Day 16 - Two Weeks at Sea: Reflection, Rhythm & The Heart of Africa


Today marks two full weeks at sea, with another ten weeks still ahead. In some ways, it feels like we’ve been aboard forever — completely immersed in ship life, routines, ocean rhythms, and new discoveries. Yet, at the same time, it feels like the next ten weeks will fly by, and we’ll blink and wonder where all that time went. Time behaves differently at sea — softer, slower, but somehow deeper.

This morning, my thoughts drifted back to Ray, our wonderful Cruise Director, whose warmth and talent have already made such an impact on this journey. He shared that he’ll be retiring next year after 56 years at sea. Fifty-six years. It’s extraordinary. He works four months on, two months off, and still shows up each day with genuine enthusiasm, kindness, and a sparkle in his voice. His life is such a powerful reminder that you can work hard, play hard, and love what you do until the very end. A lesson I’m carrying with me today.

The sun rose early over calm waters, so I headed straight to the gym and stretch class, easing my body into the day. Afterwards, I grabbed my usual veggie juice and made my way to Compass Rose for breakfast.

Then came my favourite sea-day ritual — the crossword and sudoku, quietly enjoyed as the ship glided toward our next African port: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

From our balcony, we had a bird’s-eye view as we sailed into the harbour. It was fascinating to watch the manoeuvring of such a large vessel — the crew docking with absolute precision. Yet it was also deeply sad to see the amount of rubbish floating in the water around the ship as we approached port. A stark reminder of the environmental challenges so many places face.

Today, Joe and I embarked on separate excursions.

Joe’s Experience – Bingerville

Joe headed to Bingerville, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the trip he’d hoped for. The air conditioning on the bus was freezing, and the translator struggled to communicate clearly, which meant the tour lacked the richness it should have had. Joe was more than ready to return to the ship by the end — sometimes the best part of an excursion is coming home.



My Experience – Banco Forest (The Green Lung of Abidjan)

Meanwhile, I joined the group heading into Banco National Park, often called the Green Lung of Abidjan. The journey itself was quite the experience — like Joe’s tour, we travelled with a police escort, clearing traffic ahead of us. With significant roadworks and heavy traffic in Abidjan, this is apparently the only way to ensure the tours run smoothly.

But it was also heartbreaking to witness the level of poverty along the roads, and the overwhelming amount of litter piled up everywhere. Travel opens our eyes to beauty — but it also opens them to reality.

Once inside the forest, the atmosphere transformed completely. Tall trees, cool shade, birdsong, huge catfish, monkeys and a sense of breathing deeply again. The hike was peaceful, informative, and refreshing — a welcome contrast to the bustling city outside.

We finished with a visit to a cultural centre, filled with locally made arts and crafts. Some in the group bought beautiful handmade pieces, each one carrying part of Côte d’Ivoire’s story.



We made it back to the ship just in time before sail away — tired, thoughtful, but grateful.

Back on board, Joe attended the Shabbat service, something he finds comforting and grounding amidst all the movement.

We ended the evening with dinner in Prime Seven, Joe’s favourite restaurant — a perfect close to a rich and reflective day.

Daily Reflection:

Two weeks at sea and I am reminded that travel is not just about beauty — it’s about awareness.
It widens the heart, softens the edges, and teaches us to honour both the joy and the reality of the world around us.

Highlight of the Day:

✨ Watching the precision and grace with which the Navigator docked in Abidjan — a moment of awe amidst the chaos of the harbour.

 



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