Cruise Route
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With this post, we have come to the end of our 5-day-land and 31-day-cruise trip, half of which was in the Somalian pirate-infested Indian Ocean, going through drills in-case we experience ‘Captain Phillips’ first hand 
Our last three stops were at exciting and adventurous ports in the country of South Africa!
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(Click on the links for detailed info on the sites,
and additional interior and incredible photos.)
Durban
Click photo ↑ to see the 1964 movie
I had seen the Shaka Zulu, TV Mini-Series in 1986 (original featured epic movie was released in 1964) and was quite interested in the saga. I never imagined that someday, I would be walking on location where the TV movie was filmed, which is now a Shaka Zulu theme park. Our excursion included a city tour and then a two hour drive alongside the Valley of One Thousand Hills to the theme park. We spent a day experiencing Zulu hospitality! For further reading: Zulu People, Zulu Kingdom
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↓ Watch video on Zulu entertainment for the visitors (1 min 46 sec) ↓ :
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East London
The port was far from the city center and not many excursions were offered. We opted to stay on the ship and enjoy the amenities on board.
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Cape Town
Many people call Cape Town one of the world’s most beautiful and most livable cities. It is also a microcosm of South African history, and a unique world unto itself. The city of Cape Town remains the cradle city of the nation, and one of the most scenic places on the globe. Wherever you look in Cape Town, you see the very diverse roots of a fascinating cultural mix. The more carefully you search, the better you will understand.
We were fortunate to meet a wonderful couple from Germany on the ship, who invited us to join them on their private, all-day Cape Town excursion. For almost 12 hours, we saw whatever one could see in the Cape Town area. First, we went to the summit of Table Mountain; then drove along the coastline, stopping at little towns on the way; visited the African penguin habitat, and explored Table Mountain National Park with its wealth of indigenous plants, wild animals and birds.
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Cuisines of South Africa: Include varieties of curries; dishes of the Malay influence; most foods served with spicy, flavorful sauces, chutney (onions and fruits cooked with spices and vinegar) and atchars pickles. Having been colonies of several European nations, some local dishes reflect Mediterranean (European) influence.
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what a beautiful trip and post! Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I love all your pictures from the trip. The ostriches are my favorite even though the scenery is absolutely beautiful. You’re certainly inspiring me to save up money to travel a bit further from home! I’ve been fortunate to take two cross country road trips this summer, which is much easier with food allergies than international travel. But, now I’m off to plan an international trip!
I hope you get the chance to travel the world, sooner than you can imagine!
Fascinating experience Fae!
Truly, Cindy. So much to see. However, very far from CA. It took 30+ hours flight back from CT (changing twice, not counting lay-over).
Japan Sept~Oct (very excited) and recently booked (Emerald) Barcelona ~ Ft Lauderdale Oct 2015.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and adventures. They took me down memory lane. I loved visiting South Africa–a land of much beauty.
I’m glad it brought you back fond memories, sweet Martine.
Oh you lucky gal! Have always wanted to go to South Africa (wish I had when I grew up in Kenya), but alas, the older I get, the further away it seems. Good post on your travels, and how diverse!
Oh no, Loretta. I traveled all my life, and much more in my older days. Africa is so far a way, but you never know how things happen for a reason.
Would love to go to S Africa some day. In the meantime, I can look at your photos, instead. Beautiful country!
Oh, you will go someday, and it is even prettier then.
What a fabulous you’ve had ☺️☺️
Your such a world traveler. How about bringing me one of those hats the local girls are wearing up top?
What an amazing trip Fae. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you for following my journey, Tina! It was an amazing adventure!
That must have been an amazing holiday, Fae!
It sure was an amazing holiday, dear Sarah!
I hope you enjoyed your short visit to my Cape Town. Worth a next visit for you? I hope you had the chance to taste a few local dishes but I know your time here was short.
Ye~~s, it was too short, and hopefully someday another chance. Yes, we enjoyed your Cape Town very much, a very memorable day we had. I enjoyed the shopping in the airport, the next day too. We had a buffet lunch in Durban and the best fish & chips by the ocean where fisherman unload their day’s catch. Yum it was!
I love traveling through your pictures
What an amazing trip you had, really the trip of a lifetime. Beautiful photo’s of beautiful destinations. I have always wanted to visit South Africa.
I hope I am not repeating myself… This was the furthest trip we have gone too. 600 people on the ship were all very seasoned travelers, but non had traveled that area, and almost all the islands in the Indian Ocean. Although the only way to see how so unique these islands are, is through bird’s eye-view photos. Nonetheless, you will see the shallow, clear waters and gorgeous weather. I think cruising is the best way to see island after island. and in between, dolphin watching from the ship.
Just stunning Fae!
Hi Bam! World is so small, and yet so big, when it takes so long to get to some places.
Oh, how amazing that trip must have been Fae! And what beautiful memories you must have. xox
So beautiful!
It sounds like CT it pretty cosmopolitan with cuisine from all over. Sound like a great food adventure as much as anything else.
Yes, 1.5 days is not enough. The city is so~ modern and cosmopolitan.