“the Big One”! World Cruise on Sojourn

[SLSD]

37 minutes ago, shark b8 said:

…and speaking of their coast, Benin obviously still has a long march to general prosperity, but as they get there, they are blessed with natural building blocks to attract more tourism - the geographical coast is gorgeous.  As we drove along, I saw what (at first glance) looked like some  interesting sort of religious activity, but as we got closer I realized it was just locals walking with their huge fishing nets. 

 

 

 

Great photography and commentary.   Thank you.  

[PSahoy]

Ditto. Powerful stuff 

[shark b8]

The Temple of the Python was populated with ….pythons.  You could have the young woman place one around your neck for a pic, if you want.

 

 

 

[cruiseej]

10 hours ago, shark b8 said:

You could have the young woman place one around your neck for a pic, if you want.

 

That would be a HARD NO for me! 😂

[shark b8]

52 minutes ago, cruiseej said:

That would be a HARD NO for me! 😂

 

Well……………😎

 

[shark b8]

Yet another example of a document which the good folks at Seabourn Square were required to produce and distribute, to everyone onboard.  Yet another document which no one ever asked for or looked at.  Great moment to practice one’s impressive artistic governmental signature, though, I guess. 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Our first stop off the ship in Ghana was the W.E.B. Du Bois center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

The National Museum.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Around town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Independence Square in Ghana.

 

 

[shark b8]

In Ghana, if you’re a little pressed for time, you can do a lot of your shopping without ever leaving the car.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

Our welcoming committee.

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

A couple of cute little kids were fascinated by our group.  Several of us have taken to bringing along on shore excursions a couple of the nightly chocolates Seabourn leaves in our suites, to offer to the wee ones.  Sometimes the kids are understandably a little apprehensive (and sometimes a little assist from the guide helps break the ice) - but…..chocolate usually wins out.   🍫

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr Luxury]

10 minutes ago, shark b8 said:

A couple of cute little kids were fascinated by our group.  Several of us have taken to bringing along on shore excursions a couple of the nightly chocolates Seabourn leaves in our suites, to offer to the wee ones.  Sometimes the kids are understandably a little apprehensive (and sometimes a little assist from the guide helps break the ice) - but…..chocolate usually wins out.   🍫

 

 

IMG_6794.MOV 5.93 MB · 1 download  

 

 

 

IMG_6793.MOV 6.27 MB · 1 download  

 

 

 

Perhaps they have tasted the free Seabourn chocolates before.😁

[shark b8]

I think I remember the tour buses in India being similar….heavy on the tassels and red velvet-y embroider-y stuff.

 

[whogo]

8 hours ago, shark b8 said:

 

 

Perfect for the impulse buyer of 4 pronged canes.

 

 

[shark b8]

On 5/8/2023 at 5:57 PM, shark b8 said:

….that interminable “March of the Athletes” into the stadium, I usually get bored right up until the southern African teams enter, with those glorious, elaborate, gorgeously colorful outfits.  Puts the whole boring “Ralph Lauren look” to shame, imho)

 

…thus we really liked the textile market in Accra.  Some colorful dinner table placemats and table runners in our future.

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

The Independence Monument in Lome, Togo.  Our bus driver and guide got into hot water with local police, for daring to park nearby for a few minutes, they instructed us to park ¼ mile away.  Absolutely no one around or near the area.

 

 

[shark b8]

More good stuff at TKG.  I sometimes default to the crab cake starter but the French onion soup is decadent - by the time you’re ⅔ through it, it’s a thick indulgent mass of very concentrated gooey onion-y soaked-crouton goodness.  And Keller’s rib-eye is still the best steak on the ship, not even close, imho (peregourdine sauce, of course).   I miss the creamed spinach side, which has been absent for a while, altho for anyone who has even a whisper of lactose issues…..be afraid, be very, very afraid. 😱

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

We’re also getting lots of thunder & lightning right now, from our veranda.  At lunch today, the Colonnade crew noticeably took up all the cushions and anything near the outer perimeter.  It would be great to have the heavens open up and have a real frog-strangler.  (h/t: Andy Griffith)

[shark b8]

I tried to go out on the veranda to get some sort of photographic visuals for you intrepid followers, but the drenching rain was coming in sideways as the lightning just absolutely lights up the whole sky.  Thunder is thunderous.   Utterly wonderful!

[pyffii]

Brilliant 🤗

[shark b8]

sorry, best I could do, from the veranda. -  grrr, it’s just light and darkness.   Then had to go inside & change wet clothes. (twice)  Seriously folks, an absolutely wonderful, humbling, powerful ocean storm.  Hope it lasts another hour or two, with the veranda door propped open a bit, to hear as one drifts off to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

(destined to be a favorite cruise memory going forward, and didn’t even have to buy it as a shore excursion). 😇

[shark b8]

of course, tomorrow I’ll have to mention the “voodoo” thing in Togo.  buckle up.  😳.   ‘Night.