Two Kiwi Fly to Fort Lauderdale to Experience a Grand Cruise - Africa

[colbe]

Ooh la la, a gift from the captain.  Ladies only. DH said "she's no lady, she's my wife".

 

[Bill Miller]

Bon Voyage!

[mac_tlc]

What a wonderful itinerary. Thanks for taking us along.

 

 

mac_tlc

[CruiseIreland]

23 hours ago, colbe said:

I was born in Rotorua. Lived in Whakarewarewa village with my grandmother who was one of the guides for the thermal area.

That was the highlight of our trip. Wasn't expecting it, it was amazing. Also, the Kiwi exhibit is much better than the one in Queenstown, due to use of red light. Great place. Ken 

[colbe]

Wednesday, 11 October. - Muesli, Meetings, Lectures & a Block Party

 

Weather fine with calm seas.

 

At breakfast this morning there was an insert listing extra cereals available on this cruise, including muesli. But as I found out, one needs to ask for 'dry' muesli, else you get Swiss 'wet' muesli. 

 

The Cruise Critic meet & greet was packed. It is always interesting to meet in person after having only exchanged messages online.

 

We had two interesting lecturers in the afternoon.

Andy Fletcher provided all the big numbers to prove that 'There's Nothing There, but Nothing is Really Something'. Very entertaining.

Olga Stavrakis presented the first in a series about Africa. 'The Enigmatic Geograhy and Surprising  Wealth  of Africa' looked at why the minerals found in Africa are vital for the rest of the world.

 

 4pm it was time for the Block Party and a chance to meet our neighbours. Wine and chatter flowed, and there were plates of canapés.  Some groups were still in the hallway socialising when we went to dinner. 

 

Scottish performer Hannah Howie entertained on the stage tonight. She has a very strong voice and a wide ranging repertoire. She was backed by live music, nice to have this again. And for once the sound was balanced and not distorted by being turned up too loud.

 

Clocks forward one hour tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

[bcummin]

Thrilled to hear that you are enjoying this voyage.  I delight in each detail.

Your Meet & Greet sounds like a success.  I enjoy the Swiss Muesli.  Glad that the block parties continue.

Last year our 2022 Grand Africa Voyage had no speakers the first few days out of Ft. Lauderdale.  Olga is wonderful.  We had her speaking throughout West Africa.

Glad to hear about the live music.  Your volume is a welcome miracle.  Remember to use your Navigator to praise the good.

Enjoy this time of a lifetime.

Barbara

Edited October 12, 2023 by bcummin

[dawnvip]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, I'll be following along too!

[colbe]

Thursday, Oct 12. Lectures, Deck Dozing, and Lectures

 

Weather fine, a little more sea motion

 

Captain has increased speed and direction so that we will go down around the bottom of a low depression that is building in the Atlantic. We are doing 22 knots and the ship is riding comfortably.  We have been warned to expect choppy seas and winds from tomorrow.

 

It is ideal weather for walking the Promenade or sitting in a deck chair reading. I am reading "The Woman in Cabin 10" by Ruth Ware. Not sure that it is a good book to choose when you are in a cabin at sea - a bit like watching "The Poseidon Adventure" is not a good idea.

 

At breakfast a couple of the dining room staff said that they are excited to be going to Petra. They explained that they have their own shore excursion desk and they use the ship tours when it is a long excursion as they don't have to take the responsibility for getting back on time. 

 

Dr Stavrakis presented 'Green Sahara', a look at how the flora and fauna of the Sahara region had changed over time.

 

Andy Fletcher presented 'Albert Einstein, Special Relativity, Space, Time and Weirdness'. His lecture is fast becoming the highlight of our day. He quipped that he has two contracts at the moment, one in prisons and one on cruise ships, and that both are captive audiences.

 

Later in the afternoon we meet with some of the group that we will be joining to explore the Souda area and Chania in Crete. I hadn't been in the Gallery Bar before, so it was interesting to meet there.

 

We missed out on a table for fixed dining but have now been given one in the lower dining room. For the first three days we were required to book day by day, but tonight we have been told that the table is now reserved through to Cape Town. We are enjoying the meals especially with the option to have a vege bowl as a side dish with all mains.

 

Clocks go forward again tonight (and tomorrow night ¿~•☆#!) 

 

 

 

 

 

[forwardho]

The Woman in Cabin 10 was the first Ruth Ware book I read. It is a page turner! I usually figure out the ending but this book surprised me. All her book are great. 😊 

Jill

[colbe]

Gift bags from HAL 

 

[oakridger]

Those gifts are similar to the gifts given in the last month to the other Grand Voyages.  They look very practical and it's good to be out at the beginning of the trip so you can use them!  Good to see!

 

~Nancy

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Have a great time. 

[Sea Birds]

On 10/12/2023 at 10:54 AM, bcummin said:

Thrilled to hear that you are enjoying this voyage.  I delight in each detail.

Your Meet & Greet sounds like a success.  I enjoy the Swiss Muesli.  Glad that the block parties continue.

Last year our 2022 Grand Africa Voyage had no speakers the first few days out of Ft. Lauderdale.  Olga is wonderful.  We had her speaking throughout West Africa.

Glad to hear about the live music.  Your volume is a welcome miracle.  Remember to use your Navigator to praise the good.

Enjoy this time of a lifetime.

Barbara

Thanks for the tip about asking for dry Muesli. I miss my Australian Muesli and even Nutra Grain! 

Hope we get to meet on board. I will keep my ears peaked for a Kiwi accent.

[Skipper's Mom]

Thanks for taking us along.  Enjoy your travels.

 

[Mary229]

I like your gifts better than the duffel type bage we received on the Grand South America.  Once unzipped all it is good for is hauling dirty linens to the laundry room😂