West Coast of Africa with an Explorer.

Today we have set sail from Capetown on the Explorer for an expedition up the west coast of Africa for Accra,Ghana.First we spent 5 days in Kwa Zulu Natal and then 3 nights in Capetown.We were aq little hesitant about our time in Kwa Zulu Natal as we were driving ourselves around.Many people thought us stupid but fortunately we listened to the old Africa hands.I thoroughly enjoyed it So thought I would start of with just a few pictures of our pre cruise travel.

Our first stop was Cathedral peak.We awoke to this view every morning-

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The rock was called Baboon Rock.We soon saw the real ones-

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There is something for everyone here and I thoroughly reccomend it.A report on the hotel is here-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/hotel-experiences-and-reviews/cathedral-peak-hotel-drakensbergs-kwa-48619.html

Next we travelled to the Anglo-Zulu battlefields and stayed at Isandlwana Lodge.Really fits in well with the countryside with a view over the battlefield of Isandlwana where the Zulus gave the British Army a lesson in tactics.However this place is really for those with an interest in South African battlefields.A review is here-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/hotel-experiences-and-reviews/isandlwana-lodge-kwa-zulu-natal-48622.html

There are however some colourful visitors-

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However it was the battlefields I had come to see.This is just one small piece of the Islandlwana site.Under each of those white cairns lies at least 5 British soldiers-

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At Rorke's drift where 139 British troops held of 4000 Zulus one of the most moving parts is the new memorial to the Zulus who died-

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However it was not all doom and gloom.Modern Africa made an appearance-

Keep it up, drron. We go back to W Africa next winter and want to see eveyrything you want to show us! Our best to the other poster in your suite!

Yes! Please keep on posting. We board the Whisper on April 2 and head up the African west coast. Some of the ports you will be visiting are the same ones as our cruise this year. Next February we are booked on the Wind on a B2B also up the west coast into mostly different ports. We couldn't possibly be more interested in your photos, experiences, and advice. Thanks SO much.

Probably meet you next year, Cruisin...

There was thick fog on the morning we drove from Isandlwana to Durban airport-a problem when people and animals walk on the roads and potholes can be large.Despite that I did not feel any great stress driving and certainly can reccomend thinking about hiring a car to get around.

We then flew to Capetown.

We went out to the vineyards one day stopping at the Kirstenbosch gardens on the way back to the hotel.A reccomended day even if you dont drink wine.Stellenbosch and Franshoek are pretty places with craft and other shopping to keep anyone happy.A few pictures-

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These were the Hidden valley and Uva Luma vineyards-so picturesque.Next were Tokala and the Graaf vineyards also with fantastic views-

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Then in Franshoek-

Then Kirstenbosch gardens which are magnificent and left to the nation by Cecil Rhodes.We knew however it was time to leave-

On the other full day we had in Capetown we first went to the V & A waterfront.A trendy shopping and eating precinct.We found a Belgian restaurant-DenAnker which did great Moules et Frittes so we ate there twice.Table Mountain makes a great backdrop-

I was however saddened by some of the items on sale-

We then drove to Cape Point.We stopped on the Chapman's Peak road and noticed a disturbance in the water.Turned out to be literally hundreds of dolphins-

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And the obligatory stop on the way back to see the penguins-

And a stop at a beach side pub with a look back over False Bay and the lights of Fishhoeck-

Next we board the Explorer.

There was thick fog on the morning we drove from Isandlwana to Durban airport-a problem when people and animals walk on the roads and potholes can be large.Despite that I did not feel any great stress driving and certainly can reccomend thinking about hiring a car to get around.

No problem for you, Ron... You drive on the wrong side of the road at home, too! It was a fun time for us too, driving around Cape Town and the Peninsula... We rented a nice car, thought carefully about each and every turn, and had a great time. Cape Point is very picturesque.

Enjoying your pictures - we were caught unprepared for how beautiful the Stellenbosch and Franschoek areas were. The wineries are in such gorgeous settings that you can sit and taste all day, enjoying the great mountain views... It does make for an extra challenge driving on the wrong side of the road! :eek:

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

It really feels like coming home.We have the same suite on the Explorer that we had on the PA11 in 2010 in the Arctic.Here are pictures of our Silver Suite-

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Note that it has both a bath and a separate shower.This is better for us than the Silver suite aboard the Cloud.

As usual the berth is not that modern-

On this cruise we are sailing with our surrogate family-my former medical partner,his wife and 2 youngest children to whom we are known as grandparents.His wife's brother lives in Capetown so we were able to have his family as guests on board before sail away.That is next.

Certainly Capetown is one of the most impressive places to sail away from.Before we did we had lunch on board.Chicken pate followed by trout over cous cous and washed down with a perfectly acceptable Savignon Blanc.

Before sailing we had to clear Immigration.This was a shambles.They had cleared the crew and we were amongst the first called.We waited for about 10 minutes whilst the officers seemed to be arguing with one another.When I got to face the officer she asked the others whether she should place the exit stamp on the same page as the entry stamp.

But now to our sailing.The port was busy-

Table mountain provides an impressive backdrop-

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Soon we are clear of the breakwater-

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A great view of the new stadium built for the Soccer World cup as Capetown starts to disappear-

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The real African Explorer, as everyone knows was Groucho Marx in "A Night at the Opera"

Perhaps you will remember:

My name is Captain Spaulding, The African Explorer, did someone call me Schnorer, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray.

He went into the jungle, Where all the monkeys throw nuts.

Spaulding: If I stay here I'll go nuts.

Crowd: Hooray hooray hooray.

Loving you pics, drron. Keep them coming.

Hi great pics. We were in South Africa last summer and did the self drive tour. It was a piece of cake and I find SA quite inexpensive.

We will be on the Explorer from Lisbon starting April 29. Would it be too much trouble to ask for a couple of items;

Pic of the complimentary wine list and a description/pic of the Conissuer's lounge cigar and cognac list?

Enjoy your cruise and be safe. BTW, how crowded is the ship?

Looking forward to vicariously enjoying your exploits drron. Have fun!

So glad you are having a good time, Ann and Ron, let me know how you enjoy Namibia. Keep posting, it's VERY enjoyable. P and B xx.

Boyhaiboy I spoke to the Sommelier onboard who says there is no list of complimentary wines-though he must obviously have one.However the wines do come from Silverseas own inventory and he said will be much the same across the whole fleet.I have photographed the premium wine list and the cigar list and will post a little later.

Back to the cruise.Day 2 was a sea day and what did we see,we saw the sea-

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As you can see there was a moderate swell but was coming from the stern so no problems.We had lectures on the history of the sea and Ethnobotany.This was more enjoyable than it sounds.That night was the Captain's reception and dinner and we dined with Toby the botanist who not only is a good speaker but a great dinner guest.

The next day was an early arrival at Luderitz.

There was quite a delay in getting the the ship cleared but when we did Immigration the Namibian officials where much more efficient than their South African brothers.So soon it was off to our first expedition,the ghost town-

We started in the community hall which is now a small museum with a shop and cafe.Here are the ovens used for catering-

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More to come.

A little more of the museum and shop.

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Naturally they sold diamonds.next was the single men's entertainment with skittles and naturally a beer fridge-

Next was the iceworks-

and the German sausage making room-

Now some of the buildings from advanced decay to seemimingly easy to get back to use-

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The hospital-

And the tramway to distribute water-

But the sand is encroacing-

But this didn't deter Drron and his shadow from making sure no diamonds were left behind-

On the way back to town I saw an Impala.No photo as the bus was going too fast.So it was goodbye to Kolmanskop and through the barren country to Luderitz.The company obviously takes its toll-

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Luderitz had some ordinary buildings,impressive historical buildings and even a new waterfront hotel-

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next was a walking tour of Luderitz.

The Lutheran church was on the highest point in town with windows given by Kaiser Wilhelm-

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It had an interesting stone garden-

There were many colourful buildings-

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But the pride of Luderitz was the Goerke house-

More on that next.

The Goerke house was built by a German who was desperate to get his wife to live in Luderitz so it is grand.A lot of the furnishings are still there-

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The views are great-

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It is one of the few places with an European style garden so it attracts some pretty healthy wildlife-

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The train line into Luderitz was torn up in the early nineties and according to our local guide has been promised to be restored each year since-

Though the speed limits for the train crossing still exist-

And here is the first diamond exchange,now a bank-

But sometimes nature has just as good a design-

And the final shots in Luderitz-

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It was time to leave Luderitz-

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The ship was ready and our escorts in the sea and air were ready-

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And we sailed into calm seas-

So now a few comments on matters that have generated some heat.First the food.I have been more than happy with the food-good quality,reasonable choices and prepared well.The chef is Grant,an Australian who lives in Thailand.I have appreciated the odd Aussie touch.The meat unlike some previous reports has been very good.Always cooked as asked and people are warned-eg with lamb dishes the waiters will say it is served pink and is that OK.

And a special note to Bill-I miss that Scots accent but have to tell you a much better vegetarian choice on this cruise compared to the Cloud.Indeed on a couple of occasions I have had a complete vegetarian meal.

Wines-well that is always subjective.I have not encountered a complimentary wine that has faults.Some have not been to my taste but still enough choice to satisfy me.

As to the food I will do a collection of food photos and post a link later.

So next-on to Walvis Bay.

The sea was very calm.At times seals,dolphins and turtles were seen-

Had a very nice meal for dinner.The full moon was in view-

Later on the fog rolled in and the fog horn kept us awake for awhile.As it was a reasonably early start we had breakfast in our suite.Once again dolphins and seals gave a performance and there were lots of jelly fish as well.The Namibian navy was in-

And cormorants staged a fly past-

We berthed next to a snappy looking vessel from Marseille-

And in the distance were some flamingoes-

Next Walvis Bay then dune bashing.

So off we set after breakfast for our dune bashing.We were in an old landcruiser held together with duct tape,dodgy seat mountings and no shock absorbers with Len our driver.

First you go along the Esplanade where there are many magnificent homes-

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As the houses end you come to something more spectacular-

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At the end of the road you come to the salt works and the salt pan-

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But the fun had not yet started.