MSC Melody Cruise

My Trip 2010 Part 8

Tenerife to Walvis Bay

Due to the storm once we left Tenerife we were informed that we would not be stopping at Mindelo but proceeding straight to Walvis Bay, Nambia.

Each and every passenger received 100 euro credit to our on board account. Shopped & shopped & shopped.

3847 nautical miles.

Departed Tenerife at 9.00pm on the 6^th December 2010 and spent the next 10 days at sea – arrived in Walvis Bay on the morning of the 16^th December 2010.

Needless to say so much happened in those 10 days – compliments to the entertainment crew that kept everybody occupied with various activities.

Spent a lot of our days exploring the MSC Melody from top to bottom - well almost.

Now that we coming up to the Equator the weather improved and it become lazy hazy days in the sun – I remember a few days into this period there was much excitement amongst the passengers – life out at sea – a pod of Pilot Wales were frolicking  alongside the ship. Oh, and hundreds of flying fish flashing in and out of the waves along the ship.

We got into a routine of meeting breakfast at 930am – then either lay in the sun or did the rounds of the duty free shops – or just lay around reading – playing cards, until lunchtime, then did the same routine as the morning until afternoon tea. As we were in the tropics the pool water was at its warmest, so spent the afternoon swimming. Then some of us either had an afternoon nap or spent time out on the pool deck reading.

The morning of the Equator crossing (11^th December 2010 at 11.30am) there was much
excitement – as I had never crossed the Equator before – not really knowing what to expect - I pulled out of the festivities and decided to pay photographer. Do I regret doing so – I think not – although I would have received a certificate for my participation. Please see below and you be the judge – maybe I am a party pooper – but I am not one to be in the limelight – you will always find me in the background somewhere.

Sure was not going to get myself covered in tomatoes – flower – egg – and cocoa powder. As you will see the pool went from blue to brown.

In the evening we were once again entertained with a tropical party – must everybody took part – lots of dancing on the pool deck and then a show put on by the entertainment crew – great fun was had by all – including having a few cocktails and a photographic opportunity with the Captain.

Sunday the 12 December 2010 1790 nautical miles to Walvis Bay. Min temperature 12 – Max temperature 18 – wait for it sea temperature 31.

Now for the home stretch Walvis Bay in 4 days. Looking forward to seeing land again.

MSC Melody Cruise

My trip 2010 part 7

Cadiz to Santa Cruz da Tenerife

Departed Cadiz at 6pm – 699 nautical miles to Santa Cruz da Tenerife – one day (5^th December 2010) at sea. Weather started to rather ugly – sea became extremely rough and very high winds. Yet the temperature started to increase somewhat. Min 12 – Max 18.

Soon realized we were in for a very rough time of it – storm started to increase in intensity. A few of the passengers, including one of our party is prone to suffer from sea sickness – well needless to say he was pretty out of it for most of the day, could not even make dinner that evening. Received notification in our cabins that evening: “due the very bad weather conditions, with rough seas and very strong winds in the area, we inform you that there will be a delay in our arrival in Tenerife.”

We were to dock at 9am but only docked at 1:45pm.

We received notification later of just how severe the storm was – Wind force 9 & Sea force 8.

Spent the day in the day in the Junkenoo Club playing cards  - some of us just had the energy to lie around and try and sleep the storm away.

We all managed to get through the storm in one piece and could not wait to get our feet on solid ground.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

It is the capital of the island and the seat of the island’s council. The island is home to La Laguna University, which was founded in 1792. Tenerife is also the highest elevation in Spain, of the Atlantic Islands and the third largest volcano in the world from its base. El Teide, is a World Heritage Site.

I found this island a tropical paradise – hot and humid – after all the bad weather we had experienced and the cold of Europe – this was fantastic.

We arrived on a public holiday – Spanish Constitution Celebration – so most shops and businesses were closed.

We had until 8.30pm (boarding time) to explore.

What a great city – loved every minute of exploring.

Waiting to to get off the MSC Melody

Once again would have preferred much more time to see everything – we decided to do our tour by foot – there were excursions offered to see the volcano ant to see Puerto De La Cruz – but then we saw so much more of the normal day to day life of Tenerife.

The City Library

Had a late lunch at one of the little café’s along the street and sampled a local beer.

Definitely would like to visit again – next cruise stopping over at Arrecife de Lanzerote.

After a hot and sweaty day boarded the Melody and relaxed on the pool deck and watched the cruise ship Amadea leave Tenerife.

 

Next stop Mindelo – Cape Verde.