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Welcome to our blog. We look forward to spending some time with you!

pict1305 — Rog and Sandy traveling the world–usually by ship or plane–this day by golf cart!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2018 HAL World Cruise

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

We were curious to see San Juan again. The 2017 Hurricane season was very damaging to Puerto Rico and the repairs are on-going! Ironically, just a few days ago, a contractor managed to knock down a critical power-line and wipe out the electricity! Happily, power was restored by the time we arrived and Old Town San Juan looked as lovely as ever! The buildings had been cleaned and many were newly painted. Although lots of street signs were missing, the overhead electric wires were firmly replaced and in working order; the roofs were repaired; everything was neat and clean!

We awoke in San Juan to a bright and sunny morning.

Old San Juan looked as lovely as we remembered.

3 (640x322) — It’s an easy walk off the ship and into town–which is, literally, right across the street.

5 (640x357) — A tiny park across the street from both San Juan Bautista Cathedral and the El Convento Hotel. Love the old tree!

The San Juan Bautitsta Cathedral, containing the tomb of Ponce de Leon.

7 (640x330) — The El Convento Hotel was once the nunnery of the Cathedral. Today, it is a lovely hotel and restaurant across the street from the Cathedral and just up the hill from Pigeon Park and the Chapel of Christ the Savior.

Looking towards La Forteleza, the Governor's Residence. — Looking towards La Forteleza, the Governor’s Residence.

Looking towards the Governor's Residence at the end of the street. — Looking towards the Governor’s Residence at the end of the street.

10 (640x344) — The San Juan Gate. There are five gates in the Old City Wall. This gate was used by Spanish dignataries. They would enter the city and then walk up the street to the Cathedral and thank God for their safe arrival.

12 (640x360) — Looking at Harmony of the Seas on the pier as she prepares to depart San Juan. We will follow her out a little later.

This was our last port-of-call for the 2018 HAL World Cruise! We’ll be home in a few days and must now get busy packing up for the disembarkation! Thank you for joining us on this adventure. We love to hear from you as we travel; and it is our sincere hope you find these destinations as interesting as we do!

See you, again, next time!

Praia, Ilha de Santiago, Cape Verde

2018 HAL World Cruise

Thursday, April 19, 2018

It was the Portuguese who settled the island of Santiago in 1462. Antonio da Noli discovered the island and built a garrison in what is now Cidade Velha (Old Town) but was known then as Ribeira Grande. It was transcontinental slavery that made Ribeira Grande the second richest city in the Portuguese realm. Praia, which means “beach” was a coastal community about 9 miles away. So, when French pirates attacked Ribeira Grande in 1712, the inhabitants moved to the plateau above Praia. Today, Praia is the capital of Cape Verde.

We found Praia to be charming and more Mediterranean than African. Many of the buildings date to the Portuguese era, the sidewalks are decorated with the signature Portuguese designs, and although U.S. dollars are accepted and English is widely spoken, the music is exotic and reminds you there is an African influence.

We took the ship’s shuttle up to the plateau and spent the entire day walking around, shopping, visiting the sites and enjoying the local brew!!!!

On the dock in Praia, Cape Verde looking at the city before us. The original “Praia” is on the coast and the fortified city is on the plateau.

Seen while on the shuttle to town. Talk about great posture!

6 (640x452) — The cannon along the old fortified city wall looks like it’s aimed directly at our ship!

looking down to the coastal part of the city.

15 (640x467) — As we entered the square, we found a concert taking place! We quickly snagged a table and spent a lovely time sampling the local brew and enjoying the music! Morna is the music of Cape Verde. Sounds like an Argentine tango with Cape Verdean lyrics.

We are now on our way across the Atlantic and will arrive at our final port-or-call, San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday. The party is almost over.

Dakar, Senegal

2018 HAL World Cruise

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Dakar was an interesting port. Situated on the Cap-Vert peninsula, it has been an important trading location—starting from Goree in the 1500s and later from the mainland when the railroad was built in 1906. Today, it is the capital of Senegal. Because we chose to visit Goree, we didn’t see much of the city itself. Our short excursion to the Pullman Hotel took us across pot-holed, dirty, sand-filled sidewalks where the locals elected to walk in the streets instead. We found the smiling local folks to be charming. If we ever return, we’ll try to spend more time exploring the city.

Meanwhile, here are photos of the lovely island of Goree:

2 (640x360) — The Ferry Terminal (but you must exit the port at the cruise dock and re-enter at the Port Authority)

Waiting to take the ferry over to Goree Island.

4 (640x478) — Boarding the ferry to Goree Island along with lots of schoolchildren wearing their school colors.

5 (640x479) — Boarding the ferry–but look at the boat behind us–Its name is “BEER”! Now those must be party peope!

6 (640x360) — On our way to the island. Goree is infamous as a slave trading center and many of the old buildings are still there as is a museum. But the island, today, is more an artists’ colony with many artisans living and working there.

7 (640x479) — Goree Island was settled by the Portuguese in 1556. This is the old fortress which now houses the museum.

8 (640x464) — Entering the “House of Slaves” built in 1776. But by that time, the island was under French rule.

9 (640x480) — The “House of Slaves” is where the “product” of people was stored. Ships approached from the sea and the slaves were transfered though the “Door to Nowhere” also known as “The Door of No Return”

10 (640x480) — As many as 25 people would be cramped in a cell of this size. The slot at the back was for food delivery.

12 (640x472) — The view, from the sea, of “The House of Slaves” (the pink building with upper story columns) and the infamous “Door to Nowhere” visible just above the water line.

13 (640x479) — This sculpture is from the Martinique people and celebrates the abolition of the slave trade on Goree Island in 1848.

14 (640x473) — Today, the island is a colony for artists. Its streets and old buildings are charming.

17 (640x348) — Monumenat to the history of Goree Island presented to Senegal by the United States.

Passing some Baobab Trees as we return to the harbor.

Passing a fishing boat as we return to Dakar on the mainland.

26 (640x360) — And we return to the MS Amsterdam where the provisions for our upcoming Atlantic crossing are being loaded.

Next, we will visit Praia on the Island of Santiago in Cape Verde.

Banjul, Gambia

2018 HAL World Cruise

Monday, April 16, 2018

In 1816, Captain Alexander Grant (by order of the British Colonial Office) established a military post on Banjul Island. He renamed the island St. Mary’s and named the settlement in honor of Colonial Secretary Henry Bathurst. The settlement was meant to suppress the slave trade out of Western Africa and, also, served as a trade outlet for the merchants who were ejected from Senegal when the French took over. Eventually, it became the capital of the British colony and protectorate of Gambia. With Gambia’s independence, it became the national capital. The name was changed to Banjul in 1973.

This is a very poor country. The people are very nice and look happy but we wonder what it is like to live here. Our guide, was a port guard who took the day off to earn extra money as a guide and driver. Four of us hired him for 4 hours and paid him U.S.$80.00 for his services. Not only did he perform as a guide; he was our protector as he fended off over-zealous hawkers and (no doubt) potential pickpockets!

It is our custom to start a port day by taking photos from the aft deck.

2 (640x470) — In Gambia, you can see all the main sites without ever leaving the ship! Arch 22 was built to commemorate the military coup of July 22, 1994, when President Jawara was overthrown and replaced by Yahya Jammeh, also replaced in 2017 by Adama Barrow.

These are the twin minarets of the King Fahad Mosque.

4 (640x466) — We disembarked the ship and looked for a taxi. Most of our cruise mates were taking organized ship’s tours.

Seedy and his car for our trip to Kotu Beach.

7 (640x480) — As we were exiting the port gate, we saw about a dozen of these carts coming in. This is merchandise, from all over the island, that will be set out at the dock for a pop-up market!!!!

8 (640x463) — As we left the port area, we passed Dobson Street, an old neighborhood with distinctive buildings buit by the Portuguese. It was a bit of a disappointment. The buildings are there, but in disrepair. So sad.

Markets set up along the road to Kotu Beach

11 (640x360) — This is a very poor country. the people are very nice but the living conditions look challenging.

Schoolkids playing soccer without a soccer ball.

Ahh, ther's always another mosque! — Ahh, ther’s always another mosque!

15 (640x480) — Arriving in Kotu Beach where we find a commercial district set up to provide services for the condo dwellers. There’s a supermarket, gas station, restaurants, and lots & lots of vendor stalls!

Vendors are selling wood carvings, jewelry, fabrics and clothing.

Enjoying the local brew at Sailor's Beach Bar. — Enjoying the local brew at Sailor’s Beach Bar.

Leaving Kotu Beach and heading back to the city.

This experience was eye-opening and thought-provoking!

Our next port is Dakar, Senegal.

Luanda, Angola

2018 HAL World Cruise

Tuesday, Aril 10, 2018

In 1955, oil was discovered in Angola. But the country did not emerge from its decades long civil war until 2002. Ever since, the country has witnessed an economic boom. New construction is taking place everywhere! This is very much a place in transition. Once called “The Paris of Africa,” the current energy of entrepreneurs, engineers, financial experts, and workers from all over the world remind many of those long-ago times. Unfortunately, the boom has rocketed Luanda to “World’s Most Expensive City” status in recent years. That is why the contrast of the have to the have-nots is so stark. As a cruise ship tourist, we all had a pleasant stay. But one wonders, “What is it like to live here?”

2 (640x472) — The city is in transition. The old buildings sit side by side with the new. Construction is an on going process!

The Port Authority Building is a beautiful structure.

The Cathedral is dwarfed by the new highrises!

5 (640x480) — Hotel Presidente was recently built to luxurious standards. The have and have-not divide is striking. The city is ringed by slums but remains charming in its downtown center.

7 (640x476) — The old Fort, built in 1576 by the Portuguese, was once the center of slave trade for the Portuguese Colonies in Brazil.

8 (640x472) — That large structure is the Mausoleum of Antonio Agostinho Neto, First Communist President of Angola.

The Marginal is the promenade along the waterfront. Quite nice.

10 (640x360) — This Market was set up outside the port gates specificallly for us! The Hotel Presidente is directly across from the market.

11 (640x362) — A drone hovering outside the Hotel Presidente and viewed from the 6th floor lounge where many of the cruise ship passengers were enjoying the day. Don’t you just wonder, “Who’s watching!?!”

We are now on our way to Banjul, Gambia.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

2018 HAL World Cruise

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Since leaving Cape Town, South Africa, the Cruise Line has been warning all passengers about the safety and security concerns of the upcoming ports-of-call. Apparently criminal confrontations and armed attacks occur on a pretty regular basis. We are receiving written instructions on how to stay safe; we get lectures on where not to go; we are encouraged to travel in groups; we are told how to behave, what to wear, and what to look out for! But the incongruity is when we actually disembark in a port—it looks as safe as any other port we’ve ever been to! Walvis Bay, Namibia is a case in point.

We arrived in Walvis Bay on an overcast morning. The cruise line provided a shuttle from the port to both the brand-new Dunes Mall and the Walvis Bay Lagoon. We usually disembark around 10:00-10:30am, so we decided to visit the Mall first. We shopped for souvenirs (there were none—this is a typical mall meant to serve the local residents’ needs. The most popular stores were the supermarket and pharmacy!) So, after enjoying coffee at the Mug & Bean Café, we hopped on the shuttle and went out to the Lagoon. The homes we passed along the way were lovely. We actually joked that everything was so neat and tidy this must be a community of expats from Germany! And that turns out to be true! This is a very attractive area for German travelers who love the warmth of the sun and the refreshing blue sea!

1 (640x412) — On the dock in Walvis Bay. Look closely and you will see the exact street where the city of Walvis Bay ends and the Namib Desert begins!

Waiting for the shuttle to take us to the Dunes Mall or the Walvis Bay Lagoon.

The town stops abruptly at the Namib Desert!

Arriving at the Dunes Mall, located at the very edge of the Namib Desert.

Arriving at the Dunes Mall, we found it just the same as any mall in the US.

We stopped for coffee at the Mug & Bean Cafe.

Internet was available at the cafe, but very slow and sketchy. We gave up and decided it was beater to pay for our minutes on the ship rather than waste time trying to save a few dollars slogging on the Namibian WiFi!

Driving thru Walvis Bay we saw many lovely, well-kept homes.

We did, however, notice that all homes are heavily walled or fenced; many have electric wire atop the fencing; and everyone seems to own several very large dogs!

Back on the shutle, we head over to the waterfront and lagoon.

As we approach the Lagoon, we can see the promenade that extends from the waterfront at the dock all the way down the Lagoon.

We walked along the Lagoon and admired all the lovely homes.

Now look at this! The pink flamingoes of the Walvis Bay Lagoon.

Stopoping for refreshment at the Raft Restaurant

And ending our day with the standard local brew!

We had a great time in Walvis Bay. Now we’re on our way to Luanda, Angola!

Cape Town, South Africa

2018 HAL World Cruise

Tuesday, April 3 to Thursday, April 5, 2018

This is not our first visit to the African continent. We have visited Morocco many times; seen Tunisia and Egypt; but we have never ventured beyond the Mediterranean facing countries. Until now!

We began our African adventures in Maputo, Mozambique but very quickly traveled to the border and crossed into South Africa. After several magical days on Safari, we wound up in Cape Town for 3 days of sensory satisfaction! Cape Town is a beautiful, sophisticated city. The MS Amsterdam sailed into Duncan Dock Berth D. From the aft deck, we had a stunning view of Table Mountain along with Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, and Devils Peak. The cruise line provided a shuttle from the dock to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. This is a huge shopping and entertainment area next to the harbor. There are lots of shops and restaurants; the Cape Wheel; the Marine Museum; the Aquarium; and the Water Shed where artisans and craftspeople produce and sell their creations. From here, ferries go to Robben Island where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela were once incarcerated. Nobel Square is located here and the statues of South Africa’s 4 Nobel Peace Prize recipients are on display. As a matter of fact, on our last day, Desmond Tutu and his wife came aboard for a ceremony honoring him with Holland America Line’s First Shared Humanity Award 2018.

1 (640x325) — On the dock at Cape Town, South Africa. Three of the four mounts are visible in this photo: Table Mountain on the left, Lion’s Head in the center and Signal Hill on the right.

This view shows Table Mountain with Devil's Peak on the left. — This view shows Table Mountain with Devil’s Peak on the left.

The Cape Wheel at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

4 (640x360) — Noble Square to honor the four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates of South Africa: Alfred Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW De Klerk, and Nelson Mandela.

5 (640x360) — Desmond Tutu (accompanied by Hal’s Gerald Bernhof) receiving the First Holland America LIne Shared Humanity Award 2018.

Table Mountain is an interesting visit. The cable car floor rotates 360 degrees as it swiftly makes its way to the top. Obviously, the views are breathtaking! Once atop the mountain, you can see the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean all in one long visual swoop! There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs at Table Mountain: periodically, the clouds will drop down and appear to be a tablecloth draped over a table. If you happen to be on the mountain when this happens, you MUST stop moving; sit down; and wait for it to lift!!!!

7 (640x360) — The Table Mountain Cable Car. The ascent only took a few minutes–less than 10!

9 (640x358) — For all our geocaching friends, this was the first cache we found in Cape Town. It’s a Travel Bug Hotel!

On our last day in Cape Town, we toured the Stellenbosch wine region and visited some wineries to partake of their tastings! The Amsterdam had already introduced us to several wonderful South African wines. The cruise line had bought $27,000.00 worth of wines for us to sample! There were numerous on-board tastings and several sommelier dinners. I came to love Ernie Els, Big Easy Chenin Blanc! We both loved Doolhof Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Pinotage from Wellington, South Africa!

But most interesting was our visit to the de Waal Winery. That is where we learned about Pinotage. In 1925, Prof. Abraham Perold, viticulturist at the University of Stellenbosch, created a variety of grape he called Pinotage by crossing Pinot Noir with Hermitage. Sixteen years later there were enough vines to produce grapes for an experimental barrel of Pinotage wine. C.T. de Wall, a winemaker and wine taster of note at the Stellenbosch University, was Perold’s choice to create that barrel. Today, the de Waal Winery is home to the oldest Pinotage vineyard in the world. Decanter Magazine has rated de Wall’s “Top-of-the-Hill Pinotage” as one of the Top 10 South African wines! We sampled this wine. It is smooth with a medium body. It has plum and prune flavors with hints of dark chocolate and a touch of spice. A very elegant wine.

12 (640x350) — Driving to Wine Country! We pass the colorful Portuguese-influenced cottages Cape Town is noted for.

13 (640x360) — But we did see that the well-known slum area of The Flats is still there, also. Look at all the satellite dishes!

14 (640x347) — For the most part, the street views of Cape Town were very similar to views in any cosmopolitan city!

Street view while driving through Cape Town.

de Waal's 2016 "Top of the Hill" Pinotage — de Waal’s 2016 “Top of the Hill” Pinotage

Looking back at Table Mountain as we sail away from Cape Town.

Next, we will visit Walvis Bay, Namibia. The African adventure continues.