I thought I'd get you up to date on the the happenings on board Silver Wind during the last 4 days since leaving Walvis Bay, Nambia. In no particular order, here goes.
1. We're at the point of 0 degrees latitude, 0 degrees longitude--or at least within a few miles of it--and characteristically the sea is dead smooth and the winds are calm. It's also kind of warm out: 80 degrees temperature and 80 percent humidity, respectively, at 8:59 am GMT which is our current time zone of course. This is the point that Google Earth goes when it doesn't know where you are. We are a few hundred miles from the African coast where there are places like Gabon (home of the deadly gabon viper), Biafra, and the various Guineas.
2. Tomorrow morning we will visit Takoradi, Ghana, arriving alongside at 8 am and sailing for Gambia (instead of the perhaps rioting Senegal) at 5pm. According to last afternoon's port briefing by the Shore Concierge Manager, there is not much there but you can hire a taxi to see the sights. He did warn us that the taxis as well as their drivers are unreliable. So, we will take the ship's hired shuttle bus to the town market and take a few pictures. He also warned us not to take pictures of "any police personnel--including plainclothesmen". Think about that a moment.
3. The sea days have been wonderful. I've already read three books. The surprise upgrade to the veranda--actually a small balcony with two chairs and a small foot and a half square low cocktail table--has been most appreciated. We've already been threatened that we will have to move back down to our "Vista" (meaning windows only, no balcony) at Las Palmas. Easy come, difficult go. By the way, verandas typically add $120 to $145 a day to the cost of the cruise, when you pay for them. So, I better not complain too much. Maybe just sob a little.
4. Each morning I go up to the Observation Lounge for juice, coffee, and my custom baked dairy free Danish pastries and watch one of the guests walking laps. As he goes by the front of the lounge each time, he walks into the binnacle and looks very surprised. I'll try to get a picture of him one of these mornings, poor chap. Attached is the view from the Obs. Lounge as we cross both from the Southern to the Northern and Eastern to the Western hemispheres.
5. Apparently, it was not noticed during the mad cap reprovisioning operation in Cape Town until inventory was taken that one container was not delivered to the pier. The most egregious omission in the ship's stores now is a more or less complete lack of Champagne on board the ship. As this was discovered after we sailed for Walvis Bay, a delegation consisting of the Chief Sommelier and the Maitre d' visited a large liquor store in small Walvis and found 12 bottles of sparkling South African wine that met their standards. They asked the proprietor if there were any more "in the back". The owner said, "How many bottles do you need." They said, "240 bottles, please." He said, "We only have the 12." Walvis will be talking about this for quite a long time. They don't drink much Champagne in Walvis, but they do drink a lot of beer in Swakopmund I suspect. There are rumors of an emergency shipment coming via air to Accra and being trucked tomorrow the 150 miles to Takoradi. I will report on this.
6. Besides the dust-up with Champagne, there seems to be some sort of consternation among the management on the ship. We've seen what looks like brief serious conversations among the most unlikely combinations of managers, such as the Maitre d' and the Head Butler. I have nothing to complain about as long as our future bookings are not threatened. Still waiting for confirmation of our Summer Solstice 2013 cruise to from Copenhagen to Russia (and back) and some details on our already deposited January 2013 Pacific Ocean crossing from Los Angeles to Sydney via Tahiti. Yikes.
7. The Room Service Manager came by last evening to explain that one of my shirts got "over bleached" and that the ship will compensate us for the loss. I will suggest upgrades to veranda suites for all future cruises.
8. Our friends Bruce and Susan have noticed a lack of customary care of the morning long continental breakfast supplies in the Observation Lounge. They even wrote a short note to the Hotel Director. He responded immediately, but the juice again ran out this morning. For reason's unclear, a number of the restaurants' management have inquired to me about the supplies in the Observation Lounge. Why me?
9. Last night was a rare formal night without any events that affected us. Barbara and I had a delightful date. We both looked lovely. However, we noticed that the Captain and Chief Engineer were hosting a large table of mostly elderly women who were traveling independently. I asked the Captain this morning in the Obs. Lounge when he came up for his customary espresso who he enjoyed his "harem". For just a second I believe I saw him make a face. It's not easy at the top.
10. Barbara has posted a picture on her blog, http://barbara-africa1202.blogspot.com of her official ringing of the noon ship's bell on the Bridge per her temporary appointment to the crew. The bell was on time and loud and clear. All the other women who were asked respectfully declined. I think I will ask the Captain for compensation for Barbara's work, perhaps more days in a veranda suite.
More during our three additional days at sea after Ghana tomorrow. Please keep in touch and let us know how things are.
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