At Sea

            Saturday, 10 Feb 2018 – Today the Insignia continued to sail eastward toward the rising sun, just south of Africa.  At first, we could see Cape Point, located on the southwestern tip of Africa, though it was very distant and the view was hazy.  Because seas were very rough, in the morning the swimming pool was empty and being cleaned.  However, later the pool was filled and by 4:00 we decided to swim.  Although the water felt warm by then, the water from the shower nozzle beside the pool was a little too invigorating and air temperature was probably in the low 70’s.  (It had warmed up; air temperature had been in 60’s at 9:30 AM.)  By noon, the African coast was no longer in view even in the distance.

When the Insignia left Miami, we delighted in the wonderful selection of fresh fruit to eat each morning with our breakfast.  Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries were available to eat on oatmeal or by themselves.  However, during the days after leaving Brazil, first the blueberries ran out, then blackberries, and finally even strawberries.  Also, mushrooms (to add to our omelets) were not to be found.  The days of crossing the Atlantic, followed by docking in very small ports in West Africa had allowed those items to be totally consumed by passengers.  But, after one day in Cape Town, Insignia had restocked these menu items.  Yum!

In the afternoon, we watched the 1985 movie “Out of Africa,” with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, on our TV.  Based loosely on the autobiography of Danish author, Karen Blixen, the setting is east Africa in the early 1900’s.   This evening was another Captain’s Cocktail Celebration, when we could dance to the Insignia orchestra.  Also dancing were Christina and Spiro, and we sat with them during the program.