G Adventures West Africa. Day 4: Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, Namibia

Almost 800km by road north from Luderitz is the deep water port of Walvis
Bay where even the largest cruise ships can tie up. My guide for the day,
Estelle Pretorius, tells me that QM2 is coming back for her second visit
soon and that many cruise companies are visiting this town, sandwiched
between the great Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean more-or-less midway
along the Namibian Coast.

The port, which mainly services the mining industry – evidenced by great
piles of black manganese ore on the wharf – is the nautical gateway to the
tourist centre of Swakopmund, 35kms further north. It's difficult to
envisage a thriving tourism industry in such a remote location, surrounded
by wave upon wave of desert sand dunes. But apparently the town became a
hideaway for Angelina Jolie, who came here to give birth some years back.



At the famous Dune 7, so called for being seven miles from town, some of the
hardy group scale the 100m pile of sand, while the rest of us enjoy an
energetic dance display from local schoolchildren (pic above). I opt for the
latter and even join the kids for a jig, a source of some amusement to both
the troupe and the assembled passengers.

Out in the desert we see the famous and seriously ugly Welwitschia plant
(pic above) that lives for hundreds of years on a few drops of rainwater
(and looks the part – imagine a desiccated triffid run over by a
semi-trailer) as well as the desolate so-called moon landscape that could
easily be the setting for a science fiction movie.

We sprint back to the port to try and get first dibs on the pilot, but lose
out the stately Saga Ruby just leaving for Accra, so we pop down to check
out the flamingoes wading just off the beachside boulevard.

Our pilot aboard, we sail into the setting sun en route for Angola with two
full days at sea.

More pics: www.flickr.com/photos/rodeime

For more detail on this itinerary, see www.gadventures.com > West Africa




Sent to you over a satellite phone using GMN's XGate software.
Please be kind and keep your replies short

MS Expedition West Africa Day 3: Luderitz and Kolmanskop, Namibia

Pic: Abandoned houses in the desert at Kolmanskop

Day 3: Luderitz and Kolmanskop, Namibia

The first thing that struck me when arriving in this desolate and remote
little port town was the similarity of the Kaiser-era German architecture
against a stark desert landscape with that of my home state of South
Australia. The quaint and sleepy towns of the Eyre Peninsula and Riverina
bear an uncanny resemblance to Luderitz here amid the parched, windswept and
sandy terrain of Namibia. Swan Reach, Mannum or Ceduna would not be
out-of-place in this equally inhospitable environment except that there is
even less rain and foliage here on the so-called Skeleton Coast of Africa.

Wandering the streets of this former German trading post built mainly during
the last two decades of the 19th century and into the first of the 20th
century, one is reminded of the determined colonial zeal of the European
powers at this time and their ruthless ambition to dominate and exploit at
the expense of the indigenous peoples.

Down Bismarck St in the centre of Luderitz are taverns, shops and houses
built by the wealthy German traders. The most substantial and impressive
structures were constructed after the city was raised to municipal status
following the brutal conclusion of the so-called Hottentot Revolt around
1907. It's fascinating to chat with the few remaining European descendents
in their old German tongue, still used along with English and Afrikaans in
daily life.

The big news from here was the accidental finding of diamonds in 1908.
Mining for these gems continued well into the 20th century, even after the
German Protectorate was lost after WWI.

The mining town of Kolmanskop was built at this time, just a few clicks out
of Luderitz and these now abandoned buildings serve as a stark reminder to
the ambition and hardships these early folk were prepared to endure for the
lure of sparkling gems. It's a surreal sight to behold these ornate and
impressive houses being slowly consumed by the voracious dunes of the Namib
Desert.

But the desert moves on and so do we, toward Walvis Bay tomorrow.

For further info including deatiled history, see:
www.luderitztowncouncil.com.na





Sent to you over a satellite phone using GMN's XGate software.
Please be kind and keep your replies short

From On Board: Day 2: At Sea

A day at sea is a perfect chance to explore the vessel that will be our home
for the next few weeks and the MS Expedition is certainly a homely ship.

G Adventures West Africa: Day One - Cape Town

Day 1: Sail away from Cape Town

With many of us still in the grip of jetlag, our first day was spent
out and about, seeing the tick-box list of tourist sites around the
spectacular city of Cape Town. It's been nearly 15 years since my
first visit and the evidence of change quite remarkable, but the
familiar round of shore excursion stops seems more-or-less unchanged.
Cape Point lighthouse, the Table Mountain cable car, the African
Penguin colony near historic Simon's Town and the nail-biting, cliff
edge drive past Hout Bay all brought back familiar memories. Finally
aboard MS Expedition around 5pm, we settled in, registered and
gathered out on deck for a glorious sunset sail away around 6pm. A
fitting send-off from this epic journey which is being billed by the G
Adventures team as a 'true expedition'. Telling in the fact that many
of the employed experts, several of whom are South African natives
have never ventured north of Namibia. To say there is a sense of
anticipation would be an understatement, not the least of which being
the installation of rolls of razor wire on the rear deck adding to the
effect. Let's hope the extent of our tribulations extend to currency
quibbles and a few immigration and visa challenges which were foretold
in the introductory briefing.

Our complement of passengers is the predicable motley make-up of US
Americans, Canadians, English, Aussies and a lone Spanish gigolo by
the name of Jose. What is certain is that lashings of adventure and a
little bit of the unpredictable lies ahead.

[sent by satellite from aboard MS Expedition www.gadventures.com]

Expedition Passengers Invited to Join Traditional Festival in Far East Russia

Reindeer lasso throwing, tug-of-war, harpoon events, Inuit jump, whaleboat races, stick running, fish-line casting, stick pulling.

Just a taster of the events that Heritage Expedition's passengers will be witnessing at the annual Beringia Festival in Chukotka, Far East Russia held this July. Passengers aboard the Chukotka – Where Russia’s Day Begins voyage will be welcomed to the festival by locals as part of an expedition in the remote region.

Every year, the people of the Chukotka region gather together to test their skill and ability in traditional activities. As well as a social occasion, this colourful event continues to keep cultural traditions alive across the generations. Entrants improve and perfect their mastery in traditional activities using original forms of physical exercise to enhance their health, and also involve their children in the traditional activities.

Immersed in the sights, sounds, and tradition of the festival, it will be an experience that will make this expedition even more memorable. Topped off with expert guides and lecturers onboard, passengers will come away with an enriched understanding of the culture, history and the impressive wildlife of the region.

Chukotka – Where Russia’s Day Begins is a 14-day voyage departing on 11 July – 24 July 2013 with berths available from $7600. The first 15 bookings for the voyage will receive a free return flight from Nome to Anadyr worth USD$2000 pp return. Be quick!

Avid Cruiser aboard Silver Explorer in the Caribbean

Silver Explorer and Zodiac (Ralph Grizzle)

Silver Explorer could be my favorite among the vessels in the Silversea fleet. There, I’ve said it. I love this tiny expedition vessel and the experiences it offers, both on board and ashore. “It’s expedition on the outside, and Silversea on the inside,” Hotel Director Marcus Path said to me one evening in the Panorama Lounge.

Certainly, Silver Explorer features all of the hallmarks of a Silversea cruise — personal and professional service, world-class dining and luxurious accommodations. Yet, on Silver Explorer you’re not just cruising, you’re on an expedition, meaning that you are visiting destinations that most other ships don’t and breaking the surface to explore, learn and in some cases, contribute back to the local society (in the San Blas Islands, for example, some passengers came with school supplies for the local children).


Read full story

Double deal on Vietnam-Cambodia tour-cruise

Free airfares to Asia plus two free nights

If you join a Travelmarvel 15-day Discover Vietnam and Cambodia tour-cruise between July and September this year, you will receive free return airfares as well as two additional free nights' accommodation before or after the holiday. Bookings have to be made by May 15.

Trip highlights include a seven-night cruise along the Mekong river aboard the luxury RV La Marguerite, wander through the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park, visit remote river-side towns and villages, and an overnight cruise on World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay.

Tour-cruise price is from $4,395 per person twin share which includes touring, local airfares, accommodation, cruising, most meals, international wine with lunch and dinner and  complimentary local beer, spirits and soft drink throughout the cruise, all tipping, port charges, sightseeing and entrance fees, airport transfers, expert service of a Travelmarvel Tour Director and locally guided excursions.

Contact:  call 1300 300 036, visit www.travelmarvel.com.au   or contact your local travel agent.

Last minute saving on new small ship product

CROATIAN specialists Beyond Travel have one of the largest collections of new small ship cruise vessels available in the Australian market for voyages through the Adriatic and Aegean Seas and are currently offering a $600 discount per person on last minute May departures aboard the newly built MS Princess Aloha.

Departing on May 11 or May 18, the eight-night cruise from Dubrovnik to Zadar or vice versa has been reduced to $1195 per person twin share. It includes seven nights' accommodation in a sea view cabin with daily breakfast and lunch (dinner is at leisure ashore), some sightseeing, return transfers and port charges and tourist tax.

Other recently built ships include the MS Pearl and the MS President, both with only 18 cabins creating an intimate atmosphere on board with air conditioned  cabins all having private facilities. There is a large dining salon with a bar, outdoor lounge areas and sun decks.

These new vessels offer great value all year round with eight-day cruises aboard the Adriatic Pearl starting from $1080 per person twin share visiting a variety of Dalmatian ports such as Split, Korcula and Hvar.

There are more than 15 pages of small ship cruise options in Beyond Travel's latest Croatia & Beyond brochure, for further details email info@beyondtravel.com.au or call 1300-363-554.

Niche and Luxury Ships Eye Angola

Luanda, Angola

Having prospered from an oil boom, the Republic of Angola is starting to catch the eye of smaller cruise lines and luxury operators.

A former Portuguese colony, the country achieved independence in 1975 and has seen a massive growth pace since the 1990s, coupled with the discovery of natural resources and the conclusion of a civil war.

Thus, this coming season, 10 ships are booked, including the Silver Explorer, Quest for Adventure, Astor, Hanseatic and Albatros, according to Jose Cabral of Travelgest, a travel agency and tour operator that services cruise ships in the country.

April 2013 sees G Adventures MS Expedition, while next season will see the trend continue, with calls continuing from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Phoenix Reisen and Silversea, and also adding the bigger Crystal Serenity.

“It’s a country that is now at peace for over 10 years and is under a huge restructuring process: new roads, new hotels, new airports and other factors that are important to become a developing country,” said Cabral. “Luanda, the capital, is the attraction for now.”

Attractions include city tours, and more, with popular sites including the Iron Palace, anthropology museum and the S. Miguel Fort that was built by the Portuguese in the XVI century.

Golfers should find refuge as well, with a state-of-the-art course an hour’s drive from Luanda playing host to the PGA tour later this year.

Three ports can receive transit calls, including Luanda, Lobito and Nambie.

“The government is working on the rehabilitations of those ports to receive cruise ships, because until now they mostly work as commercial ports,” added Cabral, who said the government has recently adopted a new, pro-active cruise strategy.

American Cruise Lines Introduces 4-Night Cruises on the Mississippi River

American Cruise Lines announced the addition of four-night cruises to the Queen of the Mississippi’s 2013 schedule. Three days shorter than the standard itinerary length the line offers on the Mississippi River, the new cruises will focus on the various plantations found along the river.

The roundtrip voyage from New Orleans is perfect for a quick getaway or extended weekend trip, offering a historic exploration of the plantations along the Mississippi River, including Nottoway Plantation, Houmas House, Oak Alley and Laura Plantation. Featured dates include November 30, December 4 and 8, with rates starting at $2,395 per person.

The new shorter plantation cruises will feature a variety of special events and onboard activities:

• Mint juleps served on the Oak Alley lawn
• Performance by Judy Davis, singer, entertainer and storyteller of life on a plantation
• Praline-cooking demonstration by Michael DeVidts
• Performance by the New Orleans Jazz All Stars
• Onboard cooking demonstration by a Louisiana Culinary Institute chef

“With great and rising interest in cruising the Mississippi River with American Cruise Lines, we thought it was important to offer additional options for those interested,” said Timothy Beebe, vice president, American Cruise Lines. "This new offering will appeal to those interested in a shorter cruise or to those looking to complement a land vacation in the American Heartland."

Le Soléal Caps Off Maiden Season with 13 New Itineraries to Explore Asia

Compagnie du Ponant has just announced their Winter 2013/2014 itineraries to Asia on Le Soléal, the newest ship in thefleet.

Launching in July 2013, Le Soléal will initially sail to the Arctic region on polar expedition cruises. The 132-stateroom state-of-the-art vessel will then continue her inaugural sailing season with voyages to Asia, offering 13 all new itineraries, on cruises from 7 nights up to 17 nights. Due to her smaller size and technical capabilities, Le Soléal will be able to sail in waters and berth in ports restricted to bigger ships, offering guests a more intimate and accessible style of sailing and experiences not found on most itineraries.

For the winter 2013/2014 season and for the very first time, Le Soléal will set sail to the continent of Asia with 16 departures and 13 different itineraries that include the popular destinations of Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and India, as well as some more off the radar spots such as Borneo, Myanmar and Oman.

Whether exploring Japan’s ancestral gardens, Vietnam’s imperial cities, an Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo or the urban centers of Singapore and Hong Kong, Le Soléal offers discerning travelers an exceptional level of impeccable service, complemented by inspired French sensibility, a French Art de vivre and of course haute cuisine that befits her French heritage.

Lindblad's first Antarctic cruise, 1966

Here's a piece of history from Time LIFE 1966. Lindblad's first cruise to Antarctica aboard the chartered Argentine naval supply ship, Lapataia.

This archival footage shows the new ship, MS Lindblad Explorer, launched in 1969.