Hi Blogsters

Hi Blogsters (?),

     Well, we finally docked in Cape Town after much delay.  The winds were gale force and they would not let the ship into port for 12 hours.  The water was calm as we were just outside the harbor, so it was another day at leisure on board the ship.  We were very fortunate that our plans in Cape Town did not start till the next day. 

     The cruise was terrific! Our portion of the cruise was a segment on a Grand World Voyage on the Holland American Rotterdam.  Holland America really knows hospitality and pampering, especially catering to the “Grand Voyage” group (average age seemed like 102 years old… we were the kids on board).  Food was superb and it was a terrific way to discover the east coast of Africa.  The cruising was calm most of the time except for two days that we really rocked and rolled.  We are very good sailors, so it did not bother us at all.  Actually, we love sleeping on those rocky nights… reminiscent of our being rocked in a cradle as babies.  And of course nothing bothers us when it comes to eating… thank goodness we never found a scale to weigh ourselves on board!!!

     Let me tell you about the cruise.  We left out of Dubai after spending three days at the Marriott there (thank goodness for Marriott points).  Dubai was interesting… beautiful buildings, clean, but it really had no soul.  It just appeared to us that all they want to do is make it bigger and better than anyone else (especially America).  We never felt a connection to the people, there was no eye contact, polite courtesy but cold.   It was worth seeing, especially since the cruise departed from there, but would definitely not make it a destination.

     The Seychelles… BEAUTIFUL.  It really is a paradise.  We had a day touring the island and spent some time on the beautiful beach pinching ourselves saying, “Are we really here?”.  Cruising to the Seychelles was interesting as we spent much of the time around the Bay Of Aden… yes, PIRATE AREA.  There were armed security men on our decks with the fire hoses mounted ready to blast any small ship that might approach us.  The captain gave us daily pirate updates and we changed our course to avoid the areas where they are the most active.  While we were in the area the saga of the Maersk Alabama pirate attack happened so it was an action packed adventurous few days.

     The African culture is rich and varied.  We spent time in a Zulu Village in Richards Bay watching terrific dances and enjoying the local people.  Oman was a port where we did a city tour… small country but a very large Sultan’s residence.  Mombasa was a bit of a disappointment… very old, lots of poverty and dirty.  We really planned on heading to the beaches there as we have heard they were lovely, but they were having a major problem with seaweed and the beach was pretty ugly filled with rotting seaweed.  So we did the next best thing and went shopping in “Old Town”… very old world and interesting.

     Durban, South Africa is a lovely city with beautiful botanical gardens, aquarium with fish we have never seen the likes of, and THE ULTIMATE GIRAFFE to bring home for my collection.  It is in route on the Rotterdam with a crew member to be picked up by us when the ship docks in NYC in May (obviously too big to fit in our luggage).  Just wait till you see it!!!!!!!

     We have been amazed by the incredible welcoming by the African people.  Everywhere we went we were treated with caring, respect, helpfulness, kindness, and enthusiasm.  We have been blessed with this incredible trip.

     Next blog will be about Victoria Falls and Cape Town… then HOME!!!

     Thanks for sharing our trip,

              Pat & Mike