Catching up with Grandma
Here are two updates from her:
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 12:16 PM
Subject: Trip
Hi All,Finally got a computer. It was either down, because we were out ofsatellite range, or a million others were waiting. They have 6 computersfor 1000 people. Anyhow...We arrived in Mauritius, Republic of, on Wednesday, Dec. 8th. Lovelyisland/country made from volcanic lava overflow. Got some real good pics ofthe peaks which are very high, sharp and covered with greenery. Verydifferent from the Seychelles which were coral and granite.Spent the whole day on tour and saw most of it. (not very large)Today we docked at Reunion Is., which is part of France. Since France issuch a jerky critic of the USA, we boycotted it...stayed on the ship andsunned, read, slept and ate. It's the same as Mauritius, anyway, avolcanic island, but it has an active volcano that spits every once and awhile.Sailed at 5 pm tonight and will be at sea for 3 days, docking in Richard'sBay on the 13th. This is the port that we go on Safari.Sailing on the Indian Ocean is fascinating. The trade winds blow alldifferent ways as we change latitudes. Don't know how all those sailors inthose flimsey ships did it in the 15th - 19th centuries. They were eithercrazy or REALLY adventurous. Amazing any of them lived to tell of theiradventures!That's all for today. Will send more after our safari.
Love & prayers to all,
B & B
and
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 2:33 AM
Subject: Trip
Hi to all,Today, Dec. 11, is our first rainy day so we must entertain ourselves onboard, which is not al all difficult to do; so many things going on -lectures, bridge, culinary talk, games, sales in the boutique, etc. got tothe computers before the mob.Last night one of the officers and 2 cadets did a sky/stars show on theupper deck. Wonderful show by both the young men and the stars. It wasvery clear, so we could see plenty. The only thing I really wanted to seeagain was the Southern Cross; it is so dramatic! It was not visible untilrising at about 11:30 pm at which time the clouds came in and we could notsee it. Perhaps tomorrow night we will since it is to be clear again.We are passing Madagascar (sp?) 60 or so miles to the northeast of us, andheading west for Africa. Will get to Richard's Bay on Monday. Told youthat is our safari day.All is going well. We are not in the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean, sodo not see any other ships. Have seen dolphins and flying fish, that's all.Supposedly, we might see whales. Not going to hold our breath.
Love & prayers,
B & B
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 12:16 PM
Subject: Trip
Hi All,Finally got a computer. It was either down, because we were out ofsatellite range, or a million others were waiting. They have 6 computersfor 1000 people. Anyhow...We arrived in Mauritius, Republic of, on Wednesday, Dec. 8th. Lovelyisland/country made from volcanic lava overflow. Got some real good pics ofthe peaks which are very high, sharp and covered with greenery. Verydifferent from the Seychelles which were coral and granite.Spent the whole day on tour and saw most of it. (not very large)Today we docked at Reunion Is., which is part of France. Since France issuch a jerky critic of the USA, we boycotted it...stayed on the ship andsunned, read, slept and ate. It's the same as Mauritius, anyway, avolcanic island, but it has an active volcano that spits every once and awhile.Sailed at 5 pm tonight and will be at sea for 3 days, docking in Richard'sBay on the 13th. This is the port that we go on Safari.Sailing on the Indian Ocean is fascinating. The trade winds blow alldifferent ways as we change latitudes. Don't know how all those sailors inthose flimsey ships did it in the 15th - 19th centuries. They were eithercrazy or REALLY adventurous. Amazing any of them lived to tell of theiradventures!That's all for today. Will send more after our safari.
Love & prayers to all,
B & B
and
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 2:33 AM
Subject: Trip
Hi to all,Today, Dec. 11, is our first rainy day so we must entertain ourselves onboard, which is not al all difficult to do; so many things going on -lectures, bridge, culinary talk, games, sales in the boutique, etc. got tothe computers before the mob.Last night one of the officers and 2 cadets did a sky/stars show on theupper deck. Wonderful show by both the young men and the stars. It wasvery clear, so we could see plenty. The only thing I really wanted to seeagain was the Southern Cross; it is so dramatic! It was not visible untilrising at about 11:30 pm at which time the clouds came in and we could notsee it. Perhaps tomorrow night we will since it is to be clear again.We are passing Madagascar (sp?) 60 or so miles to the northeast of us, andheading west for Africa. Will get to Richard's Bay on Monday. Told youthat is our safari day.All is going well. We are not in the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean, sodo not see any other ships. Have seen dolphins and flying fish, that's all.Supposedly, we might see whales. Not going to hold our breath.
Love & prayers,
B & B
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