“the Big One”! World Cruise on Sojourn

[shark b8]

Just so bizarre.  The guide explained that the dung beetle forms a blob of elephant dung, lays eggs in it, then gets upside down and backwards to roll it - walks backwards on its front legs, while pushing the dung along with its hind legs, looking for a spot to bury it.   There was a pause on the land cruiser, and a guy in the back row said, “so, the next time you think you’re havin’ a rough day….”     It was very, very funny.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Every now and then Pumbaa showed up, but mostly kept his distance. 

 

[shark b8]

There’s just something about African skies…..

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

At our last lodge in Namibia, I was stretched out on the bed reading, looked up, and……

 

(The “netting” of our tented unit didn't help any, with that vid)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Loving all the comments, photos, and videos. Keep em coming!

[shark b8]

[shark b8]

When we left in early January, I knew we had plenty of blank pages toward the back of our passports, you frequently read of countries and immigration org’s which want you to pay attention to such. It never occurred to me there might be an issue. But I didn't take into account how much country-hopping we would be doing for the three off-the-ship overland safari trips. After we arrived on the African continent, we…..

 

entered Tanzania

exited Tanzania

entered Kenya

exited Kenya

re-entered Tanzania

exited Tanzania

entered South Africa

exited South Africa

entered Botswana

exited Botswana

entered Zimbabwe

exited Zimbabwe

re-entered Botswana

exited Botswana

re-entered South Africa

exited South Africa

entered Namibia

exited Namibia

 

At virtually every one of those transits, we stood in security lines, immigration lines, and customs lines, and got passport stamps in and out.  Our passports are FULL.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

We learned things…….there might have been elephants around here, recently, you see.  We’re now big-time trackers, doncha know.   😂

 

 

[goaliedad30]

Welcome to Null Island ....

 

[topkatz]

Eastern Africa discoveries. A portion of our "Extraordinary Discoveries" Sojourn World cruise.

 

 

[cruiseej]

18 hours ago, shark b8 said:

Our passports are FULL.

Hopefully you mean figuratively and not literally, or you're likely to have problems completing your travels. Customs officers in many countries have no pity, humor or understanding. (A friend was once not allowed to fly home from Germany because his passport was truly full.) Hopefully you can find some empty spaces on some pages to get you through.  

[topkatz]

Crossing the Equator (zero latitude) at the Prime Meridian (zero longitude) or zero-zero AKA "Null Island". Very rare for most mariners (and cruise ship passengers). Thanks to Seabourn for making it possible.

 

 

[shark b8]

[shark b8]

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

That last one is a guinea fowl - there are giant flocks of them everywhere.  I confess, I take one look and start thinking….”hmm, grill or smoker?”   

 

(With several drops of aceto balsamico on the finished product, right?)

[lincslady]

Amazing photos, shark b8.  The guinea fowl looks lovely and plump; I would bet it would make good eating.  Possibly slow cooked, in a casserole, as they can be a bit tough, but lovely flavour.

 

 

[shark b8]

Land, ho.  Benin yesterday, Ghana today, deets to follow.

[shark b8]

We disembarked yesterday in Cotonou, Benin, and began a bus ride to Ouijah, a key point in the slave trade, and considered the spiritual capital of Vodun (“voodoo” as popularly known) religious practices.  Cotonou has several immense statues, commemorating historical moments in their struggle for freedom.  As it happens, we also parked momentarily near the entrance to the prison, where (presumably) friends and family were waiting to enter, for visitation.

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Interesting early-1600’s map representations of Africa and “America” in the Museum.

 

[shark b8]

The further we venture off the more common beaten tourist-track, the more small crowds will gather when we stop, especially the kids.   (And as mentioned any number of times earlier, as we travel in the bus, the little kids are almost always waving enthusiastically)

 

 

Edited May 8, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

Lots of people dressed up in wonderful finery — may have been partially because it was Sunday.  (every time the Olympics roll around, and at the Opening Ceremonies they have that interminable “March of the Athletes” into the stadium, I usually get bored right up until the southern African teams enter, with those glorious, elaborate, gorgeously colorful outfits.  Puts the whole boring “Ralph Lauren look” to shame, imho)

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Getting to the Vodun (“voodoo”) stuff, there was a sacred forest where a king magically had turned himself into a tree.  Ironically, at the base of the tree was a bat, apparently in its death throes.  Not at all creepy.   😬

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Unfortunate reminders along the way.

 

[shark b8]

These African countries have numerous monuments to the atrocities of the slave trade - this, on the Benin coast, is the “Door of No Return”.

 

[shark b8]

…and speaking of their coast, Benin obviously still has a long march to general prosperity, but as they get there, they are blessed with natural building blocks to attract more tourism - the geographical coast is gorgeous.  As we drove along, I saw what (at first glance) looked like some  interesting sort of religious activity, but as we got closer I realized it was just locals walking with their huge fishing nets.