Carols by Candlelight

Port

This is our view of the port from Deck 7. Note the shipwreck in the foreground. The water tower on the right marks the main gate out of the port. 

Island view

We went for a drive around the island and found this beautiful lookout point.

Shipyard

The CT scanner was replaced during shipyard and the old one was sitting on the dock.

Shopping

I cannot get over the size of the shops here. This is Al Campo and it took fifteen minutes to walk from one side to the other. They sell everything from food to clothes to fridges, including a gluten free aisle which makes me happy. 

Green

The feel of cool, green, clean, grass between your toes for the first time in months! 

Arriving...!

After days of this view of the horizon out my cabin window, watching the waves wash past the ship...

And evenings of epic sunsets spied from the bow...

I looked out my office porthole one morning and suddenly there it was: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria! We'd arrived earlier than I expected.

It is one of the seven Canary Islands, off the coast of Western Sahara, where we are doing maintenance in shipyard. Also, because of its proximity to Europe, about half our crew are flying out of here, either going home or on vacation, so there is a lot of work to be done. Hence I would have taken more close up photo's of our arrival, but I was working on getting all the lists ready for our arrival in port and processing with Immigration.

I'm excited to explore this volcanic Spanish island, with cobbled streets and sidewalk cafes, a beachfront promenade and mountain roads.

Sailing...

We had quite the Sendoff by the Pilot and two tugs. Most of the port came to a standstill, with workers waving and the tugs blowing their horns nonstop.

Worship on the bow for our Sunday evening service. 

I just can't get over how blue the deep water is. 

What else to do with a free afternoon but swing your feet up in a hammock?

I love the freedom of the open ocean!

Leaving...

 

A while back I posted a photo of the dock in rainy season. Here is a photo in contrast after we're packed up and ready to sail... 

Good Morning!

Porc-épic

Wandering through a craft shop recently, we came across a pen of porcupines.

It turns out they like eating mango leaves.

Their owner started with two and now has more than eight! 

The name in French is Porc-épic - epic pork! Only they are rodents. Rodents of unusual size =)

Ukelele!

I joined the Ukelele club onboard and am really having fun with learning a new instrument. 

Rainy season

After five months of the same dry skies, rainy season is back! 

The day dawned dim and grew darker. The dock quickly turned into a giant puddle. 

When it rains, it quite literally pours in Guinea. 

A good thing about rainy season is the clouds which contribute to amazing sunsets. 

Fresh!

Our fresh stuff gets delivered to the ship in laundry baskets! It is sourced locally via our ships Chandler. I love the variety and colour as they cluster in reception.

Guinea Sunsets

Photo blog

Here are some random pictures of everyday life on the ship and surrounds.