March 21, 2025

Around 6 AM ,we were awakened by a helicopter hovering overhead, lowering the b

female boat pilot onto the deck. Pretty well all harbours require us to use one of their pilots to guide us into the port.

Richards Bay is a City of approximately 60,000. It is predominantly an industrial City, but there is also a fair amount of tourism, mainly visiting the game reserves. It is one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. it is struggling with a very high unemployment rate of approximately 35%.

First thing today, all the passengers had to go through the South African passport check which was set up in the dining room on the ship. This process went

surprisingly orderly and quickly.

Immediately after the passport check, we had to ready ourselves to go on a one day safari tour. Soon as we got outside the ship we were greeted by coal dust, as we were docked in one of the world’s largest coal export facilities. We got on the bus quickly to exit the port secured area. Shortly after we were driving through the suburbs and entered the Highway on our way out of the City. Driving North we passed by numerous Zulu villages. The villages all looked well maintained and very tidy. After driving for nearly 2 hours we entered the gate into the Hluhluwe game reserve. The reserve is nearly 250,000 acres.

All passengers got loaded into 4×4 safari vehicles, holding about 10 passengers each. We were following a network of dirt roads looking for the animals. We  observed White rhinos, Impala’s, water buffalos, warthogs and a variety of other animals a minute d birds. At one point we

were surrounded by 25 or so Elephants. Luckily they were not too interested in us they were more interested in eating the long grass and brush. On the way back we were greeted by a baboon showing off his privates. After our return to the compound we got back on to the bus back to the ship.

Overall we were very satisfied with what we saw on our safari.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 22, 2025

Overnight our ship relocated to our next stop, Durban. Durban is the third largest City in South Africa, with a population of approximately 600,000.

For today we decided to take the complimentary Shuttle to the uShaka marine world. We were frequently warned that it was not recommended to walk by yourselves through the City because of the high crime rate. 

After we arrived at the marine world, we were surprised by the size of it. There were numerous families  with small children enjoying their Saturday morning. It was a combination of small stores , restaurants, aquariums and a theme park complete with ziplines, pirate ships and a flowing river for floating around on tubes. After following the corridor we ended up on the beach called the golden Mile. The beach was crowded with swimmers and surfers. After visiting an ATM, we ended up with a huge pack of rands for 100 dollars. Everything in the stores here is very cheap compared with our home country. For example 2 large lunches and drinks for $20. After lunch we spent another hour in the complex , before we boarded the shuttle back to the ship.

Overall we were happy with how the day went. We had visited this City 2 years ago and did an extensive City tour at that time.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 17, 2025

Good Morning readers, this morning we docked in the port of La Possession on the Island of Reunion. Reunion is part of France and the EU. It has a population of approximately 895,000. The Capital is Saint Denis with a population of 160,000. Reunion is a hikers paradise with its over 1000 km of trails  inside the 105,000 hectare national park. It is also home to many beaches. Swimming is restricted in some areas due to the presence of sharks. One of the world’s most active volcanoes is located on Reunion, it’s named Piton de la Fournaise.

For today we booked a tour to visit that Volcano. Around 9AM. the bus picked us up for our trip up the Island. Unfortunately it was a cloudy day with frequent rain showers. we followed the highway with small villages below us lining the seaside. After an hour or so we pulled into a gas station for some refreshments and a well needed toilet break. This was a little bit of a challenge, one toilet for 37 people. After our stop we continued on towards the volcano. We ran into some serious switch back roads, this made for a very challenging drive for our driver, barely able to make the turns on the narrow road. The higher up we went , the denser the fog became. We made a stop at a large scenic ravine, but because of the fog we couldn’t see very far. By now we had entered the flats outside the Volcano, in this area the roads weren’t paved anymore. we were driving over graded Lava. The area looked like a landscape of the planet Mars. After driving on this very rough and bumpy road, we arrived at the volcano orientation center. Here our guide gave a talk about the volcanoes history. There was also a chance to buy very expensive refreshments. Outside there was an opportunity to peek over the edge and look into the volcano grater. Unfortunately, because of the foggy weather conditions we couldn’t see much inside the volcano. After our half hour free time was up, we boarded the bus, on our way back to the small village for lunch. When we arrived at the restaurant, they had our lunch all ready for us. Rice with Pork and Tuna was served, complimented with red wine. After our lunch break, we got back into the bus for our ride back to the harbour. We didn’t arrive back till 5:00. for a 5:00 departure. They literally pulled the gang plank in as soon as we got on board. Luckily we were on a HAL excursion , otherwise the ship could’ve left us behind.

After we were on board we were informed by the captain that we were in for 18ft waves through the night. Not much fun!  Later that night I received pictures from our tour guide, of what the Volcano views should’ve been without the fog. This included a picture with the Lava stream stopping at the front door of the church.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 16, 2025

Good Morning, today we are re- visiting Mauritius. The island is named after the Dutch Prince Maurits of Orange. It is part of the Mascarene Islands, together with the neighbouring islands of Rodriquez and the French island of Reunion. The population of Mauritius is approximately 1.3 million, with the majority (145,000) living in the Capital City of Port Louis. Mauritius has a thriving Economy compared to most African nations . Outside of Port Louis, the island coustal areas are home to numerous high end Beach Resorts . For the budget minded travelers there are a variety of B&B’s and apartments for rent all over the island. The main languages are English, French and Creole.

For today we didn’t book a tour, but decided to take the free shuttle ride to the waterfront .The water front is a modern area lined with stores, restaurants and boutiques. To start the day we found ourselves a nice coffee shop overlooking the harbour. After our coffee break we checked out numerous small stores till it was lunch time . After sharing a pizza and enjoying a local beer, we walked around some more, shooting a few more pictures and enjoying the waterfront. By 2:30 we both decided to go back to the ship.

Looking back, we both agreed that  it was a nice relaxing day.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 13, 2025

The Seychelles is a country in East Africa, with a population of approximately 100,000. The Capital is Victoria with a population of approximately 25,000. The Seychelles is an archipelago of 155 Islands. The population is predominant Christian (75%). The main industries are tourism, fishing and farming. The main exports are fish products, vanilla, cinnamon and copra. The Seychelles are the richest African country, with a literacy rate of 96%.

We arrived around 11:00 AM in the City of Victory. As we are docked close to the City, we decided to walk and explore the town for the day. Our first visit was to the Botanical gardens, a 20 min walk from the ship. Our main goal was to see the gigantic tortoises. We were allowed to walk through the enclosures to see the creatures up close. We were about to leave the park when it started to rain. Luckily there was a cafe close by to protect us from the rain and at the same time we were able to enjoy a refreshment. After half an hour the rain had slowed enough, that we were able to proceed with our walk towards the town center. It took us roughly 25 minutes to get to the center. At the center we visited the market, where all kinds of fresh fish and fresh produce could be purchased. As we are fed well on the ship, there was no need for us to shop here. We visited the Hindu temple next. Unfortunately the gate was locked, and we had to do with pictures taken from the outside. Our next mission was to check out the souvenir and clothing stores, till we got hungry and thirsty and had to get ourselves out of the sun. We decided to stop for a light lunch on one of the patios in the downtown area. After our late lunch we continued our walk towards the ship. We didn’t feel the need to go out again, as we had done well over our 10k in steps.

As we decided today to explore the City on foot, we didn’t have a chance to see any of the beautiful beaches the Seychelles are known for.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 10, 2025

Today we are visiting the Maldives, one of the smallest countries in Asia. The archipelago country consists of a string of Atoll islands, with a total population of approximately 515,000. The Capitol City is Male with a population of 265,000. The main industries are tourism and fishing. Male is the most densely populated city in the world. The island is pretty well totally covered by highrises. The Island is connected with a neighbouring island by a bridge. They are currently building a bridge and connecting it to a third island.

For today we had a 5 hour tour to one of the resort islands called Cinnamon Dhonveli. After getting to shore in Male, we were picked up by a large speed boat who would take us for a 25 min. boat ride to the resort. At the resort we were welcomed by the staff with a non alcoholic beverage. We were given a wristband and had access to all the amenities of the resort. At this Resort you literally feel like you are in paradise. beautiful sandy beaches with crystal blue waters, multiple restaurants, swimming pools, tennis and badminton courts. This resort consists of cabins elevated above the water or cabins on shore facing the beach. I requested a tour of one of the elevated cabins, they are very impressive with stairs going off the patio into the blue water below . After spending time on the beach and navigating the island, it was time to board the speed boat back to the City. After arriving back at the City, I was planning to have some lunch. After walking through several streets, I noticed most restaurants were closed. I was told this was because of Ramadan. This was understandable with a 98 % Muslim population. It was even prohibited to drink water and eat in all public places. Even the stores were closing for a siesta break. After encountering all this, I figured it was time to catch the tender boat to the main ship.

To recap my visit here, It would be nice to spend a week on one of the resort islands. The downside is, the stays are very pricey and it is not an easy destination to fly too

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 8, 2025

Today we are visiting SriLanka, formerly known as Ceylon. It is known for it’s Tea production. The country has a population of 23 million. The main City is Colombo with a population of approximately 600,000.

For today Carol and I decided to do different tours. She was set on seeing Elephants, but I didn’t wanna do the 2.5 hr bus ride to get there. Instead I booked to go to the neighbouring City of Negombo, a city 40km away from Colombo. The main religion in the City is mainly Catholic compared to the rest of the country which is predominantly Buddhist. Negombo has a population of approximately 140,000. It’s also known as Little Rome. The main economic sources are predominantly Tourism and Fishing. For today the bus took us to a nice hotel to spend the day on the beach. For the day we had use of the hotel facilities including the 2  swimming pools. The hotel was adjacent to this beautiful sandy beach on the Indian Ocean. I basically spent the day at the pool enjoying the sunshine and on occasion having one of the local beers called Lyon. The Hotel chef cooked us up some burgers for the lunch hour. Around noon, a dozen or more fishing boats showed up fishing near the shore. Apparently they were fishing for Prawns. Around 3PM I returned to the dock in Colombo. After I got to the ship, I awaited the arrival of Carol and her Elephant story for the day.

While Cor spent the day at the beach in Sri Lanka, I travelled in a bus for 3 hours to visit the government run Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
It was a fabulous day spent watching these beautiful elephants in a clean and well run facility. When we first arrived the elephants were already bathing in the river accompanied by their mahouts. Elephants need to spend time in the water to help them regulate their body temperature and so that their tough skin doesn’t crack and get infected. Watching them come out of the water and walk uphill towards the orphanage was truly memorable.  They walked 3 or 4 abreast along a road way that was lined by shops. We had to tuck into the entrance of shops to let the elephants and their mahouts walk past us. We could reach out and touch them. There were twin 3 year old elephants in the group and they were always protected by the adults.
After lunch by the river we walked up to the orphanage and were given a tour. Most of these elephants will have to remain in the facility. They are dependent on humans for their physical and emotional needs. They are very close to their handlers. There are about 6000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka but due to the ever growing human population in a small country it is very difficult for elephants to be safe in the wild. They get hit by trains, electrocuted by farmers trying to keep them away from their crops and often face starvation. I respect the work that this facility is offering for the well being of these magnificent creatures.
What a great day!   

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 4, 2025

Another Day, Another Country.

For today we are visiting Phuket. Phuket is located on Phuket Island. The City has a population of approximately 75,000.It is well known for its beautiful beaches, Thai cuisine and maybe the old town of Phuket  with its colourful Portuguese looking buildings. The buildings were apparently created in 1903 by a very wealthy tin merchant.

For today we had booked a tour of Phuket old town on your own. After boarding the coach we headed towards the old town. During the drive , we had a tour guide lady taking non stop about ?, because of her poor English language we didn’t understand 75% of what she was trying to tell us. After we were dropped off somewhere  close to toilet facilities, we were told the bus would be back at 2:45 to retrieve us. Folks, picture this , we have a bus load of elderly people on the side of the road with very poor direction of where to go. Not a good scenario . People went in all directions looking for old town Phuket. If it wasn’t for Google Maps, we might’ve got lost too. eventually we ended up in the old town with its Colourful Portuguese buildings. It was basically a street lined with shops and restaurants. Around noon we stopped at one of the restaurants for some Thai food. Even ordering mild spice, it still made your nose run. After lunch we carried on through the many streets and eventually ended up by our bus pickup point. We were an hour early, but the tour lady was already there waiting for us, she was going to call the bus to pick us up early. Because of the extreme heat that was well received. When we arrived at the pier, we caught the tender boat to get us back to the ship. Later we heard that a few people arrived at the bus pickup point at the agreed upon time, but there was no bus. Luckily they noticed a bus from a different tour down the road and got a ride back with them.

We really never ended up seeing the beach, might have to come back to Thailand one day.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 3, 2025

Today we are visiting Langkawi, also referred to as the Jewel

of Kedah. Langkawi is an Duty Free island in an archipelago of 99 islands. The total population is approximately 100,000. The island we’re visiting is Pulau Langkawi with a population of approximately 65000.

From the pier we took the shuttle bus into the beach town called Pantai Cenang. We got dropped off near the Aquarium. From here we walked along the main street which was lined with small stores and beach hotels.  From time to time we used the beach accesses. The beach here was a very nice sandy beach with very few people on it. We strolled along the beach, looking for a patio to sit down. To our surprise they were all closed, the same with most restaurants on the main street. Apparently it was because of Ramadan. When we got back near our drop off point we noticed a Pakistani restaurant which was open. We had a great lunch here. The total bill for 2 came to $15.00. Very reasonable! After lunch we checked out one of the several  Duty Free stores, it was a great place to pick up snacks that we can give to the crew on board.

Again, it was very hot outside today, that was one of the reasons that we boarded the shuttle back to the pier.

Apparently the island is frequently visited by Europeans looking for an affordable beach holiday. Overall this was a nice stop.

Cheers

Cor and Carol

March 2 , 2025

After leaving Singapore yesterday we traveled overnight to Malaysia for a visit to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia is a country of 35 million. Kuala Lumpur is the capital City with a population of approximately 2 million. The religion is predominant Muslim. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (2024) Main exports are Tin, rubber and palm oil. It is also a major oil and gas producer. The oil and gas production is done mainly by state-owned Petronas. There are 22 oil refineries. No wonder that the gas price at the pump is only 50 cents/ liter.

The port city where we anchored is called Port Klang. For today we were on a day trip to the capital City of Kuala Lumpur which is approximately 1 hour drive inland. Our first stop was at the Kings palace. We were not allowed to go in, but we could peak through the gold coloured gate. There were 2 guards on horses greeting us. They were not allowed to smile or talk, much like the guards at Buckingham palace. I try to wink at them, with no response. Following our visit here, we stopped at the Royal Selangor, a pewter manufacturing facility. As it was Sunday today, most workers had the day off. For our next stop we were served a beautiful lunch at the Ibis hotel. Here from the 10th floor we also had a good look at the city with all the sky scrapers and multiple new high rises under construction.  After lunch we made a stop at the iconic Petronas twin towers. For some time these were the tallest structures in the world. They are 88 floors high and count 32000 windows. After leaving the towers we continued on to a large inside market, we had a choice between China Town or the inside market. We chose the air conditioned inside market, as the outside temperature had gone up to nearly 35 Deg C. The market was a good place to purchase souvenirs , T-shirts etc. As this was our last stop, we now we’re heading back for our 1 hour drive back to the Port City.

For me this visit was truly an eye opener. I had not expected how much of a modern country Malaysia is and that it had such a vibrant economy .

Cheers

Cor and Carol