2023 Fall Vac-Gate 1 Morocco/Azamar Africa

Legend

Boat
Driving
Plane
Bus

Cape Town International Airport, South Africa ‐ Dec 21, 2023

Took the night flight to London, then on to Denver
Stellenbosch ‐ Dec 26, 2023

We visited Stellenbosch the town know as the center of wine country.
Cape Town ‐ Dec 20, 2023

We took the Cape Town Highlights tour where we visited the Castle of Good Hope and then ambled through the Company's Garden, the oldest garden in South Africa. We walked into St. George Cathedral to see the eternal candle where Bishop TuTu is buried. We returned to the boat in time for one last trivia game and then collected our key chains and such. The next morning we disembarked about 9:00 am and took a tour to wine country. We first stopped at a gem store where Holly bought more jewelry. T [...]
hen onto the first winery/farm, followed by another.
Mossel Bay ‐ Dec 19, 2023

With one of the world’s most pleasant climates, Mossel Bay is a true treasure found on South Africa’s Garden Route. Bounded by lush natural beauty, this town at the tip of the African continent is beloved for its beachy atmosphere and renowned for its connection to early human life. Bob took a safari to the Garden Route were saw elephants, African buffalos, white rhinoceros, lions, a cheetah and various types of impalas, wildebeests, and kudus. No giraffes or warthogs sighted. Holly parti [...]
cipated in wine tasting at a local vineyard,
Durban ‐ Dec 16, 2023

Known as “the Asian Capital of South Africa”, Durban is city on the Indian Ocean where Zulu, Indian, and European cultures thrive against the backdrop of golden sand beaches, majestic mountain ranges, and plunging valleys. The town contained many early 1900 building built during the Victorian period when the British ruled. We did not walk around the city as it did not seem safe and was crowded and not a very clean city. We were advised not to wander alone and without an escort. We visited th [...]
e Tala Game Reserve where we saw giraffes, white rinos, zebras, Ostriches, monkeys and various types of impalas, wildebeests, and kudus, but no hippopotamus, warthogs or cats. The next day was a relaxing day at sea with the White Night Party on the pool deck in the evening. It was beautiful warm night, but as the party ended it started to rain so the crew got wet cleaning up. The deck was back in order the next morning with the tables replaced by the deck chairs for another relaxing day at sea.
Maputo, Mozambique ‐ Dec 26, 2023

We arrived in Mozambique harbor about 7:30 in the morning and anchored there for about 2 hours while the ship was cleared, and then sailed south back to South Africa. Even though we did not disembark in Mozambique, this met the requirements that the ship visited at least 2 countries during the cruise.
Richards Bay, South Africa ‐ Dec 13, 2023

It was a rainy day and we took the Thula Thula private reserve safari. We again hoped to see the big five. We saw elephants from a distance, African buffalos, white rhinoceros which blocked the road, Giraffes, warthogs and various types of impalas, wildebeests, and kudus. No cats in the reserve. The next day we got up at 4 am to take the Hluhluwe sunrise morning game ride. Weather had turned to hot and dry, but the animals were still recovering from the rain and cool weather from the previous da [...]
y and were huddling in the thickets out of the wind and our view. After the day heated up, we saw more animals but still no lions or leopards. That night we had to clear customs from South Africa and set sail for Mozambique.
Port Elizabeth ‐ Dec 11, 2023

We took a tour to the Pumba Private Game Reserve where we hoped to see the big five. We saw elephants, African buffalos, white rhinoceros, Giraffes, hippopotamus, warthogs and various types of impalas, wildebeests, and kudus, but the only lions spotted was on a far hill and just a white speck. All in all it was a good Safari. It was an exalting day and we skipped the AzAmazing Evening which was held in town because the program was only 45 minutes long but would have involved 2 hours with travel [...]
and we decided it was not worth it. (Fellow passengers confirmed it was not worth the effort.)
Cape Town ‐ Dec 9, 2023

Cape Town, South Africa Dec 9, 2023 We took a tour with a private tour to Boulders Beach to see African penguins. We drove along the Indian Ocean on way, stopping at a small tourist town to wander through the shops. The African penguins were located on the beach and we had a good view of the colony. On the way back we crossed the point and drove on the Atlantic shore on a winding road back to the boat.
Lüderitz, Namibia ‐ Dec 7, 2023

We docked just outside the town and took a walking tour around the town. The town was established as a German colonial before WW I. It was made a protectorate of South Africa after the war and the British replaced the Germans changing the occupants of the government buildings with their own. It was heavily involved in the diamond rush, but was devastated when the diamond business moved off shore, leaving the town with a large amount of vacancies and high unemployment. The future looks bright [...]
as oil was discovered offshore and the influx from the oil industry is expected to provide growth for the town. The old German church on the top of the town was interesting, as was the former home of the manager of the diamond foreman. Luderitz was a hidden gem with a quirky and fascinating history.
Walvis Bay ‐ Dec 5, 2023

After landing at Walvis Bay a tour to Swakopmund a town about an hour north which was settled by Germans in the late 1800’s and was acquired by England as a result of WW I. The town has a large number of buildings built during the German era and the newer buildings were built to blend in. While in town we visited the local history museum and a crystal shop displaying various types of crystals and gemstones and sales shop of which Holly took advantage. Afterwards we wandered around the town [...]
and sampled a local beer, before boarding the bus for the ride back to the boat. That evening we were entertained by native musicians, a German polka playing duo, and local choir. The next day we took a Dolphin & Seal Nature Cruise. It was a very nice tour, with several Pelicans and seals joining us on the boat. We then went out to see more the dolphins before visiting a seal nesting area with over 300,000 seals. We had a snack of oysters, sausage and cheese while sitting off shore from the seals and then returned to the boat.
Saint Helena, Saint Helena ‐ Dec 1, 2023

Looking at St Helena from the sea, the island was quite high with cliffs going down to the water and only minimal place that one could land. When we arrived at Jamestown the waves were too rough to land at the downtown dock, so we went to a sheltered bay north of the city. Our tour took us up a winding road up the mountain and across the top to the other side where we visited the house where Napoleon was exiled and then onto the place he was buried before his body was moved to Paris. We then [...]
went to the Governors plantation and viewed Jonathan the turtle who was over 100 years old. Then onto Jacob's Ladder. This narrow set of 399 steps is the only straight path from the heights to the seaward end of Jamestown. From there you view the High Knoll Fort which protected the island. We than went down a winding road thorough the town and up the other side, stopping to view a waterfall which was dry, not being the rainy season, and then back to the boat.
Banjul, Gambia ‐ Nov 25, 2023

In Banjul we first visited the Albert market and wandered through the various stalls, selling fruits, fish and assorted meat, plus crafts. Then through the town to visit a museum of Gambia and walk to a pond where there were crocodiles we could pet. Surviving that we stopped at a WW II memorial cemetery before returning to the ship. That night we watched the Ohio State / Michigan game. We now had 5 days at sea to recover from the game and restore our sanity.
Dakar, Senegal ‐ Nov 24, 2023

After arriving at Dakar we took a Safari In Bandia Reserve. There we boarded a open air truck with 5 rows seating 4 people. We wandered through the reserve sighting all the various animal we were promised. turtles, impalas, antelope, white rhinos, zebras, ostriches, crocodiles, and even a warthog. Afterward we boarded our bus for a trip to the Pink Lake. First thing I would like to note is it was not pink and we did not visit the lake. What we did was board dune trucks and go off road throug [...]
h the sand out to the ocean where we had lunch in tents along the shore and then again raced through the sand before returning to our bus and back to the ship.
Gran Canaria, Spain ‐ Nov 21, 2023

After docking in Grand Canaria, we changed cabins and did some wash. After lunch we took a walk into town. In our travels we visited a 3 masted sailing ship that was a school out of Norway and talked with a couple students which were on a year-long voyage, studying and working on the boat. Before returning to the ship we stopped at a grocery store for some supplies. At 5:00 pm, we set sail on the second stage of our Africa Voyage starting with two more days at sea.
Lanzarote ‐ Nov 20, 2023

We took a tour of Lanzarote, with its most famous feature of otherworldly landscape, born of hundreds of fire-breathing peaks. The last eruption was in 1824 and is now dormant. We stopped at a restaurant high on a mountain and then traveled to Jameos Del Agua a pool in a cave with blind white crabs. Then back to the boat and two more days relaxing. Holly had brunch with the cruise director and the Captain.
Gibraltar, Gibraltar ‐ Nov 18, 2023

Arrived in Gibraltar and docked below the Rock of Gibraltar which was covered in a dense fog. After lunch, the fog had let up and half the rock was visible so we took a walk into town. We walked along the main street full of assorted shops and restaurants and at the royal residence, we saw Princess Anne leaving. We stopped for a beer at an Irish pub before returning to the boat.
Málaga, Spain ‐ Nov 17, 2023

After docking in Malaga we boarded a bus to tour Ronda a mountain town about 2 hours away. The historic city was located on top a mountain and the old city was connected to the modern town by a bridge over a gorge. We toured the old town including an old church that was converted from a mosque and than Ronda’s famous bull fighting ring before lunch and returning to the boat. That night was the white night celebration where Holly danced the night away.
Cartagena ‐ Nov 16, 2023

We visited Murcia a small city about 40 miles away. We visit the old church in the monastery on the hill overlooking the city and then visited the city including the cathedral and iconic buildings of the town before returning to the boat. The university was celebrating Flemenco Dance Day and students were dancing and playing guitars and drums on the streets. We had dinner before the show.
Valencia ‐ Nov 15, 2023

Our tour was canceled in Valencia and since we had visited the city several times, we took an opportunity for both of us to get massages and relax on the boat. After dinner we went to the show.
Barcelona ‐ Nov 12, 2023

We checked out of our hotel at 6 in the morning and took a taxi to the airport for a 9:40 flight to Barcelona. A Gate 1 representative met us and guided us through the check-in process. We arrived at 11:45 and took a taxi to the Andante Hotel. We checked our bags and walked over to the Ramblas where we had lunch, took a short walk and visited the Gaudi palace. Holly bought a pair of Toni Pons sneakers and a small suitcase to carry all her purchases. The next morning we walked to visit a coupl [...]
e churches and the excellent maritime museum which houses a full scale replica of a slave galley. We returned to the Ramblas for lunch then wandered further up the walkway to visit a coupleof iconic buildings and the market before heading back to our hotel. Went to the London Bar for drinks that night. In the morning we took a walk and did some shopping before checkout at the Andante Hotel and taking a taxi to the dock. We boarded the Azamara Pursuit about 1:15 pm and enjoyed touring the boat before it set sail for our 7-night Spain Intensive Voyage. Our suit was quite nice and we had dinner in the main restaurant that night.
Casablanca, Morocco ‐ Nov 11, 2023

We transferred to Casablanca today, stopping enroute for lunch in a local restaurant. Upon arrival we visited the massive Hassan II Mosque. Our Gate 1 tour guide, Mohammad, gave us a excellent tour of the Mosque. We then took a bus tour to view a catholic church, the Mohammed V Square, the city's administrative seat, and the exterior of the Royal Palace. We stopped to take photos of Rick”s Café, a model replica of the famed café from the movie. That night, we enjoyed a Farewell Dinner at [...]
our hotel, Radisson Blue.
Safi ‐ Nov 10, 2023

Enjoyed the ride alone the ocean on the way to Casablanca
Essaouira ‐ Nov 9, 2023

In the morning we participated in a cooking class held in an authentic Medina's Riad and learn from one of the best "Dada chefs" in town how to successfully prepare traditional Moroccan tajine and salads, as well as delicious Moroccan flatbread. After lunch we departed Marrakesh for Essaouira. Enroute we stopped at the Argan Oil Women's Cooperative to learn how this elixir is extracted from the argan nut, rich in nutrients and antioxidants beneficial to skin and hair. We arrived in Essaouira i [...]
n time for a short walk before dinner. Our hotel, Dar L'Oussia. was very Moorish but no elevators. The following day we took a tour down to the docks to view the fishing boats then through the vibrant medina visiting an old synagogue, the old fortress and its bustling fish market. We ended the tour at a jewelry shop, renowned for its quality and design. We browsed the extensive collection of uniquely handcrafted silver jewelry and watch artisans create beautiful pieces. After lunch we walked along the shore and back through the medina, where we had gelato on a plaza by the ocean. In the evening, we viewed a Gnawa performance and dance. Finishing the evening with henna tatoo demonstration.
Marrakesh ‐ Nov 6, 2023

After breakfast at the hotel, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a ksar - or fortified city - along a former caravan route. This is the true Morocco: a village that seems to rise from the sands. We viewed it from across the river due to earthquake damage. Next, we made our way to the magical city of Marrakesh along a narrow road up and over the Atlas Mountains. The drive was very interesting, past rural villages, heads of goat and sheep and through miles of fog. We [...]
arrived in the city after 2 and took a quick drive through the center of town. We took a short walk before we had dinner at our hotel – Kenzi Farah Rose Garden, a resort style hotel, a 15-minute walk from the center. The next day, we started the day with a visit at Majorelle Gardens, a botanical marvel set in the heart of Marrakesh. It was like a visit to Arizona with all the cacti. Next we visiedt the Koutoubia, a 12th-century Mosque and minaret, still topped with four copper globes. Then, explored the Bahia Palace, where 360 rooms were once adorned with Italian marble and Sudanese gold. For a more recent archaeological find, we saw the richly decorated tombs of the Saadi Dynasty. We ended our tour by having lunch on the famed Djemaa el Fna square, with its acrobats, monkeys and snake charmers, and then wandered through the bazar. The balance of the day was at leisure sitting around the pool. In the evening we had a group dinner. The following day I spent the day at leisure while Holly took the optional tour to the scenic Ourika Valley where typical Moroccan villages are scattered amidst the towering Atlas Mountains. We walked through a natural herb garden and learned about their many uses. Before lunch the small group was treated to a "Berber foot bath". That evening we enjoyed an Italian meal with several other couple from our group at a local restaurant.
Ait Benhaddou ‐ Nov 5, 2023

We awoke amidst the silence of the desert this morning, as Morocco's natural beauty continued to astound us. After viewing a beautiful sunrise and breakfast, we left the camp and made our way to the lovely oasis of Tinghir for lunch. The real attraction here is the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep ravine carved by the Todra River over millennia. There was time to marvel at this sight before we continued to the Dades Valley, the locals make good use of the prolific rose flowers by producing ros [...]
e water here. Dinner tonight was at our hotel, Riad Ksar Ighnda, Ouarzazate, which was a strange hotel, which was styled to look like a house in the village, but with pool and a jazz club (a drummer playing to the beat of Moroccan music.)
Rissani ‐ Nov 4, 2023

This morning, we explored the small city of Rissani on the edge of the Sahara. En route, we stopped at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Then, we wandered through itsRissani’s lively souk, and visit a 17th-century ksar. Afterward, we paseds by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz, once a bustling Berber city and medieval trade depot. After lunch at the Erfoud hotel we boarded jeeps and journeyed into the Sahara Desert, stoppi [...]
ng enroute to share tea with some welcoming locals in a Berber tent. Later, we settled into a Sahara camp, where dunes rise and fall around the tents. We took a short camel ride to a view incredible sunset. Holly fell off her camel on the way back to camp, bruising mostly her ego and left thigh. We sat by a fire pit before dinner and then while listen to traditional music under a canopy of stars.
Erfoud ‐ Nov 3, 2023

The day began as we traveled into Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains. We drove past Ifran, a Moroccan ski resort, then, ascended scenic roads past pine groves and giant cedar trees. We stopped by the side of the road tovisit with a troop of Barbary macaques and continued to cross the 6,000-foot pass and continue west toward the great Sahara. We stopped for lunch in the village of Midelt. As we approached Erfoud, we saw the remarkable Ziz Gorges and vast valleys. We continued to Erfoud for our h [...]
otel Kasbah Xaluca Maadid, Erfoud where we had dinner. The hotel was a bit of a resort that catered to Gate 1 tours.
Fes ‐ Nov 1, 2023

This morning, the bus drove inland to Fez. Along the way we visited the city of Meknes and view the Bab Mansour gate, beautifully patterned with zellij mosaics and had lunch. We then stopped to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, the once-bustling city and African administrative center of the Roman Empire. The site also has vestiges of the Berber civilization that took the city from Rome in AD 270. Then on to Fes and checked into the Riad Salam, located in the old medina sectio [...]
n of Fez. It was a fantastic place like a palace. That evening we enjoyed a group dinner of Tajine. The next morning we explored the sprawling medina of Fez on foot with a very knowledgeable guide. It's said that this is the world's largest car-free urban area. We entered via the Bab Boujloud, or "Blue Gate" and visit the famed Al-Bou Inania Madrasa. Afterward, we shopped for authentic Moroccan carpets and bought a runner. Then, we stopped at the Chouara Tannery to see how leather is cut and dyed using traditional techniques. At the Nejjarine Museum, we browsed the collection of wooden arts and crafts, then viewed copper craftsmen at work in Seffarine Square. The tour ended outside the Karaouine Mosque and University, the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, founded in the year 859 AD. After lunch in the medina, we walked through the Jewish Quarter, or mellah, built in 1438. Our walk ended at the King's Palace. We walked into the mellah for dinner at a hotel by the entrance to our neighborhood.
Rabat ‐ Oct 29, 2023

We took the train from the airport to Rabat. Got off at the wrong station and had a problem finding our hotel. Finally, we checked in Le Pietri Urban Hotel , took a walk around the neighborhood, had lunch and headed back to hotel for a few drinks. The next morning, we transferred from Le Pietri Urban Hotel to Villa Mandarine and spend the afternoon at leisure by the pool. The hotel had a flock of peacocks. Our Gate 1 - 15 Day Moroccan Allure began with an orientation meeting lead by our Tour [...]
Manager Mohammad Hicham, followed by a Welcome Dinner. After breakfast, we toured the capital, beginning with a drive past the beautifully tiled entrance to the Royal Palace, followed by a stop at Bab Rouah, or the city's "Gate of the Winds," so called because it's been battered by Atlantic winds since its construction in 1197.Then we stopped by the small Treasury museum and saw exhibits of coins through the ages and some art works. We visited Hassan Tower, part of an unfinished mosque started by a 12th-century caliph and mausoleum of Mohamed V. At the incredibly preserved Kasbah of the Udayas, we explored the fortress and took a stroll in the French-colonial Andalusian gardens. Balance of the day was at our leisure. We walked to a small Italian restaurant for dinner.
Casablanca

We (Holly and Bob) departed Lisbon 8:55 am on TAP airline arriving at 11:30 am in Casablanca. We cleared customs and took the train from the airport to Rabat.
Lisbon, Portugal ‐ Oct 22, 2023

Holly & Liz arrived and checked into Moxy Hotel. They toured the city on Monday & Tuesday visiting neighborhoods, the Tile Museum, and the FADO museum. They mastered the subway and took a ride on the famous Trolley # 28. Bob arrived Tuesday evening. Bob, Holly and Liz took the train to Sintra on Wednesday to visit the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the historic centre, the Castelo dos Mouros and the Palácio Nacional da Pena. Liz flew home Thursday and Holly and Bob took a Viator tour to Óbido [...]
s, Nazaré, Batalha & Fátima. Holly and Bob continued touring Lisbon Friday and Saturday visiting both the Coach Museum and MATA
Barcelona, Spain ‐ Dec 26, 2023

Made our connection to Lisbon. They arrive in Lisbon with no luggage which was delivered to the hotel the next day.
Athens, Greece ‐ Oct 22, 2023

boarded a plane to Madrid.
Piraeus

Returning to Piraeus, Betsy and Holly took a cab to the Athens airport
Thira, Santorini ‐ Oct 21, 2023

Betsy and Holly took boat ride to Oia where we enjoyed lunch overlooking the beautiful city. We then took a bus to Fira where we walked the streets and had our feet washed in a fish tank.
Heraklion ‐ Oct 20, 2023

In Crete, Betsy took an excursion to the archeology site of Knossos the court of King Minos. Holly took a food and wine tour of the island.
Paros ‐ Oct 19, 2023

Besty and Holly walked the streets of Paros and enjoyed both the architecture and food. Later Besty took a bus to the beach.
Mykonos 2 ‐ Oct 18, 2023

Holly and Betsy took an excursion to the island of Delos, the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. The two walked through the narrow streets of Mykonos, admired the windmills and had a nice lunch.
Bodrum, Turkey ‐ Oct 17, 2023

Besty and Holly took a leisurely morning walk in Bodrum, admiring the shops. Betsy bought a rug. In the afternoon we took a boat ride on a Turkish Gulet , enjoying the beauty of the Bodrum Peninsula..
Rhodes, Greece ‐ Oct 16, 2023

Betsy and Holly visited Lindos to see the ancient Acropolis. We walked the narrow streets of Lindos to and from the Acropolis. Besty also took a quick walk-through medieval Rhodes and the port.
Piraeus ‐ Oct 14, 2023

Holly and Betsy took a taxi to the port and boarded the Norwegian Jade
Athens, Greece ‐ Oct 14, 2023

Holly & Betsy arrived in Greece late October 12 and stayed at Fresh Hotel which has a beautiful of the Acropolis at night as well as good bar food. During the two-day visit, the two visited numerous Greek Orthodox churches, the Acropolis, the Agora, the National Archeology Museum , the folk music museum and sampled wonderful feta cheese.