We had two big jobs today. One was filling out visa requests for both Tanzania and Mozambique. Our 2 day visit to Zanzibar, Tanzania, will cost each of us $100. And the country of Mozambique lists the USA citizens as exempt. That's a first since we have always paid to stop there. When we left Maputo several years ago to fly to South Africa and Kruger, we had to pay a lot for a special visa, even though we were just passing through. Now if we choose to go ashore, we will be charged $10.50 per person for an administrative fee. In both countries, we were given the option of staying onboard and not getting visas. Since we have never made it to Zanzibar, we decided to go with the visas. After all, we were all given $500 credit each towards buying these unexpected visas. We had decided not to get off in Maputo, but at the small price they asked, if we do or do not, it will be a small loss. These forms had to be submitted to the front desk folks on each passenger deck between 9 and 10am.
Then the second job was easier….an hour time change backwards this evening. That is always helpful for everyone.
On our way to the promenade deck for a walk, we rode the elevator with the new Staff Captain who came onboard with Captain Friso. His name is Babak and he mentioned that he was on the Grand Africa cruise last November. He admitted it was every bit as hot as our last two days there, but much more humid, if that is possible. He was most happy for the breeze today which was only 6.5mph. Checking the temperature, it was already 86 degrees and 72% humidity at 10am.
Since Kimberly was talking about our next port of Zanzibar, most folks were enjoying the coolness of the show lounge. Few were walking outside but we took our walk. Then we did our usual visit to the aft pool where there was not one single person on the lounges. Guess they were still in recovery mode from the last two steamy days in the Seychelles. Jerome from the Seaview Bar brought us mugs filled with ice cold water. Sure was good.
Captain Friso came on the speakers shortly after the officer of the watch announced a possible whale sighting on the port side. We went directly to the railing and eventually spotted a pod of lazy-swimming dolphins. Not whales, but that would have been nice to see. The Captain mentioned that we were running slightly behind due to strong currents and he would need to increase the speed. He said that usually there are much wetter conditions in this area of the Indian Ocean, so we are lucky to have only a few scattered showers. We don't know why, but we feel things will change on the way to Mozambique. In addition to that info, Friso said that the lights outside will be turned off and we need to exercise caution while walking outside tonight. He may have mentioned something about birds that are attracted to the lights in the dark, and also we should be able to see the stars better with the lights off. By the way, he welcomed the new guests that boarded yesterday. There may be around 60 we believe. And all of us had to run the muster safety drill on our TV's before we left the port in Victoria.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent working on hundreds of photos from yesterday. It's nice to have a sea day to take our time with this job.
Dinner was in the Pinnacle Grill at 8pm, where every waiter came to say hi. Since day one, we have not missed a day there for breakfast, and we have gotten to know them all well. So for starters, we had the wedge salads with clothesline bacon directly on our plates. Warm bread went with it as always. Both of us ordered the filet mignon with a small baked potato….with all of the toppings naturally. A small side of mushrooms was plenty to fill our plates. Dessert was a shared Key lime pie, which was a good way to end a rich dinner. We seldom munch on the chocolates, so we said not to bring them. We were the last guests to leave the restaurant tonight. Lucky for us, the early diners were here and gone, leaving us the best service.
One more day at sea to relax, then we will be in the first African country of Tanzania.
Bill & Mary Ann
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