier as a lepper colony and as a fortified gun location during WW2, to guard against invasion.
We stopped to buy more wine and then returned to the ship using the shuttle.
After lunch we cleared immagrations and returned to find our cabin completely flood. A pipe must have broken and I don't know what is going to happen. Right now they are vacuuming up as much water as they can. At about 5:30pm I sent an email to the Princess home office. We decided to eat in the buffet seeing that we really can't clean up. We had drinks in Don and Myrna's cabin and then had dinner. After dinner we checked on the cabin and found that the room was almost put back together. Except the rug is still very wet, most everything else is ok. The email to Princess brought a whole host of Offices to our cabin and things seem to going in the right direction. Hopefully this will be our worst night.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We left the ship around 8:30am to go to Robben Island. The ship's tour hostess told us how to get to the ferry by walking, so we followed her directions and found the ferry terminal in about 10 mintues. We had purchased the tickets on the internet and joined the line to board the ferry, The ride was about 30 mintues. Robben Island has been used as a prison for many years, but is most famous for the political prisoners held there during the apartide period (1948-1994). We took a 45 mintue bus ride around the Island and then had a guided tour through the prison, where we saw the cell where Nelson Mandela was held. Our guide was a former prisoner. We walked back to the ferry for the ride back to Cape Town harbor. There is much other history to the island including it's use earlier as a lepper colony and as a fortified gun location during WW2, to guard against invasion.
We stopped to buy more wine and then returned to the ship using the shuttle.
After lunch we cleared immagrations and returned to find our cabin completely flood. A pipe must have broken and I don't know what is going to happen. Right now they are vacuuming up as much water as they can. At about 5:30pm I sent an email to the Princess home office. We decided to eat in the buffet seeing that we really can't clean up. We had drinks in Don and Myrna's cabin and then had dinner. After dinner we checked on the cabin and found that the room was almost put back together. Except the rug is still very wet, most everything else is ok. The email to Princess brought a whole host of Offices to our cabin and things seem to going in the right direction. Hopefully this will be our worst night.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 6, 2012 - Cape Town
May 6, 2012 - Cape Town
I think we are over the jet lag, the alarm woke us both up at 6:30am. We are meeting Don and Myrna for breakfast at 8am and then go to Table Mountain.
The weather is great, lots of sunshine, warm during the day and cool in the evening. No rain in sight.
I had purchased tickets for the cable car ride up Table Mountain before we left home. We took a taxi from the hotel. It took about 15 mintues and cost $12.50 with tip. Because we had tickets we skipped the long ticket line and were able to get on to the cable car (holds 65 persons). Everyone wanted to be by the open windows, but the floor of the car revolves so everyone get a chance at the open windows both looking back down and looking up. The ride takes about 5 mintues. The weather was great, no wind and sunny. We were told that there are more days when the ride does not operate because of weather then when it does.
There are a number of walking paths and the view is all the way to the Cape of Good Hope, which is about an hour away by car. We spent about an hour at the top and then rode the cable car down. For a early Sunday morning it was getting crowded. Table Mountain has been selected as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is really pretty amazing.
We took a taxi back to the hotel to check out and board the Ocean Princess. We never needed the late check out. We will spent the night on board the ship in Cape Town and sail at 5pm tomorrow.
With only 600 passengers boarding was quick. Having been on board just 6 months ago we know our way around and after dropping our hand luggage we all moved to the buffet for a lunch. After lunch Evelyn and I took the ships shuttle to the Waterfront to do a little shopping and buy some wine. The ship does not allow you to bring on hard liquer, but we can bring on wine and beer. Our friends Kobie and Roche, who are from South Africa, gave us a list of South African wines and we used it to select the two bottles we bought. We will buy some more tomorrow. We returned to the ship about 4pm and found that three of our 4 bags were in the cabin, Evelyn's large bag was missing. We unpacked what we had and our cabin stewart Dennis came in to introduce himself.
At 5pm we all headed to the lounge for the Suite passengers nightly cocktail party. The hors d' oeuvres are free, but you have to buy your own drinks.
At 6pm it was time for dinner in the dinning room. Normally we have a reserved table, but tonight it was open seating. After dinner there was an African folkloric in the show room. It was nice to have some thing different then the normal entertainment. The rhythms of the music remind you of American jazz and melodies you would associate with the Caribbean. Funny how we get it backwards. The melodies were brought here by the slaves from west Africa.
We got back to our room and still no bag. Evelyn and I headed to the passenger desk to see what was happening. We must of passed our bag on the way down the 4 flights of stairs because we were told that if it was a big blue one it had Been sent up to our cabin. It seemed that the baggage tag with our cabin number had been torn off and it took a while for them to check the ID on the bag. But alls well that ends well, thou Evelyn was already planing on spending Princess's money on a new wardrobe. Not really!
Tomorrow we visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
I think we are over the jet lag, the alarm woke us both up at 6:30am. We are meeting Don and Myrna for breakfast at 8am and then go to Table Mountain.
The weather is great, lots of sunshine, warm during the day and cool in the evening. No rain in sight.
I had purchased tickets for the cable car ride up Table Mountain before we left home. We took a taxi from the hotel. It took about 15 mintues and cost $12.50 with tip. Because we had tickets we skipped the long ticket line and were able to get on to the cable car (holds 65 persons). Everyone wanted to be by the open windows, but the floor of the car revolves so everyone get a chance at the open windows both looking back down and looking up. The ride takes about 5 mintues. The weather was great, no wind and sunny. We were told that there are more days when the ride does not operate because of weather then when it does.
There are a number of walking paths and the view is all the way to the Cape of Good Hope, which is about an hour away by car. We spent about an hour at the top and then rode the cable car down. For a early Sunday morning it was getting crowded. Table Mountain has been selected as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is really pretty amazing.
We took a taxi back to the hotel to check out and board the Ocean Princess. We never needed the late check out. We will spent the night on board the ship in Cape Town and sail at 5pm tomorrow.
With only 600 passengers boarding was quick. Having been on board just 6 months ago we know our way around and after dropping our hand luggage we all moved to the buffet for a lunch. After lunch Evelyn and I took the ships shuttle to the Waterfront to do a little shopping and buy some wine. The ship does not allow you to bring on hard liquer, but we can bring on wine and beer. Our friends Kobie and Roche, who are from South Africa, gave us a list of South African wines and we used it to select the two bottles we bought. We will buy some more tomorrow. We returned to the ship about 4pm and found that three of our 4 bags were in the cabin, Evelyn's large bag was missing. We unpacked what we had and our cabin stewart Dennis came in to introduce himself.
At 5pm we all headed to the lounge for the Suite passengers nightly cocktail party. The hors d' oeuvres are free, but you have to buy your own drinks.
At 6pm it was time for dinner in the dinning room. Normally we have a reserved table, but tonight it was open seating. After dinner there was an African folkloric in the show room. It was nice to have some thing different then the normal entertainment. The rhythms of the music remind you of American jazz and melodies you would associate with the Caribbean. Funny how we get it backwards. The melodies were brought here by the slaves from west Africa.
We got back to our room and still no bag. Evelyn and I headed to the passenger desk to see what was happening. We must of passed our bag on the way down the 4 flights of stairs because we were told that if it was a big blue one it had Been sent up to our cabin. It seemed that the baggage tag with our cabin number had been torn off and it took a while for them to check the ID on the bag. But alls well that ends well, thou Evelyn was already planing on spending Princess's money on a new wardrobe. Not really!
Tomorrow we visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 5, 2012 - Cape Town
May 5, 2012 - Cape Town
Today we drive to Cape Town. We got up at 6:30 am. After breakfast we met our driver Basil. Cape Town is 240 miles south west of George and the drive takes about 5 hours depending on the amount of road work going on. The road started out like a freeway, divided in the middle, with two lanes on each side, then a three lane road, and then two lanes until we reached Cape Town.
Before we left Evelyn got to shop at the gift shop. In general the prices in South Africa are a little better than the US. Products made in SA especially with the exchange rate still being favorable. While at the Lodge Hal ordered a Jack Daniels on the rocks, he got a very generous serving and although not made in SA, based on the exchange it was about $1.25. Not bad.
Overall I would say our experience at Botlierskop is quite positive. I think we could have paid less if we had spent more time on the Internet. We booked though Africa Travel and we met a couple at the lodge we said we could have booked using a South African travel agent and saved a lot of money. She gave us a name and promised to send us additional information. The experience though not entirely a "safari" experience was more like Jurassic Park meets the Ritz Carlton. All in all not at all disappointing.
We have been on the road for about 45 mintues and are now waiting at a stop where there is road repair and the road is only one lane. We made one stop and arrived at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town at about 1:30pm. The ride took just under 5 hours. The Westin is located near the harbor in the Convention Center area. When we were here in 2001 none of this area was developed. Although the V and A Harbor Waterfront near by opened in 1999.
We checked in and then cleaned up from the ride. Myrna and Don arrived in the early morning and we had agreed to meet for dinner. We called them about 4pm and we all took the hotel shuttle to the Victoria and Alfred Harbor Waterfront for dinner. We shopped at couple of resturants and picked one that had South Africa food. I have had so much meat over the past three days I had chicken and so did Evelyn. With wine, beer and tip the check was 900 rand about $ 115 for the four of us.
Don and Myrna are still suffering from jet lag so we returned to the hotel with a plan to meet in the morning for breakfast and then to visit Table Mountain before boarding the ship. The hotel gave us a late check until 2pm which will allow us to leave our bags in our room until we leave for the ship. Before we left home I bought the Table Mountain tickets on the Internet.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Today we drive to Cape Town. We got up at 6:30 am. After breakfast we met our driver Basil. Cape Town is 240 miles south west of George and the drive takes about 5 hours depending on the amount of road work going on. The road started out like a freeway, divided in the middle, with two lanes on each side, then a three lane road, and then two lanes until we reached Cape Town.
Before we left Evelyn got to shop at the gift shop. In general the prices in South Africa are a little better than the US. Products made in SA especially with the exchange rate still being favorable. While at the Lodge Hal ordered a Jack Daniels on the rocks, he got a very generous serving and although not made in SA, based on the exchange it was about $1.25. Not bad.
Overall I would say our experience at Botlierskop is quite positive. I think we could have paid less if we had spent more time on the Internet. We booked though Africa Travel and we met a couple at the lodge we said we could have booked using a South African travel agent and saved a lot of money. She gave us a name and promised to send us additional information. The experience though not entirely a "safari" experience was more like Jurassic Park meets the Ritz Carlton. All in all not at all disappointing.
We have been on the road for about 45 mintues and are now waiting at a stop where there is road repair and the road is only one lane. We made one stop and arrived at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town at about 1:30pm. The ride took just under 5 hours. The Westin is located near the harbor in the Convention Center area. When we were here in 2001 none of this area was developed. Although the V and A Harbor Waterfront near by opened in 1999.
We checked in and then cleaned up from the ride. Myrna and Don arrived in the early morning and we had agreed to meet for dinner. We called them about 4pm and we all took the hotel shuttle to the Victoria and Alfred Harbor Waterfront for dinner. We shopped at couple of resturants and picked one that had South Africa food. I have had so much meat over the past three days I had chicken and so did Evelyn. With wine, beer and tip the check was 900 rand about $ 115 for the four of us.
Don and Myrna are still suffering from jet lag so we returned to the hotel with a plan to meet in the morning for breakfast and then to visit Table Mountain before boarding the ship. The hotel gave us a late check until 2pm which will allow us to leave our bags in our room until we leave for the ship. Before we left home I bought the Table Mountain tickets on the Internet.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 4,2012
May 4,2012
We left the heat on last night and we both slept better. We were both a sleep when we got the 5:30 am wake up call. We met Chris,our guide, at 6:45am and we were the only people on the drive. He took us to an area we had not been to before looking for the Cape Buffelo, which we never found. We went off the trail to look for the giraffes and we stopped to have our morning coffee break watching them. Chris is very knowledgeable about the flora and birds as well has the animals. We got back to the lodge in time for breakfast and then did the lion viewing again. At 12:30pm we got to play with the lion cubs and the Evelyn will take a two hour horse back ride later in the afternoon.
There are three lion cubs, a male and female three weeks old and a six week old female. They are part of an attraction called "Walk with the Lions". The lion trainer's family has been raising and training lions for four generations. We were able to "play" with them for an hour. Evelyn became mother to the three week old female. They were very cute, but you have to remember they will grow to 700 pounds and always be a dangerous animal.
We learned that lions that do not remain in the wild for whatever reason and are HAND RAISED are considered the most dangerous and can never be returned to the wild. The trainer told us how the came to have these 3 cubs and how they and other lions they have will never be allowed to reproduce. Hopefully in time there will no longer be any captive or hand raised lions, only those in the wild.
I'm waiting for Evelyn to return from her horse back ride and just relaxing on the porch. I dozed off and awoke to two rhinos just across the river.
The ride was great. There was a young woman from Malaysia, The guide, and me. The horses were very responsive. Have to say it was a lengthy release I had to sign and a riding helmet that wasn't the most attractive but we had a great time. We saw some small animals including a rock hyrax, a large tortoise and other small mammals. The highlight was tracking an injured blue wildebeest that we tracked into the brush. After finding it our guide called the lodge and a group was sent up to access the situation. We believe the animal was injured in the flank by another male while sparing in preparation for future fights when older. After two hours I was covered in trail dust, still hadn't seen a cape buffalo and was ready for the raft back to our tent.
The lodge is full for the weekend - they have 15 tents - and the dinning room was full. Tried wildebeest, blesbock, koroo lamb chops, along with the other courses and accompaniments We have enjoyed tasting the different animals. Prices here are very reasonable, my JD on the rocks was 20 rand, about $2.50 and Evelyn had a local liquor call Amarulla for 10 rand, about $1.25. Amarulla is like the national liquor of South Africa, it is made from the fruit of the Amarulla tree and is a little like a cross between Harvey's Bristol Cream and a chocolate liquor. Tomorrow in Cape Town we will test the pricing in the resurants.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
We left the heat on last night and we both slept better. We were both a sleep when we got the 5:30 am wake up call. We met Chris,our guide, at 6:45am and we were the only people on the drive. He took us to an area we had not been to before looking for the Cape Buffelo, which we never found. We went off the trail to look for the giraffes and we stopped to have our morning coffee break watching them. Chris is very knowledgeable about the flora and birds as well has the animals. We got back to the lodge in time for breakfast and then did the lion viewing again. At 12:30pm we got to play with the lion cubs and the Evelyn will take a two hour horse back ride later in the afternoon.
There are three lion cubs, a male and female three weeks old and a six week old female. They are part of an attraction called "Walk with the Lions". The lion trainer's family has been raising and training lions for four generations. We were able to "play" with them for an hour. Evelyn became mother to the three week old female. They were very cute, but you have to remember they will grow to 700 pounds and always be a dangerous animal.
We learned that lions that do not remain in the wild for whatever reason and are HAND RAISED are considered the most dangerous and can never be returned to the wild. The trainer told us how the came to have these 3 cubs and how they and other lions they have will never be allowed to reproduce. Hopefully in time there will no longer be any captive or hand raised lions, only those in the wild.
I'm waiting for Evelyn to return from her horse back ride and just relaxing on the porch. I dozed off and awoke to two rhinos just across the river.
The ride was great. There was a young woman from Malaysia, The guide, and me. The horses were very responsive. Have to say it was a lengthy release I had to sign and a riding helmet that wasn't the most attractive but we had a great time. We saw some small animals including a rock hyrax, a large tortoise and other small mammals. The highlight was tracking an injured blue wildebeest that we tracked into the brush. After finding it our guide called the lodge and a group was sent up to access the situation. We believe the animal was injured in the flank by another male while sparing in preparation for future fights when older. After two hours I was covered in trail dust, still hadn't seen a cape buffalo and was ready for the raft back to our tent.
The lodge is full for the weekend - they have 15 tents - and the dinning room was full. Tried wildebeest, blesbock, koroo lamb chops, along with the other courses and accompaniments We have enjoyed tasting the different animals. Prices here are very reasonable, my JD on the rocks was 20 rand, about $2.50 and Evelyn had a local liquor call Amarulla for 10 rand, about $1.25. Amarulla is like the national liquor of South Africa, it is made from the fruit of the Amarulla tree and is a little like a cross between Harvey's Bristol Cream and a chocolate liquor. Tomorrow in Cape Town we will test the pricing in the resurants.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
May 3, 2012
May 3, 2012
This morning is our first game drive. We received a 5:30am wake up call and were picked up at the boat dock at 6:45am. Chris is our guide and there are three other couples with us. The vehicle is a four-wheel drive and diesel powered. It is open with a roll bar and canvas top.
The first stop was the wildebeest and then we saw two rhino. So far the difference from our last safari is the closeness of the animals. We continued our drive with a zebra sighting and then some impalas, kudo, and a few more. We stopped for coffee where we watched the giraffes. We got back to the lodge around 9:30am for breakfast. The game viewing is much more intimate. You can get closer and because the animals are used to seeing humans and vehicles they don't take much notice. I am impressed with the food too. Everything was made to order and they had a full selection of cold meats and cheeses and various fruits. The coffee was hot.
At 11am we drove to the area where they keep three lions, a young male and two older females. These lions were raised by humans, so they can not be reintroduced back in the wild. The Reserve will not breed them and will just care for them until they die. The current philosophy is that lions that cannot survive in the wild should not be allowed to reproduce.
Hopefully over time this will reduce the number of captive loins. Too many start as pets and then the owner discovers the animal is too much to handle or too expensive to raise and it winds up in a reserve. We learned that hand raised lions are the most dangerous and unpredictable.
Our last thing this morning was a ride on the river. Not much to see but a few birds. Then later in the after noon will be another game drive and the sundowners with the elephants.
With all going on and the big breakfast we skipped lunch. Back to the afternoon drive.
This afternoons game drive took a different route then the morning one and we had a new guide named Richard. We saw black impalas, cape mountain zebra, ostrich, eland, a whole family of giraffes, kudu, nyala antelope, waterbuck, vervet monkey and white rhinoceros.
At the end we stopped to have sundowners with the reserves' three elephant. The sundowners were great, but the elephants were shy and would come close to us.
If you are unaware on sundowners, it is the tradition of stopping while on a game drive in the late afternoon when the sun is going down and having cocktails and small snacks in the bush with the animals. Your guide brings out a picnic basket and amazing things appear. You can enjoy an adult beverage of your choice and watch the animals as the sun sets.
On the way to dinner we saw four Rhino, the two sisters we have seen before and a mother and child.
At dinner we had warthog steak, ostrich steak and crocodile tail. The tail wasn't that good but the two others were very good. It was an excellent meal. The lodge does everything it can to accommodate your needs and make your experience the best possible.
The weather has been better then we hoped, no rain, patchy sunshine. It was cold in the morning, but by early afternoon it had warmed up enough to just be in shirt sleeves. We do have the heat going in out tent and it is very comfortable.
Tomorrow is our last full day here. We have an early wake up for the morning game drive, then we are going to play with three lion cubs and then Evelyn is taking a two hour horseback game drive while I relax. Our tent has a front patio with chairs and a beautiful
View of the small river that runs right in front if it. It is very peaceful and relaxing.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
This morning is our first game drive. We received a 5:30am wake up call and were picked up at the boat dock at 6:45am. Chris is our guide and there are three other couples with us. The vehicle is a four-wheel drive and diesel powered. It is open with a roll bar and canvas top.
The first stop was the wildebeest and then we saw two rhino. So far the difference from our last safari is the closeness of the animals. We continued our drive with a zebra sighting and then some impalas, kudo, and a few more. We stopped for coffee where we watched the giraffes. We got back to the lodge around 9:30am for breakfast. The game viewing is much more intimate. You can get closer and because the animals are used to seeing humans and vehicles they don't take much notice. I am impressed with the food too. Everything was made to order and they had a full selection of cold meats and cheeses and various fruits. The coffee was hot.
At 11am we drove to the area where they keep three lions, a young male and two older females. These lions were raised by humans, so they can not be reintroduced back in the wild. The Reserve will not breed them and will just care for them until they die. The current philosophy is that lions that cannot survive in the wild should not be allowed to reproduce.
Hopefully over time this will reduce the number of captive loins. Too many start as pets and then the owner discovers the animal is too much to handle or too expensive to raise and it winds up in a reserve. We learned that hand raised lions are the most dangerous and unpredictable.
Our last thing this morning was a ride on the river. Not much to see but a few birds. Then later in the after noon will be another game drive and the sundowners with the elephants.
With all going on and the big breakfast we skipped lunch. Back to the afternoon drive.
This afternoons game drive took a different route then the morning one and we had a new guide named Richard. We saw black impalas, cape mountain zebra, ostrich, eland, a whole family of giraffes, kudu, nyala antelope, waterbuck, vervet monkey and white rhinoceros.
At the end we stopped to have sundowners with the reserves' three elephant. The sundowners were great, but the elephants were shy and would come close to us.
If you are unaware on sundowners, it is the tradition of stopping while on a game drive in the late afternoon when the sun is going down and having cocktails and small snacks in the bush with the animals. Your guide brings out a picnic basket and amazing things appear. You can enjoy an adult beverage of your choice and watch the animals as the sun sets.
On the way to dinner we saw four Rhino, the two sisters we have seen before and a mother and child.
At dinner we had warthog steak, ostrich steak and crocodile tail. The tail wasn't that good but the two others were very good. It was an excellent meal. The lodge does everything it can to accommodate your needs and make your experience the best possible.
The weather has been better then we hoped, no rain, patchy sunshine. It was cold in the morning, but by early afternoon it had warmed up enough to just be in shirt sleeves. We do have the heat going in out tent and it is very comfortable.
Tomorrow is our last full day here. We have an early wake up for the morning game drive, then we are going to play with three lion cubs and then Evelyn is taking a two hour horseback game drive while I relax. Our tent has a front patio with chairs and a beautiful
View of the small river that runs right in front if it. It is very peaceful and relaxing.
Sent from my iPad
Hal
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