March 26 27 at sea March 28 Mozambique 
 We have been so busy that there hasn't been time to post. Between our computer class and getting ready for our safari. We took an Apple update lecture from Kerry and Dina and learned all about the apple watch,  looks cool,  the craft market we were taken too was in a huge park. Everyone was extremely friendly and if you said no thank you they left you alone. I  did get a couple of things

What can I say about Mozambque. We were told by a few of the crew that it wasn't safe and the market they went too people were climbing out of windows.  We almost didn't go into town but the nosey me said. " I didn't come all this way not to go. We can take the shuttle and if it doesn't look good we stay on and go back to the ship.  We did leave all jewelry, camera, and cell phones home so no pictures. You  can't take pictures of most blgs anyway. One of the guests had her camera confiscated. So we headed for the shuttle.  I 
was absolutely surprised. It did not look any worse than Mexico?  

The craft market ws in a huge park and the people were friendly and if you said No thank you they left you alone. They had some really nice stuff. So glad I was nosey another wonderful day
Goodnight and God Bless

March 25, 2015  Taolanaro, Madagascar

Today we were in Madagascar proper as opposed to one of the Islands we visited the other day.  We were docked and when we left the ship we had to take a shuttle to the end of the pier.  There was a band playing and they had set up all little booths to shop.  We had a tour so we did not have too much time to look around but we knew they would still be there when we returned from our tour.  We went to the Nahampoana Reserve to see the Lemurs.  We were in vans and it was about a 30 minute ride.  It was not that far but the road conditions were awful.  There were mud holes as big as the vans and the driver had to go around these plus the livestock on the roads.

We went through a village with some very nice houses.  Our guide told us that they are housing for the people who work in the ebony mines.  The owner of the mines own them and build them and employees get the housing.  We then continued and came to a village of where the ordinary people live.  There were live chickens running all around.  The houses are straw huts with no running water, electricty or much furniture.  All the people especially the children came out to wave to us.  Some of the children did put their hands out begging for money.   We had been warned not to give it to them because they would come from near and far in a matter of seconds.  The stop in Madagascar the other day was a far cry from today.  They were rich in comparison to today.  They grow their own vegetables and most of the kids were dressed.  We did pass a few women with their laundry on their heads and some who were having out their wet laundry.

We arrived at the reserve and their were peddlers all over.  We went through the gate and started our walk.  We were hardly into the park when we saw the Lemurs.  They are really cute and cuddley things.  They were putting on a show for us and we got to see 4 of the 5 species as the last species only comes out at night.  We then saw the special turtles that only live here and our guide even found a baby one for us.  As we walked on farther there were a couple of guys holding Chameleons and Bill got to hold one.  No thank you not me!  we saw a snake but I didn't get close to it either I gave Bill the camera.  As we kept walking we could hear the drums and Bill hoped we were not going to be on the menu that evening.  As we got closer we were given a coupon to get a drink  they had sodas, bottled water or beers and some other things.  We each got a bottled water  They had the natives playing instruments and dancing.  They also had some stalls set up to shop.  After all this it was time to leave on the way out to the vans were all the peddlers and they were not like the other day if you said no they kept pushing it in your face.  I did buy one thing but had to tell about 5 people No  and they had me surrounded Bill had to get me out of there!  As we were getting in the van two little girls asked us for our half empty water bottles.  They don't have clean water so of course we gave it to them.  Wish I had known I would have brought water from the ship.  Loved the whole day but it is so sad to see how these people live.  We complain about pot holes these people hardly have roads we complain we have slow internet these people don't have electricity  we complain we don't have enough bathrooms these people don't have running water.  It certainly puts things into perspective!

what a cutie

Yummy

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And I have the headache

Homes for people who work in the mines

RING TAIL LEMURS

Homes for the natives!

March 24  @ sea enroute to  Madagascar

Today was a sea day and lots of stuff to do   I was suppose to work out with Leanne in the am but she was sick so Bill and I walked 1 mile around the deck of the ship! We met Andy and Ilene for lunch and then it was off to Golf for Bill.  The first hole was a killer and he ended up with a 13.  There was 2 12s and 5 13s.  They said they would give the 2 12s the gold and the 13s would each get a bronze.  Well that changed and before you knew it there were 2 10s and 2 11s.  12s and 13s were out of the medals!  The games continue Bill and I are done with our competing the last medal ceremony will be on the 28^th.  I had just enough time after the golf to get myself dressed and made up for the last fashion show by Hubert!  I wore my black and white long dress with the shadow sleeves.  Gorgeous diamond earrings, emerald and diamond bracelet and rings.  On my neck I wore emerald beads with diamond accents.  Very nice.  The time is just flying by.  The days go so fast.  Bill was remarking that we have only 6 more weeks.  We were back at our regular table in the DR last night and our waiter was smiling when we walked in.  Even though he saw us the night before we did not sit in his section we were a few tables away and he says he misses us!!!

The show was early and we did not go.  After dinner we headed to bed early as we have to be up bright and early tomorrow as we have an early morning tour of the lemurs!  So good night all!

Getting my silver medal in backgammon.  Not a great picture though~

March 23, 2015 Ambodifotora, Madagascar

Today we were in Ambodifotora Madagascar.  This was a maiden voyage for Crystal.

We had to tender over as they do not have dock.  When we arrived there were many people and children watching us and some of them were waving.  We waited till the afternoon as it was raining in the morning.  

What can I say.  This really brought us to reality that we are in AFRICA and that this is a really poor country!  there were stalls set up all over town.  The roads are not paved and since it rained hard there was mud all over.  The natives were very friendly and trying to sell there wares but unlike Mexico when you said “no thank you” they did not keep badgering you.  We picked up a couple of t shirts for the kids and I got myself an unusual doll for my collection  We were able to donate to their ecomony!  As I said this is really poor we even saw one of the natives buying 2 cigarettes.  It was truly an experience,  I am grateful that the rain stopped and we were able to go over to see it for overselves.  The more we saw the more thankful we are for all that we have!  It reminded me of when Chris and Luke were young and we took them from San Diego to Tijuana so that they could experience what really poor is.  Like I said these people were happy, and friendly.  The children were waving and smiling.  It is not a normal cruise destination so I think that the kids especially probably have ever seen this many white men at one time.  They did take American dollars but they needed to be clean and in good condition.  I was glad that we went over to experience Africa!

Children Greeting us as we disembark the tenders

Rodeo Drive of Madagascar

March 21, Reunion, France

Today we are docked in the Island of Reunion which is a French Island.  They speak English, French and Creole and are on the Euro and as true French the American dollar is not welcomed!  Only our military.  Okay enough of bashing the French as I happen to love France (country not government or people) 

We had a great tour today called Waterfalls and Rivers.  We left the port  20 minutes after the other buses as we were waiting for one couple!  This is the same couple who held us up back in Lima Peru. Pat and Ray, Ilene and Andy were sitting with us and Ilene told the man to hurry up in Spanish he just looked at her like she had 3 heads!  Some people are just so Rude I want to smack them!!!!!!  We finally drove about 40 minutes on very good roads for an Island (French standards were evident it was a nice surprise) to a vanilla plantation!  We were given a tour and learned why pure vanilla is so expensive.  We had the opportunity to purchase some and I did hopefully when we get to Madagascar we will be able to purchase some more as that is suppose to be the best vanilla in the world!

After our tour of the plantation we boarded the busses again and headed up into the mountains.  The greenery was fantastic and there were waterfalls all over.  We even had to drive through a small one.  We got out of the bus and took some pictures.  Anthony the young photographer was with us and got a few pictures.  It really was beautiful with the mountains, waterfalls and way way down the river.  Andy said that in Oregon that would be considered a stream so I teased him the rest of the trip yelling out for him to look out the right side window!  We then proceeded to a nearby town.  All I could think of on these windy roads up the mountain and later down was it would be a great run for the car club!  The town was very cute and we had ½ hour to shop in the stores.  We then met at the restaurant at the end of the street for lunch.  It was different but I did have a piece of the coconut chicken and rice and lentils.  Bill had that and tried the curried swordfish!  I tried the dessert but it wasn’t worth eating (disappointment was hoping for a chocolate moose or something really French)  We were told to be back at the bus at a certain time and again we had to wait for over 15 minutes and guess who it was that was late yep same couple okay now this is getting annoying what makes them think that they are so special they don’t have to follow rules.  33 of the 35 of us where back on time!!!!! RUDE!!!  Okay Becky is this better you told me to tell you how I really feel but I tried to censor it! LOL. 
We then proceeded down the mountain to the town of St. Dennis.  It is an old town we were taken to the market. I did not buy anything but Ilene had a ball buying for her granddaughters! Again we were given 30 minutes.  The three busses met up here and when we were all ready to go and the couple were not back we got a couple from the other bus who were also ready to go back to the ship and left the tardy couple to go with the other bus!

Other than rude people it was a delightful trip.  We were back on board around 4:30 we headed to the Bistro for Bill’s latte and an Ice Tea for me.  I just wanted a shower!  It was casual night and I knew I would not make the show.  We ate so fast as I was falling asleep at the table!  After dinner I went to bed Bill went for his cigar.  I was in bed, lights out no IPAD or book at 10pm!  And I slept like a baby.  Didn’t wake up until 7am.  Not sure if It was all the walking, the altitude, or the heat or a combination of all but I was exhausted. 
I will try to post pictures but the ship is having trouble again with the internet.  Midship cabins seem to be not getting any internet and I have to go to the computer room.  Last night I was there after the show till 1:00am posting about Mauritius!  So no promises. 

This was a beautiful stop glad we could see it!

Tomorrow is another sea day!

Vanilla Pods

Ilene and I with the Vanilla Pods Yum

You just wanted to start singing the hills are alive with the sound of music

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Entrance to Market in St. Dennis

Mauritius

Today we were in Port Louis Mauritius.  We were greeted by dancers and a band.  We were told that town was a mere 10 minute walk.  We could have taken a water taxi or a regular taxi but since they said it was so close I wanted to walk!  Well they didn't tell me there were no sidewalks and not only do they drive on the wrong side of the road they drive anywhere they feel like it.  It was a challenge but we made it to the Waterfront,

Here there were all kinds of shops and restaurants and even a craft market.  I decided that this was a well to do country as most of the taxi cabs were Mercedes!  I was later told it is a haven for off shore banking!  Bingo!!!!  It is an independent country that speaks, English and French and Creole!  We walked all around and picked up a free things in the market.  We started to walk home but my back and ankle were hurting so we decided to get a taxi.  It was quite hot today so we settled in the cab and relaxed.  When we got home we had a late lunch.  I was afraid to eat off the ship.  We did buy bottled water but we have the safari coming up and there is no way I want to get sick now!

We had a great dinner as usual and we headed to the show,  We got another hour back.  We are now 8 hours ahead of NY time and we will pick up two (2) more hours before Cape Town to be six hours ahead.  We will keep going back until we are on NY time!  This is exhausting because we think we have all this time so we don't go to bed earlier!

Tomorrow we will be in St. Dennis, Reunion France can't wait for that.

So we had another fabulous day in this unbelievable adventure and I am feeling so blessed!

This is what greeted us when we arrived

This was at the Waterfront!

Our Home

One of the streets on the waterfront mall.  Shops, restaurants and craft market