We have just finished our 5 days in Cape Town, and the Nice family had a great time in this port. Cape Town is a beautiful, modern city with the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and some amazing Mountains mixed together. Our port was right in the heart of the city, so getting around was easy, with all the pleasantries a short walk away. We were scheduled for a six day visit, but the strong winds kept us circling in the ocean for 30 hours and delayed our arrival. That 30 hours of circling was a lot of fun, with huge swells rocking the boat and clearing dishes off tables.
On day #1 in Cape Town we got a tour of the city by a friend of a friend. His name is Geoff, pronounced (Jeff), and he has lived in Cape Town all his 64 years. He drove us around to the top of Signal Hill where we got a beautiful view of the city. After that he drove us to his house in a suburb of Cape Town and treated us to a British lunch. Geoff and his wife Mary are British and have tea everyday, so you can imagine that the lunch was very prim and proper. Unfortunately our kids haven't had the formal finishing school training, so the British lunch quickly turned into a finger food, no utensils needed affair for our children. They were delighted to find out that Cape Town ketchup tastes similar to U.S. ketchup however so the lunch ended on a positive note. During lunch Geoff offered me a beer and after I polished off the second one he stated that they never drink more than one beer at lunch. I said this was my first time in South Africa and I was still adjusting to the culture. After our lunch the kids went swimming in their pool and played a little tennis on their tennis court. Geoff gave us a ride back to the port and we weaved our way through traffic, which included 86,000 people walking to the new stadium for a U2 concert. We hit the grocery store and were delighted to find some recognizable snack food for a change. We stocked up at the Pick and Pay and went back to the ship.
On day#2 we took a city bus tour (Red Line). These buses are double deckers with the top deck in the open air. They have earphones which describe each point of interest with 14 available languages. The idea is you can hop on and hop off, since the buses keep going around the route, so you never have to wait more than 15 minutes for the next one. We stopped at the famous Table Mountain and took a tram ride to the top. This was an amazing ride with a serious vertical gain to the top. Once on top we took pictures, had a snack, and the kids played on the rocks. After riding back down we stopped at the Two Ocean Aquarium. William absolutely loved this place, and the highlight was the Ragged Tooth Sharks that swim around just beyond the glass. After the aquarium we got ice cream and headed back to the ship, but not before stopping at the Pick and Pay for some more groceries.
On day #3 we took the city bus tour (Blue Line). This is the same idea, but a different route. We made stops at a Botanical Garden, Hout Bay, and Camps Bay. Jen took an hour tour through a township (ghetto), while the kids and I went to Hout Bay and had ice cream and played in the sand. When we got back from our tour we decided to go out for dinner, and the kids learned about eating dinner in a 40 mph wind. You must secure napkins, menus, and even empty glasses.
On day #4 we took a trip to Robben Island to visit the jail that Nelson Mandela and other activists were jailed during the Aparteid era in South Africa. We got a tour from a guy who had spent 4 years there, and he was predictably very serious and somber during the tour. Robben Island is very hot and the kids were melting in the heat. At one point in the tour William had to take a leak, and with no bathrooms I snuck him into the corner of the jail yard and had him leak in the corner. Unfortunately another tour guide walked by before he finished, and I was hoping he didn't think we were disrespecting the prison. William needs to learn that it's not necessary to drop his drawers to his ankles while going #1. We ended this day with a babysitter for the kids and Jen and I went out for dinner. We had a great time at dinner and enjoyed our last night in Cape Town.
On day #5 we were charged up to go swim with the Penguins at a place called Boulder Beach. We hopped on the train and made it to the Beach where we proceeded to stop for lunch. We were under a time crunch, since we had to be back onboard at 6pm. We had a great lunch where I discovered my favorite South African beer - Black Label. After lunch the owner gave us a ride to the beach and even came back an hour later to pick us up. We got to the beach and instantly you're surrounded by little African penguins. They used to be called the Jack-Ass penguin since they sound like a Jack-Ass when they talk. We sunscreened up, took pictures of the little guys, and climbed around rocks for a while. I took a swim in the cold waters with the penguins, and enjoyed watching them go sailing by. Standing on the beach with penguins made me feel like a big man. After the beach it was back on the train and back to the ship. We had a great time in Cape Town, and are looking forward to our next port.
Running News:
Cape Town provided me with the opportunity to get some good running in. They have a six mile promenade along the ocean that I used, as well as a road that goes along the coast. I was able to get in over 40 miles in 4 days, and felt great doing so. On one run I fell in with two African-African's and we clipped off about 3 miles at a sub 6:30 pace. There are a lot of runners in Cape Town, and biking is huge as well.
Other Items:
William has become very interested in the different bathroom urinals around the World. He loves the trough, and his side hobby has become checking the facilities in different bathrooms. I snapped a picture of his favorite trough in Cape Town, with him showing how to use it.
Vivian discovered the karaoke version of High School Musical and loves to high volume sing along in her room. I am also her Math teacher and so far she is earning an A.
Jennifer turned 40 yesterday and we celebrated as best we could on the ship. She took the day off from kids, had an 80 minute massage, cocktail hour at a friends cabin, dinner on the top deck, and opening of presents. This was followed up by a huge cake shared with about 30 new ship friends. I haven't met half of them, but when the cake rolls out, you have a lot of friends show up.
Take Care
Nice Family in Ghana
The Caribbean
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Into the Indian Ocean
We recently left Capetown and are now steaming towards Madagascar towards our next port in Maritius. As we rounded the Cape of Good Hope the seas were predictably angry, and that familiar odor began to fill the ship air. The barf bags were put out and bathrooms were full. As we got around the Horn we are now enjoying much calmer seas.
As we pass the days on the ship, William and I have reconstructed my old high school basketball league and play a game about every day. We keep the standings and upcoming schedule, and have the rankings. Surprisingly, Vernonia is doing well this time around and has a good shot at the league title. His dribbling and shooting are improving, and my ability to hit an outside shot in 40+mph winds is getting better.
We are getting used to the ship life, but it's definately the most mundane and difficult part of this voyage. I am getting much better at running on a moving treadmill, and have only fell off one time this week.
I finished up my two Louis LaMour books and was getting worried about my next read when all of the sudden I spotted Lonesome Dove in a pile of soon to be discarded books. I quickly rescued it and am enjoying reading it for the second time around. My memory is so poor that it might as well be my first time reading it.
I will put the Capetown pictures and post on soon. Later..
As we pass the days on the ship, William and I have reconstructed my old high school basketball league and play a game about every day. We keep the standings and upcoming schedule, and have the rankings. Surprisingly, Vernonia is doing well this time around and has a good shot at the league title. His dribbling and shooting are improving, and my ability to hit an outside shot in 40+mph winds is getting better.
We are getting used to the ship life, but it's definately the most mundane and difficult part of this voyage. I am getting much better at running on a moving treadmill, and have only fell off one time this week.
I finished up my two Louis LaMour books and was getting worried about my next read when all of the sudden I spotted Lonesome Dove in a pile of soon to be discarded books. I quickly rescued it and am enjoying reading it for the second time around. My memory is so poor that it might as well be my first time reading it.
I will put the Capetown pictures and post on soon. Later..
Friday, February 11, 2011
Five Days in Ghana, Africa
Before arriving in Ghana, Africa I had no expectations. I knew a few things about Africa : there are a lot of blacks, and they aren't called African-Americans, but after that I wasn't sure how they did things here. After five days of mingling with the locals I have to say that they are friendly people who really love Americans.
On our first day we traveled with another couple about 2 hours away to visit the Slave Castles. The first castle (Elmina) was build in 1482 by the Portugese for the spice trade. The castle was used to collect and contain the slaves until they were shipped to Brazil, Indies, US, etc. I was surprised to learn that Brazil was the main destination for the slave trade. What is now the U.S. was the destination for about 5%. We visited another castle called "Cape Coast," which was built later, expressly for the slave trade. Being at the castles and in the dungeons where slaves were held was an eery experience. The kids both enjoyed the castle tours, and both castles are located on beautiful beaches. We spent the night in a low cost hotel to allow for us to visit both castles.
On day three in Ghana we decided to head for a beach we heard about - Busua. We took a taxi ride for about 45 minutes and arrived at the Busua Beach Resort. The resort was huge and included three pools, a large beach front, and an outdoor restaurant. We paid a few dollars and the locals set us up with an umbrella and beach chairs. We all had a great time swimming in the ocean, swimming in the pool, and soaking up the African sun. We went through about two bottles of SPF 50 during the day, but all escaped without any major sunburns. At about 5:30pm we headed back to the ship and got the misfortune of a 2-pac Shakur loving taxi driver. I had never heard 2-pac's songs, but from what I gathered his vocabulary is limited to "Mother Fuc__r." I asked the driver to please turn it down, which he did temporarily until another of his favorite songs came on.
On day four we took a hike in a rainforest on a tour. Our trip leader was great (Jennifer), but this was six hours of riding a bus and 1 hour of hiking. I use the term hiking loosely as with 30 people in a line we would walk 10 steps, view a tree, insect, or listen to a bird, and then repeat this for the 1 hour. There were a lot of interesting trees, and we did see a giant millipede to highlight this day.
On day five we went to a local school/orphanage and played with the students for the day. We started with legos and worked into about 4 hours of soccer. Soccer is the sport in Ghana, and even though we played on a steep cement driveway, they were running full speed in barefeet. William loved playing soccer, and all the students loved Vivian and William. All the students are very friendly, happy, and loved the attention they received. Vivian and William had a good time interracting with the students.
Things I learned in Ghana
On our first day we traveled with another couple about 2 hours away to visit the Slave Castles. The first castle (Elmina) was build in 1482 by the Portugese for the spice trade. The castle was used to collect and contain the slaves until they were shipped to Brazil, Indies, US, etc. I was surprised to learn that Brazil was the main destination for the slave trade. What is now the U.S. was the destination for about 5%. We visited another castle called "Cape Coast," which was built later, expressly for the slave trade. Being at the castles and in the dungeons where slaves were held was an eery experience. The kids both enjoyed the castle tours, and both castles are located on beautiful beaches. We spent the night in a low cost hotel to allow for us to visit both castles.
On day three in Ghana we decided to head for a beach we heard about - Busua. We took a taxi ride for about 45 minutes and arrived at the Busua Beach Resort. The resort was huge and included three pools, a large beach front, and an outdoor restaurant. We paid a few dollars and the locals set us up with an umbrella and beach chairs. We all had a great time swimming in the ocean, swimming in the pool, and soaking up the African sun. We went through about two bottles of SPF 50 during the day, but all escaped without any major sunburns. At about 5:30pm we headed back to the ship and got the misfortune of a 2-pac Shakur loving taxi driver. I had never heard 2-pac's songs, but from what I gathered his vocabulary is limited to "Mother Fuc__r." I asked the driver to please turn it down, which he did temporarily until another of his favorite songs came on.
On day four we took a hike in a rainforest on a tour. Our trip leader was great (Jennifer), but this was six hours of riding a bus and 1 hour of hiking. I use the term hiking loosely as with 30 people in a line we would walk 10 steps, view a tree, insect, or listen to a bird, and then repeat this for the 1 hour. There were a lot of interesting trees, and we did see a giant millipede to highlight this day.
On day five we went to a local school/orphanage and played with the students for the day. We started with legos and worked into about 4 hours of soccer. Soccer is the sport in Ghana, and even though we played on a steep cement driveway, they were running full speed in barefeet. William loved playing soccer, and all the students loved Vivian and William. All the students are very friendly, happy, and loved the attention they received. Vivian and William had a good time interracting with the students.
Things I learned in Ghana
- Ghana is "Africa Hot."
- Many locals were mesmerized by William and Vivian and wanted to touch them. ( I don't think they see many white kids here)
- Everything is for sale and has a price.
- Don't give a vendor your name or they will find you with a personalized bracelet, seashell, or t-shirt.
- Millions of loose goats running around and a jungle of vegetation for them to eat.
- Taxi drivers never have more fuel than 1/16th of a tank of fuel.
- Lots of extreme poverty, but the locals seem really happy.
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