Apr 26, 2019 - Leaving Durban on cruise to Venice

Friday 26th April 2019 Durban to Venice Cruise through Suez Canal Day 1 Leaving Durban Up at about 7am and went to breakfast downstairs in the hotel. Then back to the room to pack up to go on the cruise which leaves today. We looked out our window and could see the ship moored at the dock, the MSC Musica. We had to check out at 10am, so we took our luggage downstairs (the lift wasn’t working so we had to carry our bags down from the 5th floor𦋙𦋙, which was quite an effort. We then went for a short walk in the town and then back at around...

Apr 25, 2019 - Day trip to Lesotho

Thursday 25th April 2019 Durban to Sani Pass Lesotho Today we were up early again at 5am☹️☹️☹️☹️. We had to be downstairs in the hotel lobby by 6am for our day trip to Lesotho via the Sani Pass in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains. We met our guide and we set off in the dark from Durban in the early morning traffic, which was not really heavy. The day was misty, but as we drove past Pietermaritzburg, the day cleared to be very fine and perfectly clear. We reached Underberg, a small but busy town near the Drakensberg at around 8:45am where...

Apr 24, 2019 - 5 days in and near Kruger National Park

Saturday 20th April 2019 Tremisana Lodge to Marc’s Treehouse Camp This morning we were up at 5.30am for a bush walk in the Balule Game Reserve where we were driven from the lodge to a spot in the reserve and then went on a bush walk accompanied by a tracker and a guide who was armed with a rifle for emergencies. As we walked, she explained the different things in the bush and also showed us how to identify some things in the forest. During our walk we could hear a lion roaring somewhere in the vicinity! We ate a couple of leaves that were...

Apr 19, 2019 - The first few days - getting to South Africa

Tuesday 16th April 2019 Anna Bay to Sydney Left home in Anna Bay on the bus after lunch and caught the train to Sydney then out to our hotel at Mascot, arriving around 7pm. Had dinner in the hotel and then to bed early. Wednesday 17th April 2019 Sydney to Hong Kong Up early and caught a shuttle to the International Airport, then checked in for the flight to Johannesburg via Hong Kong. The flight was about an hour late leaving Sydney but we arrived in Hong Kong pretty much on time. The flight to HK was uneventful with no turbulence and we...

Apr 3, 2019 - Never ending days at Sea!!!

There does not appear to be much change in what is happening- nothing very much !! The engine is still being tested and a change in the itinerary has been promised but no details yet! The troops are becoming restless! We saw a number of other ships yesterday, all of them travelling at twice the speed that we are doing. I also saw a number of dolphins during the day. We have been doing a lot of reading as well as joining in a number of different games - rummycub, o hell, etc.

Mar 31, 2019 - At Sea- at slow speed

We are still at Sea (I've lost count of how many days!) and steaming slowly at 10 knots on only one engine. It's becoming somewhat boring and I'm pleased I have been able to grab a good book. I have spent a fair amount of time just looking out to sea hoping to sea something of interest. A couple of days ago I espied a turtle swimming alongside the boat - 450 miles from shore and 5000 metres deep! The only other action has been quite a few flying fish! Yesterday we had a 'crossing the equator ' initiation ceremony and last night we had...

Mar 28, 2019 - Greek party at sea!

Our Greek captain hosted a Greek party at lunch time with BBQ'd chicken and lamb, various salads and much wine and ouzo. There was also continuous Greek music accompanied by much dancing. Our captain led proceedings by doing a solo dance! Later we were faced with an approaching storm!

Mar 27, 2019 - Luanda

We're still at Luanda in the drawn out process of refuelling. Yesterday we did a bus tour of the highlights of Luands and I have to say it didn't figure very high on my 'special sights' list. However Wendy enjoyed it - I think she is keener on history than I am. Luanda has a population of six million and seventy percent of those are under 24. Half the population is below the poverty line and Luanda is the most expensive city in the world. There was a lot of rubbish lying around the city and most of the buildings were in a state of...

Mar 25, 2019 - Another day at sea

We met the captain yesterday for the first time and he spoke about what action we must take in the event of a pirate attack. I don't think there's much chance of that but I guess he has to cover all contingencies. The meals have been good and the wine flows generously. I went searching for bird life this morning but there was no sign- something to do with the currents I believe. The last few nights we've been sharing the dinner table with a Methodist minister from UK - he has also been taking the church services on board the ship. We have...

Mar 24, 2019 - Moonscape

I started off this morning by putting our clocks back an hour and then spending twenty minutes of fast uphill walking in the gym - my weight is currently 67.5 kg which is pretty constant. We received a letter from the captain last night apologising for the delays and changed schedule, and as a good will gesture he has applied a credit of US300 per guest to our onboard account to be used on the vessel. That should take care of the drinks bill (and a few items from the shop!) Unfortunately we will now not be going to the island of Bom Bom so...

Mar 23, 2019 - Sandhills of Namibia

Yesterday was a real highlight with firstly large groups of flamingoes. Then we had the Sandhills which went on forever. The 4wds were modern vehicles (mainly Toyotas) and very comfortable. I was lucky to have a front seat and so got plenty of photo opportunities. Halfway through the afternoon a table was brought out and covered with champagne and beer bottles together with a big supply of nibbles. Our driver really put the Pajero through its paces with going up and down some incredibly steep slopes. One was a little too steep and he was...

Mar 21, 2019 - Still at Sea

No further reports on the starboard engine and so far the other one is still propelling us along! We have both been spending 20-30 minutes in the gym before breakfast in an attempt to limit the calorie intake. Some of the people we have shared the dinner table it's have had interesting lives. On two occasions we have sat with a Methodist minister who is taking the Sunday church services (he does a good job!) Last night we were with a physicist ! Today there is an opportunity to meet with other teachers/educators so we'll probably join that...