Live/Cloud: South Africa-Botswana+, Many Pix’s, Terry/Ohio

[TLCOhio]

Appreciate your continued interest and patience with the slow postings. After spending over two hours with the tech staff yesterday, things are slightly better last night and this morning. BUT, still extremely slow and mixed compared to what we had experienced just a year ago on the Silver Cloud while doing the Amazon River and Caribbean for 26 days. Maybe it is the “free” Internet of 60 minutes per person per day that is now provided on the ship that is slowing down and clogging up the process? When offer that much “access”, you need to make sure your “pipeline” and facilities can service that amount of use.

 

Up about 7 am on Saturday, Feb. 6 as we approach our mid-day docking in Maputo, Mozambique. This is a seaport on the Indian Ocean and the capital of Mozambique. It is a melting pot for many cultures with strong influences from South Africa, Portugal, India, and China. But the nation is working now to overcome many “scars” from their 10-year war for independence from Portugal and other internal “civil wars” and political battles for trying to gain some form of economic stability. We have been told that we should not miss the Central Market, a hub with all kinds of handicrafts, baskets and carvings, fruits, vegetables and seafood.

 

Today, the high in Maputo is predicted to be 89F, but a “real feel”, per AccuWeather, of being like 95F. Nice, bright, clear and sunny all day here.

 

Maputo has been the capital of Mozambique since 1898. The city was previously called Lourenço Marques until the country's independence in 1975. It is the largest city in Mozambique and the country's most important harbor. It is situated at the mouth of the Santo River in the extreme south, 54 miles from the border with South Africa. A large number of the 75-member golf group on our ship will be getting off here to go to Kruger National Park for an overnight safari experience there.

 

We are told this town has wide avenues and old trees with many people out and about in the streets, walking, driving and enjoying life. At times the atmosphere is as much South American as African. Buildings range from old colonial palaces to new high-rise constructions, but the dominant architecture consists of Stalinist-looking concrete-walled boxes.

 

From dinner last night with Cruise Director Allan King, this stop is a bit of a version for the American “Jones Act”. On Cape Town to Cape Town cruises, they need to have a stop outside of South Africa in order to make “things” work legally. Our expectations are low for Maputo, but we will hope for the best. We are due to arrive here at noon, ahead of the original 2 pm scheduled docking. The air conditioning is working well on the ship, things being smooth and efficient with the sailing, operational details.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 193,690 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

From Addo, we saw several ostriches, including the adult male and female, both with very different colorations/coats. But, I also managed to get several shots of just of their three “babies”. This one view is a top favorite as the three heads are aligned in special and very interesting angles. Agree that this one picture is a “super keeper”?

 

 

 

Super loved our views of these kudu animals at Addo. Got to be amazed totally by their unique, twisted horns and the colorations on their coats.:

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, we did get to see a dung beetle and learn more about their “activities” and why this name fits. I will not get into details here, but you can figure it out. Need more on these flightless creatures that only a mother could love.:

 

 

 

We saw several tortoise at Addo. Here is part of one large tortoise with its head cutely sticking out. Don’t you love the cute and colorful design on its shell?:

 

[TLCOhio]

From Addo, there were a number of different birds around and that we observed there on Thursday near Port Elizabeth. Here are just three visuals to share for your enjoyment. The variety we experienced in Addo during our five hours there was very interesting and enjoyable.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 35,627 views for these postings.

 

 

Here are just three of the more interesting birds that I was able to “capture” photographically at Addo. You can see from the beak on one of the birds that it is a very powerful and effective hunter. With the other two, their special colors and shapes makes it fun to see these creatures in the wild.:

 

 

 

 

 

[rumba2015]

Terry, Maputo is worth a visit. It is Africa at best and worst. Enjoying your blog!

[TLCOhio]

Terry, Maputo is worth a visit. It is Africa at best and worst. Enjoying your blog!

 

Yes, we are looking forward to sampling Maputo. Appreciate your kind comments and the other encouragements, questions, etc. Still needed more time to respond to a few earlier questions. Have not forgotten, just been busy enjoying the cruise and many sights.

 

Getting some more “catching up” done this morning as we are approach Maputo. As background from our first port stop, here is more on Port Elizabeth, one of South Africa’s largest cities, (second in area and fifth in population). It has a metro population of over 1.3 million. It stretches 16 miles along the bay named “Algoa” by the Portuguese. It was from here that their trading ships departed for the Goa coast of India riding the favorable monsoon winds. Port Elizabeth has many beaches and a mild climate. Its name is often shortened to “PE” and is considered the water sports capital of South Africa, with scuba diving, game fishing. It is situated 478 miles east of Cape Town. Port Elizabeth was founded as a town in 1820 to house British settlers as a way of strengthening the border region between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa.

 

The first Europeans to have visited the area were Portuguese explorers Bartholomew Dias in 1488 and Vasco da Gama who noted the nearby Bird Island in 1497. For centuries, the area was simply marked on navigation charts as "a landing place with fresh water”. One of the Portuguese's main goals in the Indian Ocean was to take over the lucrative trade of Arab and Afro-Arabian merchants who traveled routes between the East African coast and India. In 1820, a party of 4,000 British settlers arrived by sea. The Acting Governor of the Cape Colony named it after his late wife, Elizabeth. Surprise, PE was not named after the first Queen Elizabeth!!

 

Below is more on Wednesday dinner/evening activities. Fun!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 208,535 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

For those interested in dining, here were my picks/results from Wednesday evening in La Terrazza. Look good? Yes, it was!! That night was a formal night on the ship (one of two scheduled). BUT, given the various early stops, plus the Botswana safari travel/logistics challenges later, we skipped bringing the “dress-up” items. The opening item was a mushroom type of tartlet, then their super-good pasta treat. The main item featured a lamb dish and then dessert featuring my love of coconut.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of dinner the talented chef and the dining room manager stopped by our table. My wife is shown along with our dinner guest, the super excellent destination speaker, Rob Prentis. We are now at Saturday getting ready for his 10 am lecture on South Africa and race. From talking with Rob at dinner and at other times, he has added so much to our knowledge and insights about this country and its tangled and unique history that is still evolving to this date. Rob is around on the ship and very accessible for any questions, just to chat, etc.:

 

 

 

Finally after enjoying dinner, it was show-time on Wednesday at 10 pm and here is one sample of the “Singers of Silversea”. This group of six does very well together with great enthusiasm and talented, classical voices.:

 

[Keith1010]

Terri,

 

As usual, great photos and great narrative.

 

Keith

[TLCOhio]

Terry, As usual, great photos and great narrative. Keith

 

Appreciate so much Keith dropping by and making such nice and kind comments. His wonderful blogs are my starring inspiration!!

 

We have just docked in Maputo. Very interesting as we are docked right near the main town, including within about a block of the historic train station that designed by the famous George Eiffel. Does his name and “French Connection” bring back memories?

 

The Maputo skyline has a variety of old and semi-new buildings. Lots of warehouses around. Some not in perfect condition. The town does seem different. Like visiting a little different type of world. Fortunately we not at a long distance from some of the “action”. Look like a mini-market is happening now in front of the train station. We were cleared to go ashore a little after noon and we will be sailing away at 6 pm. Another smaller cruise ship is docked right ahead of us in this port area.

 

Just finished lunch sitting next to the pool and enjoying the sights, sounds of the city, watching the various action aspects for this exotic city with a great, unique name. Many more visuals coming!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

If Venice is one of your future desires or past favorites, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 57,203 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

 

From our Thursday night dinner in the Main Dining Room, my first section was a variety of wonderful crab tastes/options. Normally I avoid duck as it tends to be dry, but this worked very well, especially with the extra side of sauce. Plus, some nice, moist cake, etc., as the dessert.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Thursday night entertainment after dinner, here were three of the talented female singers with their colorful costumes. Plus, here is the wonderful Cruise Director Allan King doing his wrap-up for the evening with his colorful soxes, plus his old-school, charming jokes.:

 

 

 

[Fletcher]

Liked the shot of the warthog, Terry. The comb-over rather reminded me of The Donald.

 

Hope you managed to get something out of Maputo. There is a pleasant, colonial-era hotel there called the Polana which used to offer a splendid afternoon tea.

 

Do you know what the smaller cruise ship was? Our favourite Island Sky might be there.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Fletcher

[TLCOhio]

Fletcher: Liked the shot of the warthog' date=' Terry. The comb-over rather reminded me of The Donald. Hope you managed to [b']get something out of Maputo[/b]. There is a pleasant, colonial-era hotel there called the Polana which used to offer a splendid afternoon tea. Do you know what the smaller cruise ship was? Our favourite Island Sky might be there.

 

Tothesunset: Keep those comments and photos coming' date=' Terry. Wonderful. Just one question - which of these [b']two beautiful ladies[/b] are you taking home with you?

 

Zimbo: Great photos and live blog as usual Terry - I predict this one is going to turn into a classic! Looks like you had an awesome time in Cape Town and surrounds' date=' with great weather. The exchange rate at the moment is also a bonus! [b']Good choice to take the heli-flip.[/b]

 

swindy: Terry. Can you advise who the Captain and main officers are on this voyage and' date=' if possible, advise if they are likely to be the same on the March 16th voyage from Accra to Barcelona please. [/quote']

 

Up around 6:30 am and getting ready to arrive in Richards Bay. Since we were in another country, we will need to go through South Africa passport control again, but hopefully we will be off of the ship in time for our roughly 10 am start of our two-day, private safari “adventures”.

 

Here are some answers for a few questions. On the ship in port with us yesterday at Maputo, its name is Boudicca licensed out of Nassau. Smaller ship, seemed to be carrying passengers from a location in Europe.

 

The Hotel Director is Ken Fella and he just got on the ship so my guess is that he will be on the ship for your cruise. Will check more specifics. Allan as Cruise Director will be on the Silver Cloud at lease till Spring and reaching the Med, etc. See more below on the Captain and Dining Manager.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Super loved Dubrovnik!!! See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at this link. Have had over 30,628 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and dropped by.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

 

 

Here is our Captain up-close and personal on the side control deck saying “hi” to me and giving a greeting after he did a great job docking in Maputo. Notice the blue glasses frames? His name is Michele Macarone Palmieri. Per swindy, this Captain gets high marks and knows these southern Africa waters well. I have not yet had a chance to chat with him during this cruise, but I will try to check how long he will be in charge of this ship.:

 

 

 

Here are two different pictures showing the Hotel Director and Dining Room Manager. The Hotel Director just got on the ship with us at Cape Town. His name is Ken Fella and he seems very out-going and interested in knowing our observations/needs. In this picture taken yesterday, he is shown on the left with CD Allan and one of the singers. Second is the “food boss”, Hedi Karoui. He seems very experienced, super out-going, having a good memory for details/names, etc. He is from Tunisia and just got on the ship. I caught this photo of him with two happy passengers from the UK while he was doing his mid-day check-out of the Pool Grill area operations. Heidi will be on the Silver Cloud till June. He just got back from being on vacation.:

 

 

 

 

 

Friday night at the end of our second sea-day, we had dinner with Cruise Director Allan King and two other couples. My choice, happily, was the rack of lamb. Very good!! Then, some wonderfully traditional Italian dessert with a unique design touch. Also, excellent!:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a one visual sampling for the excellent Friday evening classical music program with great costumes, sets and smooth voices. This is one of their best programs and it was done very well.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Here are the first of a series of various visuals from in and around Maputo. Yes, it was a bit “third-world” in its manner and style. My photos focus, however, on the more positive views and images. There is no point here in showing half-built buildings and/or structures that had been damaged by fire, etc.

 

There was lots of hyper “selling” by various street merchants, pushing a wide variety of items at ALL of the various stops. These folks were not shy and did not give up, even when you were back inside of our bus. Sell! Sell!! Sell!!! Fortunately, the bus was well air-conditioned. Out guide and driver worked well. Would not suggest doing Maputo on your own. At each of the two markets we visited, there was a bit of “almost begging” for them to get us to accept a higher price, etc. As our guide told us, unemployment is very high here and the political corruption is what you might expect in these parts of Africa. It was an interesting experience and we are glad we were able to sample this variety of locations in their capital city.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro? Check these postings. Have had over 26,436 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and commented.:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

 

 

Here are two views of Maputo, its skyline, etc., from our ship as we were in the process of docking and getting ready to depart for the town tour.:

 

 

 

 

 

Right near to our ship was their famed rail station with its distinctive design by Mr. Eiffel with its cast iron top. Lots of people, busses and action were around this location that was only about a block and a half from where tour ship docked. My wife commented that my picture made this area/building look better than the more grim urban “reality” that we encountered.:

 

 

 

Here are three visuals from their central town market that we visited. Lots of varied goods here, including seafood (without the cooling protection of ice), home goods, hair extensions, fruit, veggies, etc., etc. Most people here, especially, the women did not want their pictures taken. Local custom is to ask first!!:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an example of just one of the many, many street merchants pushing their various goods. There were lots of colorful items available and they would quickly be willing to drop the prices down as you showed total lack of interest and/or were trying to explain the lack of luggage space to bring back some of these larger items.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Here is part two on Maputo. More to come. It was a nice, sunny day, but the humidity was not too bad and the breeze worked well to keep things fairly decent as the temperature was around 90F..

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For Athens, Greece, check out this posting with many ideas, tips and exciting visuals for our visiting there and nearby. There have been over 11,418 views on this posting. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

 

At their historic town fort dating back to the 1600’s, here are three visuals from this old stone structure. This includes the view from this fortress towards some of the newer/nearby buildings, one of their old cannons and shells, some colorful flowers on one of the trees, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a view of their National Capitol building, with the newer design of the main Catholic Cathedral shown at the right. In the center, dominating this square is this statute of their first leader at the time of gaining freedom from colonial rule. Second is a closer look at their Capital building with their flag flying strongly at the top.:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of the street merchants where I had to “negotiate” about his “talent fee” to be a “Star” in one of my photos. It all worked out! Cute, interesting visual showing much street action in the background?.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Here is part three on Maputo. Traffic flowed well around town. We got to see the “upscale areas” where some of the top and former officials live in very nice and luxury locations that are extremely well maintained. There also some new hotels along the coast that have just been built in the past couple of years as their hopes for expanded tourism increase. The gap between the smaller group of “haves” versus the “have nots” is clear and distinct in this country.

 

North of Maputo, their resort/beach options are increasing and these scenic areas overlooking the Indian Ocean are becoming more popular.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 135,023 views for this posting.

 

 

Here are three visuals from their Natural History Museum. The exterior has a unique, distinctive style and in actual reality is not quite as nice as my leafy picture reflects. Inside they had lots of large Africa animal models, plus snakes, butterflies, shells, baskets, other items to reflect their history in this country.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are just two visuals from the craft market we visited during our ship’s city tour. Lots of variety and well-made items that we saw. The first picture has a demonstration being done of a musical instrument that was being offered. Second is my wife talking about options. In the background, you can see the wide range of items offered in just this small part of this large area.:

 

 

 

 

 

As we did our sail-away from Maputo, here is the view from the top of the ship, with the strong lighting on these ships and buildings as the sun is starting to set. This shows the area of town near the fort that we had visited earlier in the day.:

 

[lincslady]

Terry - loving the photos, especially the ostriches, warthogs and kudus.

 

The Boudicca is a basically British ship, belonging to Fred Olsen lines - of Norwegian origin, starting as banana importing boats from the Canaries. Their cruise ships are all older ones, renamed for Fred.Olsen, and the passengers mainly older Brits. Cheap and cheerful - though not especially cheap. One of our first cruises was on the ancient Black Prince, in a cabin of 100 sq. ft., with bunk beds. We still managed to gussy up in tux. and evening dress when needed. Quite a change when we upgraded to Seabourn suites, at 300 sq. ft.! Dinner was two sittings, and in fact the food in the evenings was pretty good, though very British in style.

 

Keep up the good work with your reports and pictures; lots of us are enjoying them.

[Nigella]

Hi Terry. Lincslady beat me to it, I was also going to give you a bit of information about Boudicca. The Fred Olsen line is well known to British cruisers. I haven't sailed with them though.

 

Great pictures as ever, I particularly admire wildlife shots as I'm a hopeless photographer.

Fabulous memories for me as I did Cape Town- Cape Town last year with Seabourn. I've visited South Africa previously and do think it's a country that is better enjoyed on a land-based holiday, but the cruise was amazing. You saw more of Maputo than I did, must admit I was pleased to leave that port.

Looking forward to reading more!

[swindy]

Hi Terry

 

Thanks very much for the information.

We are really, really hoping that Capt Palmieri will be on our sailing up to Barcelona.

We know Alan and Hedi but the Hotel Director is new to us.

[les37b]

Terry, is Sergio still the maître d in the main restaurant?

[eliana]

A fascinating thread, but I would like to change the subject as cannot find a thread that is suitable.

We have been offered Vista suite 406 on a forthcoming Clod cruise. It nearly at the front and we are concerned about noise. Any views, comments or even experience of that suite. Or even direct me to an appropriate thread.

[spinnaker2]

I suggest you put a search query in the search cruise critic box at the top of the page for vista suite 406 silver cloud.

I think you will find several threads with discussions about the suite you mention.

[Silver Spectre]

A fascinating thread, but I would like to change the subject as cannot find a thread that is suitable.

We have been offered Vista suite 406 on a forthcoming Clod cruise. It nearly at the front and we are concerned about noise. Any views, comments or even experience of that suite. Or even direct me to an appropriate thread.

 

You are likely to suffer significant anchor noise when coming into port, which may be a problem if you are a light sleeper or like to sleep in. You may also suffer a certain amount of noise in rough seas. As a suggestion you might ask to be waitlisted for a suite further towards the middle of the ship.

[eliana]

You are likely to suffer significant anchor nois and e when coming into port, which may be a problem if you are a light sleeper or like to sleep in. You may also suffer a certain amount of noise in rough seas. As a suggestion you might ask to be waitlisted for a suite further towards the middle of the ship.

Thanks. Exactly what we've asked our TA. On another Cloud matter. Does anyone know which Vista suites are shower only and which shower/bath combination and are the shower heads the old-fashioned fixed head or the more modern flexible

[Fletcher]

You are likely to suffer significant anchor noise when coming into port, which may be a problem if you are a light sleeper or like to sleep in. You may also suffer a certain amount of noise in rough seas. As a suggestion you might ask to be waitlisted for a suite further towards the middle of the ship.

 

Do ships use their anchor when coming into port? I think not.

[MrsWaldo]

Do ships use their anchor when coming into port? I think not.

 

Having had that suite there IS anchor noise coming into port. I have no idea why but not only could you hear it you could see it.

[CarolynTPV]

Terry, I love your blog and photos. Thank you for posting!

I'll be joining the Silver Cloud on 3 March, leaving the ship in Ghana.

CarolynTPV

[Silver Spectre]

Do ships use their anchor when coming into port? I think not.

 

Correct, but there are motors that are started up and kept running during the approach to docking or anchoring, and yes it can be rather noisy.

[Silver Spectre]

Thanks. Exactly what we've asked our TA. On another Cloud matter. Does anyone know which Vista suites are shower only and which shower/bath combination and are the shower heads the old-fashioned fixed head or the more modern flexible

 

Only 412, 414, 411 and 415 have been left with the bathtub and shower combination.

[Stumblefoot]

Terry,

 

Once again, thoroughly enjoying your live report from the Cloud and the remarkable eye you have for photography. Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us bound by winter's grip.