Whispering Around The World 2019

[mysty]

As reported in the other WC thread by Silver Spectre, the Lady Whisper received a Mayday from a local ship that had capsized this morning.  It carried cargo and passengers.  Under Maritime Law the Whisper was required to divert and head to the accident site to aid in rescue operations.  We reached the site near Principe at around 1:30 pm.  We are currently sailing in a search grid pattern under the direction of the Portuguese Navy.  Apparently some people have been rescued and some bodies recovered. 

[mysty]

The Captain has just announced that the Lady Whisper has been released from the search and rescue mission by the Portuguese Navy.  We are now sailing to Takoradi, Ghana.

[mysty]

News story link.....

 

https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1127212/Ferry-capsizes-off-West-Africa

[Daveywavey70]

How awful M, fingers crossed for the other 4 missing.

 

[mysty]

Another news article......not sure how reliable though.....

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6960875/Six-die-ship-sinking-Sao-Tome-Principe.html

[Daveywavey70]

2 hours ago, mysty said:

Another news article......not sure how reliable though.....

 

 

Knowing the Daily Wail, not very.

[Wellseasoned]

According to CD Fernando just now, the authorities say that there were 6 confirmed fatalities from yesterday's ferry capsize, and there are 11 missing. 

 

On the nights of April 27 and 28, during transit of the Gulf of Guinea, an anti piracy watch will be enforced aboard the ship.  The instructions we have all been given are similar to those we remember from  transits of the Red Sea. 

 

 

 

[mysty]

Glorious evening at the Grill tonight with the Wellseasoneds and the Emtbsams.  Wonderful folk on this cruise!

 

And Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Lifesgreat!  

[Silver Spectre]

2 hours ago, mysty said:

Glorious evening at the Grill tonight with the Wellseasoneds and the Emtbsams.  Wonderful folk on this cruise!

 

And Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Lifesgreat!  

And a Happy Birthday to Christian!

[Lifesgreat]

22 hours ago, mysty said:

Glorious evening at the Grill tonight with the Wellseasoneds and the Emtbsams.  Wonderful folk on this cruise!

 

And Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Lifesgreat!  

Thanks M, a wonderful night was had, Thanks to the wonderful Lady WhisperTeam. No one could do it better.

[Silver Spectre]

And a Happy Birthday to Norman!

[jpalbny]

On 4/26/2019 at 6:03 PM, mysty said:

Glorious evening at the Grill tonight with the Wellseasoneds and the Emtbsams.  Wonderful folk on this cruise!

 

And Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Lifesgreat!  

 

Happy anniversary indeed! We are looking forward to meeting the Emtbsams in August when we are in Iceland together on Silver Cloud!

[mysty]

6 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

And a Happy Birthday to Norman!

 

Yes!  Happy birthday Norman!

[mysty]

Last early evening we were treated to a performance by a local group....Aaron Bebe Sukura and The Local Dimension Band.  They played a range of West African acoustic music styles.  The instruments were delightful and the music was great fun to listen to.  There were also two very energetic dancers...a lovely woman and an agile man.

 

[Stumblefoot]

12 hours ago, mysty said:

Last early evening we were treated to a performance by a local group....Aaron Bebe Sukura and The Local Dimension Band.

That's awesome!

[mysty]

World Cruise Photo Exhibition......

Tracy Fleming is putting together a slide show of the best of the World Cruise photos taken by passengers.  The exhibition will take place at Afternoon Tea on May 10 in the Panorama Lounge.  Brilliant idea!  So many amazing photos have been taken by our fellow passengers.  This should be a wonderful show!

[mysty]

The Lady Whisper is due to dock at Banjul, Gambia this morning at 8:00 am.  If the weather cooperates there will be a Dinner Under the Stars tonight.  Great fun was had at the last one.

[mysty]

Sail in to Banjul, Gambia.....

 

 

Our greeting....percussion band, "marching band" and a lone bagpiper (not in the photo).....

 

[Silver Spectre]

24 minutes ago, mysty said:

Sail in to Banjul, Gambia.....

 

 

Our greeting....percussion band, "marching band" and a lone bagpiper (not in the photo).....

 

It sounded like the bagpiper was still learning the instrument!

[spinnaker2]

Such an incredible experience!

AMAZING!

[mysty]

1 hour ago, Silver Spectre said:

It sounded like the bagpiper was still learning the instrument!

We didn't hear the poor bagpiper.  He was drowned out by the percussion band and the "marching band".  He was standing very forlornly off to the side away from all the action.  😞 

[Wellseasoned]

1 hour ago, Silver Spectre said:

It sounded like the bagpiper was still learning the instrument! 

I play the bagpipes, and the piper on the dock indeed sounded as if he was very early in the learning process!  It does take a long time "to be fit to play at the tomb of kings and not just that of a bastard prince"  as my own teacher used to say.

[DCCruiser57]

Well another interesting day.  Another first for us.  Captain just announced tomorrow in Dakar, we dock for an hour to let tours off and then will relocate to another dock for 5 hours for refueling operations.  During this time, no one is allow to leave or get back on board.  At 2 pm, we will relocate to the original dock.  Thus, the shuttle does not start until 2:30 pm.  Our 4 hour tour was extended to 6 hours with a light lunch thrown in.  

[turtlemichael]

2 hours ago, DCCruiser57 said:

Well another interesting day.  Another first for us.  Captain just announced tomorrow in Dakar, we dock for an hour to let tours off and then will relocate to another dock for 5 hours for refueling operations.  During this time, no one is allow to leave or get back on board.  At 2 pm, we will relocate to the original dock.  Thus, the shuttle does not start until 2:30 pm.  Our 4 hour tour was extended to 6 hours with a light lunch thrown in.  

Well done to Silversea to organize such changes in the face of something out of their control. I guess they couldn't leave us standing on the dock waiting for their return!  Fingers crossed it all goes well.

[mysty]

Last night was a Dinner Under The Star on the pool deck.  Judging from the action on the dance floor everyone was having great fun!  Sorry, no pictures.  I was too busy joining the crowd shaking our tail feathers.  🙂