Praia, Cape Verde, lies 360 miles west of Dakar and to be there on the 19th required the sedate speed of 10 knots, 11 mph, 18 kph. The 18th saw HAL’s 145th anniversary.
Praia lies on the southern end of the island of Santiago and, as usual, there was a strong northeasterly wind. I was hoping that there would be some lee from the 40 mph winds as we approached the harbor and as we approached the pilot boarding ground the seas were calmer, although there was not a great deal of wind reduction until we neared the harbour breakwaters; even then it was gusty. It was our intention to swing in the harbour and then go port side alongside. The docking was complicated by the presence of a large cargo ship, also on the pier. As I started our swing and having completed about 30° of the swing, the pesky wind blew up, coming down through valleys to the north of the harbour and it became apparent that swinging and then docking was going to be difficult, to say the least. A quick change of plan and a decision to dock starboard side alongside, bow into the wind which was then achieved without incident.
An overview of the island
The turn into the harbour
and the docking. The ‘kink’ is where we had to change our docking side
I was meant to go fishing with a group of guests and crew, however the boats, due to a misunderstanding, were on another island and so it was time to go and see some of the sights. We had been here before of course, so my photographs may be a repetition of that visit, but what the heck…….. A shuttle bus took us into Praia and then it was time to barter with a taxi driver for a tour, we wanted to go to the World Heritage site of Cidade Velha, the first colonial outpost in the tropics. It features an old fortress, built by the Portuguese around 1585, after that pesky Brit, Sir Francis Drake had attacked Portuguese ships and towns.
Cidade Velha below
It has the remains of 2 churches, some of the original streets and Pillory Square, a reminder of the slave trade to colonial territories.
Karen outside the President’s Palace, Praia, (just out of shot is an armed guard)
Local lady with her stall
Where we partook of lunch
Bringing the groceries home
Tending to their boats and nets
How to disguise a communications tower
The pillory, circa 1518-1520
This will be last post of the 2018 Grand World Voyage. I have so much to do before arriving in Port Everglades on the 28th, that there just won’t be time to sit here and write to you; we arrive in San Juan on the 25th and in between I have a plethora of ‘farewell’ social functions and reports to write. I will, all being well start again when I rejoin the “Amsterdam” in August, when in Alaska and, of course, the 2019 Grand World Voyage. It has been fun and relaxing writing these posts and travelling the World has opened my eyes to other cultures and customs.
There is a famous quote about travel “The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes”.
Thank you so much for the wonderful blogs and photos. We were with you on the 2014 World Cruise and have enjoyed this one following you from home.
All our very best wishes to you and Karen. Enjoy your vacation and your family.
What a pleasure to be able to join in the fun of a World Cruise with you! Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful rest with your family before your next assignment.
Our cell (communication) tower near us is disguised the same way. We thought we were original but obviously not. Have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and wish you and Karen an enjoyable time off. Stay well and stay safe.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
Best in health ‘ til we meet again
Charlotte S
Wishing you “Fair Winds and Following Seas,” Captain, as you guide the magnificent Amsterdam across the Atlantic. What a Grand World Voyage it has been, yet again, Thanks to your generous and fascinating reports!
Thank you for the wonderful trip I took via your articles. I do enjoyed the videos of your dockings.
These are places I shall never see but saw them thru your eyes.
Thank you again and safe sailing
Jeslyn
San Diego Ca
Thanks for all your great posts, I really enjoy them. Everything from your technical jargon and charts to your excursions; and all or your photos. Enjoy your time off with your extended family especially those beautiful grand children. Helen
You have made it most enjoyable for those of us who could not
actually join you on this World Tour
Thank you so much
Thank you for such enjoyable insights to the different ports. We look forward to being on the second half of the 2019 World Cruise.
Dear Captain, I’ve enjoyed your blogs so much (especially since we were supposed to be on this cruise ourselves!) I noticed in your last comment , I believe, that you will be on the 2019 World Cruise? Will this be as a passenger our again as the Captain, or his advisor? We are currently booked on the 2019 World Cruise and look forward to clarification of your last comment. Happy Sailing! Carole Bernier
I am in command, Carole 👍
Just received your last report ‘down under’ and just wanted to add our big thanks ‘Mate’ for your fantastic blog.
Hoping you & Karen can soon relax with the family before the next assignments.
Sail on safely and keep well!
Thank you, Captain, for another fascinating World Voyage – – via your blog! I so enjoy your entertaining and informative comments, and of course the wonderful photos from you and Karen. A safe journey home to everyone on board the Amsterdam, and I look forward to catching up with you again in Alaska come August.
Thank you so much for taking the time, in your busy schedule, to write such an interesting blog. It opened my eyes to just what was involved in captaining a ship. You offered a whole different behind the scenes perspective to a world cruise.
Thank you Captain for your wonderful travel log. I have enjoyed this so much, and you have shown that traveling by sea on a beautiful ship is the ultimate way to see the World.
Thank you for taking the time to allow us to follow your wonderful voyage! You are one of the nicest Captains we have had the pleasure to sail with. Enjoy your well deserved vacation.