26/4/2016 Disembarkation and home!

Southampton, sunshine, breakfast then home! Thank you Singapore, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa, Namibia, Cape Verde, Canaries and Madeira and of course our friends and companions Indian and Atlantic! Good Morning England! Better travelled, very well relaxed and definitely better educated about South Africa  and inspired to find out more, thanks to Chris Lubbe.



Disembarkation of 1800 impatient travellers can't be easy, but it was as smooth as could be, a bit of herding in various locations around the ship, ours was the Curzon Theatre and as we had a coach booked we were the first group off. The luggage that had been taken down to the hold last night had to be taken to the grand shed first, then when we got off identified by its colour code (pink for deck 10) and we collected it.  In customs we were randomly stopped I think  from the questions to see if we were smuggling cigarettes! Then straight into our Intercruises transfer in the Southampton FC executive coach again. Big leg room and comfy recliners, same "chauffeur" (notice how I'm looking for an alternative word for driver) and the same vibe as last year.  Ground rules clearly set by said executive coach executive! (He told us not to call him a driver, not to call the vehicle a bus, clear up our own mess and dispose of it using bags provided, and most importantly not to ask him what time we'd be arriving!!! I was suitably scared of transgressing, so didn't engage with him after that introduction.) Not really, he was funny and quirky with a cheeky look in his eye and a wry smile. Obviously also very proud of the vehicle!

So once more to Knutsford Services, with just 2 stops and drop offs, one nice cup of tea, and our rendezvous with Talene before home at tea time! First impressions back, and my last words from this blog - it's fffffffreezing.

25/4/2016 Final sea day to Southampton

Well the Bay of Biscay came and went without swell, nausea, or anything unpleasant. We are now in the English Channel, and it is predicted we'll be near the south of the Isle of Wight at around 3 a.m., I expect the phone will come back on then, which will be delightful. So today, instead of typical BOB behaviour of groaning and lying down, our last day was a good one. It was all about finishing off our time away, saying goodbyes especially to our cabin steward Austan and our most favourite waiter, Shakti. We have also been attending final concerts, final art exhibition and of course packing and getting ready for the grand disembarkation in the morning. We both put two of our paintings in the art exhibition - mine were Woman Carrying Fish on Head and Arch 22, Khachik's were Humming Bird and Monk Seal. The following are Khachik's gorgeous creatures.

EVERYONE on the ship was wearing jumpers today, including all the restaurant staff, who have long sleeved navy jumpers for when the weather is in single figures like today.

So we have enjoyed our last rounds of haute cuisine looking out to sea, enjoying the endless sea in its many states, the blue, grey, red and orange skies, sun rises and sunsets, iced drinks, the balcony, our lovely cabin and of course these amazing countries: Singapore, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion Island, South Africa, Namibia, Cape Verde, Canaries and Madeira.

Tonight after the final dinner we went to the final concert in the Curzon Theatre - it was a bit like a Royal Variety performance. By the way we were sitting behind the 5 young men in Collabro, and that felt really funny having been sitting where they were when they were performing on stage yesterday.  Then there were 5 separate performances, The Headliners, the Opera Boys, Clare Bonsu and Brian Conley. So we have been well and truly light-entertained.

Khachik made use of the gym for the last time, walking on the treadmill for an hour. He must have the healthiest heart and circulation of a 70 year old on the ship, he hasn't missed a day. I on the other hand have been resting more than ever! I engage in the most gentle restorative mobility and stretch now. I do think about cardio and strength, and how long it will be before I can do something else, but for now they are on hold.

Just a quick word about hips - I honestly didn't know how this cruise would pan out, or if hip pain would detract from my enjoyment. In brief I can honestly say that it has been much better to be here doing this, with the many distractions I have had, than in the cold. Next up are the two hip replacements but I can't say exactly when. I hope it is soon because intractable pain can be very tiring and it will be such a good thing when it has gone. I have had a very good time, in spite of it, and feel very lucky and very grateful to have this kind of a distraction in my life :)

Now for the next chapter, and whatever that may hold. Maybe I will add a little bit on here tomorrow about the morning once we arrive home, let's see, but I will say bye for now. xx

23/4/2016 First of three days to Southampton

We're at sea again!  Our coordinates are 37 degrees north and 13 degrees west, so we are still level with the Moroccan coast heading towards the coast of Portugal. All is flat and smooth, no swell no rain, and as expected the temperature has dropped to 16, so the roof is on the pool and the sunbathers on the sun deck above have all been driven indoors. It's ok though, an indoor swimming pool instead.  There is an air of coming to an end on the ship. People are exchanging contact details, starting to say goodbyes to staff, planning and booking next year's cruise and all that kind of thing.

So today we have done an art class, where we painted a misty Mount Teide in the clouds, using a number of our newly acquired water colour skills.










Our p.m. highlight was been to the Theatre for a ticket only concert with Collabro, 5 young men who sing songs form shows like Les Mis, Chess, Lion King, and were winners of BGT in 2014.  I didn't know, and today was the first time I had ever heard them. Not sure quite how they got the Aurora gig, but very glad they did.  They have lovely voices, and because they sang Circle of Life (links to a performance in Manchester's Bridgwater Hall) had me crying with the first high note, and then of course I couldn't stop and had to use my scarf to get rid of the snot and tears! Really wasn't expecting that.


But tonight we didn't get involved in any theatre entertainment, only our own.  Comedians can be so annoying! Anyway Brian Conley thankfully not just a comedian,  is on board and we spent so much time talking to our table mates tonight that we missed him. We will catch him next time, and before we do we can listen to what people said about him tonight.  Instead we have watched a bit of telly - an old episode of Ambassadors, done a crossword and a quick blog.

Until tomorrow, good night all xx

22/4/2016 Funchal, Madeira

We had a morning arrival in port, around 9, and first impressions were looking very good, high cliffs, hills, terracota roofing.

Once off the ship and in town we could see it was just like Portugal, black and white mosaic tiles as pavement, terrace bars, all the European outlets, but with a climate like Tenerife and lots of bananas! We used the morning time to spend catching up on Facebook, uploading pics, drinking lovely strong coffee. We went back to the ship by shuttle to have lunch and then came straight out again to catch the Yellow Bus for a 90 minute round trip with multi-lingual commentary, just like London.


The trip was the blue route and took in Camara Lobos and Cabo Girao. We found it so good we stayed on it twice, mainly so the hundreds of nuggets of info had time to get into our heads! What have we learned? - a lot of historical information but the accurate discovery dates and discoveries have already left me (13th and 15th centuries). There was the usual uncomfortable part about colonisation, I never like hearing about how one or other European power of the past plundered all the wealth of the countries they "discovered". Every now and again though the commentary mentioned something like a national drink with European influence, like a mix of lemon honey and absinthe!  So it wasn't all bad. Anyway Madeira is now home to 250,000 people mainly of Portuguese descent with a smattering of British and German residents. It is known as a holiday resort for former British Prime Ministers notably Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.



Funchal is famous for its Reids Hotel, which still also popularly does afternoon tea. This was a possible excursion we didn't take. The island is also renowned for bananas, grown on terraces lining the whole of our bus route.  Several unusual sculptures and fountains were pointed out with interesting commentary along the way too. A stunning coastline, winding roads up into the hills, various palms and cacti.  There's a daily ferry to the other island, Porto Santo, and it was recommended as a day trip, but we just didn't have time.  I have pictures of them all and will add them as soon as I can!



Then it was dinner, a table for two for the first time this cruise, next to the window on the starboard side, so we could see everyone getting back onto the ship after their hard day's tourism. Our entertainment for the night was a little bit different.  At 9:30 we listened to Clare Bonsu again, this time in Carmen's lounge. She performed Eta James, Dusty, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and another Shirley Bassey song by popular request. She's good, does drama, has a big range and can switch styles really easily.

Then up on deck 8 where the children's pool and kids club are situated a local group came and danced with massive feathers, and very stylish bright green and orange feathery boots! This was followed by the kind of firework display we get in Glossop on November 5th - it was big and went on for ages, and was launched for a small boat alongside the cruise ship.  This was in aid of the cruise coming to an end, and Funchal being the final port.





Next stop Southampton, but not until we have done 3 days at sea. Bye for now! x

21/4/2016 Gran Canaria

We had only been here in Gran Canaria once before, and I think it was 1999-ish, a beach holiday, when we first started holidaying as a couple. That trip started well but our enduring memory is one of being chased by an aggressive timeshare salesperson, threateneing us because he didn't like our mode of declining. We both ran away (we could in those days!) and escaped to the safety of a public bus. We were quite shocked, so I suppose understandably we chose not to return, until now, and we came because it was on an itinerary developed by P&O.

                

Surprisingly we have been filled with good memories today.  The part of the island we could see from the port was rugged and very different. Today wasn't a day for doing much walking, so we just sauntered off the ship through security and into a shopping centre, park and sunny terrace cafe for another snack, drink and wifi connection home. We did this twice, either side of lunch.  Khachik also visited a local supermercado and happily managed to find some 1€ cartons of vino tinto.

That's all we've done today. Tomorrow will be Funchal in Madeira, final stop before our 3 days at sea to Southampton. So I will say bye for now and will be back on tomorrow.

20/4/2016 Tenerife

20/4/2016 Tenerife
At midday we arrived in the beautiful Santa Cruz, Tenerife, so we did a grab and go sandwich before we headed off on our excursion of the Northern Island, up, up, up winding round those narrow mountain oftain single track roads, down , down, down to what was described as the end of the road at La Roqua, for rough coastline, black volcanic sand, and then to a delightful restaurant for bread, cheese olives wine/water.  After the snack more up, up, up to the Pico de Ingles and the views of two different landscapes on the same island.  The mist was just starting to come down so we had a truly informative lesson about the trade winds, the effect on the landscape, more economy, geography and history before returning us to the ship around 5.




Now that was interesting.



Too early to eat, and as we were not leaving until midnight we decided to find a cafe with free wifi, and what a delight to make contact with home after all!  So that was that, including a bit of Spanish football, tapas and beverages until 9, back to the ship for dinner and bed. A good day all round.

18/4/2016 St Vincent, Cape Verde Islands

Getting to Mindelo Harbour on St Vincent,  Cape Verde after 7 days at sea has been well worth the wait. We have just read that the deep water harbour was formed by a volcanic crater.  The sea is truly intense blue, light turquoise in patches, with tiny lines of white where the wind is whipping it up. From the ship directly in front of us we can see the stunning volcanic mountain ranges, and a good feeling about sustainability as there are "wind farms" both east and west.  The scenery is very beautiful. We did what we planned and went off to Mindelo by shuttle. It feels really African, the people, markets, sounds, even though we had read about the connection with Portugal until independence in 1975. As we deduced from the port presentation the Islands don't seem to have geared up for tourism yet, but I am sure they will become a really popular destination for both sun and adventure seekers soon.  There's no signs of hotels here in Mindelo on the beach, no expensive Waterfront, no jet skis or water ski-ing anywhere to be seen.  There were many people waiting to greet us off the shuttle bus inviting us to take the island tour, and sadly quite a lot of very poor looking people around, asking for money.  We didn't think about sharing a picnic until it was too late. :(

Over the day we have taken some lovely photos - big baskets of fish and fruit being carried by the women on their heads, a strong culture of bargaining for the best price.  Tiny cafes and bars, all very dark inside without windows. Groups of men old and young sitting outside near their fishing boats, or selling their wares on street corners, lots of laughter and oh yes, lots and lots of dogs. Yet the buildings do look Portuguese -  churches and house fronts in very bright colours, colonial statues, so it's been a very interesting day piecing it all together.




     



       













We had received a letter in our cabin yesterday with WHO advice about preventing Zika, listing Cape Verde as a risk area, and explaining that these Zika carrying mosquitoes are active during the day. The letter said we should cover up with dark long sleeved trousers and tops, and spray all over with 50% Deet like Jungle Formula or Lemon Eucalyptus like Mosiguard. We have been totally complicit and we have managed to avoid any bites today. Because the temperature has fallen a little bit and the wind is quite strong, blowing many hats off, we didn't feel uncomfortable covering up. We also think the wind will have helped to keep the mosquitoes away.  On the clothes market we bought ourselves an African outfit each.  Actually they will both be mine when we get home. I might be wrong but I don't think Khachik would wear his multi coloured tie dye top after the holiday.  I will wear my royal blue and white tie dye dress in the house like a robe, as well as on any warm days we might have in the summer.  Anyway mine is getting an outing tonight.

We are back in the cabin now, I have painted part of the coastline and we are waiting for dinner, sailing away from Mindelo port towards Tenerife.  Our coordinates are now 17 degrees north and 25 degrees west. Sea state is moderate and the wind is force 6, which means the decks are quite blowy and there are warnings about the doors, but no closures as yet. The sea looks choppy Tonight our entertainment will include an all female Beatles tribute band called Sister Twist in the Curzon theatre and afterwards in Carmen's ballroom an American guitarist we remember from last year Called Zach Winningham. I will come back with the appraisal tomorrow.

I am sorry not to have been able to show off any of our recent our photos, or live message or Skype -  we couldn't find any high speed wifi. I am sure we will when we reach Tenerife, meanwhile quick catches up only from the ship today and tomorrow. Then 20th Tenerife, 21st Gran Canaria and I think 22nd Madeira.
Bye for now

16/4/2016 Day 6 of 7 Sea Days to Cape Verde

I have now forgotten what being in a port feels like, honestly.  When you leave the ship you have an ID card to swipe. As you swipe there's a beep and a voice from the technology as you leave the ship saying "goodbye" and when you return "welcome" - it recognises you by bar code and displays your photo. (A possibility for the future of ID's and passports I imagine)  I was just thinking about this and it seems ages away since I heard these sounds just before exploring the sand dunes in Namibia - did we really do that? Yep. That was us :).

 But happily for us in this last week a whole new world opened up, so many things to read, listen to, speakers to engage with who have made us think hard about the meaning of life. So much to look up too when we get home.

With our extra hour we just had an extra hour in bed before breakfast and art this morning. We painted "Arch 22 in Banjul" which we might have visited if we had had Yellow Fever Vaccine, and if the Gambia port stop hadn't been cancelled. We don't mind, by the way. We were going to stay on the ship that day so that we could get into Cape Verde unvaccinated, as we don't hold Yellow Fever Certificates.  Quite a satisfactory outcome for us. Anyway, back to Arch 22 where today we used a fresh technique - negative painting where a huge part of the paper was a white building, and its shape was created by leaving it blank and painting everything inside around it. Really effective.



Then after lunch, because it's Saturday Khachik was watching footy on telly, I went on my own to "Virtual Planetareum - Guided Tour of the Night Sky",for a talk given by Leon,a fellow of the Royal Astronomical society.  He used computer modelling to describe the galaxies and their relationships, including all the ancient mythology.  It was riveting, although I have to admit that there was so much new information for my brain that I think I need to listen again.  Hopefully it will be available on Channel 2 of our telly tomorrow!

So now for my daily update about where we are and what the weather's like - 28C today, so a bit more comfortable to sit in at breakfast time. A light breeze too.  We are degrees 9 degrees north and  17 degrees west, passing about 150 miles off the coast of Sierra Leone roughly level with Freetown. Still very excited about covering all this new ground.

Goodbye for tonight. Back tomorrow. xx

15/4/2016 Day 5 of 7 Sea Days to Cape Verde

It's Friday.  Love and peace  especially the Ashpital family who need it more than ever.

Yesterday I talked about that wonderful speaker Chris Lubbe who had survived torture, repeated imprisonment and witnessing the murder of a man he was trying to help, rising above retaliation with the help of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, choosing a non-violent path.  His generosity of spirit and his words are still going through my head. He said things like "some of you are suffering pain and ill health, but you will get through it." and "if I got through torture, you will get through this"   "We do not have to accept the world as it is."  "We need to do our part to bring about change".   "Don't look back on bad things that have happened." "Find a way to make the world a better place".
And that has given me and I think hundreds of others lucky enough to have been on this cruise so much hope.

Since writing yesterday we have covered another 450 nautical miles, crossed the Equator and are heading North West, from the live info on screen it looks as though we are just south west of Liberia, (Hello Adrienne and Winston, thinking about inspiring people!). Our coordinates are 2 degrees north and 10 degrees west, so as predicted back in the Northern Hemisphere. It's 31C today, and cloud cover is classed as 5/8. The heat has advised us indoors again, firstly to paint a humming bird with a background produced by putting a wet on wet wash under a sheet of Clingfilm. I love the effect the wrinkles make. I went to two art classes actually.


Then we lunched, heartily again, listened to a Historical Murder Presentation, one of a series presented by an ex- policeman who has researched them, and now tells the stories, presents the evidence before the audience becomes the jury and then hears the outcome.

Today at lunch we were accompanied by a pod of dolphins for several minutes.  Beautiful shiny dolphins jumping, playing, friends.  It was so lovely to see them.  I am amazed that considering where we are we hardly see any sea life, so its a real delight when it happens.  The flying fish have come back again too, so we watch them from the balcony too, and enjoy beautiful sunrises, changing seas and skies.

Over the course of a lovely dinner we talked to the couple from Scotland we dined with two nights ago, Margaret and Alan. We covered some ground! Family, teaching, South African politics, hip replacements, world travel, this cruise. They were lovely and so easy to talk to.   We discovered that Jimmy James hadn't been allowed to disembark in Cape Town to travel on to his next cruise ship gig. He apparently didn't have enough blank pages in his passport.

For a few days we have been back on UK time, but tonight we will put the clocks back an hour, and possibly one more time before we turn right after Cape Verde and head north eastwards towards the Canaries and Madeira. Two more sea days yo land...

Early night for us - all this on board activity and inspiration can be tiring. Bye for now x

10/4/2016 Walvis Bay, and how!

We arrived here in Namibia very early this morning, it was foggy AND we couldn't really see anything except what was immediately on the port side. This is said to be normal winter weather - it was explained as being caused by the warm air from Africa and cold Atlantic  ocean. We had a lovely breakfast, got through immigration really quickly and easily before 10 a.m., by this time the mist had completely cleared and once again we had sunny clear blue skies, and a lovely agreeable warmth. Before our afternoon excursion we had time for an independent morning outing via shuttle bus to the Walvis Bay Waterfront - a tiny place with a bar or two, a restaurant and one souvenir shop, so very very different from South Africa, and not really ready for cruise ship tourists I guess.  It was lovely there anyway, on wooden decking above the sea, drinking strong coffee and catching up with wi-fi, meeting more passengers.

         

    

By 12 we were back on the ship, getting a quick snack, before going out again at 12:45 for the Main Event!

For our afternoon excursion we were in a 4X4 with four other people and the most knowledgeable, confident and kind driver, Peter for the time of our lives.  First he introduced himself and told us a little bit about his background - born in South Africa, Scottish ancestors, English and Afrikaans speaking, moved to Namibia 20 years ago, learned some German, took up driving for this tour company and here he is, working only when he wants.  We piled in, belted up and were off  We made our first stop to pick up food, wine, beer, fruit juices - for a picnic later, not expected, but very welcome. Then we moved along, six vehicles all together in convoy.  First we drove along the coast road (a dirt track really) stopping to look at the famous greater and lesser flamingos. We had a lesson about their behaviours and differences, it was fascinating.  Then we drove past the salt production, reeds, scrub land, sand with tracks identified as dung beetle and springbok. The next stop was a rendezvous for all the vehicles and an introduction to a very cute white and orange gecko before the greatest sand dune adventure ever. Some of the sand was almost white, some was red, but most was sandy as we know it. Slowly, like driving on ice, going up, having to reverse several times to regain momentum, then up and over the tops and down at unbelievably sharp angles, we were told 33 degree angles, but they felt much much sharper than that, giving us rollercoaster-like sensations, lots of screams and moans, holding on to the bars on the inside of the 4X4s to stop us becoming too familiar with our fellow passengers. Sometimes we were driven straight down, and sometimes zig zagging up and down.  It was hugely exciting. Then there was the light hearted competition between the drivers, and also a strong bond and cameraderie.

     


After about an hour of this we stopped for our picnic, again a delight. Samosas, meatballs, various cold meats and salads. Coconut, chocolates and drinks. So civilised, like a dinner party in the sand. Table, table cloth, proper glasses :) Only the toilets were missing, but most people were happy to relieve themselves in the dunes! There was even time for a botany lesson and the opportunity to taste something that sounded like "narra" seeds and the highly nutritious food made from the pulp of the boiled seeds of the spiky green shrub surrounding us. This is where we saw mice nibbling away at the shrub and dung beetles massive things, making their escape into the sand.  After this came the 40 kilometre return journey back to the ship, again up and over the dunes with just as much excitement.  We got close up to families of springboks and a hopeful looking jackal, close enough for some excellent photos. Funny how we didn't fall asleep in transit today!!!

Anyway, back to earth from the lunar views, back to the ship,  Namibian departure/immigration no problem, again a lovely dinner sitting with two Swedish women, laundry and now back in the cabin watching Skyfall. I can hardly believe we did that! I think we will sleep well tonight.  We have 7 sea days ahead before Cape Verde.  So I will say bye now.