04 May 2010
En Route to the Caribbean
The entire mood has now changed. As we rush towards the Caribbean, everything is fun and games. The weather is perfect.
Today was spent on the beach, which for a ship means pool deck. It was way more like a Carnival ship than Regent.
Indeed we had a carnival. Music was upbeat and loud. Dancing was everywhere. Games were being played and lots of alcohol was being consumed.
Allyn worked a booth for charity (the crew welfare fund).
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02 May 2010
Cape Verde
After 105 days, we are homeward bound after spending April in Africa.
Cape Verde is an island nation west of Senegal.
It already feels different, yet we are still four days at sea before arriving at Barbados. Cape Verde even looks somewhat between a Caribbean island and Africa.
Life is better here than the mainland. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of poverty.
But, Cape Verde does have a stable democracy, literacy is extremely high, and life expectancy is about 70 years (as opposed to Africa’s mid 50s, and developed countries' high 70s).
What a difference a day makes.
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01 May 2010
Regent Cruise Lines Rumors and Facts
Every conversation on the ship today seems to be about Apollo selling Regent and Captain Dag resigning.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises – They have not been sold. The same Carlson who owned them, and sold them a couple years ago to Apollo, has just agreed to sell their hotels to a Taipei group.
Everybody’s favorite captain, Captain Dag Dvergastein, indeed has resigned. I have personally confirmed it with top management.
A pensive Captain Dag looking down from his bridge on his final day on The Voyager.
When Allyn took the above photo of him, I told her I could tell by the sad look on his face that he was not coming back. He did not look like a guy going on vacation.
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30 Apr 2010
Gambia
We had a great tour of Gambia today. Its population is 1,500,000 people.
Twice that many people were stolen/sold as slaves throughout their history.
Gambia achieved independence form Britain in 1965.
Starting out, we drove through the colorful market at Serekunda, the largest city here.
Most of the day was spent at Mama Africa, a gallery owned by a world-renowned female artist, Isha Fofana.
She prepared an elegant luncheon, then we saw amazing African rhythmic dancing.
Allyn fell in love with the 21string harp-lute type instrument called a kora (only made in West Africa).
It is made of half of a calabash, covered with cow skin, and uses guts as strings.
She actually bought one and is bringing it home.
I imagine that it will be the first one in Las Vegas.
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29 Apr 2010
Poker Lessons
Those of you regular readers know that because of pirate activity, we have had special security all of April as we travelled around Africa.
That security team was a group of private Israeli gentlemen. When not on duty, they enjoy playing poker. At home they play regularly.
I was honored when they approached me recently and asked to shake my hand and see my bracelet. Of course I obliged and invited them to my cabin for an afternoon of special lessons.
I was thinking martial arts, but they only cared about poker. Oh well.
We did that today, as their duties are now completed, and they are leaving in the morning.
I hoped I helped your game guys.
Note: Picture is shown with permission.
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