All aboard.........

So here we are, time to catch up on the last few days.

Day 3 of our safari adventure started with an extra tour to a traditional Zulu village where we visited a family during their normal daily life. They showed us their huts, traditional clothing and explained the family hierarchy, where the zulu man marries one wife, but can then marry more as long as they can support them. 

This man had 2 wives and multiple children of varrying ages. 

We also visited a nearby creche with children. The first time they had seen a white person, which created surprises from both sides, Adorable little black african 2 to 4 year olds, curly hair and big smiles. 

Had a sing a long with them and got to see how primitive the class room was. A concrete structure with some posters on the wall, no other teaching aids, tables or chairs.

In the afternoon we had a visit to St.Lucia, to the estuary where we did see Hippopotamuses in the wild. 

The bus ride was long, 3 hours each way for a 2 hour boat ride, but worth the drive. 

On arrival back at the lodge, a traditional African BBQ awaited us as well as entertainment by some extremely fit and active Zulu dancers. 

A late night, and of course we still had to pack, as we were leaving at 7 am with the bus back to Durban to board the ship.

Up at 5 am, breakfast, and way we went for another 5 hour bus ride.

Got to the ship and boarding was ok, a little haphazard compared to some other ports but we made it on board. So far we have been a party of 6 with Wendy's parents as well as our friends from Tassie in the group. In Durban my colleague Steven and his wife Judy joined us also for the next 24 nights of cruising, so now 8 of us.

We have now had 2 full days at sea, with the first night being a little rough, some rockin and a rollin of the ship but nothing major. 

Overall we can notice that the quality of the service on board has certainly dropped, once again most likely due to Covid and the lack of trained staff; as well as the financial hit the company has taken which is now slowly regained by cutting some corners.  This is certainly noticeable to us as we have sailed with MSC many times before.

Conversations with staff members and management has made some difference already. 

Last night we had a funny experience in the restaurant due to a language barrier.

We all know that in the USA they eat peanutbutter and jelly with the jelly bit being what we know as jam.

So when my mother in law requested some jelly for dessert she ended up with a glass full of strawberry jam LOL.

We all had a great laugh and thanks to Steven who was able to communicate with the Indonesian staff in their language and explain, the dessert was quickly swapped over for some real jelly.

The weather has been perfect; almost too hot to sit in the sun, but with the 2 pools on board a dip soon cools us down.  We are also competing in twice daily trivia, with a variety of knowledge, we are doing quite well. Mum also showed off her throwing skills in the ringtoss and won a hat. Tonight was gala night where we all dressed up for dinner.

Tomorrow is day 3 at sea before we arrive Monday morning at "La Possesion", on Reunion Island, just north east of Madagascar. 

Until then 👋👋