Day 133 of 148 - SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS

 Date: 5/17/2024   Day 133   Port: SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS

Description: Discover gorgeous Santa Cruz de La Palma with its colorful buildings, 18th Century mansions, and wrought-iron balconies draped with lush bougainvillea, dramatic volcanic mountains, and fertile green valleys set amid a pristine turquoise sea. Explore the star-shaped 17th Century Castillo de Santa Catarina fortress. Then visit the Moorish influenced Iglesia de El Salvador to admire the luminous stained-glass windows. Stroll along O’Daly Street browsing through lovely boutiques, antique and artisan shops. Enjoy a glass of fine Canary Island wine in a jewel-like setting.

Planned Excursion: NORTH ISLAND SIGHTS

4.0 Hours   Strenuous Activity   #SCZ-002

Marvel at the exhilarating view from San Bartolo, a scenic lookout flanked by spectacular canyons.  See the unspoiled glory of a massive laurel forest at Los Tilos, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  Look for stunning local plants at Los Tilos, including the Canary bellflower and the Strawberry Tree.  Visit a rum distillery to learn how the sweet spirit is made and relish a tasting.  Admire an array of brilliant, lava-created swimming pools at entrancing Charco Azul.  Walk along the coast or simply absorb the stunning sights of northern La Palma.

Today's Notes: Oh what a beautiful stop.  This is where the European's go to escape winter.  The coldest it gets in winter is the low 60's.  It's perfect banana growing region along with sugar Cain.  We had a lovely ride into the mountains and spectacular views along the coast road to a high overlook.  We stopped at the Biosphere Reserve for about 45 minutes.  It was time enough to take a pleasant although steep climb up the trail leading into the forest.  

Click Here --> Santa Cruz De La Palma Pictures

Days 131-132 of 148 - CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 Date: 5/16/2024   Day 132  Sea Day: CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Description: The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about 85,133,000 km2 (32,870,000 sq mi). It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for separating the Old World of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the New World of the Americas.

Morning Update:  Tomorrow May 17th would have been our disembarkation day with the original World Cruise itinerary.   Instead we will be at our next port-of-call on the new modified itinerary, SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS.  The seas are much calmer this morning over yesterday.  It's cool and cloudy with occasional rain showers.  

Here are links to our current modified 2024 World Cruise itinerary and our next cruise segment returning us back to the US free of charge.    

Click Here --> 2024 World Cruise Itinerary

Click Here --> Final Cruise segment Lisbon to New York

Please note, just click past any popup window wanting your info.  There is an X in the upper right corner, clicking on that will cancel the popup and take you to the cruise information and itinerary.  

Day 130 of 148 - MINDELO (SAO VICENTE), CAPE VERDE

 Date: 5/14/2024   Day 130  Port Day: MINDELO (SAO VICENTE), CAPE VERDE

Description: Explore the Colonial past of Mindelo, the cultural center of Cape Verde with its distinctive blend of Portuguese and African influences. Make your way on foot to the Governor’s palace. Painted pink, it stands out among the other, smaller colonial era houses. Be sure to visit the Cape Verde Handicraft Museum before a stop at the fish market and the lively main municipal market in its own grand old colonial building. Shop for traditional handicrafts, pottery, baskets and woven items. Monte Verde, the highest peak calls to the intrepid hiker. Breathtaking views make the effort highly rewarding. Stroll along the waterfront and relax over a meal of local stew called cachupa, or a fresh fish delicacy in this lively exotic destination.

Planned Excursion: MINDELO – THE CULTURAL CAPITAL Cancelled

Today's Notes: Oh my, what a wonderful stop after Africa.  It was a most welcome change over what we have experienced in Africa.   I believe many of us including ourselves (I have talked with others onboard) have been a bit traumatize by what we have seen at the last few African stops.  This is a clean and very walkable city.  We all decided to skip our excursion and go into town.  Pat and Joe took the shuttle and Cathy and I walked, it was only a 20 minute walk from the pier.

The weather was nearly perfect, sunny in the upper 70's.  It was breezy at times which helped to keep us nice and cool.  We walked allover the city going down the many narrow side streets.  The city was so clean everywhere.  Pat and Joe bought a few souvenirs.  We felt very safe and was not hassled at all by the locals trying to sell us something.  

Click here --> Cape Verde Pictures

View from the deck as we were arriving in Cape Verde

Day 129 of 148 - CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 Date: 5/13/2024   Day 129  Sea Day: CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Description: The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about 85,133,000 km2 (32,870,000 sq mi). It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for separating the Old World of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the New World of the Americas.

Afternoon Update:  Today is a windy, partly cloudy day in the mid 70's.  We have moderate rough seas and Cathy is holding up better this afternoon than this morning.  We went down to deck 5, midship main dining room for lunch.  It tends to be rougher ride in our cabin than where we were at lunch.  Our only other option for lunch was up on deck 11 buffet.  The buffet is also at the rear where the ride is even more amplified.  

Day 128 of 148 - DAKAR, SENEGAL

 Date: 5/12/2024  Day 128   Port Day: DAKAR, SENEGAL

Description: Experience the rhythm and vibrancy of Dakar with its bustling open-air markets, historical colonial architecture and French influences. Visit the African Renaissance Monument standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Look for embroidered cloth, lace, and silk to turn into traditional robes called boubou. Try bissap, the local tea made with hibiscus, sugar and water. Browse through the gallery and gardens of L’Institut Francais. Savor a café au lait and pastry as you revel in the syncopated rhythm of this dynamic city.

Planned Excursion: HIGHLIGHTS OF DAKAR

4.0 Hours   Light Activity   #DAK-003

Capture dynamic photos at the busy Kermel Market and the neoclassical Presidential Palace.  View Dakar highlights such as Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, the Médina district and the Dakar Grand Mosque.  Gaze at the arresting Gate of the Third Millennium and take in breathtaking vistas from an ideally placed lookout.  Stroll the Soumbedioune Market in search of vibrant art and local handicrafts.  Observe the affluent Fann Corniche district and a university library built in the International Style.  Appreciate the creative use of sand as art at the Sand Painting Gallery, perhaps purchasing an eye-catching canvas for yourself.

Today's Notes: Today was the worst experience yet of all the excursions we have taken this far.  Cathy and myself only got off the bus once of the 4 hours spent on the bus.  Joe Rawson did get off the bus a few more times.  Pat Rawson remained onboard for the entire day.  

Most of the sites listed in the description above were drive byes.  Those that got off the bus at our first stop, a wet fish market, reported appalling conditions and smells that turned their stomachs. They couldn't wait to get back on the bus.  That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the excursion.  The city as a whole was very dirty and buildings in states of disrepair.   Most new construction appeared to be progressing slowly or not at all, abandoned with squatters living inside.  

I really wanted to see and perhaps say a few prayers at Our Lady of Victories Cathedral.  After getting off the bus we discovered the gate closed and locked.  This being Sunday it was surprising the church was already closed for the day when we arrived at 2 PM.   

It was unclear at the Dakar Grand Mosque (trip advisor pictures) whether we would be able to go inside.  Our guide, who was not very good, indicated we would only be stopping for 10 minutes for outside photos.  We remained onboard.  To the guides surprise that those that did get off the bus, they were met by security guards.  They offered an inside tour and gave the necessary coverings.  Those that went inside did report a very beautiful Mosque.  

Worthwhile stops were the last two,  African Renaissance Monument and Sand Painting demonstration and Gallery.  

Please check back for photo's.  I have a few and Joe Rawson has some that he need's to share with me.  

Day 128 - Morning Update - Back to normal

Just thought I would post this quick update from early this morning. We are no longer under the protection of armed security onboard.

Approximately at 5:30 AM our ship slowed to a stop.  A small zodiac craft was launched and all the security personnel's weapons were off loaded onto this craft. It then motored over to a small ship to transfer those weapons.  I could not make out the smaller ship, it could have been military.  The ship's AIS no longer is reporting "Armed Security onboard".  Notice the jog in our plotted progress near the port of Banjul.  

AIS is now reporting our true destination

Heading to Dakar due in at 11 AM

Days 126,127 of 148 - CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 Date: 5/11/2024   Day 127  Sea Day: CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Description: The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about 85,133,000 km2 (32,870,000 sq mi). It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for separating the Old World of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the New World of the Americas.

Morning Update: This is our second sea day after leaving Ivory Coast.  Tomorrow we are due into DAKAR, SENEGAL at 11 AM.  Checking the US State Department travel advisory listings Senegal is currently at the lowest advisory level 1 (Exercise normal precautions).  So we are planning on going on our excursion tomorrow.