West Africa Odyssey 2012 - South Africa

South Africa: Boulder’s Beach, Cape Town and At Sea

March 22 - 26, 2012

Aboard National Geographic Explorer

Paul and I took a Photo Expedition cruise with Lindblad called “Exploring Africa’s West Coast: An Odyssey from South Africa to Morocco” aboard the National Geographic Explorer, March 24 – April 29.

At that time of year Lindblad moves its ship from Antarctica, north to the high Arctic. We were aboard 34 days as we move up the West Coast, stopping in 17 different countries. The trip was an opportunity we could not resist.

Boulders Beach, South Africa

We left home March 20, flying through New York and on to Cape Town, South Africa via Johannesburg, arriving by noon March 22. We had arranged for a car and driver to take us down the east side of the cape to Boulders Beach where we stayed two nights with our photographer friends, Jack and Rikki Swenson.

African (Jackass) Penguins

It was a somewhat relaxing time where we enjoyed the African (Jackass) penguins, the beautiful view, good company, and tried to get over jet lag. We had been there for a brief visit in 2005 and were delighted to return. As always, time with the Swensons was full of adventure and photo ops.

Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town

Saturday, March 24, we left Boulders Beach for the hour long drive north to Cape Town where we checked into the Table Bay Hotel, right at the waterfront. It was near the busy and vibrant center of the city. We got lunch and walked around and enjoyed the flavor of the area before resting and getting ready for the welcome dinner that night. There were many new people to get to know. We found two couples and a single fellow with whom we had traveled before.

The "Twelve Apostles" mountains

Sunday, March 25 we had a bus tour around the city, but could not go up to Table Rock because of high winds. The cable car was shut down for the wind, and Paul would not have gone anyway. After a walking tour through the Kirstenbasch Botanical Garden, and lunch at the restaurant there, we returned to the hotel and out to an amphitheater on the waterfront.

Freshlyground Musical Group

The ethno-musicologist traveling with us as a staff member, had arranged for the top local singing group “Freshlyground” to perform a concert for us – and hundreds of locals gathered around to enjoy them with us. We had front center seats reserved. The music was interesting and the band fun to watch.

Grace, Jay, Rikki and Jack

When the concert ended and a short interview with the members concluded, we loaded back onto the buses for the short ride to our ship, the National Geographic Explorer, which was our home for five weeks.

As we left South Africa, there were the usual immigration and customs forms, check in and “get acquainted with the ship, cabin and unpacking” before the safety drill. This was our first time aboard Lindblad’s newest ship, but we found our way around quite well. This ship holds 150 passengers and it was full. Also there were 14 Guest Speakers and specialists besides the usual staff.

Monday, March 26 was a day at sea, and my morning started off with a latte in the Bistro while Paul got up. After breakfast we were introduced to all the special guest speakers, who we heard on days at sea. Other first day sessions included Rikki Swenson’s talk on Camera Essential, Richard White’s sessions on “Sea Birds of West Africa,” and Eugene “Doc” Mendoza discussed “Communicating with Africans.” Everything was interesting and there was so much to learn. The day ended with a “Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party with Captain Oliver Kruess, and then dinner.

The sea was very calm and we enjoyed getting to know new people. At that point we saw a fabulous trip ahead. Next stop was Namibia.

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That's it for now. Grace and Paul