Africa, Canary Islands, World Cruise 2024

Out of Africa . . .and Back

As you may remember, due to the attacks on shipping in the Suez Canal by the Houthi Terrorists and the world’s anemic response, most Cruise and cargo ships altered their itineraries to travel around South Africa, so Cape Town was added to our destination list. We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 days in Cape Town and surrounding South Africa . . . truly one of the world’s great destinations.

2024 World Cruise Itinerary Update

 

Itinerary Update

We had a great sense of calm on this trip so far, even with the rerouting due to the problems in the Red Sea and Suez Canal. I believe it was on day 40 that we didn’t want the experience to end. 

It was at this point in our journey that I made the decision to continue with photo documentation of the trip and research, but postpone writing and editing the Blog Posts until the conclusion of the trip. We needed to allow more time to enjoy the trip and prepare  for upcoming excursions.

On day 49, marking the halfway point of our extended cruise, we departed for Walvis Bay, Namibia and traveled the 710 nautical miles over 1.5 days enjoying enrichment lectures, relaxation, as well as, sun by the pool and our mid-ship balcony.

Namibia, is a large and sparsely populated country on Africa’s south-west coast that has enjoyed stability since gaining independence in 1990 after a long struggle against rule by South Africa. Roughly twice the size of Texas, but with 3 million residents has only 1/10 the population. It is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and has an unemployment rate of about 35% and depends on agriculture, tourism and mining for its economic base. About 40% of the population lives in poverty.

On Day 50,  at 9 am we arrived at the Port of Walvis Bay in a light fog and 65º, giving way to a hazy sunshine and warmer temps as the day wore on. Walvis Bay  is the second largest city in Namibia and the largest coastal city in the country. The harbor is busy with fishing boats and ships.  East of the bay, coastal sand dunes like Dune 7 mark the start of the Namib Desert.

We experienced this port just last year on a Cruise from Cape Town to Rio and elected to stay on board. As evidenced by the oil slick and funky smell, there were issues in the harbor apparently not from the fuel barge on our  port side. 

Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia
Refueling with  a Fuel Bunker Barge

 

On our trip in January of 2023 we chose an excursion using a closed, 7 passenger off-road Vehicle to view the treasures of the Namib desert. It was a chilly 65 degrees at the start, but would warm up to 75 with the sun. Armand, our driver originally from South Africa and now Namibia, would narrate as we travelled over the dirt roads to the impressive sand dunes , the moon landscape and unusual flora. . .  no need to repeat that day this trip, we enjoyed our quiet time on the ship.

Dune 7 at 1256 feet is the highest dune in Namibia

 

25 minute climb to the top of Dune 7
Desert “Moonscape”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all were aboard, we left the dock at 6:00 pm while enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail at Crooner’s Lounge.

We slipped through the returning fog out of the harbor and began our 7.5  day journey traveling  northwest in the South Atlantic on a 3,330 nautical mile journey to Cabo Verde. For the next week we enjoyed calm to moderate seas and days filled with exercise, enrichment, Stock Option Trading, Bobamala research and enjoying new friendships over cocktails,  sumptuous diners and special events.

Walvis Bay, Namibia to Mindelo, Cabo Verde, Africa

 

On Day 53,  another day of 80º temperatures and calm seas, we scheduled a “Wines of the World” special event featuring the pairing of gourmet dishes and  a sampling of a selection of wines. The Director of Restaurant Operations, Daniele Rosafio and Executive Chef, Nageswar Dinand hosted this spectacular event in Sabatini’s Specialty restaurant.

The menu and wine selections were wonderful, courses were punctuated by narratives of each selection.

Garlic butter steak, potato mousseline, fresh market vegetables with a peppercorn sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paired with Chocolate block Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa)

Raspberry panna cotta
Assorted cheese platter & crackers

 

 

 

 

Paired with Quinta de Noval Port Touriga Franca (Portugal)

 

 

Mileva Oder, Berceida “Candy”, Bob and Robin with Executive Chef Nagy and Danielle, Restaurant Manager

We woke on Day 54,  84°and overcast to a calm sea west of Gabon, Africa at equator, traveling NW @ 16 knots (18.4 mph). We were in the Doldrums 350 nm w of Africa. The doldrums is a natural phenomenon that happens near the equator. The region has low atmospheric pressure and lack of a significant amount of wind. Also, the weather in the region is cloudy and rainy.

The Equator

 

Near the equator in the doldrums, calm and cloudy with light rain

Sea days are blending together and the weather has been enjoyable. In addition to our usual routine, we had time to enjoy some of the onboard activities. There is lots of talent that lies within the staff including vegetable and fruit carvers! Who knew?

 

Upon retiring, we turned back the clocks 1 hour once again. Now that we were only 6 hours ahead of New York, it made Stock Option Trading much easier. While in New Zealand and Australia, 12 to 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, option trading was challenging; but, even at 2 or 3 in the morning I was on my laptop making quite a few good trades . . . why not, it helped to defray the cost of the trip!

 

Mario Fernandes, India; Mario Toledo, Restaurant Manager, Mexico; Tyrone Magat, Waiter, Philippines

During the entire trip, we looked forward to dining in the Reserve Section of the Main Dining Room, always pampered by our superlative waitstaff, who were like family. . . without the drama.  They ensured that we were satisfied with the presentation and quality of our sumptuous meals, wine, cocktails and deserts. We’re going to miss them.

 

On Day 58, after 7.5 Sea Days steaming 3,330 nautical miles, we arrived at the Port of Mindelo on the island of Sao Vincente in Cabo Verde. It was in the mid-70ºs and windy when we docked at 8:00 am.

Port of Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde, is an archipelago and island country of West Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of  1,557 sq. miles, slightly smaller than the city of Anchorage, Alaska.  Since the early 1990s, Cape Verde has been a stable representative democracy and has remained one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa. Cabo Verde became independent in 1975.

The Cape Verde Islands form part of  Macaronesia along with the Azores, the Canary IslandsMadeira, and the Savage Isles.

The Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands, thus establishing the first European settlement in the tropics. These islands lie between 320 and 460 nautical miles west of Cape Vert the westernmost point of continental Africa.

Lacking natural resources, its developing economy is mostly service-oriented, with a growing focus on tourism and foreign investment. Its population of around 596,000 (as of 2022) is of mostly African and a minor European heritage, and predominantly Roman Catholic, reflecting the legacy of Portuguese rule.

The Half day tours were booked, but we were able to sign on with Green Line Tours. Rui, our guide, along with a driver and a total of 8 passengers  including Dewey and Jennifer, who we met early on in the cruise. Made many stops, but even though it was Sunday and many attractions were closed, we were able to visit several points of interest including  the church, Municipal Market, Belem Tower, and beach. Overall, the town was very clean and the residents very pleasant.

 

Mindelo Waterfront near the Fish Market

 

National Center for Arts, Crafts and Design

 

Recycled barrel lids of CNAD

 

Replica of the Belem Tower

 

The Belem Tower replica is a scaled-down version of Lisbon’s famous 16th-century landmark and was built along the harbor nearly 100 years ago—a nod to Cape Verde’s 500 years of Portuguese rule. It houses the Museu do Mar, which features exhibits on the history, seafaring culture and natural bounty of the Cape Verde archipelago.  

 

 

 

Bob Marley Mural on Avenida Marginal by the waterfront

Since Mindelo claims to be the  home of the best Carnival and Festivals it is fitting that a Mural of Robert Nesta Marley is featured on the main Avenue. Considered one of the pioneers of the genre,  Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Of special interest to Delawareans,  in 1966 Marley worked on the Chrysler assembly line and he was also as a lab assistant at DuPont. 

A friendly merchant at the Municipal Market

 

Catholic Parishioners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funky Souvenir Shop

We left the waterfront town and  ascended along a meandering dusty, sandy drive to the summit of Monte Verde (2460′) for view of Mindelo from the Fort. 

The Port of Mindelo from atop Monte Verde

As evidenced by the dry conditions, Cabo Verde is in the midst of a 5 year draught. During that time the islands have had 1 day of rain! Water must be brought to each village from desalinization plant.

We made our way back to the ship and prepared for a St Patrick’s Day themed dinner. As per usual we were seated in the fun part of the Dining Room and David provided the entertainment.

Mario, David and Tyrone whooping it up!
David tells us that St Patrick was actually from west Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shamrock Sour
Festive bread and dinner Rolls

 

We would travel 2.5 days until we reached the next port. The seas were moderate to heavy for much of the 860 miles to the Canary Islands. Our sea time was used to relax, research European destinations and attend a few lectures on book authoring.

 

Of special note was the Caymus Vineyards Winemaker dinner offering a unique gastronomic experience paired with wines personally selected by Chuck Wagner, owner of Caymus Vinyards of Napa, Sonoma and Suisun Valleys.

 

 

 

Robin and I were joined by Libby and Bob along with  the delightful company of four others in Sabatini’s Specialty Restaurant separated from the lumpen. We thoughtfully and cogently agreed on almost every subject be it religion, politics or sex.

                         OPENINGS

Marinated Fresh Oyster Mushrooms and Wood Ear Mushrooms, green pea granita , roasted hearts of romaine lettuce, smoked citrus dressing.Paired with a Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

 

                         FIRST COURSE

Fresh Summer Black Truffle Risotto, Parmigiano Reggiano aged 36 months

Caymus-Suisun “The Walking Fool” Red Blend, Suisun Valley, California

 

 

                           MAIN COURSE

Tournedos Rossini* prime beef tenderloin, blossom artichokes

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Savignon, Napa Valley California 

 

                             DESSERT

Chocolate Raspberry Dream    an intense dark Chocolate mousse, Chocolate raspberry cream, raspberry compote, Chocolate sacher, dark chocolate cornflake crisp

Emmolo Sparkling Wine, California

 

On Day 61 we arrived at  Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. We docked at 7am and were greeted by sunny weather and temperatures in the mid 70ºs.

AIDA Cosma in the Port of Santa Cruz with its 5,500 passengers

 

Cape Verde to Tenerife, Canary Islands

The Canaries are an archipelago or Collection of islands in Macaronesia ( four volcanic archipelagos in the North Atlantic off the coasts of Africa and Europe), 60 miles west of Morocco and the Western Sahara. Many believe the name Canary comes from what sailors thought were the sound of barking dogs (Canaria, in Latin), but they were most likely seals!

Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands.  With a land area of  785.48 sq. mi (about the size of Jacksonville Florida) and a population of 950,000 inhabitants  it is also the most populous island of Spain and of Macaronesia. 

Approximately five million tourists visit Tenerife each year. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain.

We toured the city of Santa Cruz on our own by walking the “blue line”, which designated the path past the marina and over the pedestrian  bridge to Plaza de Espana, the Central Plaza. Here  viewed the Monument of the Fallen in the Spanish civil war of the late 30’s.

Island Council of Tenerife building
Monument to the Fallen of The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We strolled through the town of Santa Cruz and were impressed by the organized, clean and tourist friendly environment, along with the modern tram line.

Sanata Cruz de Tenerife

 

Santa Cruz contains the modern Auditorio de Tenerife, the architectural symbol of the Canary Islands. We walked to this landmark, an arts complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2003 . . Incredible views.

Auditorio de Tenerife

We then viewed the Wind Sculpture by César Manrique, local artist, sculptor and nature activist. He  multidisciplinary painter, sculptor, architect and artist, he studied in Madrid and, after several years exhibiting all around the world, he moved to New York, the mecca of art in the 1960s. That same decade, he returned to Lanzarote to settle definitively on the island of his birth.

Wind sculpture by César Manrique

The Castillo de San Juan Bautista, “the black castle” used to defend the island completed in 1644. It was an important structure in the defense of the island and to lend importance to the warden of the Castle. It served as a military fort until 1924.

Castillo de San Juan Baptista

On our return to the ship the Captain announced that there was a propulsion problem and the staff engineers were working on it. They decided to fly in a technician from France to help resolve the issue.

An announcement came before departure that they were able to partially address the problem. We will leave tonight and steam for Lanzarote, where they should be able to maximize propulsion for the longer trip to Morocco.

On the 145 nautical mile trip to Lanzarote the Captain was not able to reach adequate speed, so we arrived a bit late.

Arriving in Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
“a bad day at sea, sir”

Due to the fact that the Trusters were not operating at maximum efficiency, tugboats had to position our ship. They had their problems too as it appeared that they blew an engine in the process. Engineers will try to resolve the issue so we can reach our next port as scheduled.

 

 

Lanzarote, one of the Canary islands off the coast of West Africa administered by Spain, is known for its year-round warm weather, beaches and volcanic landscape.  

 

We walked the mile or so to Ciudad Centro of Arrecife. There was a great Marina along the way with super shopping and vendors.

 

 

 

 

Arrecife  is the capital city of Lanzarote. It is a port town of 65,000 served by ferries to the other Canary Islands, Europe, and Africa. We strolled past the Lagoon with picturesque small boats and numerous restaurants and shops. 

We went on a discovery walk through the town, did a bit of shopping and thoroughly enjoyed  the relaxed ambiance and picturesque nature of Arrecife.

On the way back, we took photos of the church and had drinks and a small meal of Calamari and hummus, local beer and Sangria at Restaurante Calla.

Iglesia de San Ginés
The Lagoon of Arrecife

Returning to the ship we discussed how impressed we were with Arrecife on Lanzarote;  it just may be Robin’s favorite little spot so far on this trip. When we boarded we got news that the Captain, crew and engineers were able to fully restore the function of the propulsion systems. So after waiting for a few stragglers, we departed at about 6 pm to travel the 220 nautical miles north east to Agadir Morocco.

We arrived in Morocco at 8:00 am enjoying the sun and 75º temperatures. The view from our balcony afforded us a long view of the Kasbah, a 775 ft high fortress over the Atlantic shoreline.

Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa and is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Algeria and Western Sahara are the land borders to the south and east. Morocco is about the same size as California. 

Agadir is a major City in Morocco, on the shore of the Atlantic, 316 miles south of Casablanca. The municipality of Agadir is about one million.

Agadir is known for being the capital of ancient Berber culture in Morocco descending from Stone age tribes of North Africa.

It is now the largest seaside resort in Morocco, where foreign tourists and many residents are attracted by an unusually mild year-round climate.

We embarked on a small group tour which included a visit to the Kasbah which is a historical landmark that housed the old city of Agadir, located on top of a mountain. 

The Kasbah was destroyed for the first time in November 1755 and again in 1960. The Kasbah underwent a major restoration in 2002 and again in 2020. Another earthquake struck in 2023. Are you getting the picture?

 

There was an opportunity for some to mount a camel for a ride. As you know, I’ll swim with sharks and whales, but I won’t ride skeevy animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Souk Al Had

We made our way to the Souk Al Had, third biggest market in Africa. It was HUGE!. We ambled through stalls of fresh produce, fragrant spice, handicrafts, ceramics, household items and curios of all types.

The size of the Souk was overwhelming and took concentration to avoid getting lost in the myriad of shops. We poked around a few shops and the keepers were helpful, entertaining, and rarely pushy.

 

 

 

I purchased a small travel bag; it was a Prada fake and I’m sure I paid too much. . .  my contribution to the local economy!

 

While meandering through the Souk, we came across some unusual retail displays. I guess they don’t fear “Chucky” in Morocco. . . .  A bit creepy!

Retail Store Display

We then ran off  to a Women’s Cooperative where local women were producing products made of argan oil. We enjoyed tea and pastries while they serenaded us with a cacophony of music produced by local instruments.

After a seemingly endless session of auditory rape, we returned to the ship and wished we had stayed longer in Lanzerote.

Arrecife, Lanzerote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa, South Africa, World Cruise 2024

On To Africa

We sailed away from Freemantle/Perth with a longing to return once more to the Great  Southern Land of Australia, but with great anticipation toward our next destination.

 Indian Ocean, leaving Perth heading west to Africa

Africa  is nick-named the “Mother Continent”,  since it is he oldest inhabited continent on earth and is home to 54 countries, more than any other continent on earth.

 

 

Western Australia to Mauritius, Africa

The time was filled with lazy days, punctuated with wonderful food and service, new found friends, great entertainment, special events, cruise surprises and glorious relaxation and gaining four hours by setting the clock back every couple of days.

Reserve Dining: Bob Di, Libby, Pattie, David, Bob, Robin

Heavenly Chocolate desserts!

Production Cast and Band were spectacular!

The entertainment included a tribute to Franki Valli and the Four Seasons which brought me back to the night I first saw them perform on Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1963. Oh, “What a Night!”

 

The Royal Butler, Grant Harrold

Princess aimed to please with a variety of novel Enrichment Presentations including a series of informative events from Grant Harrold, the Royal Butler to King Charles. Grant also conducted special sessions on social graces, proper decorum at tea, including proper napkin placement and use, as well as, the polite way to stir your hot beverage. 

Leo Rossi, Rock & Roll Tour Manager

The cruisers, including myself, especially enjoyed presentations by Leo Rossi the former rock ‘n’ roll tour manager, who’s worked with such legendary bands as The Who, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, ELO, Billy Idol, and most notably Fleetwood Mac. Over several days Leo regaled us with exclusive stories and photos from Rossi’s life on the road as he was living out his own rock ‘n’ roll fantasy.

The next day, Day 39, brought 8 to 10 feet seas, the most active  yet, but still comfortable. It certainly did not curtail any of the ship’s activities.

The afternoon wine tasting event was delightful and included special pairings of 5 chosen wines and canapés .

Wine Pairing Event

It featured carefully selected vintages with delectable complimentary bites. Basically, it was a cultured and informative event to allow afternoon intoxication, as I said. . .delightful!

Space Debris!! What next?

Early that evening came a surprise, the Captain elected to inform us via special notice, the slight possibility of encountering Space Debris from two decommissioned satellites.

Projected space debris encounter

At least it wasn’t the Houthis this time! It turned out to be no problem at all and we sailed on with no problem.

I believe it was on Day 40 that I got an anxious feeling that the trip was going to end before I was ready to leave it. We have settled into the cruising routine and really enjoying it. Only 57 days to go!

We continued to enjoy the ship and were delighted with the daily pool towel whimsy of the Deck Staff at the Lido Pool:

Sunrise approaching Mauritius

On Day 42, we arrived at Mauritius at 7:am. We prepared for our excursion in the 82º, sunny conditions.

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean about (1,100 nautical miles) off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius),and three other islands. Along with nearby Réunion, they are part of the Mascarene Islands.

Port Louis, Mauritius from the Dock

The main island of Mauritius (population 1.3 million) spans 790 sq. mi which is  smaller than the smallest state of the US, Rhode Island (1200 sq. miles). Port Louis with 150,000 is  the capital and largest city.

As we disembarked, we were greeted by local performers who lifted our spirits as we began our tour with a scenic drive through Port Louis, past sugarcane fields en route to one of the island’s most popular destination, Sugar World.

Sugar World

This former sugar factory turned museum gives the history 0f the island island and details the process of sugar manufacturing.

The essential sugar by-product. . . Rum!

The weather was magnificent as the temperature climbed and the allowed for a wonderful tour of the nearby Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. Encompassing 92 acres and first established in 1767 it is the oldest Botanical Garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

Pamplemousses Botanical

 

 

Exiting the Gardens ,we drove up steep narrow streets with densely packed housing to reach the Citadel.

La Citadel or Fort Adelaide  offered wonderful views of the city, harbor and dormant volcanos.

View of Port Louis

On the way back to the ship we fought traffic to view government buildings, houses of worship and other points of interest. Finally on our way back to the ship we encountered a welcome sight. . . Super Mario!!

Super Mario Fernandes

Back on board, we departed Mauritius and began our next leg of the trip encompassing  5.5 sea days and  2,300 nautical miles until we reached Cape Town, South Africa.

Mauritius to Capetown

We settled into the Sea Day routine and in addition to the usual enjoyment of  the ship’s amenities, I took advantage of an iphoto class that was led by one our cruise mates, Dennis Baker. His background as a gifted  teacher and a professional photographer were evident as he helped us all understand the power and nuances of the incredible mobile device we that we hold in our hands. Thank you Dennis.

Dennis Baker, Photographer Extraordinaire

As Princess often does, they included a special show with gifted entertainers such as Dan Middleditch. Many of us have seen “Elvis” shows before, but few can match Dan’s high energy performance.

A Tribute to Elvis – Dan Middleditch

As we made our way in the Indian Ocean in what seemed like an endless empty sea, I pulled up a Marine Traffic App. Here it’s plain to see that with over 50,000 to 60,000 merchant vessels and ocean going passenger ships, you are not alone . . . amazing!

Island Princess position east of Madagascar

Filling our days with Enrichment Lectures, Bobamala research and relaxation, I continued to trade Equity Options. As we traveled westward, it was becoming easier to trade since I no longer had to get up in the middle of the night for the Stock Market open at Eastern Standard Time.

Moderate to Heavy Sea . . . that is sea spray up to Deck 9

After we rounded Madagascar, the sea picked up to the heaviest yet at about 12 to 15′. Some noticed the enhanced movement, others took it in stride. As Spike Milligan, comedian and writer said, “The best cure for Sea Sickness is to sit under a tree.”

The Production Staff, with their talented dancers and incomparable band, displayed their talents with an evening of “Latin Rhythms” displaying high energy and provocative dancing.

Showing support for the Production Team

We arrived at Cape Town on  Day 48  where it was 66º and overcast. Regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and international shopping. It’s famous for its towering mountains, magnificent beaches, award winning wineries and impressive sea life including Great White Sharks, Whales, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins.

Cape Town, view from Table Mountain

Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town and is one of the most iconic mountains on earth.

Table Top Mountain covered with a Table Cloth

We met Nabil, our tour guide, who would escort us via  Motorcoach for the 3 hour jaunt with 80 of our closest friends to the Aquila Game Reserve, home to the Big Five .

Striking Landscape and award winning vineyards northwest of Cape Town on the way to Aquila

This Reserve is ideal for those who want to see African wildlife without venturing too far from Cape Town. Once there, we enjoyed a buffet and time to relax and enjoy the grounds before embarking on our game drive.

 

Aquila Game Reserve

Our Guide “IQoQodo” drove and led us on our 1.5 hr game drive with David, Pattie, Don and Gail.

IQoQodo

We travelled the dusty roads and riverbeds experiencing some bone crushing moments which brought back memories of a similar excursion in Sanbona last year. It didn’t take long for encounters with all types of animals.

A curious Black Rhino

Our search for  giraffes, rhinos, zebras, lions, hippos, elan and elephants were met with resounding success.

Elan

 

Swimming Hippo

 

The Lion Sleeps

So with a feeling of accomplishment after a long, dusty, but beautiful day, we said thanked Aquila for an unforgettable experience.

Black Rhino sculpture, Aquila

The Island Princess spent the night at the Dock in the center of Cape Town, just adjacent to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. The V & A Waterfront is South Africa’s most popular shopping destination.

Robin at the V & A . . . Heaven!

It boasts over 450 retail outlets selling everything from fashion, homeware and curios, jewelry, leather goods and audio visual equipment.

Restaurants, museums, boat trips, helicopter rides and all types of activities can be enjoyed. We spent a few days here last year at the nearby Table Bay Hotel and loved it.

Table Bay Hotel

We strolled for a couple of hours around the waterfront enjoying the weather, the sights and the shops.

Cape Town Clock Tower

 

Dutch Colonial Buildings

 

The African Trading Post was jammed with souvenir shoppers.

And just like that, it was time to return to the ship and enjoy cocktails and dinner before heading off to our next port of call on the west coast of Africa . . . Namibia.

More Reserve Class Service with Super Mario, Tyrone and Mario.

We’ll see you soon at our next ports of Walvis Bay, Namibia, Mindelo in Cabo Verde, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Arrecife in Lanzarote and Agadir, Morocco. 

Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Bob

 

 

 

Australia, World Cruise 2024

The Great Southern Land

We continued our visit to Australia, the Great Southern Land, famous for its natural wonders, wide open spaces, deserts, fascinating animals and the “outback”, but it is also known for its megacities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. We were fortunate to visit a few of them on this journey.

 

After only a day and a half at sea traveling 530 nautical miles from Sydney, we navigated through Port Phillip Bay to reach Melbourne Harbour in the early morning under overcast skies.

 

This was my third visit to Melbourne and I was delighted to have the chance to enjoy its treasures once again. Actually, it’s high on our list for a lengthy vacation!

Melbourne was recently named the most liveable city in Australia and the third most liveable in the world.  The city achieved a perfect score for education (100/100) and infrastructure (100/100). It also scored highly for culture, environment and stability. It’s a culturally diverse city made up of people from over 100 countries.

Bob, Libby, Mike, Robin, Bobby Di, Janet, Dena, Mike

We gathered a group of 8 to join our friend Fred Garcarczyk of Oceania Tours. Robin and I were looking forward to meeting with Fred again as he goes above and beyond to give visitors a wonderful experience.

Fred, tour guide extraordinaire, with Robin

We met Fred at 10am and assembled comfortably in the 10 seat van. At the outset, Fred promised that the three hour Melbourne City Tour would last 5 hours and include the Brighton Bathing Boxes, that we missed on our last visit.

Queen Victoria Market

Fred regaled us with background of the city and all of the spots we visited, starting with the Queen Victoria Market the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the only remaining 19th century market in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD).

Today the market is one of Melbourne’s major tourist destinations and offers a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, as well as a wide range of non-food goods such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, and handicrafts.

General Post Office Building

Melbourne boasts the largest Tramway system in the world, which in the city center is completely free. . . no ticket needed!

Melbourne’s Modern Free Tram System

We made several stops in the Central Business District including the Block Arcade, the ACMI museum for an interactive experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking through the streets of the CBD, you will find vibrant murals and graffiti in every direction. The laneways and alleys are filled with hidden bars, restaurants, stores, and murals that give the city a unique atmosphere.

Laneway Grafitti

Laneway murals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBD Stunning Architecture

We then visited St Patrick’s Cathedral on Eastern Hill, which is  the Cathedral Church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of  Melbourne. The Gothic Style cathedral displays an impressive interior including vaulted arches, towering stained glass windows and a magnificent pipe organ. Construction was started in 1858 and it was then consecrated in 1897.

St. Patrick’ Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Melbourne

Then, on to nearby Fitzroy Gardens , 64 acres on the southeastern edge of the Central Business District . The gardens are one of the major landscaped gardens in Australia and,  along with its more than the 2,000 parks and reserves, add to Melbourne’s claim of the “Garden City of Australia.

Fitzroy Conservatory

 

Within the gardens is an ornamental lake, fountains, sculptures, conservatory, a visitor information centre with cafe and Cook’s Cottage. This  is the house where Captain James Cook’s parents lived, brought stone by stone from Yorkshire, England in the 1930s.

Cook’s Cottage

Melbourne Cricket Grounds, the “G”

Melbourne is the sporting capital of  Australia and hosts the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup, the Australian Grand Prix and the AFL grand final.  On our tour we passed the Marvel Stadium, Rod Laver Arena, Docklands Stadium, John Cain Arena, AAMI Park and of course, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds or MCG, just known as, the “G”.

We noticed that  “Swifties” were everywhere as the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert was to be held at the “G” tonight. . . No wonder the CBD was crowded and  abuzz!!

After leaving East Melbourne we drove by Albert Park, another one of the over 2,000 parks or reserves in Melbourne, then through the seaside town of St Kilda on our way to Brighton Beach.

Brighton Bathing Boxes

The Brighton Bathing Boxes are 93 beach huts in Brighton, Australia, in the City of Bayside.  The Brighton Bathing Boxes are built in a uniform way with painted weatherboards and corrugated roofs, first built in the 1860s to protect the modesty of bathers.  The owners are allowed to paint their huts, causing a mass of different bright colors. Even though they do not have water or electricity connections these homes are valued over $350,000 USD. Where do we sign?

Robin and Bobby considering a purchase!

The Brighton Bathing Boxes are sure to bring a smile to your face!

On the ride back, we thanked Fred for the well-paced, incredible tour and vowed to return soon. He made our visit very special, as he always does.

Back on the Island Princess, we settled into our Sea Day routine with relaxed meals, exercise, enrichment and entertainment. After 4.5  wonderful days on a calm to moderate sea we travelled the  1650 nautical miles to reach Perth .

Melbourne to Perth, 4.5 days and 1650 Nautical miles

With  over eight hours of sunshine each day, Perth is officially the sunniest capital city in Australia. Located 1,300 miles away from the next closest capital city, Perth is known for being isolated, but is also located in Australia’s largest state – Western Australia. It is 4x the size of Texas and larger than all of Europe!

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and with over 2 million people is the fourth most populous city in the country. Perth covers an area of 3,300 square miles, 50% larger than my home state of Delaware. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. 

We arrived at the busy port of Freemantle, Perth’s harbor, the day after a heat wave of 100º moved away from the area, and enjoyed the 75º overcast conditions.

Freemantle Prison

Taking advantage of a full-day guided adventure through historic Fremantle en route to the city of Perth, we stopped at Fremantle Prison and the Round House, both built in the 1800s to house convicts and military prisoners.

Then traveling along the Esplanade and Beach Road, we passed Victoria Quay and stopped at Cottesloe Beach.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is one of the city’s most popular spots for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and drinking in ocean sunsets over a glass of wine, a refreshing beer or a relaxed dinner.

Cottesloe Beach

It was then on to King’s Park at 900 acres is bigger than New York City’s Central Park.

King’s Park, Botanical Garden

 

King’s Park

There was  lovely Botanical Garden and an incredible gift shop with beautiful glass pieces.

Perth Central Business District

Then we continued with a brief, narrated orientation drive in Perth before two hours of independent sightseeing and shopping.

We met cruise friends Jennifer and Dewey in our travels downtown and chose one of the city’s charming pubs. We descended two flights of stairs to the 43 Below Pub for a lunch of fish and chips accompanied by upbeat rock music and a local brew.

 

 

 

I promised Lori Ruth, Associate Publisher of the East County Observer in Lakewood Ranch, Florida a photo; so we stopped by a local park for a meet-up with a friendly kangaroo. The Observer travelled halfway around the world, congratulations Lori!!

On the move again, we  boarded a James Cook Tours riverboat for a cruise down the Swan River back to Fremantle. The Captain pointed out the passing sights including Perth’s Bell tower, the Swan Brewery, King’s Park, the homes of the rich and famous on Millionaire’s Row including Gina Rinehart’s home.

Millionaire’s Row on the Swan River

Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest person, daughter of iron ore magnate Lang Hancock. She lives here in Claremont on the Swan River.  Her net worth is over $25 billion USD and is noted for her views that anyone who is jealous of richer people should “not sit around and complain” but “spend less time drinking, smoking and meeting people and work more.”   I like Gina!

We finally reached Fremantle’s bustling harbor and walked the 1/2 mile back to the ship.

Island Princess fueling up in Fremantle

 

Indian Ocean, Leaving Fremantle

After all were aboard, we prepared not for the sea days, but for a Sea Week to reach the next port of Mauritius, Africa 3,220 nautical miles to the west.

See you in Africa!

 

Australia, World Cruise 2024

G’Day Down Under

After logging 1,035 nautical miles along both North and South Islands of New Zealand it was time to leave Dunedin and head for Australia. 

Australia is the smallest continent, but one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. 90% of Australians live on the coast. It is home to 26 million people and has a land area comparable to the Continental USA with just 8% of its population.

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world’s oldest continuing culture. They have a highly skilled workforce and a proud history of democracy and stable government. We recalled our last visit and were very much looking forward to this one.

To make our way to Australia, we travelled south to round South Island and then through Foveaux Strait passing between South Island and Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest Island. We spent 3.5 sea days and 1,150 nautical miles crossing the Tasman Sea or “The Ditch” to Sydney.

As promised, the “Ditch” offered a moderate to heavy sea and often, the need to hold on, as we travelled through the ship. We spent the time at sea mostly relaxing, enjoying selected activities and researching for this Post.

On Sunday, the Super Bowl was broadcast on the Large Outdoor Screen, in Ship Lounges and our staterooms. Since the temps were in the mid 50s, we elected an indoor venue. I’ve been a Chiefs fan since my time there in the late 60s. It was the Chiefs  in a nail-biter. . . WOW! 

Then we prepared for Formal Night in the Bordeaux Dining Room with new friends. Yet another fabulous dinner presented by the competent and caring kitchen and waitstaff. How do they do it? We were about to get the answer.

Executive Chef Nage Dinand and larger than life, Daniele Rosafio, Director of Restaurant Operations

Another Sea Day brought more relaxation and conversation, but most notably another Enrichment Presentation: “Culinary Demonstration and Galley Tour”

Daniele Rosafio is the Director of Restaurant Operations from Puglia, Italy. He has been with Princess 30 yrs, has a staff of 100 and has 9 galleys under his charge. He is personable and omnipresent in the Dining Areas and a man who loves to entertain.

His presentation along with the ultra talented Executive Head Chef Nage Dinand  from Mauritius, was informative , but mostly hilarious! These two gentlemen interact as well on stage as they do in the dining venues.

After the Presentation, we toured the huge galley. . . it was so impressive in its sheer size and cleanliness. This particular galley services the  Bordeaux and Provence dining rooms on Deck 5 & 6 where they serve about 5,000 meals per day.

 

They even have an escalator between the galley decks for more efficient service. This may help to explain the extremely quick, efficient and tasty delivery of  your special order.

 

 

 

 

As we continued at sea, Jessica Potter our Destination Expert and a native of Sydney, continued with her enrichment series, but this time gushing about her home city. Australia’s oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the “First Fleet” transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.  A city of over 5 million there is a lot to like about – from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.

Iconic Sydney Opera House

Sydney Central Business District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echo Park, Katoomba, “Three Sisters”

With 75º temperatures under partly cloudy skies, we arrived at Sydney Harbour at sunrise to capture the captivating views, thought by many to be the most beautiful harbor in the world.

Entering Sydney Harbour just after sunrise

 

Sydney Harbour, Center Quay

Two prominent landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. Due to our ship’s size and lack of  dock space before the Bridge we had to anchor out in the Harbour.

Royal Botanic Garden Lake

Our tour of the city started with a 5 minute  tender trip to Sydney Man O’ War steps, just adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Gate of the Royal Botanic Garden. Gorgeous and well maintained, we ambled through the gardens and admired the pristine condition of the grounds.

Now that’s a Ficus!

The stroll through the Park adjacent to the City Center gave marvelous views of the stunning architecture of the nearby structures.

Quay Quarter Tower

 

The sun appeared and in 75 to 80º temperatures we spent over an hour in park before walking 20 minutes to Town Hall Square. 

There, we met a group at St. Andrew’s cathedral  for a walking tour of the Central Business District and shopping areas.

 

 

 

Our guide, Leo, was knowledgeable and personable and guided us through some of the city’s famous sites, including the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), Pitt Street, Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, Rum Hospital, Old General Post Office.

Queen Victoria Building

QVB Shopping Mall

In addition to the quality, luxury shops, we admired the Mosaic floor detail in the Queen Victoria Building.

 

 

 

 

Old General Post Office

We stopped off at Australia square for a blond beer and heard the loud clamoring of a a special Chinese New Year celebration coming through the square.

We continued the tour with Leo as he showed us tucked-away restaurants and secret bars in the alleyways. . . apparently it’s a thing in Sydney, can’t imagine that happening on the South Side of Chicago!

Angel Lane, “Bird Cage Alley”

After continuing our walk on Pitt Street then Center Quay we took one last glimpse of Sydney’s signature attractions.

 

 

We logged 6 miles on our Sydney walkabout and finally arrived  to pick up the tender at Man O’ War steps and who was there to greet us. . . . Super Mario!

 

 

Back on the ship we enjoyed yet another excellent dinner, this time with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge before our departure.

It was after our visit to Sydney that we would experience the effects of the itinerary change due to the cancellation of the transit of the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The changes were significant, but due to geopolitics, understandable. . . blame it on the Houthis and weak international foreign policies.

 

Some have described the revised itinerary as a “Coddiwomple”: Traveling in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.

A total of 12 destinations were cancelled and 4 were added, the net result was an addition of 8 Sea Days. Of special note was the fact that the Port of Melbourne was added. . . one of our favorites.

When we first learned of this, we quickly booked a tour with Fred Garcarczyk, the larger than life guide extraordinaire of Oceania Tours. Five years ago, we enjoyed a 12 hour tour with him and have kept in touch via social media. We recalled the Great Ocean Tour we took with Fred a few years ago and looked forward to meeting him again.

On Tour with Fred on the South Ocean
Great Ocean Road with Fred, Oceania Tours

Fred attracts wildlife at Lorne

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell National Park, Victoria

 

Kangaroos in the wild at Cape Otway

 

Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park

Due to his intimate knowledge of “Melbs”, we booked a city tour with Fred on Messenger and included 6 of our cruise mates. In anticipation of our visit, we enjoyed another sea day before meeting our friend in Melbourne.

See you all soon,

Bobby Di

 

 

New Zealand, World Cruise 2024

New Zealand, “Land of the Long White Cloud”

For the next 2 1/2 days and 1,130 nautical miles we again enjoyed mild weather and smooth seas as we plied south to New Zealand.

Leaving Fiji for New Zealand

After 16 days aboard, we continued to enjoy the ship’s amenities including the Sanctuary on Deck 15 aft.

The Sanctuary is a quiet, outdoor spot  to escape to when you simply want to relax and ignore everything else for a  while. This area of the ship is for adults only and is a completely stress-free setting.

Chillin’ at the Sanctuary

We chose a perfect weather day to enjoy the Sanctuary for Lunch, then High Tea, served at our reserved chaise lounges.

 

Of course, we made fast friends with the Dining Room Staff. From the Restaurant Managers to all of the Waiters and Junior Waiters, they all ensured that we enjoyed a superlative dining experience.

Super Mario, Bob and Tyrone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We always looked forward to visiting with Mario, Tyrone and “Super Mario”, the junior waiter who always magically appeared like Spiderman armed with his trusty pepper mill.

 

The menu items were varied, well presented and delicious. We quickly realized that weight maintenance would be a losing battle.

 

We could always count on Mario, the affable and linguistically gifted Restaurant Manager, to create fabulous and creative additions to the already diverse menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner was followed by a Production Show or a myriad of other activities including live music venues with all types of music, as well as, Music Trivia Games and Karaoke. 

“Oh What a Night”, Four Seasons Tribute

Robin was a star at any of the Musical Trivia shows. Here she is after naming 16 Hits to win Dance and Party Song Bingo!

Exercise your Thing? Then you can visit the gym, walk the promenade on Deck 7 or join in with the Zumba fans!

Energizing Zumba on Deck 14 and 15

If you enjoy quiet, there is always the internet cafe, library, card room, wedding chapel or a myriad of spots tucked away to enjoy a good book, or in Robin’s case, needlepoint.  If you’re bored. . . you must be dead!

The Library

Since my first visit to New Zealand in 1986, I have returned several times to visit. It is spectacular! 

New Zealand is an island country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean consisting of two larger islands, North and South and over 700 smaller islands. It was the last largest habitable land to be settled by humans in about 1300 who developed a distinctive Maori culture. In 1841 it became a colony of the British empire and is now a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.

It was the first country to introduce a minimum wage and give women the right to vote and has low levels of corruption. It is regarded as one of the world’s most stable and well-governed states.

Today, the population of 5.25 million, mostly of European descent, represent only 5% of the population. . . the rest are sheep, cows and horses!

New Zealand is known for its competitive international teams in many sports, most notably cricket, sailing and rugby. The national rugby team is known as the “All Blacks”, regarded as one of the most successful sports teams in history.

Auckland with its population of 1.5 million people on the North Island is New Zealand’s largest city and former capital it boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. One of New Zealand’s fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland.

The climate is classified as subtropical with warm summers and mild damp winters. Of course, since it is February and mid-summer here in the Southern hemisphere, the weather was great with temps in the 70s and low humidity.

On this visit, we were headed south to Waitomo, a rural community in the King Country region of New Zealand’s North Island. There are several cave systems in the area that are known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions.

We boarded a sleek Black motorcoach, which was actually the “All Blacks” Rugby Team Bus and headed south past the Skytower to State Highway 1.

 

The driver/guide of Maori decent greeted us with “Kia Ora” the Kiwi hello that translates to “have life” or “be healthy”. He told us to expect lots of attention on the highway due to the team’s international prominence.

The driver gave us a glimpse into the life of  the First National People. Maori language and culture is an integral part of the New Zealand experience.

During the 3 hour trip which included a rest stop at a colorful pastry/coffee shop he regaled us with the finer points of Maori culture.

We arrived at Waitomo Caves and took a well-organized  tour  for 1.5 hours.

 

 

 

We explored the cave on foot before embarking on a boat ride, gliding silently through the starry wonderland created by the Glowworms.

 

 

The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand. They are actually tiny, mosquito-sized creatures that radiate a sparkling, fluorescent blue-green glow that illuminates the caves and underground streams leaving us spellbound.

Crosshills Farm

Next, we took a  short  scenic drive to Crosshills Farm for an  opportunity to meet the owners and savor a home-cooked lunch amidst a lovely English garden setting.

The weather was absolutely perfect at 75º with a soft gentle breeze wafting over the hillside farm and garden.

After a stroll through the yard and garden we relaxed on the drive back to Port.

Happy to see that the Island Princess our new home was safely docked at the Port of Auckland where we left her, we went about our usual shiply routine. . . Cocktails and Dinner anyone?

Due to a delay our 1 am departure from Aukland allowed for a farewell photo.

Auckland New Zealand after dark

 

After yet another blissful day at sea,  we rounded North Island and proceeded southward and arrived at the city of New Plymouth at Port Taranaki.

 

Sunrise off of New Plymouth New Zealand

New Plymouth is a city on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It only recently received cruise ships, but it’s known for its coastal walkway stretching to Port Taranaki.

Port Taranaki, New Plymouth

A Maori Welcome for The Princess

After taking the free Cruise shuttle to the CBD (Central Business District), we met with a City “ambassador” on the street near the i-Site, New Zealand’s official visitor information network. One thing that seems to be universal, Kiwis are friendly, helpful and always up for a chat.

Pukekura Park

It was suggested that we take a short walk through the town and visit Pukekura Park with its premier botanical garden, birdlife and Sports Complex.

Cricket Ground

We enjoyed the walk through the New Zealand’s sunshine capital with views of Mount Taranaki to the Park Entrance.

There we spent 2 hours meandering through dense native walkways, by waterfalls and over bridges enjoying the tree collection, fern gullies and hidden dells.

 

After admiring the stunning freshwater lakes and streams, we enjoyed a coffee at the teahouse before continuing on to explore more of the garden.

 

 

At the serene Waterwheel

 

We returned to the CBD (Central Business District) to board the quick shuttle back to the ship. . .  and there he was at the dock. . . . . “Super Mario” is everywhere!

 

Mount Taranaki

As we departed the port,  we got a great view of Mount Taranaki considered New Zealand’s most perfect volcano shape. It was used as a backdrop in the filming of “The Last Samurai” with Tom Cruise.

For a bit of  Trivia while still in the North Island, we learned that the longest place name in the world is in New Zealand. It is a hill near the small township of Pōrangahau in the  south-east of the North Island of New Zealand called:

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

Not on everyone’s bucket list, unlike South Island, where we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

New Plymouth, North Island to Picton, South Island

Located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is the gateway to the South Island’s famed Marlborough District. We stalked through the Sound in the early morning close to the picturesque islands and bays.

Queen Charlotte Sound at Dawn

If you travel by car between the capital city of Wellington of the North Island and the scenic town of Picton on South Island you must take the 3-hour trip by a modern ferry to cross the Cook Strait, enjoying a wonderful cruise through the picturesque sound along the way.

As in New Plymouth, on disembarking we again caught of wonderful aroma of freshly cut lumber emanating from the huge stacks of logs.

Picton Harbour

New Zealand has over 25 million acres of forests covering 38% of the land. New Zealand’s forestry industry is largely based around sustainably managed plantation forests. About 90% of plantation forests are radiata pine the remainder are Douglas fir, eucalyptus, and other softwood and hardwood species.

In New Zealand, 96% of plantation forests are privately owned and used for commercial timber production.

Trees have reached harvest age and strong demand from China has delivered record prices. Many ports been extending log yards and wharf space to cope with the demand.

The Marlborough region boasts dramatic sea and landscapes, fascinating wine country, excellent restaurants and a number of the nation’s finest gardens.

Picton Waterfront

We made our way to the Picton waterfront to enjoy a cruise through the tranquil waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We boarded a Power Catamaran for a tour of the Sound.

 

 

 

 

Stellar views are everywhere including unspoiled natural scenery, lush forests, and scattered settlements that add a spot of color to the coastline.

The nutrient-rich waters are a feeding ground for seals, seabirds and dolphins. As we hugged the rugged shoreline and we stopped at Double Cove, a quiet bay, to feed the fish. On our return, we got a great view of our ship in the Port.

Island Princess at Picton Harbour

While strolling in the small CBD, we took the opportunity to visit the nearby Edwin Fox, one of the world’s oldest surviving merchant ships and the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia. At the museum we came across a copy of the convict manifest:

Edwin Fox finally at rest in dry dock

Continuing our walk in perfect 75º sunny weather, we returned the CBD pickup the shuttle back to the ship. After a relaxing evening including cocktails and dinner, we chatted with a few new friends and prepared for yet another relaxing sea day, but later got another bit of bad news that due to the severe weather in the Fiordlands of South Island where we were headed, we will not be visiting the Fiords, due to heavy seas. . . Damn!   I’ll have to dig through my archives and relive the trip sailing through Milford Sound using the photos I took in 1986.

We arrived at now our last stop in New Zealand, Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin,  located eight miles from the city center. Perched on the hills above one of New Zealand’s loveliest harbors, Dunedin is a Kiwi city with a Scottish heart often called the “Edinburgh of New Zealand,”  The city also boasts a distinguished architectural and cultural history, a legacy of New Zealand’s 1860s gold rush.

We took advantage of a half-day adventure which first included a visit to Baldwin lane, which Guinness says is the steepest street in the world.

 

 

 

 

Baldwin Lane, Steepest Street in the World!

We had the incredible opportunity to visit the Dunedin Botanic Garden. Established in 1863, it hosts a variety of plant collections set amidst 72 acres of natural beauty.

 

 

 

We explored  the formal paths but didn’t have nearly enough time to discover the 6,800 different species of plants from all over the globe.

It was on to the Iconic Dunedin Train Station, a 1906 building famed for its Flemish Renaissance architecture, mosaic floors & stained glass. It is the most photographed structure in New Zealand.

Dunedin Train Station

 

 

 

The interior detail was quite stunning including the ticket window and the detail in the mosaic floors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the train station we travelled through the CBD and up several hilly streets to a home perched upon a hill. . .  the Olveston House.  It was constructed by the David Thoemin, a Jewish importer and philanthropist. He lived with his  family of 4 and 7 servants in 35 rooms and 27 fireplaces.

Jacobean-Style Olveston House

From its construction in 1904-1906 to its bequeathal to the City of Dunedin in 1966 by Dorothy Theomin, only one family lived in the  Olveston House. It is this continuous heritage that provides such a unique glimpse of the era’s privileged lifestyle.

Great Room Olveston House

On our way back, it started to rain, so we passed on the walk back through Port Chalmers and returned directly to the ship.

 

 

“Super Mario” is there once again appearing magically at the gangway ready to offer water and a cold towel after a day of exploration.

 

 

After a bit of relaxation we prepared for a cocktail at  Crooners, dinner in the MDR (Main Dining Room)  and a late Comedy show by British comic Jeff Green.

And so it is with a longing to return, that we leave the wonderful country and people of New Zealand. We will sail around the South Island, unfortunately, missing our exploration of the Fiords, but anticipating all of the great things that the Land Down Under has to offer.

See you in Sydney!

Bobby Di

 

Fiji, World Cruise 2024

Crossing the Line to Fiji and Down Under

After we said “Aloha” to the Hawaiian Islands we would spend 7 days at sea and travel 2740 nautical miles to the next port of Suva, Fiji. Traveling at about 17 knots, we had mostly incredibly calm and pleasant weather.

Balcony view of fair winds and seas

We spent our time alternating between walking the promenade deck and occasional visits to the gym in an attempt to keep fit and enable guilt free indulgence in the myriad of dining options available. The on board Enrichment Lectures were informative and engaging discussing a range of topics. Historical references were valuable as was the advice on the shoreside opportunities available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dining was spectacular with a myriad of choices presented  by the professional and courteous staff making everyone feel special. The deserts were too tempting to pass up.

Sunday was a good day. It started with watching the Kansas City Chiefs spank the  Ravens 17 to 10 in an NFL Divisional playoff game winning them the right to appear in the Super Bowl.

King Neptune and Queen Double D

 

Since we were to cross the Equator soon, it was time for the traditional Line Crossing Ceremony.  

 

 

This ancient ceremony commemorates a person’s first crossing of the Equator.

Pollywogs

 

King Neptune, ruler of the seas, must be appeased by some minor hazing and degradation followed by kissing a fish.

 

 

The “pollywogs” are then proclaimed “Shellbacks”. If you then cross the International Date Line you become a “Golden Shellback”

 

Robin and I had the dubious distinction of becoming “Golden Shellbacks” on an Oceania cruise years ago.

 

 

Chart of the Equator and International Date Line

We will soon cross the dateline and lose a day (Monday) as if it never existed and . . . voilá, it’s Tuesday!

Crossing the Equator

Following the excitement on Lido Deck we returned to our cabin to prepare for dinner when we heard the dreaded general announcement from the Captain.

Due to current security challenges in the Red Sea and concerns for safety, itinerary has been changed significantly. Our voyage will no longer visit the Middle East or Asia. Instead, the ports in Australia have been revised and we will then travel west transiting the Indian Ocean to South Africa and sail up  the west coast of Africa, exploring destinations along the way. From there we will proceed north for our visit of Western Europe and the Mediterranean, after which we will continue on our Atlantic crossing as scheduled.

Most cruisers took the news in stride as we know that Captain Cataldi and the Cruise Line want to ensure a safe passage. Most of us are aware of why this situation exists, but until the next election, we must endure it. We will need to alter a few shore excursions, but are aware that travel carries with it some risk. So we continued our voyage on to Fiji and beyond.

Destination Fiji

The Fiji archipelago is at the crossroads of the South Pacific. In the days of sailing ships, it was known as “The Cannibal Isles,”. Mariners avoided its fierce warriors and treacherous waters. Fiji’s pagan days are gone, but live on in tribal rituals such as fire-walking and Kava Ceremonies.

Fiji is an exotic destination, with 333 islands that provide an exciting adventure or peaceful repose. The northwest region, where the sun shines almost every day is home to the majority of the resorts.

Port of Suva, Fiji

Suva is the political, administrative, educational and commercial center and has a backdrop of lush rainforest. The people of Fiji are the most multiracial and multicultural of all South Pacific island countries – this being reflected in churches of all denominations, mosques, temples and shrines.

After greeting everyone with the traditional “BULA”, we experienced the highlights of Suva City and surrounding area on a half day tour. We fought the heavy traffic out of the industrial area, then the town and drove by the National Forest with its mahogany and pine trees before visiting the rural but busy town of Nausori. Most housing was not maintained well unless it was for the government officials.

Albert Park and Government buildings

Clock Tower Thurston Gardens

 

 

We made our way to the Fiji Museum and browsed through Fiji’s history, but mostly enjoyed the surrounding gardens.

 

 

 

Suva Market

We did stop in downtown Suva to marvel at the incredible market where there was an amazing selection of flowers, fruits and vegetables of all description.

 

We then took the short walk back to the ship and relaxed before preparing for cocktails and dinner with new friends while we sailed away to New Zealand just 1,315 nautical miles and 2.5 days away.

Wishing you all well,

Bobby Di

Hawaiian Islands, World Cruise 2024

World Cruise

The Island Princess

As many of you know, Robin and I have been sailing together for over 30 years including 25 years of owning sailboats. We are back on the water again, but in a bit of a larger craft. After 17 days at sea and over 6,000 nautical miles from the start of our voyage indulging in total relaxation and pampering by the accommodating crew, I finally have the time for an introduction and update of the 2024 Island Princess World Cruise which we booked in 2022. We hope you will enjoy this trip as much as we hope to.

Why a World Cruise? Well, we were drawn by the itinerary, a “voyage of a lifetime”, which for us included 22 countries, 44 destinations and 51 sea days for a total of 97 days. Some will carry on for another 14 days to transit the Panama Canal, but since we have transited the Canal on the Coral Princess, a sister ship, in 2017, we elected to embark in Los Angeles on January 18th and return to Fort Lauderdale in late April.

2024 World Cruise Itinerary2024 WORLD CRUISE CHART

As a premonition, the cruise itinerary experienced a few changes early on, such as the inclusion of the port of Suva Fiji instead of Pago Pago, American Samoa. Of special note, was the early decision to forego the visit to Nazareth due to safety concerns.

 

Preparation for a 14-week cruise is somewhat complex and included arranging for home watch, vacation override for all medications, computer backups and transfers, luggage forwarding service, planning excursions, strategic packing, as well as transfers to and from the ship. In addition to the Premier Home Watch Service, my cousin Vito will be house sitting. He’s an angry man and although he has a concealed carry permit, insists on wearing his Glock 19 around the house in the Streamlight TLR Holster we got him for Christmas. 

Just after dawn, our flight departed from Tampa to LAX. A bit early for me, but fortunately it was uneventful. We made it somewhat easier by shipping some luggage ahead of time for delivery directly to our stateroom. After arrival at LAX with luggage in tow, we spent the night in San Pedro near the Harbor to allow for a trouble-free embarkation. The morning presented with a chilly 59º, but the transfer to the nearby Port in Long Beach was seamless.

The Island Princess appeared majestic at the Port dock in Long Beach as we checked in at 10:30 with a very quick and efficient process using our “Medallion”.  

A Princess Medallion is a quarter-sized wearable device that allows touch free boarding, room access, locating your travel mates and having everything you need delivered anywhere. No ID cards or receipts to sign. . . an incredible convenience!

You can wear it on the lanyard included, a necklace or bracelet, but I found mounting it to an iwatch strap the best option for me.

After a brief respite in the Elite Lounge, we boarded using the enclosed gangway to the ship, which was to be our home for the next 97 days. Robin and I travelled on this same ship, along with family for a partial canal transit in 2019.

The Island Princess has a traditional feel, but the recently updated carpeting and upholstery give it an elegant atmosphere. The Central Piazza is not overwhelming, but rather welcoming, and hosts many of the ships activities.

The Island Princess is one of the two Coral-Class ships; it was launched 2003 and refurbished 2017. It is a relatively small ship of 93,000 tons, 982 feet and 106 beam to allow travel through the 110-foot wide Panama Canal. It’s a tight fit with only 2 feet to spare on either side, as you can imagine, touch up paint is often needed at the next port.

The ship accommodates 2,200 passengers and 900 Crew and although we had 1,975 aboard, the ship never felt crowded, unless we were in a tender port, which was rare.

 

Mid Ship Mini-Suite

Our stateroom was a midship mini-suite of 305 Sq feet and included a separate sitting area with a full sofa, two TVs with a variety of channels, movies and enrichment lectures, as well as, a comfortable balcony.

 

In the past, we have found this to be a comfortable cabin, well laid out, and with our organizational skills, enough room for a 3 month trip. We had storage cubes and hanging shoe racks sent ahead to allow for organized clothing stowage. This was the best set up we have found yet for dressing in a confined space.

After lunch in the dining room, we set about unpacking and organizing the stateroom for our voyage. We finished just before sail-away and made our way to one of the lounges for cocktails before dinner in the Reserve Section of the main dining room.

Sail away from the World Cruise Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro at 5:45 pm.

After dinner and a show we indulged in  a nightcap at the Wheelhouse bar and then retired to the sumptuous, premium linens of our comfy king- size bed. We slept like babies while on our way to the Hawaiian Islands in a moderate sea.

And so, for another 5 days at sea we enjoyed the amenities of the ship. There were numerous activities, enrichment lectures, opportunities for exercise, music, gaming and, of course, eating.

The offerings were pleasing to the eye and palate and were meticulously presented by the pleasant and attentive restaurant managers and waitstaff. The Common areas including the restrooms were kept impeccably clean and our cabin steward Adie, attended to our every need.

Of course, a good deal of time doing research for both option trading and this missive, which I hope you find of interest. In addition, we had this incredible view for days on end.

North Pacific Ocean

Our first destination was Hawaii, about 2,600 miles from the U.S. mainland in the Northern Pacific Ocean. It is the only U.S. state outside of North America and the only one in the tropics. Hawaii, consists of 137 volcanic islands but only eight main ones, the most familiar being Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, which is often called the “Big Island”,  to avoid confusion with the state .

Settled by Polynesians sometime between 1000 and 1200 CE, Hawaii had independent Chiefdoms. Hawaii became a unified, internationally recognized kingdom in 1810, until American and European business men overthrew the monarchy in 1893 which led to its annexation by the US in 1898. Hawaii is the most recent state to join the Union in 1959. Its economy has tourism and military defense as the two largest sectors. Honolulu, Hawaii hosts the United States Pacific Fleet the world’s largest naval command.

Hawaii’s relative isolation results in one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. However, Hawaii is the third-wealthiest state, and residents have the longest life expectancy of any U.S. state, at 80.7 years

Honolulu,  the capital and most populous city of the state of Hawaii is situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oahu, and is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city. The city is characterized by a mix of various Asian, Western and Pacific cultures, reflected in its diverse demography, cuisine, and traditions.

Honolulu’s favorable tropical climate, rich natural scenery, and extensive beaches make it a popular global destination for tourists. With over 2.7 million visitors as of 2019, Honolulu is the seventh-most visited city in the United States after New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

We arrived at the Downtown Port of Honolulu, home to almost half a million people. Honolulu is Hawaii’s state capital and the only major city. It offers a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are two of the city’s enduring symbols. Pearl Harbor, site of the USS Arizona Memorial, is a reminder of the tragic events of December 7, 1941 which led America into World War II.

At 7am we gathered at Wheelhouse bar, then to the Pier and boarded a comfortable motor coach for a 4 hour Scenic Drive of the Pali Coast. This was a visually captivating half-day guided tour of Oahu to some of the island’s most famous areas.

Our Tour guide and driver Kimoke’o was informative and entertaining using visuals and music as part of his tour.

We traveled through the heart of the resort district at Waikiki Beach with stunning views of Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, a protected marine preserve and then to Waimanalo Beach featuring a pristine shoreline that slopes gently into the ocean.

Waikiki Beach

We then travelled a narrow road to the Pali Lookout with awe-inspiring vistas of the island where King Kamehameha I forced thousands of his opponents to jump to their deaths.

Pali Lookout

On the way back to the ship we learned more about Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or “IZ”and his legacy on the island. IZ is a larger than life musician and singer who is celebrated as the voice of Hawaii:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

With the spirit of IZ we made back to the comfort of the ship for Lunch followed by, cocktails, dinner and the Explorer’s Lounge for a bit of music trivia. We departed the dock at 10:30 pm and made our way through the night traveling southeast to the island of Hawaii. 

On Day 8, we welcomed the Big Island of Hawaii. Twice as large as the other major Hawaiian Islands combined, Hawaii’s terrain ranges from tropical beaches to the alpine crags and basalt heights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The Kona Coast is a land of infinite variety, ranging from pristine beaches to rolling uplands that are home to coffee plantations, macadamia groves and the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States. To the southeast lies Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. At over 10,000 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea is the highest point in the Pacific Basin. 

Port of Kailua-Kona

We dropped anchor at Kona at about  8:00 am. The anchorage was rolly, so tenders were lively and disembarking process was slower than usual.

We didn’t board tender until 11:30 am the walked through town to Kona Coffee Café in the Kona Inn Shopping village.

 

Port of Kona Beach
Kona Inn Village

We got a great Kona Cappuccino, but passed on the “Donkey Balls” and watched fellow cruisers amble around in perfect weather.

Enjoying our brief visit, we returned to our new adopted home on Dophin Deck.

After leaving Kona we enjoyed 7 more sea days and travel 2740 nautical miles or 3,150 statute miles until we reached the next port of Suva, Fiji. Traveling at about 17 knots, we had mostly beautiful sunny days with a calm to moderate sea with gentle rolling waves and no white caps. It is heaven! 

Wish us fair winds and following seas,

Captain Bobby Di

 

 

 

 

 

Capetown/Rio de Janiero, South Africa

Capetown to Rio de Janeiro

Regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and international shopping. It’s famous for its towering mountains, magnificent beaches, award winning wineries and impressive sea life including Great White Sharks, Whales, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins.

Capetown, South Africa

We arrived in Capetown a week early to enjoy the city, do some touring and enjoy a pre-cruise Safari trip arranged by Regent Cruise lines as part of their Capetown to Rio South Atlantic Cruise. The 14 day “Sands to Sea to Samba” cruise would have to wait, as we’ve got lots of plans before embarkation.

The Delta flights from Tampa To Atlanta on to Capetown went without a hitch. Although the 14.5 hour flight from Atlanta was totally full,  we managed to eat, watch a movie and with the help of pharmaceutical wonders, get 8 hours of sleep. At arrival in Capetown, we were greeted by a driver who managed the traffic well to arrive at our hotel on the waterfront.

At the suggestion of our agent Donna McPhail of Adler Travel, we spent a few days at the Table Bay Hotel at the Victora and Albert waterfront in Cape Town. This iconic Hotel offering the ultimate in 5-star luxury accommodation is perfectly positioned, within close proximity of top tourist attractions, luxury international shopping and convenient access to the Waterfront and the bustling harbor.

After a quiet dinner at the hotel and a pleasant evening we woke to a sumptuous breakfast in the formal dining room with the live melody of classical piano. . .It’s good to be the King.

Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town and is one of the most iconic mountains on earth. Our guide Nabeel, a saavy local gentlemen, arrived early for our half-day tour and we made our way to the base of Table Mountain for entry to the cable car.

The crowd was huge. After waiting for ten minutes in the heat, Nabeel used his many contacts to negotiate the crowd of thousands to procure us a fast-pass entry avoiding the 1.5 hours wait. Slowly rotating cable cars with their 360º views carried us to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city of 5 million and a busy harbor. It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World so we took our time exploring the many trails atop the mountain taking in the glorious views.

Cape Town

From Table Mountain we descended to the City and the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. The area was populated by slaves known as Cape Malays, and were brought from Malaysia, Indonesia and the rest of Africa to work in the Cape. Many of the families in the Bo-Kaap have been living there for generations and is a significant part of the cultural heritage.

To this day, the houses are a mix of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, in distinctive multi-coloured rows on steeply cobbled roads. While on lease, all the houses had to be white, when this rule was eventually lifted, the slaves were allowed to buy the properties, all the houses were painted bright colors by their owners as an expression of their freedom.

After a short tour of the picturesque Company’s Garden in Cape Town, home to several museums and galleries of historical and cultural importance, we retreated to the Hotel pool and the comfort of a chaise lounge and a Maragrita.

After another magnificent breakfast at the Hotel, spoiled by attentive, courteous service, we prepared for another half-day tour with Nabeel, along the dramatic scenery of the South Peninsula.

The trip from Cape Town to Cape Point is considered one of the best drives in the World. We took the 85-mile circular route, sticking to the incredibly scenic, coastal roads.  Along the way, we drove through the spectacular coastal villages of Llandudno, Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, Noordhoek, Scarborough, each one a gem, before you reach Cape Point.   

Hout Bay on Chapman’s Peak Dr

Of special note is Hout Bay, once a small fishing village, now a coastal suburb of Cape Town and home to people from all walks of life. The streets are alive with locals and tourists who flock to a host of curio shops, restaurants, snack bars and a beach is popular with hikers and windsurfers. This charming inlet sits in the shadow of the impressive 1,000 foot high Sentinel Mountain Peak standing watch over the bay. Rumors have it that Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Donald Trump were once interested in buying this mountain peak.

Funicular

On Arrival at Cape Point, the southernmost point of Table Mountain National Park, we boarded the Funicular. A funicular is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. . . who knew?

I know THIS. . . we don’t need them in South Florida.

As you may know, a cape is a high point of land that narrowly extends into a body of water. Cape Point, just east of the Cape of Good Hope, juts into the Atlantic Ocean.

A common misconception is that the Cape Point is the southern tip of Africa. In fact, the southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas about 90 miles to the east-southeast. Cape Agulhas also defines the official geographic divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. . . yet another factoid to wow your friends at the next cocktail party . . . you’re welcome!

 

The waters around the Cape of Good Hope are known for being rough. Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz sailed down along the west coast of the African continent and reached the southern tip of the continent. He named it the Cape of Good Hope as it gave the hope of discovering a sea route to the East.

On the return to Cape Town, we visited Boulders Beach to visit the penguins. Again, Nabeel worked his magic and negotiated the crowds through a little know trail along the beach. The African penguin also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species confined to southern African waters. The species has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask.

 

This penguin feeds primarily on fish and squid. The African penguin is a charismatic species and is popular with tourists. Other names of the species include black-footed penguin and jackass penguin, due to their loud, donkey-like noise.

After our return to the Hotel, we enjoyed High Tea in the Lounge and prepared for our relocation to the close-by Westin Hotel the next day, where we would join our travel Group for the 3-day Sanbona Safari Trip. After an evening at the Westin Convention Center and yet another eye- appealing breakfast, we met our 12 Fellow Sanbona travelers the next morning in the lobby, who would in just a few day’s time, become known as “The Dirty Dozen”.

We boarded a comfortable 15 passenger van that would ferry the group of 12 to the Little Karoo. We meandered through the Cape Mountain Ranges, the awe-inspiring Cogman’s Kloop and numerous vineyards before we arrived at the Main Gate at Sanbona.

Sanbona. . . Untamed, Untouched, Unforgettable

There, we would transfer to a Sanbona 12 passenger van on a solid dirt road that led us through the arid countryside for an hour, while viewing Cape Zebas, Cape Buffalo and various antelopes. We were met at the Lodge by the staff and offfered a cooling welcome drink to ward off the 90 degree heat.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the closest true wildlife experience you can find near Cape Town, a short 3.5 hour drive away, offering an exclusive and unique malaria-free safari. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves of rich protected ecosystems stretching across 58,000 hectares or 224 square miles about the size of the entire city of Chicago, but even with its dangerous animals, considerably safer. 

We were fortunate to stay in the opulent and romantic Dwyka Tented Lodge, embraced by a striking rock formation and set in the horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine. The spacious lounge and dining areas have modern interiors, wooden decks and make the most of the setting.  The accommodation was luxurious and private. Each of the nine luxury tents has an en-suite bathroom and a private deck with a heated plunge pool which added to the adventure.

Interactive nature drives last up to 3 hours and take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset. Our first game drive was at 4:30 pm, only two hours after we arrived.

We traversed the wild landscape and Cape fold mountains with Josh, a naturalist and qualified ranger from South Africa, in an open Land Cruiser. During the drive, either in the early morning or at sunset, numerous species of plants, animals, big game and birds can be seen.

On our very first Game drive, we spotted rhinos, elephants, giraffes and antelopes.

After a few hours of bone-rattling travel along and over dry river beds and slopes tracking and photographing wildlife, it was time for a Sundowner. Josh stopped by a quiet pond and offered our favorite cocktails and hor d’oeuvres.

Happy Hour with Josh

In contrast, the morning drives came a bit early at 5:30 am. It was considerably cooler at 60º and cloudy, as a front was moving in. Each day brought forth more surprises and more animals in their native habitat, but it kept getting cooler . . . by the 3rd day and 4th game drive, Robin and I were draped in blankets

As you may know, the term “Big Five” originally referred to the difficulty in hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. These five large African mammal species were known to be dangerous and it was considered a feat by trophy hunters to bring them home. I wasn’t able or willing to bring home any trophies but, I was able to get a few photos.

White Lions

The white lion is a rare color mutation of the Southern African lion. White lions are thought to have been indigenous to this region of South Africa for centuries, although the earliest recorded sighting in this region was in 1938. There are now only 13 left in the wild. We marveled the close encounters with these beautiful blue-eyed animals. We saw two, they are a brother and sister pair and have not had success in breeding. . . maybe they should relocate them to West Virginia. 

Sibling White Lions

Leopards

Leopards are actually the smallest of the cats, but they are stronger and bulkier than the cheetah. While we did not see leopards, we know that cheetahs are taller and more slender in comparison. A cheetah is built for speed and is the fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.

Cheetah

However, cheetahs are racing toward extinction, with only around 7,000 of these elegant cats remaining on earth. They’ve disappeared from approximately 90% of their natural homes across Africa, with Southern Africa now being their only fortress. Sanbona embraced the challenge to conserve cheetahs and provide them with sanctuary space. They made conservation history once again with cheetahs now residing in Little Karoo . . . we spotted four cubs.

Mama Cheetah

White Rhinos

White rhinos are the second-largest land mammal and their name comes from the Afrikaans, a West Germanic language. In Afrikaans the word “weit” means wide and refers to the animal’s mouth. Also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros, it has a face only a mother could love. Their horns are valuable and used in traditional Chinese medicine or as a symbol of wealth.

White rhinos have complex social structures. Groups of sometimes 14 rhinos may form, notably females with calves. Adult males defend territories of roughly one square mile, which they mark with vigorously scraped dung piles.

White Rhino and Calf

Elephants

The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal, with bulls reaching a shoulder height of up to 13 feet and a body mass of up to 14,000 pounds. They are distributed across 37 African countries and inhabit forests, grasslands and woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a social mammal, travelling in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. Females are pregnant for 22 months, the longest gestation period of any mammal. 

We were lucky enough to encounter a large herd these behemoths; they approached closely, but we never felt threatened. They are one of the most fascinating animals to see while on an African safari. Watching a single bull or a herd with calves can keep you interested all day, as you observe their intelligent, sociable, and communicative behavior. You can revel in the beauty and unparalleled experience of witnessing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Cape Buffalo

The Cape Buffalo is the largest sub-Saharan African bovine, found in Southern and East Africa.  The adult African buffalo’s horns have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head referred to as a “boss”. It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent, and according to some estimates it gores, tramples, and kills over 200 people every year. Its unpredictable temperament may have been part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated but is a sought-after trophy in hunting.

Cape Buffalo

Not one of the Big Five, but a joy to watch, the graceful giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest hoofed herbivore on Earth. The giraffe’s chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its spotted coat patterns. Female ossicones are smaller and have a small tuft of fur on top, while male ossicones are bald on the top. Their food source is leaves, fruits, and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach. 

During the game drives, what was most impressive was the variety of the animals that could be spotted and how the animals interacted in the wild. We spotted a cheetah slinking around waiting to pounce on a herd of springbok antelopes or here, you can see seven Giraffes keeping their wary eyes on the cheetah in the foreground.

Of special note is the Gemsbok or South African oryx. It is a large antelope native to the extremely dry, arid regions of Southern Africa. Even though they possess spectacular horns that average almost 3 feet, Gemsbok are herbivores. These are mainly desert-dwelling antelopes and they do not depend on drinking water to supply their physiological needs.

Obviously, we were all overjoyed to witness the Big Five in the wild in such a short time, a real testament to the great work that they are doing at Sanbona. Since 2002, the transformation of the lands has included the slow process of recreating an ecosystem as close as possible to the way it’s thought to have been 300 years ago, giving visitors a vision of the Klein Karoo that its early inhabitants would recognize. 

Robin and I treasured our unforgettable stay at Sanbona including the drives, the gracious hosts and rangers, the pleasant meals and the camaraderie of our new found friends. It is a trip we hope that all of you will consider in the future, but after our last morning game drive, it was time for breakfast and to pack once again and board the van for the ride to the Sanbona main gate. Here, we transferred to the comfortable van back to Cape Town along a route with incredible mountain scenery.

Du Toitskloof range near Paarl, South Africa.

When we boarded the van we were informed that due to high winds, the Harbourmaster did not allow the Regent Cruise Ship to dock, so we would be transferred back to the Westin Hotel to spend another night. We were accommodated with room assignments and luggage handling swiftly and it wasn’t long before we we relaxing with a cocktail in the lobby bar with our Sanbona Safari mates.

Cocktail hour at the Westin

Regent lays claim to be the most inclusive experience among the major luxury cruise lines. Of course, such pampering doesn’t come cheap but, everything is included: flights, shore excursions, beverages and onboard gratuities, so there are no unexpected hidden extras that give you agita at the end of the trip. Regent covered our transport to and from Sanbona, our pre and post Sanbona stays at the Westin and all meals. In addition, we were compensated for the cruising day that we missed due to the high winds at the Cape Town Harbour.

We were informed the next day that the ship was ready for boarding at 9:30 am, so we made our way to the waiting motor coaches accompanied by the ever-present luggage. I was looking forward to unpacking for the LAST time for the next two weeks.

Seven Seas Voyager Statistics

We boarded the ship with no difficulties and it was quite a contrast to the last ship we were on with over 6,000 passengers! The interior design of the Seven Seas Voyager was both tasteful and subdued. The service is extremely polite and friendly, but not obtrusive. They offer a delightful ship with exquisite service, generous staterooms with abundant amenities, a variety of dining options, and superior lecture and enrichment programs. 

Atrium Lobby

Everyone stays in a suite on these ships, and most cabins have balconies, walk-in closets, large bathrooms, and even bathtubs. As the price goes up, the space and amenities grow even more. 

With the ship’s small passenger numbers and spacious public areas, we never felt crowded. We never had to stand in line or wait for a coffee or adult beverage. Though high fares mean passengers must be well-heeled to sail on Voyager, we found most of our cruise-mates to be down-to-earth and friendly — not those who flaunt their wealth. Most notably, conversation revealed that these folks have visited every corner of the planet.

The captain was concerned with lingering 35 to 40 knot winds and did not leave the Cape Town dock until 3 am. Finally at sea with winds moderating to 16 knots and 3 to 6 foot seas, we were in heaven. After a wonderful day at sea starting with breakfast served in our room, a bit of exercise, casual lunch, organizing photos, cocktail reception and a fabulous dinner, we took in our first sunset. And so our schedule continued similarly, experiencing all the ship had to offer: dining, entertainment, enrichment lectures, camaraderie and a few shore excursions along the way.

Prime 7 Dining

The ship will only have two stops before we dock at Rio de Janerio. The first was Walvis Bay, a port town with a large bay and sand dunes that is an important centre of tourism in Namibia. Attractions include the artificial Bird Island, centre of a guano collection industry, the Dune 7 sand dune, the salt works, the abundant birdlife, and a museum.

We chose an excursion using a closed, 7 passenger off-road Vehicle to view the treasures of the Namib desert. It was a chilly 65 degrees at the start, but would warm up to 75 with the sun. Armand, our driver originally from South Africa and now Namibia, would narrate as we travelled over the dirt roads to the impressive sand dunes , the moon landscape, unusual flora, and then on to enjoy lunch at the Namib Park oasis.

The famous 1256 foot Dune 7
Namib Park Oasis

We returned to the ship via the town of Swakopmund, a beach resort with a population of 45,000 and an example of German colonial architecture. It was founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa. From what we saw, we don’t think we’ll be booking an AirB&B.

We would enjoy another two sea days before we reached our next port, St Helena. Sea days are marvelous for whatever strikes your fancy: the spa, exercise, reading, lectures, games, lounging, a myriad of other activities or nothing. . . your choice.

Saint Helena is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island 1,210 miles west of the coast of south-western Africa, and 2,500 miles east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is 1668 miles south of the equator. St Helena has a very mild, oceanic climate. Average temperatures in summer range from lows of 59F to highs of 70F; though at times can reach 93F in the capital, Jamestown. St Helena has only three cruise ships visit per year, as a matter of fact, our ship, The Seven Seas Voyager, make headlines in the local paper!

Saint Helena measures about 10 by 5 mi and has a population of about 4,500 mainly descended from Europeans. It was named after Helena, mother of Constantine I. It is one of the most remote islands in the world and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese enroute to the Indian subcontinent in 1502. St Helena is the United Kingdom’s second-oldest overseas territory after Bermuda. For about four centuries the island was an important stopover for ships from Europe to Asia and back while sailing around the African continent until the opening of the Suez canal in 1869 .

About twice of Bermuda, it is a subtropical paradise where the mountainous terrain and micro-climates create an astounding diversity of landscapes all within a few minutes drive.

St. Helena is famous as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s second exile and death, as commemorated by a now-empty tomb.  We visited Longwood House, is a 16 room mansion which was the final residence of Napoleon during his 5 year exile on the island. He was quite proud of the gardens he designed there.

The steep 3/4 mile trek to Napolean’s tomb was well worth the effort. Beautiful and serene with towering trees providing shelter for a chorus of singing birds. Truly magical . . . apparently too restful for the Emperor, they exhumed his body and returned it to France in 1840.

For my diving buddies . . . clear, warm waters, wrecks and fascinating marine life make St Helena Island an exciting scuba diving destination. Dive site habitats all teem with marine life and the wrecks dotted around the coast are popular. Sea temperatures vary from 66 to 75°F and visibility can range from 16 to 130 feet with peak visibility being from December to May. Dives vary between 40 and 130 feet and offer a range of diving opportunities, including Whale Sharks that visit in February and March. Should have brought my gear! Actually, we did spot a lone Whale Shark just North of Jamestown from the steep road way on our way back to the tender and the Ship.

Farewell Saint Helena

With another 6 days at sea before we disembark in Rio, Regent is already making plans for us to ease our transition back to terrestrial life. It is comforting to know that we’re being looked after by a cruising nanny. Until then, there’s lots to do and our first order of business was an “Air Drop Lunch” in the Main Dining Room with the Sanbona “Dirty Dozen”. We air-dropped photos and videos, traded stories and made plans for future travel.

Sanbona Safari Travel Mates

View from our Balcony for 6 days, lights chop, warm and wonderful

We sailed a total distance of 4095 nautical miles (4712 statue miles) before we reached Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . Known simply as Rio, with 7 million people it is the second most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Rio is Brazil’s primary tourist attraction and resort. It receives the most visitors per year of any city in South America with 2.82 million international tourists a year. Rio has a tropical savanna climate it has hot, humid summers, and warm, sunny winters.

Dawn arrival at Rio de Janeiro

Rio is known for its natural settings, carnival, samba, bossa nova, and resort beaches such as  Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. In addition to the beaches, some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. I have included a photo hacked from a Chinese balloon . . . before it was shot down.

Christ the Redeemer overlooking the City and its renowned beaches

We toured Rio via motor coach on excellent, yet crowded roads and although the city had interesting churches and buildings, it was loaded with grafitti, not unlike other crowded cities. We then queued up with the throngs of toursists for the train ride to top of Cordova mountain for the 20 minute ride to the area below the base of the Redeemer statue. To avoid more crowds, we walked up another 80 feet using several flights of stairs vs elevator and escalator… well, that cancelled my need for a gym session! 

Christ the Redeemer  is the Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. Constructed between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 98 ft. high, excluding 26 ft. pedestal; the arms stretch 92 feet wide. Although constructed of reinforced concrete and soapstone, it was impressive, as are the surrounding views.

Daniel, our guide then directed us through the crowds for the return train, then on to the motor coach for a quick ride past the world famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. We zoomed past about 2 miles of the wide but crowded beaches with bars, cafes, restaurant shacks and beach rentals. Nowhere did I see that girl from Ipanema that Sinatra and Antonio Jobim sing about.

Rio is also a main cultural hub in Brazil. Its architecture embraces churches and buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, blending with the world-renowned designs of the 20th century.

Museum of Tomorrow
Museum of Tomorrow

Rio de Janeiro is home to the largest Portuguese population outside of Lisbon in Portugal.  After independence from Portugal in 1822, Rio became a destination for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Portugal, mainly in the early 20th century. There are significant disparities between the rich and the poor here, and different socioeconomic groups are largely segregated into different neighborhoods.

We returned to the ship for one last evening before departing. As usual, we enjoyed the company of our fellow travelers, a cocktail at the lounge and one final evening of dining before packing up once again. Although we were reluctant to leave, after our short time in Rio, I was looking forward to the 11. 5 hour plane trip back to Tampa.

Disembarkation at 5:15 am to catch the early flight went very smoothly, with Regent providing the motor coach transportation and luggage transfers. After an orderly boarding process, we took our comfortable seats with plenty of legroom and a special passenger across from us that never said a word.

Alaska

Alaska, The Great Land

The Native Aleuts named it Alyeska, the “Great Land”. There are a million and one reasons that Alaska has earned its “great” reputation. First, it’s home to Denali, North America’s tallest mountain that stands more than 20,000 feet above sea level. Amazingly, Alaska has more than 40% of the nation’s surface water resources including over 12,000 rivers, 3 million lakes greater than 5 acres and numerous creeks and ponds. It’s a place of epic drama, with soaring mountains, giant glaciers and dazzling wildlife.

Denali, what we learned in school as Mt. McKinley

The CruiseTour is an ideal way to explore Alaska’s most magnificent attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. You can only cruise to Alaska during the spring and summer months; the season starts in May and ends in September. Princess Cruises has perfected this experience to show you this destination in its greatest and purest form. For in-depth exploration of Alaska’s interior, we combined stays at Denali-area lodges with scenic and relaxing train travel. We then embarked on the Majestic Princess for a  Cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage,  a protected water route between the Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound.

We combined a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, a scenic rail trip and multiple days on land in Princess owned lodges as our home away from home. Warm and welcoming, these lodges are custom built and strategically located near the top attractions of the 49th state, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere of each unique region and experience authentic Alaska excursions.

Anchorage Airport at midnight

The Trip from Tampa to Anchorage via Seattle with Alaska Airlines was a total of 3,950 air miles and 9.5 hours of flight time. We expected better service with the upgraded fare, but you know me. . . I don’t complain. After a plane change in Seattle, a funky meal and one Xanax each, we arrived in Anchorage at 12:45 am. Because of the hour, we had to take a cab to the downtown Captain Cook Hotel.  After a few hours of sleep and then breakfast at the hotel, we boarded a comfortable motorcoach at 9:30 am and travelled ENE on Route 1, then on Route 3 through Wasilla  to the Princess Wilderness Lodge about 3 hours later. 

Bordering the South side of Denali National Park, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is just off of the Parks Highway, two hours south of the main entrance. From the moment you arrive at this Lodge in Denali State Park, you know you’re somewhere special.

Situated on 180 acres of land inside Denali State Park and bordered by the Chulitna River, the Lodge features dramatic vistas of Denali—North America’s highest peak. The dramatic peaks are on display from the Great Room and outdoor adventures are at your fingertips, from river rafting to flight-seeing over Denali and the Alaska Range.

Deck Placard illustrating the Mountains of The Alaska Range in the distance.

We enjoyed our time at the lodge along with the temperature of 55 degrees. We lucked out in that the clouds engulfing Denali cleared just enough to enable a view of the storied Peak 20,320 feet above sea level. That’s about 20,306 feet above what I’m used to!

Telephoto view of the Majestic Peaks of Denali
Obligatory photo with Denali in the background. . . they made me do it!

After enjoying the magical viewing on the deck and lounge, we embarked on a Byers Lake Walking Tour. We explored a portion of this 4.8-mile loop trail near Talkeetna for 2.5 hours with Mo, our guide.

Byers Lake In Denali Park

Mo regaled us with the history of the area and had in-depth knowledge of the flora including many poisonous plants. This trail is considered a moderately challenging route with great lake views and historic cabin. It’s great for backpacking, camping, and hiking and we encountered only a few hikers on the tour.

Beyers Lake

After a comfortable night at the Lodge, we had luggage ready for pick up at 7 AM. We passed a few hours in the town of Talkeetna, A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining center, Talkeetna still has much of its early Alaska flavor with log cabins, and clapboard storefronts on the main street. We walked to the local coffee shop for special crêpe and coffee and then ambled to the convergence of the three rivers at the end of Main Street. We walked around the town, spoke with a few people and met the elected Mayor, who is a cat named “Denali”.  Who knew?

Lodges on the Talketna River

We then took the shuttle back to Princess Wilderness Lodge. Enjoyed a coffee while we took in more mountain views and then boarded the motorcoach for our next Lodge destination.

The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, is the closest and most comfortable place to stay when visiting the park, just one mile from the park entrance. Its boundaries encompass an impressive six million acres — the size of the state of Massachusetts. We had already booked a Helicopter Tour to take in the sights and land on a glacier.

The Helicopter tour was thrilling. Robin and I were fortunate to have the front seats on the helicopter, the views were fabulous. We were outfitted with studded glacier over-boots in preparation for the glacier landing.

Hope, our pilot had the highest flight credentials, but she was only in her late 20s. During the 40 minute flight over wide valleys, wild rivers and craggy ranges, she pointed out wildlife and other features. We saw groups of Dall sheep and I even spotted my first Moose! He was standing knee deep in a pond, but from 150 feet overhead, looked like a toy.

Helicopter Approach to Yanert Glacier

We landed gingerly on the glacier, but quickly donned our ponchos as it was raining with a temp about 40 degrees and 20 knots of wind. Hope had me bend down to taste the clear and cold glacial water which tasted clean, but mineral laden. Great way to end the day and prepare for the mandated martini.

Keepin’ cool on Yanert Glacier

After the aforementioned martini and dinner at the Lodge, we succumbed to the required Covid test in preparation for boarding the ship in two days.

We woke to a cold and rainy day and headed out to  Nature Tour at the Denali Primrose Ridge. We learned of the Parks History from our driver Mike, who has a Phd in History and teaches at the University. Denali Park National Park was founded by Charles Sheldon in 1917. He was a hunter and naturalist attracted to Denali specifically by Dall sheep. In the past, I had several friends who are rumored to possess a similar attraction.

After a visit to The History Center for and introductory movie and a discussion with a Park Ranger, we then trekked to a historic cabin for a discussion of what early visitor’s experiences were like in the park. Denali is a true wilderness, but now visitors mostly come to see wildlife and not kill it.

Here’s Robin braving the nasty conditions (anything below 75 and cloudy)

You will remember that the US purchased AK from Russia in 1867 for 7 Million dollars, a deal know as Seward’s Folly. When gold was found in 1898, the rapid influx of people and discovery of more natural resources has contributed much to America’s prosperity. William Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State, made a great deal, but didn’t profit nearly as well as today’s government oligarchs. Think Paulie Pelosi.

Wilderness Rail Trip

To me, there is simply no better way to experience so much of Alaska’s vast beauty than to see it by rail. The Wilderness rail service  transported us in a luxury Glass-domed rail cars on a legendary route straight from the Princess Lodges in Denali to the Cruise ship embarkation in Whittier. The trip is designed to showcase every breathtaking mile of forested landscape, flowering meadows and glacial lakes. The rail guides deliver insightful narration about this historic route’s long history and the natural wonders just outside the window .

Spacious Vista Dome Rail Car with seat and table service

We Traveled by rail about 300 miles of the total of 500 miles of track on the Alaska Railroad. The trip was smooth and comfortable and the 9.5 hours was much more pleasant than the air travel we endured a few days ago. We did opt for the dining car below for a beautiful lunch as we watched the mountains and wild rivers go by.

While nearing our destination of Whittier, where we will embark on the Cruise ship, a Princess Representative accomplished all of the necessary check-in procedures right at our seat, including the Princess Medallion, passport, vaccine card and Covid test result.

We then travelled through two tunnels below the mountains. At the end of the second one, we reached the Majestic Princess in Whittier which is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Anchorage, and  was an active U.S. Army port until 1960. Today, it houses most of Whittier’s residents (approximately 290). Unlike Anchorage’s Cook Inlet which is choked by ice 5 months out of the year, Whittier is a year round ice-free port. 

Majestic Princess docked in Whittier for Embarkation

This was a Princess MedallionClass cruise which features next-level technology and allowed us to enjoy reliable Wi-Fi and touchless experiences. This starts with Medallion wearable, a quarter-sized device that never needs to be turned on or off. Your stateroom door unlocks as you approach, your food and drinks find you, and friends and family can easily locate you. It made check-in a breeze and we chose exactly when and where we ate. We never worried about misplacing our cruise card and we were able to order a margarita, martini or latte by the pool chaise lounge, library or wherever we were. We experienced this on other cruises and it makes the cruising experience delightful.

Majestic Princess

The 1083 foot, 3,560 passenger Majestic Princess has a fun, relaxed vibe, was built in 2017 and is wonderfully maintained. Due to the lingering effects of Covid there were only about 2,000 passengers aboard which enhanced the experience. The staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and pleasure.

Elegant Central Piazza with a three deck Atrium

All cabins have a supremely comfortable Princess Luxury Bed, dreamy pillows, soft sheets and block-out curtains, which virtually guarantee a good night’s sleep. We chose a mini-suite along with Club Class dining, where you can dine on your own schedule and enjoy expedited seating with no wait. Table for 6? . . . for us, that would be a NO Thank you!

Midship Mini Suite

After unpacking and feeling overjoyed at not to have to deal with a suitcase for a week, we celebrated in the Lounge with a cocktail and set sail just after Dinner. It felt great to be transiting on the water again. We will take the protected Inside Passage, all the way to Vancouver and make several stops along the way. We enjoyed flat seas for the entire passage of 1550 nautical miles (1783 statute miles).

Hubbard Glacier

Located in south-central Alaska, north of Yakutat, with its origins in Yukon Territory, Canada, Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. We arrived at Yakutat Bay in mid-afternoon and marveled at the Scenic Cruising with expert commentary by Naturalist Mark Harris.

Hubbard Glacier in Disenchantment Bay

While many other glaciers around the world are retreating, Hubbard Glacier continues to thicken and grow making it one of the best glaciers to see in Alaska. Hubbard calves nearly every day, making for dramatic views as ice crashes into the Bay.

A spectacular day was followed by a “formal” evening in our usual spot in the Dining Room where we enjoyed attentive, personal service and great selections from a special menu. Adrian and Christian were true professionals.

Glacier Bay

The following day, after a wonderful dinner and engaging ship entertainment, we attended a Glacier Bay Ranger Presentation where we learned of the massive tidewater glaciers of Glacier Bay National Park while we sailed through the fjords of the Inside Passage.

The 3.3 million acre Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO-listed treasure was astounding. We saw several tidewater glaciers tower hundreds of feet over the waterline and watch for “calving”. The native Tlingit call the sound “white thunder” when chunks of ice tear from a tidewater glacier and crash into the waters below. We were able to witness the amazing sight and sounds of this incredible phenomenon.

The magnificent Margerie Glacier is sure to impress with its dramatic blue spires. Beyond the ice, we saw towering snow-capped mountains, deep fjords and freshwater streams.

Icy Point Straight

Several landslides in June have closed the cruise ship dock in Skagway for the rest of the summer so Icy Point Straight was chose as an alternative a few weeks ago. We ended up booking an excursion with a private company for a Whale Adventure.

To get to Icy strait Whale Adventures we took a Green Transporter or gondola to the Adventure Hub boarded the excursion boat. Fortunately, it was only half-full and with only 25 passengers we got to view all of the action in comfort.

Humpback Whales are huge baleen whales that do most of their feeding in Alaska or Antartica. The females are typically over 45 feet long and weigh 35 tons. They travel great distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, more productive feeding grounds. 

Humpback Flukes are a unique identifier to a specific whale

Humpback whales are migratory and only eat during half of the year. During the feeding season, humpback whales actively feed for up to twenty-two hours a day. We saw groups of 15 or so whales engaging in a cooperative feeding method called “bubble-netting” where they corral their prey fish into a net of bubbles and then swim upwards to feed. It was an incredible cooperative effort!

Group of 40 foot Humpbacks feeding by Bubble-netting

In addition to the humpback whales, we saw several orcas, eagles, otters and plenty of sea lions.

Seal’s Beach

Seal’s Buoy

Juneau                                                                                                                       

Juneau Alaska stands on one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. After a relaxing breakfast, we had an 8:45 am meetup with the Princess Excursion Trolley to the Tongass Natural Forest and a trip to Mendenhall Glacier.

Tongass National Forest encompassing nearly 17 million acres of beautiful terrain  is the nation’s largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska. It surrounds the Inside Passage and offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska.

Mendenhall Glacier

We visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center  and along the 2 mile Nugget Falls Trail, we enjoyed views of this thirteen-mile-long river of ice and Nugget falls.

Nugget Falls and Mendenhall Glacier

The Trolley dropped us off in downtown Juneau, we then took the Goldbelt Tram to the top of the ridge about 1800 feet high and spent some time on the observation deck.

At the summit we watched a Tlingit film to learn of the local culture. The Tlingit maintained a complex hunter-gatherer culture based management of fisheries. Tlingit means “people of the tides”. . . no wonder, tides in Alaska can range up to 40 feet.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is dubbed the “Rain Capital of Alaska,” and the forecast can be chilly and wet, but we were pleasantly surprised to encounter relatively warm weather at 65 degrees and more sun than we’ve seen since we left Sarasota. Ketchikan is one of the rainiest cities in America and receives about 150 inches of rain a year, 260% more rain than the national average.

We walked into town and booked a 2 hour trolley tour on our own. Describing itself as the “Salmon Capital of the World”, we stopped by a nearby creek and saw Salmon swimming upstream along a ladder, but not before we rode past Dolly’s House of ill repute. We then meandered on the rustic road to a waterfall by the side of the road.

We attempted to view bears in a stream feeding. . . no luck, but we did see several Eagles showing off their aerial skills over the water.

Back on the ship, we enjoyed lunch and then Robin visited to the spa for a mani and a massage, while I relaxed in the cafe for some serious people watching and Alaska research.

SEA DAY

Seas days are great. . . time to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship.

The day started out foggy and 55 , then partly sunny on our way to Vancouver. After a late wakeup and coffee we had a leisurely lunch at Club Class. We avoid any buffet if possible, the food looks great, but I skeev it. We then enjoyed lounging peacefully at a private cabana in The Hollywood Conservatory, an enclosed quiet retreat 150 feet above the water. After dinner, we retreated to the room to finish packing and have bags ready to go by 9 pm.

Vancouver

Vancouver Port is the largest in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. To enter the harbour we had to clear the Lion’s Gate bridge which has clearance height of only 200 feet. The Majestic princess is a bit higher and we had to pass below the bridge at low tide, 3 am.

Majestic Princess at the Vancouver Dock Downtown.

We disembarked after breakfast at 9:15am in what can only be described as efficient, cordial and timely. We found our bags with no problem and within minutes we were checked into the Fairmont Hotel by 9:45! Easiest ever.

Fairmont Hotel, timeless elegance since 1939

Vancouver is Canada’s third-largest city, a cosmopolitan place with a European feel and a personality all its own. It’s also the city where Robin and I were engaged in 1991, so it has special meaning for us. It’s a community with a rich ethnic mix – including the second-largest Chinatown in North America – and stunningly beautiful parks.

We took a stroll to Gastown, as we did 32 years ago, and noticed some things have changed. It is a mix of hip restaurants and trendy boutiques and tattoo parlors and poverty.

Gastown, Vancouver BC

We thoroughly enjoyed lunch at the Local Public eatery in the heart of Gastown and marvelled at the number of attractive ladies with total arm and/or leg ink, not to mention the facial jewelry. Our waitress had so much facial jewelry she looked like a wind chime with legs!

We enjoyed much that the city has to offer, including Stanley Park. This magnificent green oasis in the midst of the urban landscape of Vancouver was only a 30 minute walk from our hotel. We admired the unique architectural features of the buildings and the prolific gardens along the way.

The 1,000 acre Stanley Park features natural West Coast rainforest,  scenic views of water, mountains, and majestic trees along the Seawall.

A trip to Stanley Park wouldn’t be complete with out a trip to the magnificent Aquarium. The Beluga Whales and Orcas are no longer in residence, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

After a light dinner and packing for the last time, we turned in early to prepare for the 3:30am wakeup. Rang for the bellhop at 4:30; airport by 5:00am; porter then took bags to the gate, then to US customs, conveniently located here in Canada; through global entry security, then used the US global entry kiosk and off to the agent to present receipts, passport & boarding pass. Now, on the US terminal. The entire process was completed in 30 minutes. Whew! We were at the gate at 5:30am for the 7:30 am flight. Looks like we allowed enough time. . .

We hope you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to having you join us for another adventure.

Blue Danube River Cruise

The Blue Danube

The Danube  River, over 1,700 miles long, is the second longest river in Europe, after the Volga  in Russia. It flows through much of Central and Southeastern Europe from the Black Forest in Germany into the Black Sea.

On the Danube, Regensburg, Germany

The Danube was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today is the river running through the largest number of countries in the world (10; the Nile is second with 9). The largest cities on the river are Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava, all of which are the capitals of their respective countries.

Along the “river of kings” you find medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals, charming riverside villages, the Imperial treasures of the Habsburgs, lush Wachau valley vineyards and the music of Mozart and other masters. 

From Prague to Budapest, castles of all descriptions have watched over the landscape from their royal perches for centuries. This 12-day journey featured a 7-night Danube cruise, a private dinner in Lobkowicz Palace, a stroll in Medieval Regensburg, Baroque Salzburg and charming Bratislava. We visited historic Cathedrals in many cities and atop Budapest’s Castle Hill. We also visited the very room were Mozart was born and explored Vienna’s opulent Schönbrunn Palace. Of special note, we celebrated our 30th wedding Anniversary with an exclusive evening of Imperial entertainment the Palais Pallavicini, a private palace in Vienna. It was definitely a cruise to remember.

Getting there was a story in itself. Traveling through the Covid era, as you know, has presented challenges. We were actually in Indonesia in the early days of Covid in March of 2020. At that time, there were no vaccine or mask requirements, although we wore masks and disinfected surfaces like obsessive, compulsive scullery maids. Since then, I have been on dive trips to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Belize and Costa Rica. In addition, Robin and I enjoyed a fantastic cruise on one of Princess’ newest ships which accepted only one half of the usual passenger list, due to Covid. I have posted these on social media, but have not posted on Bobamala.com since 2019. Welcome Back!

Preparation for this trip required that you be fully Vaxed and Boosted and show a negative PCR Covid test 72 hrs prior to arrival in the Czech Republic. Just last week, masks were required on all flights and airports. After all of these precautions, including masking at the hotels, on the ship and coaches and even on the streets in Germany and Austria, Covid testing prior to our return home to the US rendered some amazing results. I’ll detail the findings later.

St Vitus Cathedral, Prague

We chose Tauck Tours for the Danube Trip as they are top-rated for this itinerary. Their representative met us at the Prague airport in Czechia and whisked us to the Prague Marriott Hotel in the heart of the city near Old town Square. We were traveling with our neighbors and friends Tony and Annie, who were also enticed by the itinerary. Now settled into our rooms, we relaxed a bit and then walked a few blocks along the cobblestone streets for dinner at the Cafe Imperial, which has been the most famous and most popular “Grand Cafe House” and restaurant in Prague for the past 100 years. It was once frequented by the writer Franz Kafka, composer Leos Janacek and many other eminent guests.

Original Art Noveau ceramic wall tiling and mosaic ceiling from 1914 were breathtaking and crowned by large street windows. The service was professional and attentive even when Robin asked for her aperitif, “Pussy Food” . . . a unique combination of orange juice, lime juice and pomegranate syrup. It was presented in a cocktail glass, so it’s not what you might think!

Cafe Imperial, Prague

The Cafe Imperial menu boasts traditional Czech cuisine with a modern twist, complemented by international items. Signature dishes such as Braised Veal Cheeks, Braised Shank of Lamb or Imperial Cake will make you return for more.

We began the River Cruise early this evening with a Tauck Exclusive – a royal welcoming reception, tour and dinner at 16th-century Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. We were immersed in an evening of classical cultural treasures – music and art played an important role in the aristocratic world of the Lobkowicz family.

Welcome Dinner at Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

The following day, we started the exploration of Prague with a walking tour through Prague’s ethereal Old Town, including a visit to the city’s poignant Jewish sites in the historic Jewish Quarter. The Jewish community in Prague can trace its origins all the way back to the late 10th century, but to call its history tumultuous would be an understatement. Some 1,500 Jewish citizens of Prague were massacred in April of 1389 , in one of the most horrific examples of Bohemian anti-Semitism in Medieval times, but by the 18th century, the Czech capital was home to more Jews than anywhere else on the planet.

Now home to a poignant memorial to the lives lost during the Holocaust is the Pinkas Synagogue, the second-oldest in the city. All of the walls are taken up with names of 78,000 Holocaust victims, giving their names, date of birth and date of death or transportation to the concentration camps. The memorial is the longest epitaph in the world, but the total list of victims is much longer.

Pinkas Synagogue Epitaph
Names of Czech Jews that perished in Concentration Camps like Terezin, 30 miles north of Prague
Jewish Cemetery, resting place for over 100,000 souls

Our tour continued past the Old Town Square. The Astronomical Clock located in the Old Town Hall was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation. The clock shows the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, Earth and Zodiac constellations. It also tells time, date and a little theater every hour for its viewers every hour on the hour.

Astronomical Clock, installed in 1410

In the afternoon, we visited the Castle district including the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle’s complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens; the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus which is the largest and the most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here. The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops.

St. Vitus Cathedral

We were free that evening to sample the culinary pleasures of Prague at Gambero Rosso a wonderful Italian restaurant a few blocks away from the hotel. We passed on the best schnitzels, goulashes, strudels, dumplings and chose pasta and pizza instead. Wonderful!!

Robin and I with Tony and Annie at Gombero Rosso
Robin ready to river cruise

Regensburg

We departed Prague this morning and traveled to the quintessential Bavarian town of Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to Roman days. Here we explore this treasure-trove of history on foot enjoying the many shops and quaint narrow cobblestone streets.

Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
Regensburg

Touring sure improved our appetites and since none of us speak German, our native Bavarian waitress patiently explained the menu by pointed to an item, then we all engaged in a game of charades. . . Lots of laughs and I ended up with a great local beer and Pork schnitzel. . . not what I though I ordered, but I’d do it again!

We departed Regensburg and continue on to Vilshofen, where we boarded our riverboat the MS Joy to launch our 7-night Danube cruise. At 443 feet with a shallow draft of 4 feet, she was built for river cruising. Most ships of this size carry 160 guests, but Tauck limits this to 130 for a more comfortable experience. For this trip, due to Covid and other factors, we had only 67 guests and 30 crew.

Upper Level Stateroom included a large bath and a walk-in closet

The Welcome Reception included cocktails and introduction of Captain and crew, which was followed by dinner in the spacious Dining Room. We then settled into our cabin as we embarked on our river journey. After a restful night, we admired the views from the windows of our cabin we glided along the mighty Danube . Our first port of call was Engelhartszell, a pretty town on the Danube in Upper Austria.

Engelhartszell

We visited a local private home built in 1598 and owned by the Klein family since 1743. We were greeted by the extremely engaging sisters who run the former stable and inn as a bed and breakfast. We enjoyed an informative tour and a history lesson, as well as, taste of local cake and liqueur.

Klein Family Bed and Breakfast

We then joined a walking tour of town including 18th-century Engelhartszell Abbey. Engelszell Abbey church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive church in the Rococo style, with a tower 76 meters high.

In 1925, Engelszell Abbey was occupied and re-founded as a Trappist monastery by refugee German monks. In 1939, the abbey was confiscated by the Gestapo and the community, numbering 73, evicted. Four monks were sent to Dachau Concentration Camp, while others were imprisoned elsewhere or drafted into the German Army. At the end of the war in 1945, only about a third of the previous community returned. At present, there is only one monk in residence.

After a tour of the Abbey, the gardens and an aquarium with species native to the Danube, we returned to the Ship for lunch and a leisurely meandering cruise as we sailed through the Danube Valley. An optional 26 mile Bike ride was offered this afternoon, but with 45 – 50 degree temperatures, I passed. Florida has spoiled me. If the temperature drops below 50, I don’t even go outside to get the paper!

We did attend a very special Chef’s signature dinner that evening after our arrival in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. We sampled the fantastic menu and enjoyed the special treatment.

Salzburg

The MS Joy stayed docked in Linz as we had a full-day excursions to Salzburg (Austria). A setting for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is enticing with its Baroque architecture, painted wrought-iron signage, ornate church towers, and grand palaces. The walking tour explored Old Town and Mirabell Gardens, we then had time on our own to have lunch and tour Mozart’s Birthplace.

Old Town Salzburg with MCD

As you know, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January, 1756 – December, 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical Period. Despite his short life of 35 years, his rapid pace of composition resulted in more than 800 works of virtually every genre of his time. Mozart is among the greatest composers in the history of Western music, with music admired for its “melodic beauty, its formal elegance and its richness of harmony and texture”.

Mozart’s Birthplace
First evidence of Mozart’s work, 1802
Cafe Tomaselli , 1703, a Mozart hangout

We took some time to browse the museum then do some window shopping. Along the way we stopped to warm up with some cappuccino and a light lunch at an historic cafe.

Wachau Valley cruise to Dürnstein

We continued cruising through the Wachau Valley which is one of the spectacular winemaking regions of the world. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. We docked in Dürnstein for a closer look at its 16th-century Baroque houses and 13th-century Romanesque church on a walking tour along cobblestone streets. We also saw the ruins of Kuenringerburg, a hilltop castle above the town where Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades. 

Vineyards of the Wachau Valley
Durnstein
Kuenringerburg Castle, where crusader Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned and held for ransom

Vienna

We arrived overnight in Vienna, Austria, and toured of the Hapsburgs’ Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure. It was the main summer residence of the Hapsburg rulers. The 1,441-room Rococo palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Hapsburg monarchs.

Schönbrunn Palace

We then enjoyed a walking tour of medieval Vienna. Later, nothing compared to the royal treatment and pageantry we experienced at our private Imperial Evening in the Palais Pallavicini, an opulent, private Viennese palace that played a role in the 1940s film noir classic The Third Man. Welcome cocktails and dinner precede an unforgettable spectacle of beautiful ball gowns and a musical performance celebrating the legacy of Mozart. What an incredible way to celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

Palais Pallaivicini
The Happy Couple Celebrating their 30th!
Marvelous Ballet and Opera Performances

Vienna sightseeing & on to Slovakia

The next day we took the “Imperial City Walk” through one of the largest Palace complexes in the world. Originally a medieval fortified castle dating from the 13th century, The Imperial Palace was continually expanded by the each Hapsburg emperor. The sprawling, asymmetric complex which extends over 240,000 m² consists of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms in which nearly 5,000 people still work and live today. Since 1279 the Hofburg area has been the documented seat of government.

You may recognize the Neue Burg balcony in the center of the photo, where in March of 1938 Adolph Hitler proclaimed to the crowd of over 200,000 cheering German Austrians that his homeland, Austria, was now part of the German Reich.
Hofburg Palace

Our tour continued on in medieval Vienna to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the structure was originated in the 1368 and continued to 1433. The Cathedral’s massive south tower is its highest point and a dominant feature of the Vienna skyline. It has many outstanding features including 18 altars, icons, tombs, catacombs and crypts. The interior is truly breathtaking.

St Stephan’s Cathedral stock photo

Baroque in Bratislava

We began the day with a Tauck Exclusive – a presentation by a local guide that takes you inside contemporary Slovakia and Bratislava for a look at politics, the economy, religion, the social order, preservation and emergence of the arts, and more. Then, as the weather is now improving with a glimpse of sunshine, we had a pleasant walking tour of this cobblestoned, vehicle-free city, where we saw 17 centuries of history chronicled in sites including its 13th-century Old Town Hall, Baroque Hapsburg-era palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral.

Slovak National Theatre
St. Martin’s Cathedral
Old Town Hall, built in 1370
Enjoying a local cafe
13th Century Bratislava Castle

Wheelhouse visit

After a great visit to the charming city of Bratislava, which also is an important manufacturing center, I took some time to visit the Captain in the Wheelhouse. Captain Marinescu has the latest in Navigation aids that helped him guide us the 374 miles from Vilshofen, Bavaria to Budapest, Hungary. Along the way we transited 11 locks each of which descended 36 to 65 feet. Great job Captain!

The river Cruise ended the next morning in Budapest, Hungary, which is split into the sections of Buda and Pest. We disembarked the riverboat and bid the crew farewell, then explored the city’s Buda side with a visit to the historic Covered Market and a walking tour of Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Covered Market Hall with an amazing selection of fruits, vegetables, specialty meats from specialized butcher shops, pastries, spices and spirits, not to mention clothing, handcrafts and souvenirs.

Buda, Capitol Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion

Matthias Church
St. Matthias, roof detail

We admired the stained glass windows, the incredible detail and the centuries of history in Matthias Church and then were awed by the views from Fishermen’s Bastion with its Neo-Romanesque design. After lunch at a local café, we transferred to the city-center Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Panoramic view of Budapest from Fisherman’s Bastion from Castle Hill in Buda

We had a seamless check-in at the Ritz-Carlton on Elizabeth Square smack dab in city center Budapest. The hotel staff greeted us warmly and we settled in and prepared to get ready for dinner.

What’s not to like about the Ritz?

We chose to dine at Rezkakas (Copper Rooster) a local Hungarian Restaurant which offered live traditional music, as well as, Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist. Of course, I had to go with the braised veal cheeks! The music was lively and how can you go wrong with a good veal cheek?

On the walk back to the hotel, we passed through Elizabeth Square and there it was, the Budapest Eye, the enclosed ferris wheel that serves as a city landmark. At over 200 feet high, it affords great views of the City.

Budapest is split into the sections of Buda and Pest by the Danube River. In the morning, we explored the Pest side of the city on a tour including a special visit to the opulent State Opera House, opened in 1884, with its royal boxes, gilded vaulted ceiling, exquisite murals and three-ton chandelier.

Hungarian State Opera House
Royal Entrance
Royal Boxes
Theatre ceiling detail
Opera Main Entrance Hall

Our tour continued to City Park and Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary. The walking tour focused on the Hungarian Revolution and includes the Parliament building and the Embassy.

Parliament Building
Ronald Reagan is a popular figure in Hungary
Vaci Street, Fashion street in central Pest

Budapest has acquired quite an excellent reputation for its cuisine and tonight’s special farewell dinner is at the grand Akadémia Club in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Hungarian Academy of the Sciences

And so after 14 days of traveling by air, bus, boat and car we are returning to the US, but not before our required Covid testing. Of the 67 travelers about 60 were tested, as others were extending their trip elsewhere. Over 20 tested positive for Covid and had to be remain in Budapest for 5 days, or until they tested negative. Fortunately, we were the lucky ones!

We were able to complete our journey home through Munich, then Dulles and finally Tampa without a hitch. The long flights can be quite pleasant, if you are able to get assistance from the appropriate medications. We returned home with pleasant memories and an appreciation for the wonderful treasures and complex history of Central Europe. We can heartily recommend this Danube itinerary and the Tauck Tour Company.

A perfect day on Vorosmarty Square, Budapest. Definitely a Bobamala favorite!