South Africa Recap

 

Day 1: Cape Town

• ·        The iconic flat topped table mountain could be seen towering nearby while still on the ship. We decided to head their and take a cable car to the top. There were fantastic views of Cape Town and the ocean. This is a view from the top. From left to right, Sam, Yarden, Phillip, Sydney and I

   

• ·         We headed next to a chocolate tasting of all dark chocolates made in South Africa. We ate lunch here on a picnic table overlooking the beautiful wine lands. After lunch we went to two wine tastings at different picture perfect wineries.

Day 2-3 Kruger National Park

• ·         After a two hour flight north we arrived at Kruger National Part. This park is the size of New Jersey! We went on a game drive as soon as we arrived, and then a day and night game drive the following day.

   

• ·         We saw the most magnificent sunrise over the park. You could see the full round shape of the sun a bright red/pink color. No picture could do it justice, absolutely stunning.

   

• ·         The expansive land is everything you could have imagined a safari would be. We saw the BIG 5! These are the 5 most dangerous animals on land. They include, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion. Other animals we saw included, giraffes, cheetah, wild dogs, impala, baboons, hyena, warthogs, etc, etc. The list could go on forever.

   

• ·         The animals were very close to us by the side of the road. Herds of elephants and giraffes within 20 feet of the truck walking past.

   

Day 4: Cape Town

• ·         After a two hour flight back to Cape Town from Kruger Park we decided to explore the V&A waterfront. We rode the ferris wheel overlooking the area to watch the sunset. Then had a delicious dinner. We were told to try the meat while here and did so, trying ostrich, steak, lamb chop, impala, springbok and nudu.

   

Day 5: Shark Cage Diving

·         We woke up bright and early to head out on the water with Shark Diving Unlimited. Once we anchored, the workers starting chumming the water and sharks appeared quickly. The cage was large enough for 6 people and placed over the side of the boat. We suited up in wetsuits and goggles and waited for our turn.

 

·         While in the cage we would wait above water until a shark was near and then go under to see it. The first two dunks I could feel my heart racing, but we then settled down. It was so exciting! A large shark swam right past us within 2 feet, and another grabbed the tuna head that was bait and slammed into the other end of the cage. The sharks were approximately 12-14 feet.

 

Day 6: Cape Town – Field Lab

·         The last day in Cape Town I had popular music class that went to visit Bloomberg radio station. Then we met Sugar and a musicologist detective, the two men that found Sugarman. If you haven't seen the movie "Searching for Sugar Man" I suggest it! We spoke with them about the documentary and visit his record store Mabu Vinyl.

 

·         Then we went to a bar and listened to a African jazz trio and relaxed. Not a bad way to spend a day in "class"!

 

                                                                                                                                             

 

Sea Olympics

The long anticipated Sea Olympics took place as we sailed on towards Cape Town, South Africa. It was a gorgeous, sunny day. All of the seven seas got into the spirit participating in events all day and having a blast. Christine, Tricia and I were all dressed up to support the Red Sea!

 

 

Acro-Yoga!

The ship has tons of activities going on while at sea. I've gone to acrobatic yoga, known as "acro-yoga" recently and am having a blast. Definitely taken me outside of my comfort zone.  This is my friend Michael, and Kyle the instructor behind us. Not a bad way to spend a night on the deck under the stars. 

Mauritius

Mauritius was absolutely stunning. The island was a picturesque honeymoon location. We sailed on a 58 foot catamaran through the clear blue waters and enjoyed the sunny day which was in the high 80's.

We first headed to a lagoon where dolphins were swimming by the boat. Then we went snorkeling, check out my underwater picture. The water was clear enough that we could see the bottom 30 feet below.

Next we had a BBQ lunch on board, sailed along, and then went ashore to walk the beach. We enjoyed the beautiful day and didn't want to leave! 

Neptune Day!

Today, in tribute to crossing the equator, we celebrated King Neptune day. A day where we become seasoned sailors, compared to our "polliwog" status of before. 
The tradition includes getting fish guts poured on our heads and kissing a fish! Other people chose to shave their heads, girls and guys included. I decided against that one!

India Recap!

Day 1: Cochin

• ·         We arrived on a hot and humid day where temperatures must have been 95-100 degrees. We took a ferry to Fort Cochin, an area where there are lots of markets to do some shopping. The people are very pushy to sell you their items and lack personal space boundaries.. It is a very interesting experience. A tuc tuc drove us around, check out a picture of this online. It is a small taxi and the driving is a bit crazy.

• ·         We saw the traditional huge Chinese fishing nets that look like a catapult. Then ate lunch and spent the afternoon cooling off on the pool back on the ship.

Day 2: Delhi

• ·         We left at 3 AM and flew to Delhi. We took a tour of the city when we arrived, including..

o   Qutub Minar – a large conical tower

o   Jana Masjid – The largest mosque in India

o   Raj Ghat – A memorial to Gandhi

o   Rashtrapati Bhavan – The Presidential Palace

o   Gurdwaras Bandla – Sikh Temple.

I've never felt so out of place than in the muslim temple where women wear the traditional Sari outfits and men are all outfitted in turbans. We had to cover our heads as well out of respect. It was a very curious feeling.

Day 3: Agra

• ·         We went to the Taj Mahal today! This was beautiful and way better in person than in any picture. We were able to walk right up and onto the white marble. (Check out the picture below!)

• ·         Next we visited the Agra Fort which was an array of buildings used for protection. It also provided a cool view of the Taj from farther away.

• ·         I tend to stick out like a sore thumb here being pale and a red head but I've never had more pictures taken of me than today. SOO many people wanted pictures, men, women, I even had a baby thrust into my arms. In the beginning it was funny and flattering, but it got old very fast. I know how the celebrities feel now!

• ·         Then we boarded a bus for a 5 hour bus ride to Jaipur.

 

Day 4: Jaipur

• ·         We headed to a beautiful fort that had an expansive wall over the mountains. It looked like a mini Great Wall of China. We rode elephants that were painted with decorations up the fort which was exciting. We bought turbans to wear and also mandi (the bead for your forehead) and took some very fun pictures at the top of the fort.

• ·         Next we visited the largest sun dial in the world. It can mark the time down to an incredible 20 seconds. After dinner I tried on the traditional sari outfit and got henna drawn on the back of my hand and forearm. When in India you have to do it!

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• Day 5 & 6: Cochin

·         We spent the morning on two flights from Jaipur to Cochin. Then just relaxed and recovered from our long trip back on the ship.

·         We wandered the markets and shops in Cochin the last day. We were able to do our last minute souvenir shopping and eat our last Indian meal.

·         HOLI! – My favorite part of the two days was celebrating holi by throwing powdered colors on each other. We bought white shirts so the colors would stand out. We were completely dyed from head to toe and had a blast.