Yesterday, the 28th February was our Olympics day. I discover something new about myself every day on this voyage and yesterday I knew I was not a 'joiner'. The intensity of enthusiasm generated by these team sports cannot be reached any more by me...I am a willing observer at times but no longer a player. However it was fun to watch the young men and women showing enormous energy and talent as they performed their games; pass the orange (!), synchronised swimming, volley ball, mashed potato sculptures etc etc and I did take photographs. George did try to pass the orange but had great difficulty passing it on after successfully taking it....he blames the bearded prof who was on the receiving end!
I have also discovered how much at times I enjoy my own company, just reading or sea gazing. This often happens when I am supposed to be learning lines for the play! Twas ever thus...I remember darning socks (this dates me!) when I was supposed to be swotting for my nursing exams or tidying drawers which I never willingly did at any other time!
We were lucky with the weather yesterday...touch wood the Indian Ocean is being beautifully calm and the atmosphere is hot and humid on the decks. (Everywhere else is over-air conditioned. Hence the rash of upper respiratory infections.)
There was an incredibly dramatic sunset last night yellow going to orange and on to a deep ruby red. Huge clouds added to the myriad of colours to which photographs will never do justice but I did take some. I am having great difficulty adding photos to my blog at the moment....apologies. i shall continue to try.
Our 'family' are visiting us in our cabin at 5 pm tonight just for a chat and catch-up. We have been so busy since Namibia there really hasn't been time to keep in touch. It will be interesting to hear what they did in our three ports and what their feelings are about this great adventure.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Mauritius
Mauritius is a picturesque volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. It has strangely shaped volcanic peaks round the coast and houses climb the slopes and are dotted in the rich green of the forests. We arrived in the capital Port Louis just before sunrise and George to my amazement grabbed the camera and rushed up on deck to record the pink sky and our arrival. There are a few sky scrapers and infuriating traffic jams in the city and environs...that surprised me because the total population of the island is only 1.2 million but they are mostly in the urban area of the port. Mauritius has English as its official language but everyone speaks French, English and Creole and the French influence has remained very strong. Road signs are in both French and English.
We spent our day at the Isle de deux Cocos (the isle of two cocnuts!) which was an inspired choice. A bus drove us to the South East end of the island this morning, and once we left the town we drove through lush sugar cane and banana plantations with the strange dark peaks always in the back ground. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the sea when we approached the southern coast was various shades of turquoise. Oh I forgot to say that it was hot!! We were all armed with sun block, insect repellent (OFF with Deet) against mosquitoes and malaria (low risk), beach towels, sun hats and glasses, bottles of water and our bathing suits....or should I say bikinis which all the young women were wearing....pas moi! You see we were off to this private island in a glass bottomed boat.
We were greeted as we landed by a tall East Indian gentleman who pointed us to the chaises longues under the trees (Casuerina I think). There were huge tents with cushioned couches inside and long tables set with silver and wine glasses spread out in the shade. It all looked VERY welcoming. Especially as we had sailed through a storm last night and none of us had slept well.
The grown-ups (we really do feel like it!) parked our belongings on the chaises and explored the island. There were boats to take us snorkeling and a beach for swimming in the luke warm water. The coral was magnificent; Cauliflower and antler shaped, great flat mushroom topped and dark green algii competing for space and life. There seemed to be a dearth of brightly coloured tropical fish and we saw mainly what I call striped "zebra fish" and a few softly coloured other species no one could name. Not as exotic as the reef around St Martin in the Carribean. We were in a lagoon and in the distance were white foaming breakers which crashed against the surrounding coral rocks. There was a Moroccan styled villa on our island built round a courtyard which one could rent for $3000 a night and it had a smallish blue swimming pool. We were told that the whole island had been reserved for us and only us. There were about 50 of us altogether but only 6 'adults'!
Needless to say the whole day was a dream come true. We lazed, swam and snorkelled; we ate delicious barbecued fish, shrimps, cray fish and lamb with colourful salads followed by dishes of tropical fruits...pineapple, paw paw, hot bananas cooked with rum and brown sugar and passion fruit. None of us wanted to leave but all good things come to an end and we slowly boarded our boats and buses to return to the ship.
We came aboard to our air conditioned cabins with reluctance and then made our way to our own supper barbecue out on the 6th deck. We sat and relished the tropical air and watched the sunset. We were not supposed to sail until 10 pm but for once we left early and are well under way as I write.
Tomorrow is our Olympics....cheerleaders and all, US style! Some of us may lie low! I did enter my name for the mashed potato sculpture contest but they wouldn't have me. Disappointing as I couldn't wait to get my hands into the mixture and create some masterpiece...but it is their loss is it not and perhaps the world's, who knows?!
We are both tired and as the sea seems calm and the ship travelling at a 'sane' pace we should certainly attempt to get some shut eye.....but we could all have done with alot more Mauritius!
We spent our day at the Isle de deux Cocos (the isle of two cocnuts!) which was an inspired choice. A bus drove us to the South East end of the island this morning, and once we left the town we drove through lush sugar cane and banana plantations with the strange dark peaks always in the back ground. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the sea when we approached the southern coast was various shades of turquoise. Oh I forgot to say that it was hot!! We were all armed with sun block, insect repellent (OFF with Deet) against mosquitoes and malaria (low risk), beach towels, sun hats and glasses, bottles of water and our bathing suits....or should I say bikinis which all the young women were wearing....pas moi! You see we were off to this private island in a glass bottomed boat.
We were greeted as we landed by a tall East Indian gentleman who pointed us to the chaises longues under the trees (Casuerina I think). There were huge tents with cushioned couches inside and long tables set with silver and wine glasses spread out in the shade. It all looked VERY welcoming. Especially as we had sailed through a storm last night and none of us had slept well.
The grown-ups (we really do feel like it!) parked our belongings on the chaises and explored the island. There were boats to take us snorkeling and a beach for swimming in the luke warm water. The coral was magnificent; Cauliflower and antler shaped, great flat mushroom topped and dark green algii competing for space and life. There seemed to be a dearth of brightly coloured tropical fish and we saw mainly what I call striped "zebra fish" and a few softly coloured other species no one could name. Not as exotic as the reef around St Martin in the Carribean. We were in a lagoon and in the distance were white foaming breakers which crashed against the surrounding coral rocks. There was a Moroccan styled villa on our island built round a courtyard which one could rent for $3000 a night and it had a smallish blue swimming pool. We were told that the whole island had been reserved for us and only us. There were about 50 of us altogether but only 6 'adults'!
Needless to say the whole day was a dream come true. We lazed, swam and snorkelled; we ate delicious barbecued fish, shrimps, cray fish and lamb with colourful salads followed by dishes of tropical fruits...pineapple, paw paw, hot bananas cooked with rum and brown sugar and passion fruit. None of us wanted to leave but all good things come to an end and we slowly boarded our boats and buses to return to the ship.
We came aboard to our air conditioned cabins with reluctance and then made our way to our own supper barbecue out on the 6th deck. We sat and relished the tropical air and watched the sunset. We were not supposed to sail until 10 pm but for once we left early and are well under way as I write.
Tomorrow is our Olympics....cheerleaders and all, US style! Some of us may lie low! I did enter my name for the mashed potato sculpture contest but they wouldn't have me. Disappointing as I couldn't wait to get my hands into the mixture and create some masterpiece...but it is their loss is it not and perhaps the world's, who knows?!
We are both tired and as the sea seems calm and the ship travelling at a 'sane' pace we should certainly attempt to get some shut eye.....but we could all have done with alot more Mauritius!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The night before Mauritius
Thursday, 26th February.
Today has been very speedy but rough sailing; we have been doing at least 27 knots and that's fast! We have rolled and pitched and alot of folk are sea sick or queazy, including George. I seem to be fine thank goodness. The weather has become hot and humid and it is wonderful eating out on deck behind the dining room.
George taught as usual at 8 am and I did my theatre (Shakespeare) class after our mandatory Global study lectures. There were two speakers and the subject was coral reefs which we shall be seeing tomorrow. The first was horribly technical/scientific but the second was informative and fun. Unfortunately the world's reefs are shrinking and being destroyed by a number of things including fishing, especially if dynamite is used! Also of course various chemicals are changing the under sea ecology and some reefs are simply dying and disintegrating. Apparently this is true of both the Hawaiian and Mauritian reefs....we visit Hawaii at the end of our voyage.
I had my first ever pedicure this afternoon; if you haven't tried it do. I don't recognise my feet! Lovely red nails. George had his yesterday and keeps staring at his feet in wonder....are these really mine?! Who'd have thunk it?
After our pre-port briefing tonight we had a rehearsal in the Union where we shall be performing The Persians. I have mentioned the vibrating ceiling in there before....well tonight the sound effects as the ship literally bumped along were like thunder and we were staggering around like drunks...really dramatic stuff!
George and I are going to the beach tomorrow on an islet off Mauritius called L'isle de deux cocos/ We shall be seeing the coral reef both snorkelling and in a glass bottomed boat. We are only docked for one day and leave again tomorrow evening at 10 pm....we all wish it was much longer.
Shall hope to have some photos for you. It is not always possible to use our computers so it may take a day or two.
Good night from the tropics!
Today has been very speedy but rough sailing; we have been doing at least 27 knots and that's fast! We have rolled and pitched and alot of folk are sea sick or queazy, including George. I seem to be fine thank goodness. The weather has become hot and humid and it is wonderful eating out on deck behind the dining room.
George taught as usual at 8 am and I did my theatre (Shakespeare) class after our mandatory Global study lectures. There were two speakers and the subject was coral reefs which we shall be seeing tomorrow. The first was horribly technical/scientific but the second was informative and fun. Unfortunately the world's reefs are shrinking and being destroyed by a number of things including fishing, especially if dynamite is used! Also of course various chemicals are changing the under sea ecology and some reefs are simply dying and disintegrating. Apparently this is true of both the Hawaiian and Mauritian reefs....we visit Hawaii at the end of our voyage.
I had my first ever pedicure this afternoon; if you haven't tried it do. I don't recognise my feet! Lovely red nails. George had his yesterday and keeps staring at his feet in wonder....are these really mine?! Who'd have thunk it?
After our pre-port briefing tonight we had a rehearsal in the Union where we shall be performing The Persians. I have mentioned the vibrating ceiling in there before....well tonight the sound effects as the ship literally bumped along were like thunder and we were staggering around like drunks...really dramatic stuff!
George and I are going to the beach tomorrow on an islet off Mauritius called L'isle de deux cocos/ We shall be seeing the coral reef both snorkelling and in a glass bottomed boat. We are only docked for one day and leave again tomorrow evening at 10 pm....we all wish it was much longer.
Shall hope to have some photos for you. It is not always possible to use our computers so it may take a day or two.
Good night from the tropics!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Dinner with a Hotel Manager and Captain
Wed. Feb 25th
Coordinates:
Time: 08.40
Speed: 26.6 knots
Lat: 29 degrees 12.18 S
Lon: 038 degrees 17.1 E
Course: 74 derees
Well dinner with the Captain was delicious and beautifully presented. We sat with our German hotel manager, he is in any case a Chef and is responsible for feeding us all. He told us how and what they are able to pick up from various ports; for example they had had to get rid of alot of peanut butter from the States so had picked up more in cape Town. Our very excellent racks of lamb last night were from New Zealand and the precious bananas we have been given in the last two days have actually been brought all the way from the States at various stages of greeness and ripening!
We had base ball 'nuts' at our table and a sports fanatic librarian (a delightful young woman) and our conversation veered between Stephan's (our 'officer' hotel manager) family in Thailand and baseball; great teams, plays and players, curling, tennis, soccer, American football and basket ball. It was hilarious at times, partiularly in discussion of the Beckhams in the States and the number of foreign players in British soccer teams....apparently George's team, Arsenal, doesn't have one UK player! Stephan told us about the fact that Boris Becker has had money problems and is hardly spoken of in Germany any more after being their great hero but there was all round respect and admiration for Andre Agassi and Stephi Graaf (? spelling) for all the good works they do for disabled and disadvantaged children. I boasted about our Scottish/British tennis player Andy Murray (grandson of a school friend) who is now the great white hope of British tennis and could possibly win Wimbledon. he certainly has the killer instinct lacking in Tim Henman...right? You can understand why Stephan's eyes glazed over at times!
We are about half way between the South African coast and the southern tip of Madagascar according to our TV map and speeing along at over 27 knots....not for nothing is this called the fastest ship in the world. We are hoping to catch up on the hours we lost in Cape Town. Global studies today was a fascinating talk about Mauritius and the Dodo, a large (rather stupid) bird now extinct....by the hand of homo (not so) sapiens. Also heard abput the formation of islands in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Mauritius, like Hawaii is volcanic.
I am sitting looking out of the balcony door as I type. The sea is bright blue, white capped and swishing loudly past the ship; there are puff balls of clouds in a watery blue sky...will I ever be able to sleep again without this wonderful sound?!
Coordinates:
Time: 08.40
Speed: 26.6 knots
Lat: 29 degrees 12.18 S
Lon: 038 degrees 17.1 E
Course: 74 derees
Well dinner with the Captain was delicious and beautifully presented. We sat with our German hotel manager, he is in any case a Chef and is responsible for feeding us all. He told us how and what they are able to pick up from various ports; for example they had had to get rid of alot of peanut butter from the States so had picked up more in cape Town. Our very excellent racks of lamb last night were from New Zealand and the precious bananas we have been given in the last two days have actually been brought all the way from the States at various stages of greeness and ripening!
We had base ball 'nuts' at our table and a sports fanatic librarian (a delightful young woman) and our conversation veered between Stephan's (our 'officer' hotel manager) family in Thailand and baseball; great teams, plays and players, curling, tennis, soccer, American football and basket ball. It was hilarious at times, partiularly in discussion of the Beckhams in the States and the number of foreign players in British soccer teams....apparently George's team, Arsenal, doesn't have one UK player! Stephan told us about the fact that Boris Becker has had money problems and is hardly spoken of in Germany any more after being their great hero but there was all round respect and admiration for Andre Agassi and Stephi Graaf (? spelling) for all the good works they do for disabled and disadvantaged children. I boasted about our Scottish/British tennis player Andy Murray (grandson of a school friend) who is now the great white hope of British tennis and could possibly win Wimbledon. he certainly has the killer instinct lacking in Tim Henman...right? You can understand why Stephan's eyes glazed over at times!
We are about half way between the South African coast and the southern tip of Madagascar according to our TV map and speeing along at over 27 knots....not for nothing is this called the fastest ship in the world. We are hoping to catch up on the hours we lost in Cape Town. Global studies today was a fascinating talk about Mauritius and the Dodo, a large (rather stupid) bird now extinct....by the hand of homo (not so) sapiens. Also heard abput the formation of islands in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Mauritius, like Hawaii is volcanic.
I am sitting looking out of the balcony door as I type. The sea is bright blue, white capped and swishing loudly past the ship; there are puff balls of clouds in a watery blue sky...will I ever be able to sleep again without this wonderful sound?!
Sailing on
George and me as we sailed out of Cape Town.
We have finally left the coast of Africa. We sailed very close to the Transkei coast all the way up to East London. Here are our present coordinates Liam & Katie.
Date: Tues. 24th February
Lat: 30 degrees 48.7 S
Long: 031 degrees 49.8 E
Course 73 degrees
Speed 26.6 knots
Time: 18.52
So we are sailing now towards Madagascar, where I truly wish we could stop and explore. It's a unique island with its own eco system. We shall be sailing past the Maldives also on our way to Mauritius. It is felt that the Maldives will gradually disappear and be covered with water with global warming.
It was sad to see the last of Africa; there are a few of us "Africans" on board all feeling bereft and sad. I had hoped we might sail near Durban because we could so easily see the little sea side towns of the Transkei but no such luck, we turned to starboard and headed away from the "green hills of Africa".
Have just read in the SA news that the fires whose smoke was covering Cape Town as we left were burning in the suburb of Somerset West. I used to go horse riding there as a child and it is where Rita Maas my drama teacher lived until she died....we spent holidays there and loved it. In those days it seemed alot further out of Cape Town than it is now....hope not too much damage is done.
We have been invited to dinner with the Captain tonight which starts late and is cocktails followed by a many course dinner. So we have been up in the faculty lounge talking with a friend, Dee Bird, who ran the Peninsular Marathon on Sunday from Simonstown in a circular very uphill route. She is feeling pain and stiffness in her thighs but also a great deal of pride that she finished it. Chris she was definitely coming back to SA next year to run the Comrades (unltra marathon) but after talking to some of the runners has changed her mind and says it is way too long and togh...I remember it was one of your ambitions too.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Cape Town continued
To continue and to give Liam and Katie our coordinates:
Date Monday 23rd Feb.
Time: 18:21
Speed: 23 knots
Lat: 35 degrees 5.59 S
Long: 021 degrees 44.88 degrees E
We have rounded the "Cape of Storms" (or of Good Hope depending on your point of vew!)in a strong South Easterly wind so big seas and have now also passed Cape Agulas the most southerly point of the African continent. I last did this journey in the opposite direction sailing from Mumbai (Bombay) to Cape Town when I was the same age as you Katie, with my Mummy and Daddy; Grandad has never been so far south before.
We are very close to the coast of South Africa because we're seeing birds (which means we're near land) and some people have seen whales but unfortunately I have missed those.
On our last day in Cape Town we took a group of students to the Wine disreict seeing (to be academic) the huge and rather beautiful Afrikaaners Monument in Paarl which was designed and built in the 70's, then on to the Afrikaans Language Museum which was closed because it was Sunday (I heaved a sigh of relief) and then we drove to my favourite old Dutch Manor House and vineyard, Boschendal, between Paarl and Stellenbosch. We looked through the beautiful graceful Dutch house and then had lunch under the massive oaks lining the long avenue leading up to it.
After that it was on to Stellenbosch a very attractive Afrikaans university town which G. and I have stayed in twice and like very much. There are very old houses lining the streets, oak trees, a large square common ground and of course the famous Afrikaaans university of Stellenbosch. There are some gorgeous shops (boutique style) and many places and restaurants where you can do wine tasting....which we did. We sat with the students and gave them an idea how to do it..looking for bouquet, 'legs', flavour and NOT spitting it out! We each had 6 small glasses, about a third full; 3 whites and 3 reds. We marked them for excellence and compared notes...great fun!
We drove back to the ship expecting to sail at 8 pm last night. However because of the very high winds it was dangerous to get out of the narrow harbour entrance so we were still there when we aawoke this morning...a lovely surprise for me. Sadly there were forest fires behind devils peak and there was a smell of burning and thick smoke. My daughters will remember that when my mother sailed to India and left me in my boarding school which was half way up Table Mountain there were forest fires and she thought I might be burned to a cinder, When she reached Calcutta and my dad she thought there would be a pile of letters from me; there wasn't one! So my father had to cable to make sure I was still in one piece....we never to her dying day heard the last of that story, the ultimate guilt trip!! I thought of her when we eventually sailed out of Cape Town this morning.
I was terribly emotional last night at the thought of saying good bye to this beautiful city which had been my home for so many years so waking up and seeing the mountain again was a gift...I wonder if I'll ever go back?
Date Monday 23rd Feb.
Time: 18:21
Speed: 23 knots
Lat: 35 degrees 5.59 S
Long: 021 degrees 44.88 degrees E
We have rounded the "Cape of Storms" (or of Good Hope depending on your point of vew!)in a strong South Easterly wind so big seas and have now also passed Cape Agulas the most southerly point of the African continent. I last did this journey in the opposite direction sailing from Mumbai (Bombay) to Cape Town when I was the same age as you Katie, with my Mummy and Daddy; Grandad has never been so far south before.
We are very close to the coast of South Africa because we're seeing birds (which means we're near land) and some people have seen whales but unfortunately I have missed those.
On our last day in Cape Town we took a group of students to the Wine disreict seeing (to be academic) the huge and rather beautiful Afrikaaners Monument in Paarl which was designed and built in the 70's, then on to the Afrikaans Language Museum which was closed because it was Sunday (I heaved a sigh of relief) and then we drove to my favourite old Dutch Manor House and vineyard, Boschendal, between Paarl and Stellenbosch. We looked through the beautiful graceful Dutch house and then had lunch under the massive oaks lining the long avenue leading up to it.
After that it was on to Stellenbosch a very attractive Afrikaans university town which G. and I have stayed in twice and like very much. There are very old houses lining the streets, oak trees, a large square common ground and of course the famous Afrikaaans university of Stellenbosch. There are some gorgeous shops (boutique style) and many places and restaurants where you can do wine tasting....which we did. We sat with the students and gave them an idea how to do it..looking for bouquet, 'legs', flavour and NOT spitting it out! We each had 6 small glasses, about a third full; 3 whites and 3 reds. We marked them for excellence and compared notes...great fun!
We drove back to the ship expecting to sail at 8 pm last night. However because of the very high winds it was dangerous to get out of the narrow harbour entrance so we were still there when we aawoke this morning...a lovely surprise for me. Sadly there were forest fires behind devils peak and there was a smell of burning and thick smoke. My daughters will remember that when my mother sailed to India and left me in my boarding school which was half way up Table Mountain there were forest fires and she thought I might be burned to a cinder, When she reached Calcutta and my dad she thought there would be a pile of letters from me; there wasn't one! So my father had to cable to make sure I was still in one piece....we never to her dying day heard the last of that story, the ultimate guilt trip!! I thought of her when we eventually sailed out of Cape Town this morning.
I was terribly emotional last night at the thought of saying good bye to this beautiful city which had been my home for so many years so waking up and seeing the mountain again was a gift...I wonder if I'll ever go back?
Off Cape of |Good Hope in heavy seas
I am writing this to take my mind off the huge seas we are plowing through off The Cape of Good Hope. I was up in the faculty lounge reading but it was so high up and so far foreward that we felt each wave personally! Down here in the cabin, although we are forward it isn't quite so obvious!
Our time in South Africa has been wonderful for me and very good for George too. Unfortunately our computers all went on the blink so doing blogs was out of the question. I'll try to tell you everything in one fell swoop.
On the first morning I met with three school friends and we chatted into the afternoon, drinking capuccinos and muffins to die for. We sat only a few hundred yards from the ship in a beautiful Waterfront mall. This was lovely to walk around although expensive ideal for window shopping. Also a great bookshop so you can iagine I went a bit wild in there!
The next day George and I got a taxi to the Garden centre where we usually stay when in Cape Town. it is built above a much more 'realistic' mall which is also familiar and comfortable....Shongololoites will remember! Then we walked slowly down Government Avenue watching the people, the birds, the flowers and just generally breathing in the sunshine and warmth. Frances I thought of you and knew you would have loved to walk with us. We went into the retaurant, sat outside and read our books drinking rooibos and listening to the doves cooing...such an evocative sound fo me.
That night we ate out at the Karibu restaurant at the Waterfront with Pamela a lone traveller on SAS. Pam is hoping to get her husband and adopted Vietnamese daughter on board before we call in at Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam so that her daughter Tami might meet her older sister for the first time since she was adopted at 8 years old from an orphanage. (She is now 19). Pam is working from the ship end and her husband in the States with the university of Virginia but they are running into numerous road blocks so we shall have to keep our fingers crossed for all of them. Dinner was great, I love to eat fresh fish in Cape Town!
The next day we went to Bokap, the historic 'Malay' Quarter of Cape Town on the slope of Signal Hill to learn about Malay cookery which we both enjoy very much. We visited a family's home and Mum (Soraya) taught us to make samousas, pakoras, roti and a Malay chicken curry which we then proceeded to eat wih our fingers. You aren't supposed to use your left hand (they areMoslem and consider left hand 'dirty' ) but i'm afraid i had to being very Left handed.
The following day we rented a car and had an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and coolish, to wamder the Cape . We spent a few hours in Kirstenbosch. the botanical gardens which are world reknowned. The acres are set under Devils Peak and on hills but they are easy and picturesque to wander through.
Our time in South Africa has been wonderful for me and very good for George too. Unfortunately our computers all went on the blink so doing blogs was out of the question. I'll try to tell you everything in one fell swoop.
On the first morning I met with three school friends and we chatted into the afternoon, drinking capuccinos and muffins to die for. We sat only a few hundred yards from the ship in a beautiful Waterfront mall. This was lovely to walk around although expensive ideal for window shopping. Also a great bookshop so you can iagine I went a bit wild in there!
The next day George and I got a taxi to the Garden centre where we usually stay when in Cape Town. it is built above a much more 'realistic' mall which is also familiar and comfortable....Shongololoites will remember! Then we walked slowly down Government Avenue watching the people, the birds, the flowers and just generally breathing in the sunshine and warmth. Frances I thought of you and knew you would have loved to walk with us. We went into the retaurant, sat outside and read our books drinking rooibos and listening to the doves cooing...such an evocative sound fo me.
That night we ate out at the Karibu restaurant at the Waterfront with Pamela a lone traveller on SAS. Pam is hoping to get her husband and adopted Vietnamese daughter on board before we call in at Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam so that her daughter Tami might meet her older sister for the first time since she was adopted at 8 years old from an orphanage. (She is now 19). Pam is working from the ship end and her husband in the States with the university of Virginia but they are running into numerous road blocks so we shall have to keep our fingers crossed for all of them. Dinner was great, I love to eat fresh fish in Cape Town!
The next day we went to Bokap, the historic 'Malay' Quarter of Cape Town on the slope of Signal Hill to learn about Malay cookery which we both enjoy very much. We visited a family's home and Mum (Soraya) taught us to make samousas, pakoras, roti and a Malay chicken curry which we then proceeded to eat wih our fingers. You aren't supposed to use your left hand (they areMoslem and consider left hand 'dirty' ) but i'm afraid i had to being very Left handed.
The following day we rented a car and had an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and coolish, to wamder the Cape . We spent a few hours in Kirstenbosch. the botanical gardens which are world reknowned. The acres are set under Devils Peak and on hills but they are easy and picturesque to wander through.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tomorrow South Africa
Unfortunately I am unable to transfer some lovely photos I have from Walvis Bay so shall just have to be patient and keep trying.
We have a day at sea today full of information meetings about South Africa. We had a very knowledgeable panel of South Africans answering questions which I think was extremely helpful.
I am meeting 3 friends at a mall close to where we shall be anchored on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront tomorrow. Strange to think we were all 'boarders' together at St Cyprians so many years ago and are still in touch: Jean, Sally and Phillida. We slept in the same dorm., got up to the same mischief and did our obligatory punishments along side each other. We've travelled alot of miles since then and are yet stll very comfortable with each other. A true definition of friendship I think.
George and I shall be sleeping on board and going out on trips. he is taking students to the Afrikaans language Museum and then we're going on the the lovely old manor house Boschendal and having lunch and drinking their wine.
The ship has been ploughing through large swells on a mainly calm sea blowing the fog horn all morning but the sun has finally won the battle and we can now see blue sunny skies. i am hoping like mad that there won't be fog for our entry into Table Bay tomorrow; that would be such a disappointment.
Coordinates for Liam & Katie:
Tuesday 17th February...2 sleeps till your birthday Liam!
Time: 11.16
Speed: 21.3 knots
Lat: 27 degrees 34.5 S
Long: 015degrees 0.07 E
Course: 164 degrees
We have a day at sea today full of information meetings about South Africa. We had a very knowledgeable panel of South Africans answering questions which I think was extremely helpful.
I am meeting 3 friends at a mall close to where we shall be anchored on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront tomorrow. Strange to think we were all 'boarders' together at St Cyprians so many years ago and are still in touch: Jean, Sally and Phillida. We slept in the same dorm., got up to the same mischief and did our obligatory punishments along side each other. We've travelled alot of miles since then and are yet stll very comfortable with each other. A true definition of friendship I think.
George and I shall be sleeping on board and going out on trips. he is taking students to the Afrikaans language Museum and then we're going on the the lovely old manor house Boschendal and having lunch and drinking their wine.
The ship has been ploughing through large swells on a mainly calm sea blowing the fog horn all morning but the sun has finally won the battle and we can now see blue sunny skies. i am hoping like mad that there won't be fog for our entry into Table Bay tomorrow; that would be such a disappointment.
Coordinates for Liam & Katie:
Tuesday 17th February...2 sleeps till your birthday Liam!
Time: 11.16
Speed: 21.3 knots
Lat: 27 degrees 34.5 S
Long: 015degrees 0.07 E
Course: 164 degrees
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Goodnight from Walvis Bay
Africa does this to me every time; if we weren't heading to Cape Town I wouldn't want to leave! I just love it here. The sea all around, wonderful wild life over and in the sea, utterly breathtaking sunsets two night in a row! We have just walked at least a mile George and I through dock-land and I quite enjoyed it!! We were at the Protea Hotel for drinks and supper and they wouldn't let our unauthorised taxi in to the ship-side when we came home so we had to walk....glad it wasn't midday!
We met two students we know as we neared the ship who had been sky diving all afternoon....MAD! Kit had just phoned her parents to tell them; I gather Dad was jealous and said 'You did it before me!' Apparently you jump attached to an experienced jumper and a photographer who actually lets go first and photographs your jump! Can you imagine....?
Got some good sunset photos if I can get them on to the blog....I'll try. We are in our cool cabin now listening to Mozart's clarinet concerto (for Fiona and John) whilst drinking coffee and iced rooibos.
Am so looking forward to hearing from you all!!!
We met two students we know as we neared the ship who had been sky diving all afternoon....MAD! Kit had just phoned her parents to tell them; I gather Dad was jealous and said 'You did it before me!' Apparently you jump attached to an experienced jumper and a photographer who actually lets go first and photographs your jump! Can you imagine....?
Got some good sunset photos if I can get them on to the blog....I'll try. We are in our cool cabin now listening to Mozart's clarinet concerto (for Fiona and John) whilst drinking coffee and iced rooibos.
Am so looking forward to hearing from you all!!!
A Magic day in Walvis Bay
We have just been on a magical trip out to sea in a small boat, 13 of us. Our Captain a white Namibian born young woman, very at home on boats, very concerned for the birds, seals and dolphins that we saw and with a wonderfully ethusiasticand friendly personality. She was like a goat scrambling around the boat. I couldn't believe what I saw today...seals jumping on to our boat and letting us stroke and pet them, pelicans flying along with us responding to, her call to come for fish, doplphins and whales gamboling in the sea around us. One seal jumped on uninvited, a young one and literally nuzzled Sunelle, our captain until she gave him some fish and then she shooed him off. We saw flamingoes flying in a pink cloud. We had Elly who is 18 months old with us and her parents...her dad is on S.A.S. staff on board. She, Elly has sea legs as you wouldn't believe, she stays upright when the rest of us are rolling around and she is the happiest toddler I have seen for a long time....she loves the sea !
The students jumped in for a swim after a lunch of fresh oysters, champagne and other goodies to eat, absolutely delicious. We visited a small seal colony (which looked pretty large to us) and watched the baby seals frolicking in the sea around the sandspit where their parents were lolling in the sun all sleek and shining, a glorious sight. Apparently there are jelly fish in these waters but Sunelle explained, only the blue bottles are dangerous and have a sting. The others large white ones and some red ones you can pick up and handle. ...think I'll pass on that!
We're off for a drink, read our books (On Beauty by Zadie Smith for me...excellent!) and supper in Walvis Bay so will end and hope to have better luck adding photos later.
The students jumped in for a swim after a lunch of fresh oysters, champagne and other goodies to eat, absolutely delicious. We visited a small seal colony (which looked pretty large to us) and watched the baby seals frolicking in the sea around the sandspit where their parents were lolling in the sun all sleek and shining, a glorious sight. Apparently there are jelly fish in these waters but Sunelle explained, only the blue bottles are dangerous and have a sting. The others large white ones and some red ones you can pick up and handle. ...think I'll pass on that!
We're off for a drink, read our books (On Beauty by Zadie Smith for me...excellent!) and supper in Walvis Bay so will end and hope to have better luck adding photos later.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Namibia second day
This is truly a country of sun, sea and sand, In this centre part one is always within sight of sandunes....huge ones. The one being climbed in the photo below is called Dune 7 and is the highest (and possibly the hottest?!) in the world. Some of our students an at least one faculty member, my theatre prof. Ted, reached the top yesterday. I honestly thought some of them were going to pass out when they came down...they looked ill; very red in the face and struggling to ge breath and desperately needing water which we didn't manage to get until about 15-20 minutes later. His little son Christoper shot to the top, comparitively speaking, and Ted said he kept saying to him " Chris if you go down now I can go down too!" but this little child would not and reached the top! Ted's wife thought her husband was dying when he got down!!We had dinner with them last night and Christopher was buzzing! Where does that energy come from?! He reminds me so much of Bryn; he talks non-stop, quite loudly as if we're all deaf, and last night was in his magician mode making this very visibly 'disappear'.
Swakopmund is a very neat, clean, part Dutch looking little town of about 9000. Geared for tourists and holiday makers from other parts of Namibia and South Africa. Quite empty for such a place with lovely shops, African markets and restaurants and bars.
Off to see Seal and Dolphin encounter. We're out in a boat for three hours and are spending our time n the Walvis Bay lagoon. We'll be back at the ship by noon and then Theresa & John Muller and ourselves are going into walvis Bay by taxi and having supper on the waterfront on the other side of the town.
I just love it here....of course it is Africa so that's not surprising. But it is so unique and stark...no frills or fuss, very basic. The stars are huge, last night's sunset breathtaking; a brilliant orange and red sky....wonderful! Unfortunately to bring reality into the picture I got a coughing spasm and had to run to the cabin (I'm so afraid of throwing up!) so missed the final sinking into the sea! i haven't ever had asthma like this but it is slowly improving day by day....my inhalers are getting plenty of use for a change and am still today and tomorrow on anti-biotics.
Calm sea and early morning mist pre-heat outside.
Swakopmund is a very neat, clean, part Dutch looking little town of about 9000. Geared for tourists and holiday makers from other parts of Namibia and South Africa. Quite empty for such a place with lovely shops, African markets and restaurants and bars.
Off to see Seal and Dolphin encounter. We're out in a boat for three hours and are spending our time n the Walvis Bay lagoon. We'll be back at the ship by noon and then Theresa & John Muller and ourselves are going into walvis Bay by taxi and having supper on the waterfront on the other side of the town.
I just love it here....of course it is Africa so that's not surprising. But it is so unique and stark...no frills or fuss, very basic. The stars are huge, last night's sunset breathtaking; a brilliant orange and red sky....wonderful! Unfortunately to bring reality into the picture I got a coughing spasm and had to run to the cabin (I'm so afraid of throwing up!) so missed the final sinking into the sea! i haven't ever had asthma like this but it is slowly improving day by day....my inhalers are getting plenty of use for a change and am still today and tomorrow on anti-biotics.
Calm sea and early morning mist pre-heat outside.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday 13th
Friday 13th February
Time: 15.30 (7 hours ahead of Ontario)
Speed: 20 knots
Lat: 19 degrees 19.5 S
Long; 010 degrees 49.7 E
Course: 134 degrees
Well there's always a little bit of drama with the Thomases! Yesterday I had an attack of asthma, fever and a productive cough. Went to the Doc last night and she suspected possible pneumonia! So she put me on antibiotics and wow I'm almost cured today. I'm not 100 % but getting there thank goodness, didn't want to be ill in Namibia.
It was a fairly rough-sea night but I had taken Gravol so slept pretty well for 12 hours straight. In fact what with Flovent, Ventolin, antibiotic, gravol, blood pressure medications and cough drops I am medicated up to the eye balls!
George gave a very interesting talk in our Global Studies lecture this morning about the languages of Africa and the possible original language of all being the 'click' African language of the Khoi San....of which there is very little left; obliterated by the later migrations of more dominant tribes. Fascinating.
There have been alot of discussions about Zimbabwe on board. Lavinia, (the woman who also went to St Cyprians in Cape Town) has worked for Archbishop Desmond Tutu for 22 years and therefore has been very involved in the politics of South Africa. She and her husband Terry who also worked on behalf of the Anglican church protesting Apartheid practices are both so knowledgeable and interesting about the whole state of Southern Africa, including the HIV/AIDS situation. Terry shared the floor with George this morning and told us about the time line since Mandela was freed and the abysmal manipulations of Thabo Mbeki and his refusal for so long to accept the connection between HIV and AIDS so that no one was receiving drugs to combat the epidemic. Desmond Tutu of course was one of the first South African 'leaders' to speak up against Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Terry says that the the non-action of South Africa has been disgusting. By the way I have passed the Cathy Buckle letters on to the interested parties on board and they really appreciate getting first hand information out of Zim..
I shoud take a break and stop preaching politics!
Time: 15.30 (7 hours ahead of Ontario)
Speed: 20 knots
Lat: 19 degrees 19.5 S
Long; 010 degrees 49.7 E
Course: 134 degrees
Well there's always a little bit of drama with the Thomases! Yesterday I had an attack of asthma, fever and a productive cough. Went to the Doc last night and she suspected possible pneumonia! So she put me on antibiotics and wow I'm almost cured today. I'm not 100 % but getting there thank goodness, didn't want to be ill in Namibia.
It was a fairly rough-sea night but I had taken Gravol so slept pretty well for 12 hours straight. In fact what with Flovent, Ventolin, antibiotic, gravol, blood pressure medications and cough drops I am medicated up to the eye balls!
George gave a very interesting talk in our Global Studies lecture this morning about the languages of Africa and the possible original language of all being the 'click' African language of the Khoi San....of which there is very little left; obliterated by the later migrations of more dominant tribes. Fascinating.
There have been alot of discussions about Zimbabwe on board. Lavinia, (the woman who also went to St Cyprians in Cape Town) has worked for Archbishop Desmond Tutu for 22 years and therefore has been very involved in the politics of South Africa. She and her husband Terry who also worked on behalf of the Anglican church protesting Apartheid practices are both so knowledgeable and interesting about the whole state of Southern Africa, including the HIV/AIDS situation. Terry shared the floor with George this morning and told us about the time line since Mandela was freed and the abysmal manipulations of Thabo Mbeki and his refusal for so long to accept the connection between HIV and AIDS so that no one was receiving drugs to combat the epidemic. Desmond Tutu of course was one of the first South African 'leaders' to speak up against Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Terry says that the the non-action of South Africa has been disgusting. By the way I have passed the Cathy Buckle letters on to the interested parties on board and they really appreciate getting first hand information out of Zim..
I shoud take a break and stop preaching politics!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
For Liam, Katie and Bryn.
Coordinates for Liam and Katie;
Date 12th February
Time; 09.45
Course: 135 degrees
Lat: 12 degrees 18.3 S
Long: 003 degrees45.4 E
Speed; 20.9 knots
Liam and Katie and Bryn: I have to tell you that we are on the fastest passenger ship in the world! Yesterday we were moving at 30 knots at one point....because we are a little bit behind our schedule. I have never moved so fast on a big ship...it is rather like being on a very big motor boat. Today I saw beautiful flying fish, they flew up out of the water and then very quickly away from the ship for about 50 yards. Sometimes there were 30 or 40 all flying at the same time and shining bright silver in the sunlight. It was a wonderful sight.
The other chldren on this voyage are all working hard to keep up with their school work....mostly it is home schooling taught by their Mums and Dads. The oldest of the boys is 14 and the oldest of the girls is 17. There are also boys and girls of about your own ages. They are very popular with the students who sometimes look after them for a few hours. Christopher, the little boy next door to our cabin is the son of my theatre professor and he comes to class with us quite often and sits very quietly until he gets bored...then he just says "Good bye Daddy" and leaves. He and his mum spend alot of time in the swimming pool now that we are having hot, sunny weather. You would both enjoy this pool, it's right at the back (stern) of our ship on the 7th deck.
Did you know that the front of the ship is called 'the bows' or 'foreward' and the back is called 'the stern'. The right side is called starboard and the left is called the port side. Grandad and I are on the port side as we sail South, so we watch the sun rise in the East and we have to go to a deck on the starboard side to watch the sun set in the West.
Liam and Katie you will be able to check all this out when you go on your Disney cruise in only 15 more sleeps....wow! Not long now. Your Mum is so excited I think you will have to keep her calm!
Grandad and I have what's called an "extended family". We are 'parents' just for this trip to 6 students. Their names are Danielle, Joe, Stephanie, Lindsey, Tammy and Murphy. We are there if they need anything or just want to talk and we have meals with them sometimes. they are all university students and are very nice.
You will see on your map that we are getting nearer and nearer to the coast of Southern Africa. We arrive in Walvis Bay, Namibia on Valentines Day! I wonder if Grandad weill remember to send me a card?!!
Grandad has to use this computer now to teach his class so i will say goodbye and have a wonderful day. Liam you have a birthday coming up soon and so does Mummy. perhaps you will both celebrate on board your ship? What are your plans?
Lots of love to you all three from Grandma xxx
Date 12th February
Time; 09.45
Course: 135 degrees
Lat: 12 degrees 18.3 S
Long: 003 degrees45.4 E
Speed; 20.9 knots
Liam and Katie and Bryn: I have to tell you that we are on the fastest passenger ship in the world! Yesterday we were moving at 30 knots at one point....because we are a little bit behind our schedule. I have never moved so fast on a big ship...it is rather like being on a very big motor boat. Today I saw beautiful flying fish, they flew up out of the water and then very quickly away from the ship for about 50 yards. Sometimes there were 30 or 40 all flying at the same time and shining bright silver in the sunlight. It was a wonderful sight.
The other chldren on this voyage are all working hard to keep up with their school work....mostly it is home schooling taught by their Mums and Dads. The oldest of the boys is 14 and the oldest of the girls is 17. There are also boys and girls of about your own ages. They are very popular with the students who sometimes look after them for a few hours. Christopher, the little boy next door to our cabin is the son of my theatre professor and he comes to class with us quite often and sits very quietly until he gets bored...then he just says "Good bye Daddy" and leaves. He and his mum spend alot of time in the swimming pool now that we are having hot, sunny weather. You would both enjoy this pool, it's right at the back (stern) of our ship on the 7th deck.
Did you know that the front of the ship is called 'the bows' or 'foreward' and the back is called 'the stern'. The right side is called starboard and the left is called the port side. Grandad and I are on the port side as we sail South, so we watch the sun rise in the East and we have to go to a deck on the starboard side to watch the sun set in the West.
Liam and Katie you will be able to check all this out when you go on your Disney cruise in only 15 more sleeps....wow! Not long now. Your Mum is so excited I think you will have to keep her calm!
Grandad and I have what's called an "extended family". We are 'parents' just for this trip to 6 students. Their names are Danielle, Joe, Stephanie, Lindsey, Tammy and Murphy. We are there if they need anything or just want to talk and we have meals with them sometimes. they are all university students and are very nice.
You will see on your map that we are getting nearer and nearer to the coast of Southern Africa. We arrive in Walvis Bay, Namibia on Valentines Day! I wonder if Grandad weill remember to send me a card?!!
Grandad has to use this computer now to teach his class so i will say goodbye and have a wonderful day. Liam you have a birthday coming up soon and so does Mummy. perhaps you will both celebrate on board your ship? What are your plans?
Lots of love to you all three from Grandma xxx
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Labels for photos
I'm just learning about labelling photos I'm afraid. Here is some help!
Tagines, grains and George in Marrakesh and Morocco you can see easily. A group of Moroccan women in the market square you will pick out and a view of the square with its milling crowds; a painting of a Jewish woman hanging in the Sephardic House in Cordoba I hope you will admire; there is a shot from the windows of the Faculty lounge looking out to the island of Gibraltar. See the Islamic arches and a rectangular pool in the palace in Seville; See Garrett and his mother camel riding near Marrakesh.
Again apologies for the mix!
Tagines, grains and George in Marrakesh and Morocco you can see easily. A group of Moroccan women in the market square you will pick out and a view of the square with its milling crowds; a painting of a Jewish woman hanging in the Sephardic House in Cordoba I hope you will admire; there is a shot from the windows of the Faculty lounge looking out to the island of Gibraltar. See the Islamic arches and a rectangular pool in the palace in Seville; See Garrett and his mother camel riding near Marrakesh.
Again apologies for the mix!
Some photos from Morocco
Thge huge Casablanca Mosque built by the present king and little just 3 year old Garret and mum in the city of Safi in Morocco.Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Life on board
DATE: Wed. 11th February
Course: 135 degrees
Lat: 04 degrees 14.5 S
Long: 004 degrees 8.7 W
Time: 06.46 am
Yesterday was a routine day for us and I truly don't want to bore you. However in case you're interested in a so called "routine day" this is roughly how it goes.
George has an 8 am class so we are usually up early.
Breakfast in the garden dining room on deck 6 (for Evelyn's benefit!). We have to choose from: eggs, ham, home fries, a Danish, porridge, bread rolls, biscuits and grits (yup! translation scones with some strange white sauce), fruit, orange juice. Yes we're being spoiled and getting plump.
Then we have mandatory Global Studies in the Union when one or more profs lecture us on different aspects of our voyage and the countries we visit. Unless they're good I have the worst time staying awake and I'm not the only one. I looked along our line of chairs once and there were at least 4 or 5 nodding heads! I think it must be the light or ecoustics or the fact that one can't sometimes see the speaker but whatever it is the atmosphere can be soporific. Some lecturers though are excellent and this doesn't happen!
Today I have an Shakespeare class at 10.45 and i hope we are to watch Ian Mclellan's Richard III. Yesterday we played games in introduction to theatre which was great fun and I enjoy getting to know the students this way. I'm the only 'grown up' who is in the Theatre classes which surprises me....does it really? Perhaps not... we've always known the rest of the world think us a little strange haven't we?!
Then lunch: Always Salad, vegetarian stuff (which is yummy), rice or potatoes, meat or fish and a piece of fruit (which I sneak into my cabin against the rules) bread rolls, cheese and dessert.
Study lines or read on our sunny warm balcony or somewhere on deck in the afternoon. Drinks in the Faculty lounge 5 -6 pm, supper which has the same choices as lunch but on deck 5 you can order wine....guess where George often drags me?! I have a rehearsal most nights from 7.30 to bed time. occasionally we go for a late drink after 9 pm in the faculty lounge. The students congregate in the piano bar or Union for music, study and fun.
Off to breakfast....check in later.
Course: 135 degrees
Lat: 04 degrees 14.5 S
Long: 004 degrees 8.7 W
Time: 06.46 am
Yesterday was a routine day for us and I truly don't want to bore you. However in case you're interested in a so called "routine day" this is roughly how it goes.
George has an 8 am class so we are usually up early.
Breakfast in the garden dining room on deck 6 (for Evelyn's benefit!). We have to choose from: eggs, ham, home fries, a Danish, porridge, bread rolls, biscuits and grits (yup! translation scones with some strange white sauce), fruit, orange juice. Yes we're being spoiled and getting plump.
Then we have mandatory Global Studies in the Union when one or more profs lecture us on different aspects of our voyage and the countries we visit. Unless they're good I have the worst time staying awake and I'm not the only one. I looked along our line of chairs once and there were at least 4 or 5 nodding heads! I think it must be the light or ecoustics or the fact that one can't sometimes see the speaker but whatever it is the atmosphere can be soporific. Some lecturers though are excellent and this doesn't happen!
Today I have an Shakespeare class at 10.45 and i hope we are to watch Ian Mclellan's Richard III. Yesterday we played games in introduction to theatre which was great fun and I enjoy getting to know the students this way. I'm the only 'grown up' who is in the Theatre classes which surprises me....does it really? Perhaps not... we've always known the rest of the world think us a little strange haven't we?!
Then lunch: Always Salad, vegetarian stuff (which is yummy), rice or potatoes, meat or fish and a piece of fruit (which I sneak into my cabin against the rules) bread rolls, cheese and dessert.
Study lines or read on our sunny warm balcony or somewhere on deck in the afternoon. Drinks in the Faculty lounge 5 -6 pm, supper which has the same choices as lunch but on deck 5 you can order wine....guess where George often drags me?! I have a rehearsal most nights from 7.30 to bed time. occasionally we go for a late drink after 9 pm in the faculty lounge. The students congregate in the piano bar or Union for music, study and fun.
Off to breakfast....check in later.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Coordinates for MV Explorer & a wee bit of chat
Date Mon 9th feb
Time: 22.45
Speed: 25.1 knots
Lat: 05 degrees 4.66 N
Long; 013 degrees 10.7 W
Just been having a drink in the faculty bar with the Scottish wife called Maggie of an Italian prof (Sergio). It is almost a relief to speak to another Scot and we get on so well but unfortunately she disembarks at Cape Town and only boarded at Casablanca.
Had a rehearsal tonight and had to balk at having to kneel down! I said if you don't mind me not getting up for the rest of the play I'll do it. Director got the message and I shall stand. Then rushed to the Union to hear a talk by the woman who went to my school in Cape Town and also has worked for Archbishop Desmond Tutu for the past 22 years. He is one of my heroes so it was very interesting for me. He actually did one of the Semester at Sea voyages and loves to come on board but is out of town for our stay in Cape Town unfortunately. He is one of the only South African leaders to say Mugabe must step down.
Off to bed as George has an 8 am class tomorrow so we shall both be up early. The outside air is warm and humid so we have the door to the balcony open. They keep us almost too cool with the constant air conditioning on board.
Thanks to Dia for a lovely long, newsy email....what should I do without you?!
Time: 22.45
Speed: 25.1 knots
Lat: 05 degrees 4.66 N
Long; 013 degrees 10.7 W
Just been having a drink in the faculty bar with the Scottish wife called Maggie of an Italian prof (Sergio). It is almost a relief to speak to another Scot and we get on so well but unfortunately she disembarks at Cape Town and only boarded at Casablanca.
Had a rehearsal tonight and had to balk at having to kneel down! I said if you don't mind me not getting up for the rest of the play I'll do it. Director got the message and I shall stand. Then rushed to the Union to hear a talk by the woman who went to my school in Cape Town and also has worked for Archbishop Desmond Tutu for the past 22 years. He is one of my heroes so it was very interesting for me. He actually did one of the Semester at Sea voyages and loves to come on board but is out of town for our stay in Cape Town unfortunately. He is one of the only South African leaders to say Mugabe must step down.
Off to bed as George has an 8 am class tomorrow so we shall both be up early. The outside air is warm and humid so we have the door to the balcony open. They keep us almost too cool with the constant air conditioning on board.
Thanks to Dia for a lovely long, newsy email....what should I do without you?!
Neptune Day
Monday 9th feb. 14.45
The ceremonies went ahead this morning although, officially, I don't believe we have yet crossed the equator! There was King Neptune wearing a sparkly crown and those who had already, on some previousvoyage, been initiated, in flowing robes, green make up and golden coronets...I watched from a safe distance as students (and a few older should-have-known better types!) shaved their heads, kissed a huge ugly looking fish and with oily heads jumped into the swimming pool their initiation finally over.
The weather is gorgeous, sunny and warm in the high 70's. We are ploughing down the Atlantic, parallel with the West African coastline. The students are lying out in their bikinis and trunks now, covering the wide decks, not a book in sight! There are no classes today so I think this is their last chance to relax before assignments are due and they face the reality of tests and exams.
We have invited our extended family of six to join us for supper tomorrow night. It will be good to meet and talk to them and see how they're faring.
Possibly more after tonights rehearsal. Must go and learn more lines, meditate and breathe in the fresh non air conditioned air,
The ceremonies went ahead this morning although, officially, I don't believe we have yet crossed the equator! There was King Neptune wearing a sparkly crown and those who had already, on some previousvoyage, been initiated, in flowing robes, green make up and golden coronets...I watched from a safe distance as students (and a few older should-have-known better types!) shaved their heads, kissed a huge ugly looking fish and with oily heads jumped into the swimming pool their initiation finally over.
The weather is gorgeous, sunny and warm in the high 70's. We are ploughing down the Atlantic, parallel with the West African coastline. The students are lying out in their bikinis and trunks now, covering the wide decks, not a book in sight! There are no classes today so I think this is their last chance to relax before assignments are due and they face the reality of tests and exams.
We have invited our extended family of six to join us for supper tomorrow night. It will be good to meet and talk to them and see how they're faring.
Possibly more after tonights rehearsal. Must go and learn more lines, meditate and breathe in the fresh non air conditioned air,
Sunday, February 8, 2009
At sea again, later on Sunday evening,
It has been a lovely warm relaxed day spent on board a ship standing still....staring at the city of Dakkar, Senegal. This afternoon was spent reading in the faculty lounge, eating ice cream outside on deck 7 with Theresa and John and watching all the bathing beauties sunning themselves around the swimming pool ....there is no room for grown ups! I wanted to say to some of them 'Beware the African sun!' but as alot of them come from Arizona and California they're probably going to be OK. I asked the clinic nurse, Joan, what came next after sea sickness and bumps and bruises in rough seas and she said 'Sun burn'.
We always have a drink in the faculty lounge from 5-6 pm and then supper. Tonight I wore short sleeves and shocked everyone with my "breakwater bruises". The top of my right arm is dark indigo and my ribs (which they can't see). It looks frightfully dramatic but of course being on Cumadin, it looks worse than it feels. However I do have ample proof of my flight through our cabin!
Liam and Katie here at last are our coordinates: Just out of Dakkar, Senegal
Time: 21.15
Lat. 13 degrees 55.2 N
Long. 017 degrees 34.7 W
Speed: 25.3 knots
Course: 196 degrees
We arrive in Walvis Bay Namibia on February 14th....!
We always have a drink in the faculty lounge from 5-6 pm and then supper. Tonight I wore short sleeves and shocked everyone with my "breakwater bruises". The top of my right arm is dark indigo and my ribs (which they can't see). It looks frightfully dramatic but of course being on Cumadin, it looks worse than it feels. However I do have ample proof of my flight through our cabin!
Liam and Katie here at last are our coordinates: Just out of Dakkar, Senegal
Time: 21.15
Lat. 13 degrees 55.2 N
Long. 017 degrees 34.7 W
Speed: 25.3 knots
Course: 196 degrees
We arrive in Walvis Bay Namibia on February 14th....!
Bunkering in Dakkar
Sunday february 9th
As I write we are in Dakkar getting refueled. I finally feel Africa; actuallyI can smell Africa! The docks, where I am certain French pidgin is being spoken, surround us and fishing boats pass the ship heading for home. There is a loud hum of machines, African voices and activity. I was sitting in the middle of a Shakespeare lecture as we sailed in and found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on Freyberg's pyramid when I knew we had arrived. However we are a long distance from the centre of town and the skyscrapers of the city line the horizon on our starboard side. It could easily be Lagos or Accra....all cities have a similarity from the sea these days....except Cape Town and I'm sure Walvis Bay....they will look utterly different. I am excited to see Table Mountain again soon; it towered over me for six long adolescent years.
George is to lead the Robben Island Tour in cape Town which delights me as I found it fascinating to see exactly where the imprisoned Nelson Mandela lived and worked (the shadeless quarry with the cave which became the ANC members meeting place). Also the sea view of Cape Town on the way there and back is stunning.
Why am I talking Cape Town while anchored in Dakkar, Senegal? Because I know I am finally back in Africa and I rejoice!
As I write we are in Dakkar getting refueled. I finally feel Africa; actuallyI can smell Africa! The docks, where I am certain French pidgin is being spoken, surround us and fishing boats pass the ship heading for home. There is a loud hum of machines, African voices and activity. I was sitting in the middle of a Shakespeare lecture as we sailed in and found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on Freyberg's pyramid when I knew we had arrived. However we are a long distance from the centre of town and the skyscrapers of the city line the horizon on our starboard side. It could easily be Lagos or Accra....all cities have a similarity from the sea these days....except Cape Town and I'm sure Walvis Bay....they will look utterly different. I am excited to see Table Mountain again soon; it towered over me for six long adolescent years.
George is to lead the Robben Island Tour in cape Town which delights me as I found it fascinating to see exactly where the imprisoned Nelson Mandela lived and worked (the shadeless quarry with the cave which became the ANC members meeting place). Also the sea view of Cape Town on the way there and back is stunning.
Why am I talking Cape Town while anchored in Dakkar, Senegal? Because I know I am finally back in Africa and I rejoice!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The tropics
Saturday, 7th February. We entered the tropics this morning! The sun is shining, the seas blue and white capped but calm. It is still cool but everyone's mood has captured the bright spirit of the day. We cross the equator in a few days time and plans are being secretly made for the fun...I am soo glad I have sailed across it many times and am immune....I fervently hope!
Still no TV so can't give you our coordinates Liam and Katie....you will soon have your own to think about in the Carribean.
Just finished my theatre class (Introduction to..) and we had to enact in mime scenes we had experienced in Spain and/or Morocco. Morocco took the lead and mostly were concerning 'extortion' on a small scale....everyone on the make! Our scene was about an experience by a student of losing his way (and 4 others) to their seedy, cheap hotel and being led through tunnels and narrow lanes back to it and then a large sum of money being demanded. They 'escaped' when the manager quickly ushered them inside.
I spent the morning trying to learn lines for The Persians...not easy. Why oh why am I doing this?! Np after dinner civilised grown up relaxation....rehearsal every night from 7.30 until 10 pm. The others, all students, were telling me last night they have been warning their friends not to come to a performance as they won't understand it, as they themselves don't!! Doesn't augur well....!
We arrive in Walvis Bay on the Valentines day so should be spending that day amid the sand dunes and wide skies of Namibia. I am very much looking forward to that....a part of Africa i have never been to.
Will put in the coordinates whenever they fix and BOLT DOWN our TV.
Still no TV so can't give you our coordinates Liam and Katie....you will soon have your own to think about in the Carribean.
Just finished my theatre class (Introduction to..) and we had to enact in mime scenes we had experienced in Spain and/or Morocco. Morocco took the lead and mostly were concerning 'extortion' on a small scale....everyone on the make! Our scene was about an experience by a student of losing his way (and 4 others) to their seedy, cheap hotel and being led through tunnels and narrow lanes back to it and then a large sum of money being demanded. They 'escaped' when the manager quickly ushered them inside.
I spent the morning trying to learn lines for The Persians...not easy. Why oh why am I doing this?! Np after dinner civilised grown up relaxation....rehearsal every night from 7.30 until 10 pm. The others, all students, were telling me last night they have been warning their friends not to come to a performance as they won't understand it, as they themselves don't!! Doesn't augur well....!
We arrive in Walvis Bay on the Valentines day so should be spending that day amid the sand dunes and wide skies of Namibia. I am very much looking forward to that....a part of Africa i have never been to.
Will put in the coordinates whenever they fix and BOLT DOWN our TV.
Friday, February 6, 2009
calm seas at last
The passage through the Canary isles has been wonderfully calm and everyone is appreciating it fully. We rehearsed tonight for 3 hours and were able to actually move around or stand still without stumbling and weaving about. I am slowly getting to know more people, especially students, which is nice.
I am terribly tired now so shall make my way to bed. George has already fallen asleep. I'm reading a good thriller so that should help but after the 'fun' last night falling asleep ahouldn't be too difficult.
Tonight will be the first night of A Delicate balance so I'm thinking of Jo and Kitty, Gary and all the cast and wishing them well,,,,break a leg!
I am terribly tired now so shall make my way to bed. George has already fallen asleep. I'm reading a good thriller so that should help but after the 'fun' last night falling asleep ahouldn't be too difficult.
Tonight will be the first night of A Delicate balance so I'm thinking of Jo and Kitty, Gary and all the cast and wishing them well,,,,break a leg!
previous post muddled
I apologise for the muddling of paragraphs in the previous post. Blame the weather and my very tired brain!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Marrakesh & Morocco & thanks
First of all thank you to the following people for emails and birthday wishes; Theresa M. and Chris Kelk (you were the first!), the Keaneys, the Wil(kin)sons, Jo (K), Liz, Dia, Mimi, Gail, Tamara, Pat, Shari, Audrey and John, Ann and Michael...I was so delighted and touched that you remembered. Few people have as many greetings and messages on their 39th birthday....thank you!
It is just after 8 pm and we have been warned again by the Captain Kingston (very British....thank goodness!) to secure everything, including ourselves, to round the breakwater leaving Casablanca harbour...so it is all done; George and I quickly got ready for bed and everything is stowed away. We saw huge waves as we drove along the coastal road from Safi today and the poor students are of course worried stiff as were we! Well here goes we are just being towed out to the breakwater....I shall hope to keep typing.
We left Casablanca in very dull weather on Tuesday morning to drive in a large comfortable bus to Marrakesh. We drove through this crowded, Cosmopolitan, palm treed city....polluted and noisy but attractive in its own Moorish way; mosques and beautiful ceramic tiles on walls of buildings, square white and grey green damp looking houses with square windows and everyone wearing the hooded jalabas against the cold, both men and women. The drive to marrakesh took four hours and our guide pointed out areas of interests on the way. behing us there was a boy and girl first time meeting and with his encouragement she talked non stop through everything without, i beliieve, looking out of the window to the Moroccan countryside once....infuriating! The female students....
That was the end of my blogging last night because at that moment we went through the breakwater. Picture this...
I was sitting in an arm chair typing this and George was on the couch. I was thrown out of my chair into the air, my chair followed and landed on top of me at the foot of the bed. The so-called bolted down TV got loose from it's bolts and flew over my head until it crashed into the cabin door, the bed swung towards the wall on my side, cupboards flew open, things spilled out, George's coffee spilt on my script and a borrowed book. George thought I had probably been knocked unconscious at the very least and was shouting my name but actually I was very aware and just worried that the TV would come back at me and break my feet/ankles. He staggered over to me and lifted the chair off me; I finally with his help managed to get myself on to the bed and we lay together holding on to one another for dear life. We heard crashes from other cabins and a 'code blue' call for the medical team. A neighbour had been in the bathroom and hit his head against the door handle very hard and cut his head open....he was stitched and treated. No one could have entered our cabin because the Tv was jamming the door!
The trouble was that the weather did not improve once we were out to sea with the stabilisers operating again...it was dreadful. We hardly slept at all and lay in bed hanging on when necessary and trying to read. i finally did fall asleep about 2 am but we both needed frequent bathroom visits....great fun! Then we realised our balcony door was open and we could hear the gale loudly; tried to lock it and the electric lock had fused as had the bathroom light, half of the cabin lights and the electric toilet flusher!!
I have sailed in liners and banana boats since I was two years old and I have NEVER been through an experience like that, ever. They were much older ships too; White Star Line, Union Castle, British India, Elder Dempster and more recently the little old Windjammer's Amazing Grace.....never heard a Captain warning the passengers that the "only way to survive this is to remain sitting".
We are still in rough seas but the sun is shining and it is daylight so everything is alot better psychologically....can't give any coordinates as the TV is still on the floor, but we are sailing close to the Canary Islands.
This morning we discovered that there were breaks and sprains, bruises and cuts throughout the passengers and we all have frightening stories to tell. I have to wonder why they would take such a risk.
My birthday in Marrakesh....wow! It was magical, everything a middle eastern city should be....Like Seville full of orange trees, but with suks and outdoor markets and mosques and towers all built of the wonderful ochre red clay of the region. There were monkeys on leashes in the huge open square (really soft and sweet), snake charmers who would suddenly appear a your side putting the snake up close to you, one rested his head on my shoulder! Everyone was wearing their winter Jalabas with hoods. Some of the the women's were in glorious gem coloured silks and satins, the men's in Berber cotton cloth or wool. The Berbers, known as blue men (both men and some women were often robed in blue) come from the city of Safi and the shutters on many of the buildings are painted in a distinctive indigo blue, a dye which originated and is much used in the region.
On the roads as we drove we saw loaded donkeys, a few cows, goats and sheep. The farmers' fields bewteen the cities of Essouria and Safi reach neatly and in an ordered way right down to the sea shore. They are in a million brilliant shades of green.
It's so hard to describe all the beauties of this small kingdom but it was very appealing to the three senses. And by the way the fish here is delicious!
We shall be stopping again to refuel in dakkar in senegal, but again we hall not be allowed ashore. very frustrating for me as I should have loved to revisit West Africa where we lived for nearly five years in Nigeria and Ghana.
But you can't have everythng....!
Speaking of winter the days were cool and the nights cold in Morocco. Because we had lost day in Gibraltar waiting to be refuelled our guide rushed us quite a bit. We walked for hours and yet never had time to really stop and bargain for things in the suks and markets. We spent one night in Marrakesh and one in Essouria and the last day in Safi before returning to Casablanca. Essouria and Safi are both on the coast and the drives on those two days let us see alot of the country. There is alot of variety; little villages, each with its white mosque tower above the clustered houses. Early in the morning, at noon and at about 3 o'clock there is a call to prayer from the mosque tower by the Muezim, so one hears this loudspeaker and the chant of the Muezim calling the faithful. They then kneel facing Mecca (East) and make their abeisance to Allah....either where they happen to be or in the mosques. Because they must wash first there are gorgeous pools of water incorporated into the design and architecture of cities and Mosques.
It is just after 8 pm and we have been warned again by the Captain Kingston (very British....thank goodness!) to secure everything, including ourselves, to round the breakwater leaving Casablanca harbour...so it is all done; George and I quickly got ready for bed and everything is stowed away. We saw huge waves as we drove along the coastal road from Safi today and the poor students are of course worried stiff as were we! Well here goes we are just being towed out to the breakwater....I shall hope to keep typing.
We left Casablanca in very dull weather on Tuesday morning to drive in a large comfortable bus to Marrakesh. We drove through this crowded, Cosmopolitan, palm treed city....polluted and noisy but attractive in its own Moorish way; mosques and beautiful ceramic tiles on walls of buildings, square white and grey green damp looking houses with square windows and everyone wearing the hooded jalabas against the cold, both men and women. The drive to marrakesh took four hours and our guide pointed out areas of interests on the way. behing us there was a boy and girl first time meeting and with his encouragement she talked non stop through everything without, i beliieve, looking out of the window to the Moroccan countryside once....infuriating! The female students....
That was the end of my blogging last night because at that moment we went through the breakwater. Picture this...
I was sitting in an arm chair typing this and George was on the couch. I was thrown out of my chair into the air, my chair followed and landed on top of me at the foot of the bed. The so-called bolted down TV got loose from it's bolts and flew over my head until it crashed into the cabin door, the bed swung towards the wall on my side, cupboards flew open, things spilled out, George's coffee spilt on my script and a borrowed book. George thought I had probably been knocked unconscious at the very least and was shouting my name but actually I was very aware and just worried that the TV would come back at me and break my feet/ankles. He staggered over to me and lifted the chair off me; I finally with his help managed to get myself on to the bed and we lay together holding on to one another for dear life. We heard crashes from other cabins and a 'code blue' call for the medical team. A neighbour had been in the bathroom and hit his head against the door handle very hard and cut his head open....he was stitched and treated. No one could have entered our cabin because the Tv was jamming the door!
The trouble was that the weather did not improve once we were out to sea with the stabilisers operating again...it was dreadful. We hardly slept at all and lay in bed hanging on when necessary and trying to read. i finally did fall asleep about 2 am but we both needed frequent bathroom visits....great fun! Then we realised our balcony door was open and we could hear the gale loudly; tried to lock it and the electric lock had fused as had the bathroom light, half of the cabin lights and the electric toilet flusher!!
I have sailed in liners and banana boats since I was two years old and I have NEVER been through an experience like that, ever. They were much older ships too; White Star Line, Union Castle, British India, Elder Dempster and more recently the little old Windjammer's Amazing Grace.....never heard a Captain warning the passengers that the "only way to survive this is to remain sitting".
We are still in rough seas but the sun is shining and it is daylight so everything is alot better psychologically....can't give any coordinates as the TV is still on the floor, but we are sailing close to the Canary Islands.
This morning we discovered that there were breaks and sprains, bruises and cuts throughout the passengers and we all have frightening stories to tell. I have to wonder why they would take such a risk.
My birthday in Marrakesh....wow! It was magical, everything a middle eastern city should be....Like Seville full of orange trees, but with suks and outdoor markets and mosques and towers all built of the wonderful ochre red clay of the region. There were monkeys on leashes in the huge open square (really soft and sweet), snake charmers who would suddenly appear a your side putting the snake up close to you, one rested his head on my shoulder! Everyone was wearing their winter Jalabas with hoods. Some of the the women's were in glorious gem coloured silks and satins, the men's in Berber cotton cloth or wool. The Berbers, known as blue men (both men and some women were often robed in blue) come from the city of Safi and the shutters on many of the buildings are painted in a distinctive indigo blue, a dye which originated and is much used in the region.
On the roads as we drove we saw loaded donkeys, a few cows, goats and sheep. The farmers' fields bewteen the cities of Essouria and Safi reach neatly and in an ordered way right down to the sea shore. They are in a million brilliant shades of green.
It's so hard to describe all the beauties of this small kingdom but it was very appealing to the three senses. And by the way the fish here is delicious!
We shall be stopping again to refuel in dakkar in senegal, but again we hall not be allowed ashore. very frustrating for me as I should have loved to revisit West Africa where we lived for nearly five years in Nigeria and Ghana.
But you can't have everythng....!
Speaking of winter the days were cool and the nights cold in Morocco. Because we had lost day in Gibraltar waiting to be refuelled our guide rushed us quite a bit. We walked for hours and yet never had time to really stop and bargain for things in the suks and markets. We spent one night in Marrakesh and one in Essouria and the last day in Safi before returning to Casablanca. Essouria and Safi are both on the coast and the drives on those two days let us see alot of the country. There is alot of variety; little villages, each with its white mosque tower above the clustered houses. Early in the morning, at noon and at about 3 o'clock there is a call to prayer from the mosque tower by the Muezim, so one hears this loudspeaker and the chant of the Muezim calling the faithful. They then kneel facing Mecca (East) and make their abeisance to Allah....either where they happen to be or in the mosques. Because they must wash first there are gorgeous pools of water incorporated into the design and architecture of cities and Mosques.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Stillness at last
Monday night: We arrived in Casablanca after one more heart stopping moment. Just before 7 the Captain came on the tannoy saying to put everything away and tie things down as the pilot entrance to the port was very rough and they had to 'pull in' the stabilisers. He had only given us a few minutes warning so all you could hear was the crashing of everything, phones, books, glasses, ice buckets etc etc falling off shelves to the floor, spilling and breaking! George had just decided to make himself a cafetiere of coffee and he did the most amazing fall on to the bed with a full cafetiere and mug in each hand and spilled not a drop....his own expression of pride was hillarious...
We are all so happy to have come to a stop and be still. The weather in Europe has been bad (London had snow!) so our rough weather has been a part of that. George succumbed and lay on the bed sleeping but I decided to go to every talk and film show in the Union. There is a fancy design in the lighting on the ceiling of the Union and everytime we thumped it twanged...Theresa had to leave becauseshe said she couldn't take the noise it made her even more anxious...and everyone laughed and gasped in shock. I thought it was nice to have company!
We had a fascinating talk on Islam tonight; this time our lecturer sat down! He is from Pakistan and is a very contained but organised and methodical speaker and I learned alot. When he finished a huge number of students rushed into the union and I wondered why...it was to watch the first episode of the new season of 'Lost'....never heard of it,,,I've got to get with it!
George and I have to be on 'the pier' to get our tour bus to Marrakesh at 7.45 am so I'm going to finish this and go to bed. I'm excited about going to Marrakesh it is supposed to be very beautiful and I've discovered I love Islamic decoration and Mosques....you might have already gathered that.
Off to bed with Billy for the last time, I've nearly finished it/ I am going to lend it to an Italian prof's Scottish wife called Maggie when she joins the ship from here to Cape Town; she will at least know who he is, no one else here seems to. He played Brown with Judy Dench in the movie Mrs Brown about Queen Victoria's relationship with her gillie....for the rest of you who have been wondering.
Bon Soir....hey I can practice my French here!
We are all so happy to have come to a stop and be still. The weather in Europe has been bad (London had snow!) so our rough weather has been a part of that. George succumbed and lay on the bed sleeping but I decided to go to every talk and film show in the Union. There is a fancy design in the lighting on the ceiling of the Union and everytime we thumped it twanged...Theresa had to leave becauseshe said she couldn't take the noise it made her even more anxious...and everyone laughed and gasped in shock. I thought it was nice to have company!
We had a fascinating talk on Islam tonight; this time our lecturer sat down! He is from Pakistan and is a very contained but organised and methodical speaker and I learned alot. When he finished a huge number of students rushed into the union and I wondered why...it was to watch the first episode of the new season of 'Lost'....never heard of it,,,I've got to get with it!
George and I have to be on 'the pier' to get our tour bus to Marrakesh at 7.45 am so I'm going to finish this and go to bed. I'm excited about going to Marrakesh it is supposed to be very beautiful and I've discovered I love Islamic decoration and Mosques....you might have already gathered that.
Off to bed with Billy for the last time, I've nearly finished it/ I am going to lend it to an Italian prof's Scottish wife called Maggie when she joins the ship from here to Cape Town; she will at least know who he is, no one else here seems to. He played Brown with Judy Dench in the movie Mrs Brown about Queen Victoria's relationship with her gillie....for the rest of you who have been wondering.
Bon Soir....hey I can practice my French here!
Position for Liam and Katie's ship
Mon.2nd Feb.
Time:15.32
Lat: 34.43 degrees 43.0 N
Lon: 007 degrees 0.97 W
Speed 21.8 knotsCourse 215 degrees
Weather very rough indeed; hard to walk around; wind strengthening and high swells with white caps.
Time:15.32
Lat: 34.43 degrees 43.0 N
Lon: 007 degrees 0.97 W
Speed 21.8 knotsCourse 215 degrees
Weather very rough indeed; hard to walk around; wind strengthening and high swells with white caps.
Rough Atlantic
We sailed gently out of Gibraltar this morning and I think I can safely say we 'hit' the Atlantic! These are the biggest seas I have seen since I took Sheona out to Accra in 1963; huge waves and swells which make the ship thud and shudder and sway. It means taking your life in your hands (slight exaggeration for effect!) to stand up and walk from A to B. However, the dining room was full and I think students are going to crowded places to be together for moral support. I feel there should be some reassuring words for them like 'This is nothing out of the ordinary' or 'You know we do this every other day' but there is nothing forth coming and some of them look nervous and ill. Apparently there was a huge storm in Casablanca last night so we were probably better off in GibraltarMy sincere admiration goes to one of the Profs who gave a talk this morning on how to bargain in the suks of Morocco. He was like Gene Kelly dancing across the central floor of the Union, grinning, lecturing and answering questions! What an act that was.
Our ETA in Casablanca is 10 pm tonight....if you read this think of us reeling about on the Atlantic....
Our ETA in Casablanca is 10 pm tonight....if you read this think of us reeling about on the Atlantic....
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Monday and still waiting...
2nd February
It is 6.30 am and those are still the lights of Gibraltar and Spain that i see from our balcony! We should hopefully be able to refuel this morning and sail off to Morocco. Many, many thanks to Fiona and Dia for lovely long emails, how lovely to wake up to.
We gained an hour last night for the first time so we are only 5 hours ahead of Ontario, you are all in dreamland as I write. Will write again just to let you know when we finally set sail.
It is 6.30 am and those are still the lights of Gibraltar and Spain that i see from our balcony! We should hopefully be able to refuel this morning and sail off to Morocco. Many, many thanks to Fiona and Dia for lovely long emails, how lovely to wake up to.
We gained an hour last night for the first time so we are only 5 hours ahead of Ontario, you are all in dreamland as I write. Will write again just to let you know when we finally set sail.
Still hovering...
Latest news: we were told at the end of our pre-port briefing tonight that we have not had our fuel yet because of choppy waters. We must wait until morning so may not reach Casablanca until evening. Our various trips will have to be prearranged so we'll see what happens. Disappointing but two pieces of SAS philosophy are: be flexible and assume positive intent!
We received the names of our 'family' members tonight; we have six. I have just written sticky notes to put on their doors (thank you Evelyn!) inviting them all to lunch with us tomorrow. Hope we make good parents!!
Off to bed and will try to keep this space informed.
Good night from Gibraltar to Hamilton, Dundas, Kirkwall, Oakville, Burlington, the SP programme at M.U.M.C., Sudbury, Toronto, Michigan (Pete),Edinburgh, Cardiff, Nelson B.C. and Vancouver and anyone else anwhere else. Discovered today an ex-St Cyprianite from Cape Town who shared my brilliant elocution and drama teacher Rita Maas...oh the world is shrinking!
We received the names of our 'family' members tonight; we have six. I have just written sticky notes to put on their doors (thank you Evelyn!) inviting them all to lunch with us tomorrow. Hope we make good parents!!
Off to bed and will try to keep this space informed.
Good night from Gibraltar to Hamilton, Dundas, Kirkwall, Oakville, Burlington, the SP programme at M.U.M.C., Sudbury, Toronto, Michigan (Pete),Edinburgh, Cardiff, Nelson B.C. and Vancouver and anyone else anwhere else. Discovered today an ex-St Cyprianite from Cape Town who shared my brilliant elocution and drama teacher Rita Maas...oh the world is shrinking!
hovering off Gib..
Sunday continued....
The Explorer is being filled up with fuel as I write. We have a wonderful view of The Rock; it brings back so many memories of my first trip, as an adult, back from Africa (Kenya) to 'home' (as it was then) the UK. We visited in 1960 and met the apes (beloved of Winston Churchill I believe).
We have been sitting here for hours! We have been warned about rough seas ahead and this time they have closed the port holes on deck 2.....and I thought it was a hop, skip and a jump and smoooooth! However we should wake up in Casablanca so I won't get my knickers in a twist about that. You can tell I've been reading Billy can't you?!
We leave for Marrakesh at 1 pm and don't return until Thursday so probably won't be on line. It has been very difficult to access my email so please don't expect individual emails....sorry!
Lost my last post so putting this on now.
The Explorer is being filled up with fuel as I write. We have a wonderful view of The Rock; it brings back so many memories of my first trip, as an adult, back from Africa (Kenya) to 'home' (as it was then) the UK. We visited in 1960 and met the apes (beloved of Winston Churchill I believe).
We have been sitting here for hours! We have been warned about rough seas ahead and this time they have closed the port holes on deck 2.....and I thought it was a hop, skip and a jump and smoooooth! However we should wake up in Casablanca so I won't get my knickers in a twist about that. You can tell I've been reading Billy can't you?!
We leave for Marrakesh at 1 pm and don't return until Thursday so probably won't be on line. It has been very difficult to access my email so please don't expect individual emails....sorry!
Lost my last post so putting this on now.
waiting.....
February 1st
After a pretty rough night of pitching and rolling we awoke to pouring rain, poor visibility and a peculiar calm....we are anchored way off Gibraltar waiting to go in and bunker out a storm and take on fuel. This is not easy to do apparently, but at least we feel pretty stable which makes eating and listening to our lecturer in Global Studies somewhat easier. A good talk about Morocco from an American educator who with his family has lived there for the last 17 years. We larned that Morocco is pretty pro-American; that we should wear conservative clothing; that a woman making eye contact wih a man translates to "Hi, I'm available'! That the port area of Casablanca is not where one would want to wander and that Marrakesh is the place to go.....great because that's where we're going tomorrow with a ship tour...and that there is good skiing near Fez.
By the way I should have mentioned earlier that I am the world's worst speller and that if a word or place-name looks wrong it very probably is. It means that George wasn't around to ask....he does alot of eye rolling but eventually gives me the correct spelling....I just have to wait it out.
It is a lecture free day today so I should really be learning lines however Billy Connelly is way too tempting so I am off to the Faculty lounge for coffee and Billy. More later....
Position; Sun Feb 1st @ 11.16 am for Liam & Katie.
Lat: 36 degrees 13.5N
Lon: 005 degrees 13.5 W
ourse: 10 degrees
Speed: 0.0 knots
After a pretty rough night of pitching and rolling we awoke to pouring rain, poor visibility and a peculiar calm....we are anchored way off Gibraltar waiting to go in and bunker out a storm and take on fuel. This is not easy to do apparently, but at least we feel pretty stable which makes eating and listening to our lecturer in Global Studies somewhat easier. A good talk about Morocco from an American educator who with his family has lived there for the last 17 years. We larned that Morocco is pretty pro-American; that we should wear conservative clothing; that a woman making eye contact wih a man translates to "Hi, I'm available'! That the port area of Casablanca is not where one would want to wander and that Marrakesh is the place to go.....great because that's where we're going tomorrow with a ship tour...and that there is good skiing near Fez.
By the way I should have mentioned earlier that I am the world's worst speller and that if a word or place-name looks wrong it very probably is. It means that George wasn't around to ask....he does alot of eye rolling but eventually gives me the correct spelling....I just have to wait it out.
It is a lecture free day today so I should really be learning lines however Billy Connelly is way too tempting so I am off to the Faculty lounge for coffee and Billy. More later....
Position; Sun Feb 1st @ 11.16 am for Liam & Katie.
Lat: 36 degrees 13.5N
Lon: 005 degrees 13.5 W
ourse: 10 degrees
Speed: 0.0 knots
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