Saturday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we arrived in Dakar, Senegal. We did get off the ship and had a 6km walk around town. It is very much in keeping with north-west Africa, but it was worth the walk and we found a beach to create a memory. Here are some of the photos.
At the entrance to the port..
We went left at the gate and hugged the coastal road. Given the number of very fancy diplomatic cars, this clearly is the ‘expensive’ part of town. My tour guide (aka Mike) pointed out the French embassy along this road.
When we spotted a beach with 50 steps going down, we didn’t hesitate.
Onwards along the same road. In some of the gardens were massive baobab trees.
After a couple of kilometers we took a right turn and walked into an area that had more shops and people. We saw the Nelson Mandela Pharmacy, Doctors rooms, no supermarkets, but little side stores and lots of informal vendors. I left my cell phone at the cabin, but Mike took his and we got a few photos of around this part of Dakar. This is outside the hospital.
One of the main streets which wasn’t too bad.
We had passed close to the president’s residence but were not permitted to walk past it. There were armed guards at every intersection. These I did not mind as I felt safer. Eventually, we had to wind our way back to the ship and this was when my guide took me a really grotty way. I won’t dwell on the sights or smells, but I was happy to get back to the ship.
Travelling always brings with it a lot of surprises. One of today’s came in the amazing sea eagles that fly over the sea at Dakar. I’ve never seen an eagle using the sea as its fishing ground before. There were loads of them and as a result no sea gulls.
Our ship is parked along side a Grimaldi Lines cargo ship & this is our view.
What you cannot sense is that it has the most enormous generators going 24/7 and they are LOUD. When we docked and went out on the balcony and heard the din, we figured we needed to get used to it because their ship wasn’t leaving any time soon (given the unloading that was going on) and we are only shipping out at 7pm. How the crew put up with it I don’t know. With our cabin balcony door firmly shut, the noise is but a hum, and tolerable.
That all happened today, but I can’t not mention last night. There was no big party crossing the equator the other day. We figured that was because the world cruisers were crossing it for the 4th time on this voyage. To make up for it, MSC put on an enormous buffet at, wait for it, 11pm last night! We were all encouraged to get there early to take photos and 10.30pm was mentioned. Those of you who know me well, will know I’m usually sawing wood by 10pm. However, I managed to stay awake and, at the appointed time we went up to the top deck and found we were late for the party. It was jam packed.
Amazing ice sculptures.
Celebrating the staff. They worked so hard to pull this off. 
So much food. 
As soon as the announcements were over and my photos were taken, I bid goodnight to Mike, went back to the cabin & lost no time in going to sleep. I stirred when Mike returned with cake which he offered to share but I was a-slumber so passed on it. He said it was like a scrum up there!
I’ve save the best for last. I went out on the balcony yesterday evening and was astounded to see the most amazing amount of bioluminescence. We had seen red tide, but as we are passing through the ocean, you never know if it will disappear. As the ship stirred up the water, the waves were lined with the most spectacular blue.
Mike took a video.
Yes, travelling always brings these unexpected surprises. That was a good day in Dakar. Having very low expectations helped!
Psalm 95:3-5
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂