Eight days at sea, with mostly clear skies and calm seas, two shades of blue, separated by the horizon. The ship's wake leaves a temporary foamy mark in the sea, otherwise - vast emptiness all around.
We covered 3723 nautical miles, 4284 land miles, or 6894 kilometers of Ocean.
When we entered the African continental shelf, we experienced the first serious swells, and that constituted the marine excitement for the week.
That is not to say, that the days were boring. We had the pleasure of listening almost daily to Dr. Robert Shrire, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Policy Institute at the University of Cape Town. He also lectures part time at Princetown, John Hopkins, Universities of Paris and Western Australia. He enlightened the rapt audience covering powershifts within Africa and as part of the global community. The impact of changes in leadership from Mandela to Zuma, changes in social structure from Aparheid to todays socio economic situation, probability of success or failure for a future of South Africa. In addition Barbara, the ship's port lecturer covered the most salient points about our future African Ports, from statistics to transit information, landscape and people, things to do - and not to do (where personal safety could be compromised), where and what is good to eat, and where and what is good to buy.
Another lecturer catered to people insterested in colour, impact on decorating,people's mood etc. An ex US Ambassador lectured on the evolution of world economies and changes brought about by the last financial crisis. One lectured on Opera music, another on Historic windows through the Bible...a full schedule if one was so inclined.
Our artistic creativity took off and a slew of more or less 'good' watercolours heaped up in the 'studio', namely the HAL Club. Normally this area is reserved for youngsters, kindergarten to teens. But, as we have only one four year old girl aboard, the rooms are empty. Twice daily aspiring artists meet with Carol Mitchell (professional water colour artist and teacher) to learn and put paint to paper. From Peruvian Ladies in bowler hats to colourful Toucans, we paint it all - and learn new techniques each time.
Time to read, gaze at the ocean, and enjoy warm sunshine after the cold Antarctic and the rough seas around the Falklands. There are no birds, hardly any flying fish, and definitely no other ships for hundreds - maybe thousands - of miles.
