Live from the 2022 Grand Africa

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, cruzingnut said:

 

This should clarify the yellow fever vaccination/exemption.  You CAN enter with an exemption letter.

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/yellow-fever-certificates

Thanks for the link. Luckily, our cruise didn’t go to any of the countries listed as we just visited Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Oman, UAE, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius before stopping at 3 ports in South Africa. 
 

Edited December 10, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[SFtraveller]

8 hours ago, cruzingnut said:

You CAN enter with an exemption letter.

If you do not go to these ports. 

 

South African health authority will not accept the yellow fever waiver if you went ashore.

 

Letter that was given to passengers dated Dec. 2, 2022, , page 95, post #2371, on Journey, sailing to West African countries and disembarking in Cape Town.  "South African health authorities informed us that in order to enter South Africa, all guests who visit Angola, Gambia and Ghana, which are reconsidered high-risk destinations for yellow fever, must be vaccinated against yellow fever in order to enter South Africa."

[Scrapnana]

Pain in Praia, Cape Verde - December 10

 

I had not booked a tour since I had done one when I was here in 2018.  Judy (Lee) had said she might want to take the shuttle into town, so I went to visit her.  Turns out she wasn't feeling too well, so we talked for a while instead. 

 

After having lunch, I took the shuttle into town to get some pictures.  My leg was hurting and my hip has decided to jump on the pain wagon and was also hurting.  I made it the two short blocks from the shuttle to Alexandre Albuquerque Square.  I walked around the square and then back to the shuttle.  From the time I got off the ship until I got back on was one hour.

 

Walking hurt so much, I actually sat in my cabin for almost two hours (and you know I had enough of my cabin when I was in solitary).  At 4 pm I called the Medical Center to make another appointment.  The best they could give me was tomorrow at 4pm (evidently a lot of us old fogies are falling apart). 

 

Having had enough of my cabin, I sat out in one of the deck chairs and worked on my knitting before watching us sail away just before 6pm.

 

I went to 7 pm trivia and then dinner and the show.  Sam and Victoria, two of the singers, and the four dancers performed the show, "Dance Fever".  The other two singers, Hailey and Jack, were in the audience and they were acting out the dances in their seats.

 

There was a Pajama Party in the Crow's Nest but I didn't have the energy to hobble up to take some pictures.

 

I want to wish my grandson, Turner, a wonderful 12th birthday today.

 

Mindelo, Cape Verde tomorrow.

 

7pm trivia - I had 10 out of 17 and the winning team had 16.

1.  What two ingredients make up a Godmother drink?

2.  How many players on a rugby team?

3.  What color is a sunset on Mars?

4.  What can a tick bite make you allergic to?

5.  In what year was the game Pac-Man released?

6.  In what country was the first FIFA World Cup held? 

 

 

 

 

1.  vodka and amaretto

2.  15

3.  blue

4.  red meat

5.  1980

6.  Uruguay

[Hygge!]

I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling better. Rest. Hope the doctor can prescribe something stronger. 

[cruzingnut]

56 minutes ago, SFtraveller said:

If you do not go to these ports. 

 

South African health authority will not accept the yellow fever waiver if you went ashore.

 

Letter that was given to passengers dated Dec. 2, 2022, , page 95, post #2371, on Journey, sailing to West African countries and disembarking in Cape Town.  "South African health authorities informed us that in order to enter South Africa, all guests who visit Angola, Gambia and Ghana, which are reconsidered high-risk destinations for yellow fever, must be vaccinated against yellow fever in order to enter South Africa."

 

Since we are 1) Not disembarking in S.A and 2) Not going to those countries you listed until after S.A. I don't think having an exemption document is an issue.  Now, maybe if people are disembarking, that may be a different story.  

 

 

Edited December 11, 2022 by cruzingnut

[Scrapnana]

A Morning in Mindelo, Cape Verde - December 11

 

Today we had something different - another cruise ship in port.  This was Mein Schiff Herz, a German cruise ship.  I don't remember being in port with any other cruise ships this entire cruise.

 

Judy (Dr's mom) called me and asked if I wanted to go into town on the shuttle, which I did.  I called Judy (Lee) to see if she wanted to go but she was still not back 100% from yesterday.  

 

 The shuttle only took a few minutes and we then started walking around.  There was one small shop open (it was a Sunday) and we looked around before heading up the street to Our Lady of the Light Cathedral built in 1862.  There was no service going on so we were able to go in and look around.  There were many people visiting from our ship and the German one.

 

We decided to walk down one of the streets and saw a market that had many of the stalls open and were doing a good business with all the tourists in town.  There was a small kiosk selling drinks, so I tried one of the local beers, Stela.  While we were there we met up with Marlis, one of my knitting friends, so the three of us walked together back to the shuttle.

 

The town was pretty clean and the beach we passed, which was right in the center of town, was beautiful and there were quite a few people enjoying the clear blue water on a pretty, sunny day.

 

Back on board, Judy (Dr's mom) and I ate lunch in the Lido before she went to see today's movie in the Wajang Theater, Sully.

 

I had my appointment with the doctor at 4 pm and it was a waste of time and money.  I came away with nothing more than being told to continue taking naproxen and to have an MRI.  I have to admit I indulged in a pity party for most of the afternoon thinking about all the things I couldn't do while on the world cruise if this problem doesn't get better. I don't get down often but I sure did today. 

 

We had a complimentary wine and cheese sail-away and I was definitely not very good company, although my friends had saved me a seat.  The Ocean Bar Band played for an hour and a half and people were having a great time.

 

I went to 7 pm trivia and then to dinner.  It was a girl's night - Bob and Pete did not come.  The three of us sat and talked until 9 pm (I had not planned to go to the show - a comedian).

 

We now have five sea days until San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

We gain an hour again tonight.

 

7pm trivia - I had 11 out of 18 and two teams had 15

1.  This animal's fingerprints so closely resemble humans that it is difficult to differentiate.  What animal is this?

2.  John Lennon changed his middle name from Winston in 1969.  To what did he change it?

3.  Bright's Disease affects which part of the body?

4.  In 1999, the world's population hit an even number of how many billions?

5.  Which country disintegrated into civil war after the death of its leader, Marshal Tito in 1980?

 

 

 

 

 

1.  koala

2.  Ono

3.  kidneys

4.  6

5.  Yugoslavia

[Hygge!]

so sorry to hear you are still having problems. Hope the MRI can show what is wrong and you can get some relief! 

[seachef318]

Not sure if the spa on board offers acupuncture or if that’s only the pinnacle ships/ but it might be worth an ask to make your leg feel better.  
 

I was super skeptical of it until one of my friends dragged me there and it worked wonders for my leg/knee pain. 

[alibabacruisers]

I am so sorry to hear you are still having pain!  I hope you can get some relief soon!!!!!  Will you have anytime to get seen by a doctor off the ship before your WC?

[Scrapnana]

On 12/12/2022 at 5:08 PM, alibabacruisers said:

I am so sorry to hear you are still having pain!  I hope you can get some relief soon!!!!!  Will you have anytime to get seen by a doctor off the ship before your WC?

Hi, Barbara!

 

I have had a couple of people onboard (former medical people) tell me that I would have very little chance of getting an MRI, having it read, and getting a plan of action in the two days that I will be in Fort Lauderdale.  So, I am going to buy OTC meds, get a cane, do exercises, and hope and pray that I will get better (or at least not hurt so much) until I get home.

[Scrapnana]

The Dreaded "P" Word - December 13

 

My leg was feeling a little better this morning so I started without the cane and was able to make it until after lunch.  When I returned to my cabin before trivia, however, I needed it again. 

 

When trivia was over, I went to speak with the representative from Luggage Forward.  Many people received their tags when he came on board a couple of days ago but I didn't.  I had been told that Luggage Forward would pick up the two suitcases I shipped in September, hold them for two days, and then return them to Zuiderdam on the 22nd of December.  When I told the rep my name, he said, "Oh, I know about you."  Sounded a bit ominous 😲 but he said that Justin (who I had spoken with to set up the shipping of my luggage from home) had e-mailed and told him  about my luggage situation.  Luggage Forward picking up these two bags made my life much simpler (even before I had movement issues) by not having to take four suitcases (two I shipped and two that I brought with me) to the hotel for two days and then back to the port to board the new ship.

 

After this I went to spend some time in the hot tub.  I thought the hot water wouldn't hurt but maybe would help my hip and leg.  It felt wonderful (I let the jets pulse against the points where I have the most pain) but I don't think it really helped.

 

Our dinner table ate in the Pinnacle Grill tonight.  It's very nice to have a good group, which I have been lucky to have on most cruises.  We had a good time, good wine, and good food.

 

The show tonight was B.B. King's All-Star Band and they were fantastic.  Some of the HAL ships have a B.B. King Band on all the time but the smaller ships (like Zaandam) don't.  The Band had people dancing and singing all over the World Stage.

 

Now to the "P" word --- packing (ugh!).  I had my room stewards get my suitcases out from under the bed today.  I am not going to do my best packing job because things won't be in there but a couple of days and with my leg acting up, things take three times as long to do.  I will be happy just getting everything in during the next six days.  

 

We gain another hour tonight.

 

1pm trivia - We had 14 out of 18 and the winning team had 17

1.  For which country did Lennox Lewis box in the 1988 Olympics?

2.  What type of animal does "lagomorph" pertain to?

3.  Who won a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Grammy in the same year?

4.  What is the official marine animal of Hawaii?

5.  Who directed the 1980 film Platoon?

 

 

 

 

1.  Canada

2.  rabbits

3.  Lady Gaga

4.  humpback whale

5.  Oliver Stone

 

 

4pm trivia - this was called "Trivia Roulette" which consisted of questions turned in by the players.  We had 14 out of 18 and the winning team had 17.

1.  Who coined the term "computer bug"?

2.  What is the title of Beethoven's only opera?

3.  What is a group of sea cucumbers called?

4.  Who invented peanut butter?

5.  When did the Battle of Thermopylae take place?

 

 

 

 

1. Grace Hopper (they actually found a moth in a computer in 1947)

2.  Fidelio

3.  pickle

4.  Marcellus Gilmore Edson     

5.  480 BCE

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, Scrapnana said:

Hi, Barbara!

 

I have had a couple of people onboard (former medical people) tell me that I would have very little chance of getting an MRI, having it read, and getting a plan of action in the two days that I will be in Fort Lauderdale.  So, I am going to buy OTC meds, get a cane, do exercises, and hope and pray that I will get better (or at least not hurt so much) until I get home.

In some cases a cortisone shot can help.......https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/about/pac-20384794

 

https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/what-are-cortisone-shots

 

I haven't checked this place out - put if people think a cortisone shot would help, it sounds doable in a day in FLL

 

https://www.orthowalkinclinic.com/cortisone-injections.html

 

Edited December 14, 2022 by The-Inside-Cabin

[ellsy]

My DH was having pain similar to yours for a long spell. He went to a pain clinic and they gave him an epidural steroid injection. It completely rid him of the pain. That was about 3 months ago and still pain free. He’s now going to get in touch with them to see if it’s appropriate to get a “booster” before we go on WC in January. Just my two cents worth but hoping you get relief in some way.

[CruisingGrandmaW]

2 hours ago, ellsy said:

My DH was having pain similar to yours for a long spell. He went to a pain clinic and they gave him an epidural steroid injection. It completely rid him of the pain. That was about 3 months ago and still pain free. He’s now going to get in touch with them to see if it’s appropriate to get a “booster” before we go on WC in January. Just my two cents worth but hoping you get relief in some way.

@Scrapnana -- My DH was also given an epidural steroid injection - after NOTHING else helped.

It was magical & took away his pain also.  We are members of Kaiser - so unfortunately - it took almost 3 months of Kaiser wanting to try every other avenue before scheduling him for the epidural.  Just FYI - if you want to discuss with your Primary an epidural ASAP in light of your GWV coming up so soon.

[Scrapnana]

A Journey to a Mythical Land  -  December 14

 

There really are some very nice people in the world.  I had asked on our Grand Africa roll call (on Cruise Critic) if anyone had a type M plug to be used in South Africa.  I received a call from a lady who was willing to order one and have her daughter bring it when she got on the ship and a man on the ship willing to give me one because he had too many.  Later in the day, my friend Sandy, said she had a folding cane that she would lend me for the GWV so I would not need to find one in Fort Lauderdale.  What great people!

 

After doing my usual daily routine, Sandy and I were talking as we waited for crafts.  I was lamenting the fact that after going weeks without gaining any weight, I had gained two pounds since I have not been able to walk my laps around the deck.  Sandy said that she had heard of this place onboard that was filled with many large beasts.  Saying although it was not a place she had been to, she was sure it really existed.  Of course, she was talking about the gym.  When I had piriformis muscle problems back in the spring, one of the exercises I did in PT was on a stationary bike.  I thought maybe that riding a bike or using an elliptical machine would help because my leg and hip only hurt when they carry my full weight (like walking) and would augment the exercises I am doing now and maybe keep the weight from piling on.

 

So, after 4pm trivia, I ventured to deck 8 and sure enough, there was such a place but some of those beasts were mighty intimidating.  I couldn't even figure out how to get on some (which I think were ellipticals) and nobody seemed to be on duty.  I found a bicycle, figured out how to adjust the seat and turn it on, and rode for 12 minutes.  During my PT I did 10 minutes and did not want to overdo now and make more problems.  Provided I feel okay tonight, I will go back tomorrow for a few more minutes and maybe, if someone is on duty, figure out the elliptical machines.

 

I dined tonight with Judy (Bob) and Bob at their table.  We talked until almost 9:30. I skipped the show, another comedian.

 

 

 

 

1pm trivia - We had 13 out of 19 and the winning team had 16.  If some of these sound familiar, all but the bonus question are repeats from previous trivias 

1.  What percentage of air makes up a Twinkie?

2.  What is a group of frogs called?

3.  What is the capital of India?

4.  What star sign is directly opposite of Scorpio on the Zodiac chart?

5.  What color are the four Teletubbies? (the bonus)

 

 

 

 

1.  68%

2.  army

3.  New Delhi

4.  Taurus

5.  purple, green, yellow, and red

 

4pm trivia - This was a lightning trivia and Erica used more of the questions we turned in yesterday.  It was much harder than yesterday's and we only had 10 out of 30.  The winning team had 20.

1.  What musical instrument's name means "jumping flea"?

2.  One-half of a byte is called what?

3.  What are the three ingredients in a "Dark and Stormy" cocktail?

4.  Who is the only person inducted into both the baseball and football halls of fame?

5.  What mountain is closest to the Moon?

6.  Who played Lumpy on Leave It To Beaver?

 

 

 

 

 

1.  ukelele

2.  nibble

3.  dark rum, ginger beer, and lime

4.  Cal Hubbard

5.  Mount Chimborazo (in Ecuador)

6.  Frank Bank

[Sea42]

23 hours ago, Scrapnana said:

2.  One-half of a byte is called what?

 

23 hours ago, Scrapnana said:

2.  nibble

LOL

I hope the bike helps your healing process!

[cruzingnut]

Did anyone go on the Bandia Wildlife Preserve tour with HAL in Dakar?  I've got it booked for the world cruise but want to know how it was. 

 

Thank you!

Linda R.

[Scrapnana]

On a Rescue Mission - December 15

 

This morning we had a display of the Linus blankets made on this cruise as well as other items made (cross-stitch, socks, a top, a dragon, and quilting).  There were a total of 21 blankets.  It was outside of the Ocean Bar and many people stopped by to look as they passed.

 

Just after 11, the captain announced that we were turning around.  Last night they had received a notice that a yacht had capsized and to be on the lookout.  At that point we were over 350 miles from the presumed location.  This morning however, something was seen floating in the water and so we turned around to get a better look.

 

About 20 minutes later he announced that the item had been in the water for a long time and had sea life growing on it so it could not have come from the yacht.  Even so, there would still be a lookout kept for any other floating debris.

 

Later in the afternoon the captain announced that another yacht had rescued five people floating in the water so we did not need to look any further.  These were very lucky people since we are hundreds of miles from land.

 

I hadn't planned on going to crafts but after I finished my dessert (I usually eat lunch before trivia and dessert after), Sandy came along and we sat and talked until almost 3 so I stayed for crafts.

 

I went back to the gym and the attendant showed me how to use the elliptical machine but said I needed closed-toe shoes which I had already packed.  So, no exercise today.

 

Tonight was our final Formal Night so we had the typical "Gala Night" menu.  Most people looked very nice.  The Zaandam Singers and Dancers performed their last show, "All For Love".  At 9:30 there as a "Chocolate Surprise" on Deck 5.  I think the surprise was that the chocolate was not very good.  They did not have quite the variety from the past and the one item I heard was really good (a chocolate mini-cupcake) was gone before I even saw one.  There were lots of marshmallows with a little chocolate on the bottom and sprinkles - most of which were left half eaten (Not sure what the deal is with marshmallows on this cruise - if you get a sundae in the restaurant, it has marshmallows instead of whipped cream on it).  There were also chocolate covered things (not sure what but they were not very good) and a chocolate fudge tart that I found awful.

 

In the Ocean Bar there was "A Night in Hollywood" with music, a red carpet, and large cut-outs (with which you could have your picture taken).

 

We gain another hour tonight.

 

 

1pm trivia - We had 10 out of 18 and the winning team had 14

1.  How many hearts does an earthworm have?

2.  The name "Volvo" comes from Latin.  What does it translate to in English?

3.  Who was the opening act for The Monkees on their first tour?

4.  What is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen?

5.  What country has the largest divorce rate per capita?

 

 

 

1.  9

2.  I roll

3.  Jimi Hendrix

4.  silicon

5.  Maldives

 

 

 

4pm trivia - Lightning Trivia - We had 24 out of 30 and two teams had 28.

1.  How many cups are played on each side in a game of Beer Pong?

2.  In what year was The Lion King released?

3.  What direction do bats fly out of a cave?

4.  Who discovered penicillin?

5.  What is a glossectomy?

 

 

 

1.  10

2.  1994

3.  left or counterclockwise

4.  Alexander Fleming

5.  removal of the tongue

 

7pm trivia - Fairy Tales - I had 7 out of 18 and the winning team had 12

1.  What is the name of Snow White's sister?

2.  Hansel and Gretl get assistance from what animal on their way home?

3.  "Es war enimal" is German and is usually translated to "Once upon a time".  What is the actual translation?

4.  What animal is Thumbelina expected to marry after she is kidnapped?

5.  In Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen, where does the Queen live?

 

 

1.  Rose Red

2.  duck

3.  Once there was

4.  mole

5.  in the Alps

[Scrapnana]

33 minutes ago, cruzingnut said:

Did anyone go on the Bandia Wildlife Preserve tour with HAL in Dakar?  I've got it booked for the world cruise but want to know how it was. 

 

Thank you!

Linda R.

I know a few people who went.  There were animals to be seen but they do not have any cats.

[Scrapnana]

I forgot this in my original post.

 

We did not receive a "Pillow Gift" tonight which we usually do on Formal Nights.  Word has it that they will be brought on in San Juan and that they are duffel bags.  Stay tuned to see if the rumors prove true.

[TiogaCruiser]

Yikes on the piriformis.

By chance, are there foam rollers available in the gym? I’m assuming you used them when you were dealing with your piriformis….  

[Scrapnana]

12 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Yikes on the piriformis.

By chance, are there foam rollers available in the gym? I’m assuming you used them when you were dealing with your piriformis….  

Not sure from my brief time there but I will check.

[Scrapnana]

A Short Entry - December 16

 

Today was nothing out of the ordinary.  I did all my usual things plus a little packing.

 

1pm trivia - We had 13 out of 18 and the winners had 17 

1.  What instrument did Glenn Miller play?

2.  What letter ends all Japanese words that do not end with a vowel?

3.  What day of the week sees the most fatal car accidents?

4.  Who speaks 1422 lines, the most of any in a Shakespeare play?

5.  What animal was Napoleon deathly afraid of?

 

 

 

 

1.  trombone

2.  N

3.  Saturday

4.  Hamlet

5.  cats

 

 

4pm trivia - We had 14 out of 18 and four teams tied with 16

1.  How long is a French President's term?

2.  Who claims its "everywhere you want to be"?

3.  What is the most common cause of house fires?

4.  Who was the first female artist to start on the Billboard album board at #1?

5.  What kind of a bird taught Dr. Dolittle to talk to the animals?

 

 

 

1.  7 years

2.  Visa

3.  smoking

4.  Whitney Houston

5.  parrot

 

7 pm trivia - Celebrity Trash Can Trivia - Three clues to determine the celebrity.  (Example - a cowboy hat, a box of chocolates, a volleyball - Tom Hanks)  I did horribly but one team had 16 out of 18

1.  compass only pointing south, a golden ticket, a poster of a chameleon wearing a Hawaiian shirt

2.  a weapon that freezes things into solid ice, an army uniform covered in glow-in-the-dark blood, Turbo-Man doll

3.  samurai, green spandex, first place trophy from a burger joint

4.  a memory erasing device, U.S. Colonial uniform with matching white wig, igneous rock

5.  light saber, white jumpsuit, magical beans

 

 

 

1.  Johnny Depp

2.  Arnold Schwarzenegger

3.  Uma Thurman

4.  Tommy Lee Jones

5.  Ewan McGregor

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico tomorrow.

[REOVA]

Have you tried ice (bag of ice, frozen bottle, etc). I've been told that heat/hot tub is not good for inflammation. Need to ice the area (lower back, hip, etc). Hope that provides some relief. 

[CruisinS]

On 12/15/2022 at 9:04 PM, cruzingnut said:

Did anyone go on the Bandia Wildlife Preserve tour with HAL in Dakar?  I've got it booked for the world cruise but want to know how it was. 

 

Thank you!

Linda R.

Yes Linda... I did this tour in 2018 and really enjoyed it.  In fact I am signed up again.

Here is a review by someone currently on the Grand Africa:

https://apassportinmyparasol.wordpress.com/