Cape Town, South Africa...WOW!

PREFACE: Well, it is now some 4+ weeks since we returned from our wonderful trip and I'm finally back to trying to get some of the trip posted before some of the details are forgotten.  

When we woke up on December 20th, we looked out to see the mountains along the southern coast of South Africa.  We had  stayed on board for Richards Bay and Durban so Cape Town, on the west coast of South Africa, would be our first port to put foot to ground.  Yes, the seas crossing Cape of Good Hope (where the waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet) were a bit bumpy but we love "bumpy seas"!

  

A couple of hours later, we looked out again and saw Table Mountain, the most notable landmark of Cape Town.

As we learned later in the day, that little "peak" at the very top is the top cable car/arial cableway stop.

A little further around the Cape, we could see, on the far left, downtown Cape Town then Signal Hill where we were scheduled for "Sundowners" later in the evening!  We cancelled and were glad we did!  The area clouded over so while the drinks and snacks would have been there, the sunset would have not been visible.

The highest peak in this photo is Lion's Head!  It doesn't look like it from this angle but later on, we would be able to see the reference name!    Off to the right, out of the pic, is Table Mountain.

A little further around, we could see the Cape Town Stadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  For others who may not know (I didn't know until last year) FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association, i.e., soccer to the USA'ers of us!

Finally docked in Cape Town, we could see Table Mountain in its totality and now it looks flatter and understandably why it is named "Table Mountain"!  Interestingly, I'd not noticed before, the white building with the cupola. in the center. is where we would be staying when we came back to Cape Town after our safari trip!

We were fully docked around 1pm and were off on our excursion some 45 minutes later.  We'd selected the Cape Town & Table Mountain tour! To us, a wise decision!  We had a great guide who cordially explained all of the sites and activities as we drove toward the lower cable car station.

The guide didn't really point this out, however, from pre-trip research, I recognized this as the hotel, the Southern Sun Cullinan where we would stay one night when we came back from our safari over in the eastern cape area.

Further along, we passed the New Church Museum.  Not sure why it's called "New Church" unless because it is on New Church Street but it is obviously in one of the early old colonial homes.  Click to read more about The New Church Museum.  At first I thought the structure in front was some sort of abstract cross but soon learned it was literally abstract art… "Art in Public Places"!

Headed up from the lower station, we could see our ultimate destination, the peak of Table Mountain and the upper station of the cable car.

It wasn't long before we were dropped off near the bottom station.  From here, we could see both stations, the bottom on the far left and the top at the peak.  And, at the bottom right of the photo, the line of folks queued up for the cable car!

Wheeee, we're getting close!

                       

This photo shows the view from where we started!  It took nigh on an hour for us to get to where the folks near the top left are standing.

As we got further up the line, we passed the original cable car, nothing like the ones today! This goes back to the when the cableway was first put in place in the late 1920's.  Today, it is a gelato stand.  As much as we like gelato, it was not worth getting out of the looooong line to sample the product.  Besides, it did not look like it was open for business!

Wooohooo! We've wrapped around the line and are now heading up the next level and can see Cape Town proper below us.

Tucked in about the center of the picture is our home, the Regent Seven Seas Voyager, for one more night!  The final night of our fantastic cruise!

As we were further up the pathway, this sign reminded all visitors of necessities.  Mostly things we did not need to fret about as we had not come on our own!  It never ceases to amaze me the things folks need to be reminded of!!  Did I come from the wrong planet!???!

Oh my goodness, we have come so far!!  It was "only" 30 minutes ago that we were at the end of this line (on the far right)!  Actually, about straight across on the other side of this line some 45 minutes ago.  Somehow, we survived!

Lines, aka queues, are NOT our thing!

FINALLY, we're on the platform to board the cablecar.  Looking down, we some hearty souls who have chosen to walk down!  Perhaps, they'd also walked up!  Based on what we'd seen of the lines at the bottom, they had to have been equally long at the top.  It might have taken less time to walk it!!  Well, at least on the downside trip!

Now, even closer, we can see our destination and the cables that would take us there. And, we could see the car coming down that would on its return, take us to the top!  The "cars" are round in shape and rotate 360° so everyone gets a look all around!  Truly a unique design!

Little did we know that Table Mountain has been designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.  As we did a little research, we learned that the 7 included Ha Long Bay in Vietnam,Iguazu Falls and Komodo, an island in Indonesia.  We've now visited 4 of the 7!!  Would love to visit the other 3 but none are high on our bucket list!  

On the "car" headed to the top.  It sort of puts into perspective how long the line was that day!!  It was a holiday weekend, the weather was beautiful, lots of folks were on holiday from other countries… somehow, we survived!

Another view from the cable car shows how far the cars were lined up.  These were folks who'd arrived independently! They not only had to walk the distance from their vehicles but wait in the lines, or, alternatively walk up the hill!  Made us even happier we were on tour!!

Here's a closer look at the type of car we were riding in as we rose up the hill.  As with most arial cable cars, there are only two and they offset each other as they go up and down.  Yes, VISA, puts LOTS of dollars into the ride!! 

Almost to the top we see how minuscule our ship looks sitting at dock patiently waiting for our return! See the red arrow near the top on the right.

On last look down to base station before we get off at the top.  The walking path to the bottom is clearly visible!  However, at this stage in our lives, we'll wait through the queue for the cable car back down!

WHEEEE!  Finally at the top and walking around Table Mountain!  These yellow flowers totally fascinated me.  They actually looked like yellow broccoli or cauliflower growing on a juniper type shrub!  A little research, thank you Google, revealed it to be called Fynbos.  Click on the name if you'd like more information or a sure cure for insomnia!

   

Exploring around the top, Tom is taking video and behind him, folks are in line for the cable car back down!  We'll be there in an hour or so.  If I remember correctly, our guide gave us about 90 minutes to explore.  

There are some AWESOME views from up here! This one is looking back toward the east & the Cape Horn area.

And, there are guys/folks who brave the mountain climbing bit and come up from the westerly side on ropes!  We were more than happy to come up by cable car!









And, as you would expect, a gift shop at the top!  There is a restaurant.  We treated ourselves to ice cream bars!!

We did go inside and we did look at all the items and, while many things were intriguing, we're just no longer collectors of souvenirs!  However, it is always fun to look!  This one little gazebo like room was fascinating.  I could just imagine it as a private dining cove in a specialty restaurant!

Signs along the edges described what we were seeing below.  This one described Robben Island.  Robben island for some 450 years served as a prison, et al.  It is where Nelson Mandela, along with thousands of other anti-apartheid activists, served some 20 years there.

 Beyond the sign, we could see Robben island.

Views from up here were truly awesome!  We were fortunate to have a sunny clear day with low humidity!  Would loved to have stayed up there for a couple more hours.


Only too soon, it was time to get back in line for the trip down!  As we got closer to the beginning of the line, closer to the door, we could see our "car" making its way to the top.

And, on our way down, looking back to from whence we came.

And, to where we're going!  We had a clear view of the other car coming up.

Back on the bus, headed back to the ship, we say "adios" to our Table Mountain visit!

As we drove through town, we passed one of the many ubiquitous US fast food chains we've seen in lots of other countries!!  No, we didn't stop or eat in any.  The only time we did that was in 2000 in Barcelona when we visited a McDonald's thinking they would have clean restroom!  NOT!  But, they did serve beer, so we tried that option!!

While most of downtown Cape Town is quite modern, however, there are touches from the colonial era.

Back on board, what a wonderful surprise! Christmas decorations had been delivered and crew had done a FANTASTIC job of making the magic of Christmas come alive for us!  We were greeted by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the atrium as we re-boarded for our last night onboard for this journey.

All the railings around the atrium were trimmed with garland and beautiful bows.

The obligatory jigsaw puzzle had been moved aside and a delicious looking "gingerbread", probably plastic!, village had been installed.  One of the officers came by and started the little train for us. What a delight!

In talking to a senior crew member after the trip was over, we learned the ship's carpenters had built the wooden houses (they do it every year) and then the pastry guys "gingerbread" them!  There is no space onboard to store decorations, thus what cannot be shipped in, is recreated each year!  What a treat!  Makes me feel like a child again!

A stop by the Voyager Lounge to catch one last Kasia & Boogie show!  They are our favorite lounge entertainer couple.  It was great to be able to travel with them again!

Looking out from our balcony, even the red & green (always there port & starboard) harbor lights had a Christmasy look.

We could also see the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront!  With hotels, shops, restaurants and adult beverage servings, it would definitely be the place to stay if we were going to be in Cape Town for a longer time.  We overheard some of the crew talking about going there for dinner!

Tonight was our 70th and last night onboard the Voyager for this trip.  We finished up our packing and had our bags out in the hall well before the time they needed to be.  They would head home with Luggage Free and we would head out in the morning with our carry on bags for our safari over in the eastern cape area.

It was our best cruise ever!  It was sad to leave so many crew members that we'd come to know and love!!  While several passengers had stayed on for 2 legs,  we were the only ones that had come 4 legs from Barcelona!!  Loved every minute of it!!

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Cruise Almost Over!

Today, we are in route from Durban, South Africa to Cape Town, the final leg of our 4th cruise on this journey... bittersweet!  We've come to know and love so many of the crew we'll be sad to leave them in two more days... but we'll be happy to take our little safari and head back home to our own bed and some of our own comfort foods!!  GRITS!  Never thought I could miss them so much!

As I write, we're rounding the Cape of Good Hope and, it is a little "bumpy" and "wavy".  Our wake looks like the Captain may have had a little too much wine!!  The ship is rolling and pitching as  expected!

A little actual video from the aft deck:

Well, this may be the last post for a while.  Today, we're starting the packing process, there is a DO NOT MISS show this evening, tomorrow, we'll be touring in Cape Town then Monday we'll be off the ship and headed over to the eastern cape to the Kichaka Lodge.  Not knowing what kind of internet access we'll have, we may be home before we add to our story.

A verry Merry Christmas to all of our friends who have been vicariously taking this journey with us!

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Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar, Tanzania perhaps not the most exotic place we have visited but, definitely, it has the most exotic sounding name!  Zanzibar is actually an archipelago off the coast of mainland Tanzania.  Tomorrow, we'll be in Dar Es Salaam on the mainland.

Arriving in Zanzibar, about to dock, we can see the main park along the shore, a tourist looking hotel, some nice beach and a LOT of small fishing boats.

Getting off the ship we are welcomed by traditional Tanzanian dancers.  Note that these musicians, unlike dancer musicians we've seen in earlier ports, include a horn.

Our tour for the day: Stone Town Tour.  Stone Town was formally the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate before Tanganyika and Zanzibar joined to become Tanzania.  Because of its prominence in historical and artistic importance in east Africa, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Our first stop was at the City Market. Also known as the Sultan's Market, it is indeed a site to be seen.  We went in through this entrance.

Just inside the entrance was the fish market portion of the market… hold your nose time!!  Took lots of pictures but wanted to spare the viewers, besides, some of the not so good aromas might come in through the pictures!  Here's one picture of octopus and squid ready for drawing and selling.

Next came the spice section.  Groups of spices were packaged in different shaped baskets. Usually included spices were garlic powder, red curry, sesame, coriander, cinnamon, hot chile and a pinch of saffron.  I suspected the saffron to actually be turmeric, purely because of the cost of the whole package, anywhere from $1 to $15 depending on one's bargaining skills! 

A couple of the shops were selling exotic shells which had been carefully cleaned and polished.

Then came the fruit and vegetable stalls.  This market is certainly a market for the locals!

This little kitty had commandeered some fresh fish, and, by the look on his face with his paw on the fish he looked willing to challenge anyone or anything that came close!

More fruits and vegetables.

Anyone for peppers?  Some of the hottest peppers in the world???

Up next was the fowl market, and with a foul aroma, it certainly lived up to its name!

I was amazed at the number of live chickens, ducks and geese they had running around there.

Most of the market didn't surprise me, however, seeing unwrapped loves of fresh bread sitting in the open for anyone to touch as they passed by certainly did.  Other countries just don't have the same standards as we.

Next, we were off to the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral on the grounds where the former slave market stood.  Zanzibar's Stone Town was host to one of the world's last open slave markets.  It was run by Arab traders until the British shut it down in 1873.  The people (slaves) were captured on the mainland and packed like sardines into dhows (a type of boat popular in the Arab world) and shipped to the island of Zanzibar.

At once touching and heart-wrenching, is the monument to the slaves.  The statues are life-size, the chains are original going back to the mid-1800s.

Back on the bus, we headed to the Palace Museum.  It was built in 1883 by the second Sultan of Zanzibar, it reflects the Omani influence in Zanzibar.

Looking through the main entrance, past the heavy doors to the little cannon to the stairs leading to the upper floors.

Inside the former palace home, there are pictures and artifacts from the times when it was occupied.

Some children, perhaps on a school outing, coming down from the upper floors.

The carved stonework is still in place, the once elegant mirror glass is certainly showing the effects of the seaside air.  As you might guess, there is no air-conditioning!  

Outside on the front porch, even the planters reflect the disrepair state the building is in.

Looking out through the gate, one used to be able to see the sea, however, now it is hidden behind a construction wall.  It wasn't clear what is/was going on behind the wall!

Leaving the Palace Museum, we head out for a walking tour to Old Fort and the heart of Stone Town.  We passed the House of Wonders (Belt-al-Ajab in Arabic) so called because when it was built in 1883, it had electricity, the first building in Zanzibar to do so and, it was the first building in East Africa to have an elevator.  The building is currently closed because part of it collapsed and took some of the wrought iron pillars with it.

Arriving at Old Fort, also known as Arab Fort.  It was built in the late 1600s by the Omanis to defend the island from the Portuguese.

As we go into the structure, we see a sign with a little more info that I'd not understood from the guide.  The bottom half of the sign is in English!!

As mentioned on the sign, the amphitheater was added in the 1990s.  The builders made sure it looked like it could have been there from the days when it was an active fort.









And, of course the obligatory shops!

"Hakuna Matata" is a Swahili phrase translated as "no worries".  Yes, it is also the song from The Lion King!  
"Jamba" translates as "Hello".

The temperature was in the mid 90s, it felt like it was in the 100s so we decided to go back to the bus. We'd seen a quick exit to the Forodhani seafront park and knew the bus was parked near there.  We let our guide know and headed to the shady park route back to the bus!  Even though we're Floridians, we just don't handle the oppressive heat very well… probably 30-40 years ago, we'd have been fine!

The shade and the bay looked soon inviting!

In the park, we passed under the most magnificent golden raintree we'd ever seen. We have them in Florida but I'd never seen one this prolific.

Boats anchored just off the park seawall, most are fishing boats, the large one on the right is actually a floating restaurant.

Back on the bus, the guide informed us we still had some more time before we needed to be back to the ship.  I guess he felt like he wouldn't be doing his job if he took us back a little early even though that's where most of us wanted to go.  Did I mention how hot it was!?!!!

He took us to the shoreline where the fishing boats, mostly dhows come in to sell their catches.  We knew we were close to our "home" when we saw it parked close by!

Buckets of sardines and crabs.

Fishermen cleaning their catches and price bargaining with the locals.

Heading back to our bus (on the right in the picture), I noticed on the left, lean-to shops selling warm clothing.  I just can't imagine that it gets cold enough to need warm winter clothing here!

Ahhhh!  Back in the nice cool air of the ship, I went up to the top deck and took photos of the fish market below,  where we were just a few minutes earlier!

And a little closer look shows folks actually wading out to meet the boats.  Even from the ship we could hear people shouting out prices back and forth!

That's it for the most exotic sounding name of any city we've ever visited.  Being that civilization was established much later than in the areas around the Mediterranean, we saw no ancient ruins like we had seen in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Jordan.  What a fascinating world we live in!

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