The trip begins

At the Polaris Lounge until takeoff at 2:40 pm

Spent our first few hours on a tour of Joburg with Eric from Iliad. \240It is a huge city with numerous enclaves. Houghington is the most posh. Joburg was not even on the map until gold was discovered on some farmland in 1885. The population today is over 6 million. The highlight of the tour was Constitution Hill, a prison for criminals and poltical dissidents. Nelson Mandela spent many years there and on Robbin Island. His life sentence for treason was commuted in 1985 when South Africa adopted a Bill of Rights heralded by the words: Freedom, Dignity and Equality. God was the strength for this brave man and many others fighting apartheid.

Departing lovely Peech Hotel, Gabriel provided attentive dining service. Small boutique hotel. Heading to the airport and off to Victoria Falls at 8:15.

Back at Tombo airport waiting for flight to Victoria Falls

Arrived at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg awaiting our flight to Victoria Falls.

Landed and off to the falls

Can’t really add anything to the pictures of our 3 day accommodation at the Victoria Falls Lidge

Arrived at the lodge yesterday and then went on a sunset cruise. Had a delicious dinner. Listening to jungle noises outside our tent at 5:30 am maybe a Wart hog.

Today began with a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls and the National Parks. It was amazing, especially the rainbows. Saw lots of animals too: hippos, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and elephants. Also got a picture of our “tent” from the air.

Today we did the walking tour of Victoria Falls. It was spectacular. After that we spent time in the somewhat chilly plunge pool on our deck. In the afternoon we went on a game drive and saw some beautiful elephants. Tomorrow we change venues and head to Cape Town.

Left our luxury digs in Zimbabwe today and made it to Cape Town late afternoon. Heads up when leaving out of Victory Falls Airport leave lots of time. Staying at a beautiful boutique hotel, Birkenhead House, in Hermanus. About 1.5 hours east of Cape Town on the Indian Ocean. Got here after dark but I can see the ocean waves splashing up toward our balcony. We were met with Gin Gimlets and a personal greeting by the chef who prepared us a delicious meal.

Today we didn’t get up till 730 glad to have gotten our clocks finally on the southern hemisphere time. We were supposed to go kayaking, but the ocean was too choppy so our consolation was wine tasting all day. Obviously not a hardship. We are continuing to enjoy our luxurious accommodations at Birkenhead house in Hermanus. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean, but right around the corner from the Indian ocean. Our balcony looks right onto the ocean. Surprise at the end of the day was a three hour total body exfoliation, massage and facial for me and a facial and massage for Randy. It was delicious.

OK, I missed journaling yesterday, but it was exciting. We went golfing at Arabella and then we went horseback riding in the Heaven And Earth valley. First time parking at a hitching post with our horses to visit a winery, “wine farm”.

Left Hermanus on the 18th \240with our guide James and spent the day tasting wine from the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch areas. Visited a cute gallery known for it’s pig that paints pigcasso’s! Had lunch at La Petite Femme where I had a delicious Ostrich Mignon. Arrived in Cape Town to the Future Found Sanctuary a very boutique earthy accommodation. Had a delicious chef prepared dinner. Next morning had another privately prepared breakfast and left for the day to tour Cape Town and Robben Island. Our meal at La Colombe we can rank as one of the best ever! Today we were picked up by James and were able to see Cape Hope, Penguins and the beautiful landscape of the area.

Amazing sights in Namibia the past few days..

Visited this island today. Temp was 83 but humidity was really high so it was hot. Tendered in from the boat. The areas we saw were poor and there was little infrastructure.

Arrived at 8 am to Loma. Went downtown to shop very crowded and very big. Lots of cloth for sale. Bought a drum and bowl. In the afternoon saw a voodoo ceremony. Very intriguing.

Waited about 1.5 hours to clear customs once docked. Rainy humid day. A convoy of about 13 buses was escorted from stop to stop by a police motorcycle escort Very big city, 3 million people. Purchased a mug, two coasters and a vertical painting with a baobab.

Pulling into port 9:10am. Sunny skies.

Docking at 7:45am in Dakar. Took a 4 hour bus tour that turned into 5. Terrible traffic. Not the best tour but did see the Renaissance Monument and watched sand painting. Of course I bought one.

Arrived at about 8am

Off ship at 9am