Well a lot has happened since we last posted. We sailed into
Cape Town on September 29th. We were
able to enjoy our time there. The ship
was docked on the V & A waterfront which is very touristy. There was a huge mall and many restaurants
within a 5 minute walk. We were also
walking distance to the city bus tours bus stop and Two Oceans Aquarium. The elementary students of the Academy took a
field trip to the aquarium, there were so many things to see. We were also able to visit Robben Island
where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. The tour guide was a former political
prisoner held there. It was an
interesting tour. We also saw penquins,
ibis, and an African oystercatcher. I am
still quite amazed that we are seeing all of these things.
These are the African Penguins.
This was Nelson Mandela's cell for much of the time he was confined.
We worked a lot while we were there too. There were many tours of the ship. About 5000 people visited. Matt was very busy with all of that and I
helped out on the weekend. We spent
about 17 days in Cape Town.
We visited the lovely Cape Town Botanical Gardens.
When the ship moved berths in Cape Town as the start of the
sail to Madagascar there was a problem with the exhaust system in one of the
engines. So once again the ship was put
in a waiting position this time, thankfully, it was only one day. Some of us began talking and realized that
for the past 6 months the ship has made plans only to have them change in some
manner, whether it has been the location we are heading to, or the time frame,
along with the many smaller changes that have taken place. This has been a strain on many crew but we
see the end in sight as we sail into Tomasina.
Matt needed to go
ahead of the ship to sort out some security questions. He arrived in the capital on Friday the 17th
then Saturday took the 8 hour bus ride to the port. Things have gone well. Me, I sailed around
the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Agulhas (the southernmost place in Africa) and up into the Indian Ocean. We were forewarned that it would be a rocky
sail due to some storm systems. The
Captain and crew did the best they could and navigated us through the calmest
seas possible. However, it was quite bumpy and rocky. 10 degree lists were quite normal. Tuesday evening into Wednesday was about the
worst. Some 20 + degrees. In the middle of the night many things came
unsecure. I heard it hit 30 degrees. I
am thankful this happened at night and no one was injured.
Another new experience -I’ve experienced Snow Days and all
kids love them but I never expected to have school called off when we came on a
ship to Africa. Wednesday came to be
known as a ‘Swell Day,’ many meanings to that, no school the seas were too
rough.
Any way by the time this gets posted we will be in the
country of Madagascar. The excitement is
building. There are patients to screen,
appointments to be made, the operating rooms and wards to set up. So many people, specifically the medical
staff have been reassigned the last few months while we’ve waited to get to our
country. They are ready. Those of us who have had our regular jobs to
do are feeling the energy of the others.
We all know God is good and has His plan and His time frame. We just need to remember to listen and to
trust Him.
The ship arrived in Tomasina, Madagascar or Tamatave as the
locals call it. Matt was on the dock waiting along with the Advance Team. Then many were very busy getting ready for
the President and Prime Minister to arrive for a welcome ceremony and tour of
the ship. The ceremony was filled with
music and dancers. This took place on the dock. There is great excitement in
the country.
That’s the southern most part of Africa in the background.
Table Mountain in Cape Town.
