Making the best of things, even when they don’t go to plan.

17th April to 4th May 2026 Blog Post 23

What we will miss: The beautiful seas and coastlines around the world. This at dusk en route from Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha to Cape Town.

With no possibility of the planned Suez Canal transit, we travelled again to Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion.

All three Island Nations had no permanent human presence until European colonisation.

Seychelles, independence 1976 from British, previously French, by far Africa’s smallest African nation, both size and population: About 100 000 people, but highest GDP per person. Tourism based economy.

Driven around Mahé, primary, largest, most populous Seychelles island. Tropical, green, beautiful. Jardin Du Roi gardens’ various spices, tropical fruit trees, essential oil plants, endemic palms, also Aldabra giant tortoises. Sheryl squeezed the lipstick tree’s bright red berries, spread its juice on her lips, like the locals do! Tranquil blue sea swim at Anse Royale Beach. Next day from Praslin Island snorkeled amongst fish of various colours, shapes, sizes and graceful turtles. Calming. Therapeutic. Sad to see global warming’s impact on the bleached coral.

Relaxing wander around Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius: Local crafts, spices, interesting Arts Centre. Later a local restaurant’s Creole food, filled with cloves, nutmeg, other spices, listening to musicians on traditional instruments, watching Mauritian dancers.

Reunion’s residents are full French Citizens. Striking scenery, mountainous, volcanic, lush. Deeper, rougher waters, shark infested, less opportunity for sea sports than Mauritius. But many swimmers in west coast Saint-Leu’s warm waters. Paragliders overhead. Kelonia Sea Turtle Observatory treats injured or sick turtles before releasing them back into the ocean. Interesting, fascinating, disturbing. Horrific impact of swallowed microplastics and other damage inflicted by humanity. Then wandered around Saint-Leu’s quaint Historic Quarter.

Next, South Africa. We have been before ☺️. 

Rough seas extended Durban visit from 1 to 3 days. No East London this time! Being flexible to optimize the experience is key. Great game reserves close to Richards Bay and Durban, not previously explored. Sheryl visited Nelson Mandela’s capture site and Ardmore ceramics, while Raymond hiked. Serious reflection at Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre. Spectacular event at Vergelegen Wine Estate. Wonderful visits onto ship of our Gqeberha and Cape Town families.

Now back home in the old routine, with all its pressures, comforts, frustrations, issues!  Wonderful!!  

Signing off until…? ☺️☺️. 

Glimpse of a bay at Mahe, en route to Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden
One of the many tiny islands close to Praslin, Seychelles, dotted along the turquoise, blue sea route to our snorkelling location.
Mauritian Chefs prepare our tasty Mauritian Creole meal, while we enjoyed local dancers dancing to the music of local musicians.
Port Louis skyline, as our ship leaves Mauritius at night.
Typical Reunion landscape, with small towns dotted along the route.
Paragliders overhead in Saint-Leu area.
Last visit we were told that there is little sea swimming at Reunion, for fear of sharks. Here in a sheltered lagoon, protected by a coral reef, many swimmers and surfers enjoying the warm waters.
An injured turtle, one flipper missing, at the Kelonia Sea Turtle Observatory.
Striking sculpture commemorating Nelson Mandela arrest on 5/08/1962, at the capture site.
Extremely intricate, beautiful ardmore ceramics
The process: Time &patience, skill, focus to create each Ardmore ceramic.
Midst the adventure and experience, the most important quote of all, at Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
Our granddaughters, Limkhitha and Mihle, with our son Yair (also Debbie our daughter in law, not in photo), visit our ship in Gqeberha. Special!
Farewell concert en route to Cape Town. Note Mujahid and Mo the excellent male singers from Bokaap in Cape Town. Esther and Andre, high quality Jazz Singer and Piano Player respectively in the Silver Note restaurant, also South African. Tremendous, and feeling proud, to be South African as we move around the ship.
One of the high energy song & dance numbers at the Vergelegen event.
Our Cape Town family visit the ship: William, Maya and little Norah who turns one years old in a couple of day’s time. All very happy to be here!