DAY 120---AT SEA IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 

        Our position at noon is off the coast of South Africa and will be off the coast of Namibia shortly.  We are about half way to our next port at Walvis Bay, Namibia.  Despite Captain Abhi's prediction for rough seas last night and today, it has been and is smooth.  Thankfully.  Perfectly sunny day and 67 degrees now.  We should have an incredible sun set this evening.

LAST EVENING

From 4pm to 5pm there was a special British tea time.  This because of the coronation earlier.

        As were leaving the pier there was a group of local girls who were working in the terminal started waving and dancing.  They were also eating hotdogs prepared on a small grill behind them.

                                           This is my veal piccata with creamy polenta.

TODAY

        Another Sunday I went down to Compass Rose and had Joseph bring me my usual large order of caviar followed by half of an eggs benedict.  We both did our hour on the treadmill as wanted to get it over with prior to the "Security Piracy Drill" scheduled for 10:30.

Piracy Drill

        Back on our 2010 world cruise we had a piracy drill when on the east side of Africa as Somali pirates were active.  This year we did not have a drill on the east side as the Somali pirate attempts basically ended with the covid pandemic.

         After departing Walvus Bay tomorrow night we will be sailing through the HRA "High Risk Area" for piracy.  This year there is apparently a threat of piracy along the west coast of Africa when sailing along the coasts of Namibia, Angola, Sao Tome, Togo, Ghana, Abidjan, and Senegal.  So for the next two weeks we are in the piracy area.  There are also US and British naval forces in the area to assist if attacked.  Pirates usually do not attempt to attack cruise ships because there would be too many people to control.  They mainly hit cargo ships.

        At 10:30 the ship held a drill over the PA so we would know what to do in the unlikely event of being attacked.  There are 3 levels of the treat announcements.

"Code Yellow Papa":  An unidentified vessel is spotted and may or may not be a threat.  Just in case the outer decks are cleared of people.  They are to come inside while the possible threat is identified.  The bridge will notify naval forces of a possible threat.

"Code Orange Papa":  There is a threat and we are to leave our suites and stand in the hallways.  Ship's security and safety staff prepare to do assigned duties.  Of course passengers do not know what exactly they do.  All outer doors and suite doors will be locked.  Fire teams and medial in place.

"Code Red Papa":  The ship is under attack and we are to lie down on the hallway floors in case the bridge does some evasive maneuvers.  

        A team of 4 security/commandos boarded in Cape Town and will be with us in the piracy area.  They brought weapons to defend the ship and which are locked up on the bridge.  The ship does not carry any weapons.

        It certainly sounds like a very good plan is in place in the unlikely event we are attacked. 

                     Lunch in Compass Rose.  I started with the lentil soup with sausage.

                                                 Pulled pork sliders with fries for entree.

        Monica and Bernalyn down at the dining reservations desk.  I had to change our Prime 7 reservation for tonight from 5 people to just 4.

        This afternoon Rebecca is streaming her soaps from last week when we were on our safari.  I may watch a movie.

        We have our interdenominational worship service at 5:15 today.  At 6pm there will be another "block party".  Every comes out in their hallways to talk to their neighbors.  Wine and canapes are served by our stewards.

        Dinner this evening will be at 6:30 in Prime 7 with our Tucson friends, Paul & Bonnie Buchannan.  At 9:30 in the theater is headliner entertainer, Josh Henderson.  He is a vocalist who will be doing a tribute to Queen.  Not sure that's our kind of music.

        We will be docking at Walvis Bay tomorrow around 11am.  There is another face-to-face immigration inspection for everyone who will be getting off the ship for any reason.  We will not be doing any tours here.  The is a free shuttle to downtown.  I have not decided if I want to do that.