African Indian Ocean

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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Zanzibar
December 30, 2023 in Tanzania
went on a trip and visited sultan 's palace where he had his hareem it was a ruin as it burnt down. I looked at the boats and then went to the palace museum
Then we went to the spice farm. tasted pepper cinnamon nutmeg and cloves. boy climbed a tree for coconut we drank the water and got hibiscus crowns. then we went and were given fresh fruit. orange pineapple, jackfruit, banana and watermelon. Caught shuttle bus to stone town which was the old town. Freddie Mercury museum told his life story.. walked around - lots of nice touristy shops. bought my Hasa matata dress. Met Millie againRead more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Dar Es Salaam
December 31, 2023 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Woken by drumming by our welcome committee. Did yoga and then went into the city with Millie . not much to see Just a big city and everything closed as it was Sunday.
Went back to the ship and played bridge with Jocelyn and Colin .
Captains cocktails and Laura from BTC did addressing the haggis. she was Scottish and very dramatic.
We spent the night on the lido deck Music fromboys from BTC Howard and string quartet. lots of dancingRead more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Mayotte
January 2, 2024 in Mayotte ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
was a bit off colour so I delayed my trip until the afternoon Went into Mamoudzou on tender. Had a look around there was a large covered market but no WiFi. Mayotte is a very poor country.
We had a long wait in the heat to get on the catermaran. It was a good trip to the lagoon which was in the sea. Then we went to a beach where I swam and borrowed a snorkel. I did not go very far out but saw some bright blue fish and others.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Nosy Be Andoany
January 3, 2024 in Madagascar ⋅ 🌩️ 30 °C
Andoany is the capital of Nosy Be, an island off the NW coast of Madagascar. I went on a trip to Lokebe national park , famous for black Lemurs and panther cameleons. went on coach to a sakalave village called Ambatozavavy where we got into canoes called pirogues which we could row to a village called Ampasipohy. it was a long way so we were linked up and towed by motor canoes. Then we went on a hike to see the wild life. it was a lovely lunch but some people got food poisoning .Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Nosy Be
January 4, 2024 in Madagascar ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
went on a private trip with Millie Got on a boat to a nice beach swam and snorkelled saw intresing fish coral and swam with a turtle. We climbed up to the lighthouse. Then we got in a boat to Nosy C to see Lemurs. we fed them bananas and they climbed all over us. lizards cameleons. Rough sea on journey back to port. saw flying fish
When I got back to the ship I got an invite to go on a rib. Mike went as well and captain Michael was the pilot. it was very exciting.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Antsiranana
January 5, 2024 in Madagascar ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
went on trip to Domaine de Fontenay it was a 100 year old garden consisting of primary forest beside a national park. it was a long and uncomfortable journey. We started with 4 passengers. we stopped to see a lady holding a chameleon. we gained 3 more passengers as the rest of their bus wanted to return as it was so uncomfortable. when we arrived 2 people transferred from the 3rd coach as the seat was broken. Giant tortoises snakes lizards and cameleons in the garden. Then giant bamboo in forest Lots of local trees large group of lemurs in the trees Then fantastic view right back to the ship. lunch with beer.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Réunion
January 7, 2024 in Réunion ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
overslept but pushed to front and got my ticket. it was a proper coach with AC and comfy seats. Trip to Cirque of Salazie Reunion is a volcanic island in the south there is an active one. 2nd most active after Hawaii. First stop was vanilla farm in the suburbs. production takes several years. .must keep away from air to keep fresh.
we visited a Hindu temple a lot of Indians came over to work on sugar plantations. Stopped at a small town called Bozoliza? with a big church.
Then up to Hel-Bourg. town was created in 17c because of thermal springs. They were destroyed by a cyclone. we had a nice lunch with a rum cocktail and wine.
The island has micro climates west very dry and wet on west. Lots of high waterfalls. there was lovely rainbow when we sailed away.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Mauritius
Jan 8–10, 2024 in Mauritius ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We went on a trip to the south of the island. First stop was an extinct volcano. It was overgrown so it was definitely extinct. Then drove past some Embassies , the Russian embassy was empty. The coach negotiated some roadworks where they were chopping trees at the side of the road. We visited a large waterfall and the 7 colour sands. We had to negotiate the roadworks again to get to the lunch stop. But the guide got out of the coach and ran ahead to stop the traffic coming down the hill. We had a lovely curry lunch at a restaurant which was in a great location, with a great view of the south of the island.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Mauritius
January 9, 2024 in Mauritius ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Went out in a taxi with Millie, Amy and Phil. First stop was to climb a mountain called Le Pouce. Phil , Amy and I stopped halfway up as it got very rocky. Millie continued up to the top.
Then we visited the Pamplemousses Botanical gardens . Palm trees, Cloves, Cinnamon, Indian laburnum, pink and white lotus flowers and waterlilies.
The taxi drove us to a scenic beach and then a beach for a swim.Read more
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Mauritius
January 10, 2024 in Mauritius ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Day 3 in Mauritius Millie and I got the shuttle to Port Louis. There is a very modern shopping centre near the sea front and we went to the Blue Stamp Museum. There were a lot of maps describing how the Indian Ocean had developed. We crossed the main road via a subway and into the old town where the shops and markets were much scruffier.
We found the bus station and with the Help of Millie's good french , got on a bus to a beach for a swim. Bus cost 45 Mauritian rupees, about 20p but about 20 stops.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Toamasina
January 12, 2024 in Madagascar ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Back to the east coast of Madagascar and it's raining. We got a shuttle bus, which was a bone shaker, into the town and we were dropped near a big market. Lots of rickshaws and tuktuks and the roads were very rough.
Millie and I hired a tuktuk to go to the Pangalanes canal. Amy and Phil got a bicycle rickshaw. We got a canal boat and sailed up the canal. There were lots of canoes carved from tree trunks, people spear fishing in the canal and bamboo barges. Lots of cargo transported on the canal. We stopped at a small settlement. There was a fruit stall beside the main road selling bananas coconuts and sugar cane. We sampled the sugar cane.
When we left the boat we swapped to the cycle rickshaw . Millie had a go at driving the rickshaw but it was hard work.
They took us to a grotty beach so we asked them to take us to a better one. The Tuktuk driver was pushing the rickshaw which helped our progress.
The sea was too rough to swim but Millie went in. There were fishermen pulling a net up the beach. Also a big wreck near the beach.
Afterwards we went back to the market and I bought some t-shirts, fridge magnet tuktuk and turtle.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Port D'Ehoala
January 14, 2024 in Madagascar ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
Went on a trip to the Botanical gardens of Saudi. There is some prosperity here as Rio Tinto has been mining for Titanium for 50+ years. So there was a good road and a comfortable coach. When we left the main road and went through the village the road was rougher. It was interesting to see the village life. The highlight was a group of 20+ men and a herd of Zebu churning up a field to prepare for planting rice. It was a total mud bath. In the next field the women were planting the rice.
In the gardens we saw ringtail lemurs, brown lemurs, crocodiles, cameleons and a boa snake.
When we left the gardens the Zebu ploughing was still going on. We drove through the town to the beach for refreshments and a swim. The sea was quite rough. Went back to the ship for lunch and then to the local beach where the sea was a bit calmer.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
At Sea - Ship Tour
January 17, 2024, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
Abby, the deputy entertainment Manager, and Luke from the Bollette Theatre Company showed us around the back rooms of the ship. First stop was Provisions
A chilled room contained the fruit and vegetables, big tubs of mayonnaise, etc. The meat was in the freezer.
Next stop was the laundry. All the crew's uniforms have to be pristine. Mike and Gareth s stuff was among the passengers laundry. one of their t-shirts on the dummy for steaming. Thes were on deck A in the bowels of the ship.
Then we went to the galley on deck 4. Lots of DIY stations for each course. System to record what has been ordered and how the waiters will collect the right food for their tables.
The back down to deck A and the engine room. All the utilities on the ship are controlled from here. Fuel, AC, water and electricity.
Also on deck A are the staff mess and some crew cabins.
The last stop was the bridge. Third officer , Jack explained the controls and then we listened to Captain Michael doing his daily broadcastRead more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Maputo, Mozambique
January 17, 2024 in Mozambique ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Went on a walking tour. First stop was the station which is a very elegant green and white building.
The large statue opposite the station, commemorating the second World War, is the only monument that remains since independence was gained from Portugal .
We viewed a mosque Jumma Masjid, the oldest in Maputo, and the coin museum then went to the market. Displays of fruit vegetables and spices, also lots of hair extensions.
Then we visited the fort which showed a lot of history of Mozambique. The carved coffin was for the last leader of a local tribe. Then I went for coffee and Pasteis de Nata .
After lunch on the ship I went to the craft market with Annette and Jocelyn. lots of paintings , bags , jewellery, carvings, etc.
I bought a t-shirt and then Jocelyn and I got a tuktuk to do a bit more sightseeing. Saw a star shaped church, visited a hotel with views over the city , Villa Algarve , a rundown prison, the natural history museum, the Cathedral, president's statue, town hall, metal house, designed by Eiffel same as railway station and lastly saw the bats in the botanical gardens.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Richards Bay South Africa
January 19, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Millie and I went on a Wetland safari. We had a 90 minute coach journey to the Simangaliso Wetland park where we transferred to Jeeps . We started on a game drive and saw families of Warthogs, Waterbucks, kudu, hippopotamus, white rhino ( not white). We stopped at Mission Rock for coffee and cake from the jeep. I walked down to the beach, which was rocky and the sea was rough. Then we had another game drive to Cape Vidal, where there was a beautiful beach. Not swimming weather, we got wet from the rain. Lovely BBQ with steaks, beef sausages, and salads. Then another game drive. Saw monkeys, African buffalo, kingfisher velvet monkeys, egrits, lilytrotter birds.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Durban
Jan 20–21, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Millie and I explored the city. It has a fantastic beach and a promenade along it. We walked along the promenade for a bit and then got a local bus to explore a bit more. We saw the City hall and then we went to Victoria market. I bought a t-shirt and some bangles. Millie got a suit case to take her purchases home. We got the bus up to the far end of the beach which was a bit dirtier. We walk back along the beach. There were some fantastic sand sculptures and we saw some Zulu dancing outside a cafe.
The following day I went to the beach near the ship and met Mike and Gareth. we went into the shopping mall . I bought a couple of dresses.
Sail away was at lunchtime. We had to vacate the back deck as the pilot was removed by helicopter. Very dramatic.Read more
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East London
January 22, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
I got the shuttle with Millie, Mike and Gareth
It went to the aquarium and we walked into town . There was nothing to see apart from off licence which was behind bars. We were later told that the area was not safe. We then walked along the beach . Met several people from the ship and we went for a coffee with Annette and David.Read more
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Gqeberha
January 23, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Gqeberha was formally known as Port Elizabeth. Millie and I went on a safari with Louise. We went to the Amakhala game reserve. First stop was the lodge which was the lovely old home of the Falks family from Lancashire. Their family tree went back to 1462 William Falks and his wife sailed to South Africa in 1897 and bought the lodge. After coffee we went on a game drive. We saw empala, waterbuck, Waterhogs giraffes, Elephants, zebra, Rhinos and cheetahs. Then we had a BBQ lunch.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Mossel Bay
January 24, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ 🌩️ 21 °C
I went on the St Blaze trail with Millie, Louise and Ben. We went down to get the first tender. It was very rough and I was nearly sick. They cancelled the tenders after 3 had sailed as people had been injured. We got a taxi to the start of the trail. It was 8 miles and followed the coast and went past one of the best golf courses in SA. Fabulous views along the coast.
We got the tender back to the ship. it was much calmer and we saw sharks in the water also dolphins near the ship.Read more
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Cape Town day 1
January 26, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Went on the hop on hop off bus with Jill and Millie. it went around the city.
We got off at Sand Bay, a lovely beach . lots of jelly fish and seaweed in the sea. The water was cold, this is the Atlantic now. We had coffee and then got back on the bus. We took it round and saw other beaches, the World Cup stadium and looking back along the coastline , the 12 apostles.
We got off in the bus in the center and did a walking tour around the Dutch town hall, English town hall , Methodist church, Desmond Tutu statue and statue of Nelson Mandela where he did the speech after been released from prison in 1994.
it was Millie's last night on the ship so she came to dinner with me and John from the next table. Then we did the quiz together and watched Howard and then Brad.Read more
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Cape Town day 2
January 27, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Nice bright day and I went on a trip to Cape Hope. Fantastic scenic drive along Chapman's Peak. The coach can only go along it one way as it is close to the cliff. The schedule had to be changed because the scheduled power outages meant we couldn't do the funicular railway until later. So first stop Boulder's Bay and the African penguins.
Met Millie and Nick by chance and saw their Airbnb which was just next to the beach. We had an enormous lunch ; fish and squid rice and veg followed by sponge and custard.
After lunch we passed baboons on the road and headed for the Cape of Good Hope Nature reserve. We took the funicular to the summit to admire the views.Read more
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Cape Town day 3 Wine Tour
January 28, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Jill and I went to the cruise terminal to meet our tour leader . The other 8 people on the tour were all from the Bollette and they had all booked in different ways.
the first stop was Freemantle in Paarl, one of the oldest farms in the area. we tasted 7 wines which were paired with cheeses which were made over the road. I bought 1 Spanish style and 3 blends of Shiraz , grenache and another.
We drove a short distance to Franschhoek to a restaurant for lunch. I had prawns and a salad with avocado and mango salsa. We had wine with the meal and tried MCC which is SA champagne. Then we visited the town, lots of nice shops .
Then we went to the second tasting at LaBri. 3 red wines paired with chocolate with white wine to cleanse our palettes and more fizz.
Then we had a walk around Stellenbosch, which was a very smart town with lots of shops and restaurants and art galleries.Read more
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Cape Town day 4
January 29, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
Table Mountain was covered with clouds. The trip from the ship up table mountain was cancelled. Jill Peter and I got a taxi up to the cable car. we went up in the cable car. It was very dramatic up the top. The cloud kept lifting and swirling around. It was very cold up there but there were great views.
Jill and I then went to Bo-Kaap which is an area of the city with colourful houses. It's the oldest residential area of the city. A lot of Muslims were the settlers there.Read more
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African Indian Ocean Traveler
Sea day
January 29, 2024, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 20 °C
Did Yoga with Benji. The sea was quite rough but the class was good with not too much balancing.
Quiet day with sunbathing and bridge with Mike in the afternoon. Did well and we were top.
In the evening we ate at the Goan restaurant, Vascos, which was really good. I had Chicken Xnsone. mixed starters squid mushrooms mackerel croquettes and sausage and lots of different breads.Read more
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Luderitz Namibia
January 31, 2024 in Namibia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
I went on the tender to town for a catermaran trip to see penguins on Halifax island. We saw seals and dolphins swimming and on the rocks
Lots of birds, oystercatchers - very noisy, flamingos; one of the few places where flamingos and penguins coexist.
There were 400,000 penguins on the island and guarna 5 ft thick. This was exploited which has led to the drastic decline in penguin numbers. to only 4000. The government has introduced measures to stop the decline and there are now 6000Read more
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