Shortly after daybreak, the Vista docked with a clear view of Table Mountain and Cape Point. Nowhere else would you have this view except Cape Town, South Africa. Nicknamed the Mother City, Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest city. It is also the legislative capital and second largest city after Johannesburg. It is known for its busy, beautiful harbor.
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| approaching Table Mountain (L) and Cape Point (R) |
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| coming into dock - Table Mountain |
It is also the last stop on this segment of our voyage. That means a lot of “swapping” goes on with passengers and a certain number of crew members disembarking, while new passengers and crew members embark for the next segment. It always feels a bit like organized chaos for all the crew members as they do all that is necessary to get everyone off the ship and busily prepare the ship for its oncoming guests.
Other crew is busy loading food and supplies on to the ship for the next portion of the journey while yet others are working to fill the ships tanks with fuel. Additionally, due to local regulations, ALL passengers and crew had to disembark with passports and go through security once again. That in itself is no small feat.
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| photo credit from the morning run: Ronnie |
Cape Town, Africa is described as "a bustling cultural melting pot that perfectly blends rich history, natural wonders, and modern attractions." A walk around the port testifies to the truth of this statement. It's easy to see why Cape Town is a destination for many, as it has everything one could want in the way of natural beauty, weather and coastal related activities.
Since we are now headed around the western side of Africa (same as our 2023 trip) it also means that 4 very special passengers are joining us. Dignitaries? No, even more special than that. Extra Security - just to be on the safe side. Our daily Currents also reads “For the safety of our guests and crew, Deck 14, Deck 15 and Deck 16 will be closed from sunset to sunrise each evening. In addition, we plan to turn off several external lights to improve our ability to stand watch during the evening. Keep your stateroom curtains closed and balcony lights off when not in use while we are at sea." In other words, the ship wants to keep a low profile!
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| extra security coming in (photo credit: Ronnie) |
While our cruise director hasn't specifically announced their presence, we know from previous experience that this is extra security being brought on. One of the guys we especially liked from 2023 wore a patch over one eye (compliments of Afghanistan) and a t-shirt that read "We do bad things to bad people." I'm totally o.k. with that!
While ship's personnel were busy taking care of their business, we took care of ours. We took ubers to both an ENT doctor for Ronnie and a podiatrist for me. I recently had an infection in my big toe (ingrown nail) which responded well to soaks and antibiotics. However, I didn’t want to be headed up the west coast of Africa with the threat of it reoccurring. Hopefully it has now been taken care of (conservatively) and will not give me a problem again before we return home.
Because of these appointments, we did little more than get a bite to eat and walk around the port area, but it is huge and beautiful. All the shopping and eating options one could possibly want are within an easy walk of the ship. We could not have ordered up more beautiful weather for the day. Thankfully we avoided the flooding that was here just a week or so ago. We will overnight in Cape Town before sailing again tomorrow afternoon.
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| photo op with Table Mountain in background |
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| anybody got an extra french fry? |
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| view of harbor from bridge |
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| a colorful harbor |
Barb: You got the money shots!!!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of Dutch harbor areas. I thought they had gotten the pirates better under control in the Guinea Gulf. I know they were causing lots of trouble with oil tankers, but I didn't know they'd bother a cruise ship! I guess you have some water cannons and snipers being set up on those decks. Glad you got your dr appts in while there. How do you find dr and make appt?
Snipers and water cannons - yes! A quick google search says "While pirate attacks on cruise ships are extremely rare, the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa is recognized as a modern piracy hot spot where cruise lines maintain high security alertness. As of May 2026, most piracy activity in the region targets cargo and oil vessels, but cruise ships transiting these waters implement specific "pirate drills" and defensive measures to protect passengers." Oceania (and probably others) take this very seriously. Re: dr appts - trusty google and lots of inquiries. One of the ladies in our Bible study was having trouble with a tooth and she was able to see a reputable dentist with modern equipment. She also had a good experience. Better to get ourselves patched up before we continue on - plenty of voodoo, witch doctors and "healers" where we're headed now. Not joking! Last time, a "healer type" spit on our friend Butch's head when they attended some kind of dance ceremony. Butch has had a stroke and was in a wheel chair. I think the guy thought he was offering some kind of healing remedy. I keep in touch with them. Yes, Butch is still in a wheelchair!
ReplyDeleteBarb: Oh my goodness! Neither Greg or I can be around voodoo. In fact, we were once at a Folkmoot with wild dancing the announcer said was from a "cursing" ceremony, and Greg and I left right then. Sorcery and witchcraft etc is not anything we tolerate..so we flee. In Israel we were at a site where the Phillistibes had made human sacrifices... and I told Greg as we started to walk up the sidewalk that I could not go in that place...I felt such an oppression it was frightening. The only other place I felt that was at the Nazi extermination camps in Europe. My brother went to a site in England on Solstice as they were starting chants, etc. He told me he felt like the hounds of hell were loose and he grabbed his wife and took off.
ReplyDeleteThere learning about customs, and there is knowing which ones to leave alone!
100%!!! I know exactly what you're talking about and you both did the right thing! As believers we are to distinguish between spirits and if we find ourselves in an uncomfortable or oppressive situation that we know is not right, we need to remove ourselves and get the heck out of dodge!
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