Grand Africa, voyage, day 50, the narrative

28 November 2022, At Sea, Atlantic Ocean

The extra hour of sleep was so nice.  Now I add 6 to the hour on my Apple Watch.
The seas are calmer this morning.

I prefer eating in a less crowded area of the Lido, hoping to get a small table to myself with a window view.  Pand and Ane get my coffee (half hot water) and hover around me, ready to help.  My breakfast was muesli + granola + berry slurry with orange juice and coffee. 

Back in my room, I counted the Euros left to plan for the next few ports.
During Tai Chi, Erika announced that Jeremy in Covid isolation had recorded his Port Essentials for Luanda, Angola.  We can watch it on the TV in our rooms. 

Olga Stavrakis spoke at 10am: “Peoples and Cultures of Africa’s Southwest Coast”. She told us about the Bantu migrations down the East and the West coasts.  The San people, in between, are not related to anyone else, but they are genetic direct descendants of the original humans.  Also, the bride price actually empowers a woman, because that is her personal property.

Afterward I went to the dressy night accessories $10 sale by the Lido pool.  Temptations, but I bought nothing.
Back in the room, I watched Jeremy’s recorded Port Essentials for Luanda, Angola on the TV.   Former Portuguese colony.  Civil war until 2002.  There will be a shuttle bus to a market.

I ate lunch in the Main Dining Room.  Today’s special was a Reuben Sandwich.  I drank milk.
The Zaandam’s central pipe organ played at 1pm.  “See this antique Baroque style pipe organ dome to life.”  Even “Jingle Bells” was played.
Spotted two Christmas trees in the Explorer’s Lounge.

Mark Sampson spoke at 2pm.  “Africa Clockwise – Around Africa in a Carbon Neutral Truck”.   His family drove around Africa for seven years.  The Diesel engine burned cooking oil.
By the time I got to Arts & Crafts, all the seats were taken, but they handed me the kits for the Amethyst necklace and earrings.  I can put them together later.

Dressy evening tonight.  I wore the turquoise top & jacket that Lisa had given me.  All of us were comparing notes from yesterday.
My dinner was the Escargot Bourguignon, Grilled Lamb Chops, Creme Brulé, the Zinfandel Rose wine, and decaf coffee.  
More Christmas decorations are appearing around the ship.

“On World Stage: Vocalist Salim Kagee.  Interspersed with delightful anecdotes of his own life, this romantic selection of songs tells the endearing and oftentimes humorous story of Selim’s musical journey, which culminated in the singer becoming the premier classical crossover artist in Southern Africa.”  A bit of nice opera tonight too.

Two chocolates, the Daily Program, and a Penguin towel animal were waiting in my room.  Ellie the Elephant has a new friend.

Quote of the Day: “Once the travel bug bites, there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.”  Michael Palin

Photo gallery by Barbara Cummings