Africa to the Middle East

After Mozambique, we spent 3 days cruising the Indian Ocean before reaching Mombassa, Kenya on March 11th. We had been here in 2004 when we had done a safari. A number of the safaris that had left the ship in Durban came back on in Mombassa, which is the primary reason we stop there. There’s also a one-day safari, and as much as I want to return to Africa for another safari, the thought of a 6 hour (round trip) bus ride, for a two hour game ride, wasn’t that enticing. I think I’ll wait and come back and do it right (Annie says she’s been there, done that, so don’t think any more safaris are on her agenda!)

There really isn’t much in Mombassa at all. We caught a cab with the Scherers and Pattersons and went to a very nice resort called Tamarind about 20 mins. from the dock and had a delicious lobster lunch. There were a number of Crystal officers and staff there, so we knew it was a good choice! Back at the dock, there are a couple of dozen of “shops” as they call them – actually, just a blanket covered with all kinds of things, mostly wooden animals, bowls, etc. They also barter and I almost got a nice elephant bowl for a pair of sunglasses, but the “boss man” didn’t think the glasses were worth it. Should have picked up a bunch of the Oakley fakes in NYC!! We actually didn’t do that much; it was unbearably hot and we did our wooden animal shopping here last time!

When we get back on the ship, they ask all the passengers to bring all the wood items they’ve bought to the front desk where they take them and put them in the ship’s giant freezer compartments for 48 hours ---- to kill any bugs and eggs that might be in the wood!! We’re all too happy to comply – don’t want the little buggers coming alive in our cabin!

Leaving Mombassa, it was another two days at sea enroute to Victoria in the Seychelles Islands. Again, we were here before, but I hadn’t done a general overview tour, so thought it would be a good idea. Victoria is very small (actually, it’s the smallest national capital in the world!), so the tour was pretty basic, but I enjoyed it. Always a good idea to take a basic tour to see what a place has. Victoria is only 7 degrees south of the equator – very green (actually a rainforest) but VERY hot, steamy and humid. We went out to a beach resort for a cool drink – the water and sand looked enticing, but we just wanted to get back to the air-conditioned ship and take a shower!!

Another 3 days at sea was in store, but they always have something for us to do. In addition to the lectures, movies, shows, there are special events for world cruisers. One afternoon, we had a special Question & Answer session with the dancers and singers, and then a tour of the (teeny!) dressing rooms and costume areas. Another morning, we had “Waffles on the Bridge” with the captain. It was a beautiful clear morning and really amazing to see the view down the sides of the ship from up there. (The waffles were a pretty amazing breakfast treat, too!)

Next stop – Muscat in Oman!