Ships log #7
Have just returned from an after dinner stroll along the dock after eating out on the upper deck as I needed a bit of fresh air and some breeze. It seemed quite stuffy on the ship this evening. Had been helping my cabin mate sew brocade onto her outfit for a wedding next weekend so needed to rest my eyes from threading needles and awaken my body again. There were vultures circling overhead (we counted 8 and wondered what had died??) - also encountered a large rat as it disappeared down one of the many open drains around the port - my walking mate jumped a she saw it which made me think there was something near my feet - fortunately not a close encounter of the dreaded kind but close enough !!
It has been a pleasant long weekend here with Friday off which is the usually occurence here every 6wk - there was no special reason but that we need it - sounds good enough for me :) Many people have taken the opportunity to go away for a night or two. I went with a dozen other women to another local island (Casa) for a day trip yesterday which was truly a paradise with many coconut palms and wide sandy beaches and hardly a person in sight. The water was once again pristine and warm with no waves this time so we lolled in the briney several times and then sunned ourselves unashamedly. Some will be suffering today but I managed to adequatley protect myself - I have still coloured up however but the intensity is not as it is in NZ and according to one of the nurses from Auz she has found that as well.
This morning I was pleased to be able to accompany one of my cabin mates to a local craft market by Mercy Ships vehicle instead of having to walk along the hazardous roads or getting in a well worn taxi. This particular market had leather goods and many ebony carved animals - they were all truly beautiful but unfortunately the one I liked would have taken me way over the luggage allowance. I resigned my self to buying a table cloth from the women's co-op shop and some earrings made from dyed coconut shell. Am very pleased with them.
(photo to come)
Tomorrow I plan to go to a local church where the service is in a combination of French and English with lots of African singing (the best part) and then head back to the market to get some brocade for the wedding dress as we don't quite have enough. The initial exercise in getting the braid was an adventure in itself (previously described) so am looking forward to returning and perhaps get some for myself this time :)
Have just returned from an after dinner stroll along the dock after eating out on the upper deck as I needed a bit of fresh air and some breeze. It seemed quite stuffy on the ship this evening. Had been helping my cabin mate sew brocade onto her outfit for a wedding next weekend so needed to rest my eyes from threading needles and awaken my body again. There were vultures circling overhead (we counted 8 and wondered what had died??) - also encountered a large rat as it disappeared down one of the many open drains around the port - my walking mate jumped a she saw it which made me think there was something near my feet - fortunately not a close encounter of the dreaded kind but close enough !!
It has been a pleasant long weekend here with Friday off which is the usually occurence here every 6wk - there was no special reason but that we need it - sounds good enough for me :) Many people have taken the opportunity to go away for a night or two. I went with a dozen other women to another local island (Casa) for a day trip yesterday which was truly a paradise with many coconut palms and wide sandy beaches and hardly a person in sight. The water was once again pristine and warm with no waves this time so we lolled in the briney several times and then sunned ourselves unashamedly. Some will be suffering today but I managed to adequatley protect myself - I have still coloured up however but the intensity is not as it is in NZ and according to one of the nurses from Auz she has found that as well.
This morning I was pleased to be able to accompany one of my cabin mates to a local craft market by Mercy Ships vehicle instead of having to walk along the hazardous roads or getting in a well worn taxi. This particular market had leather goods and many ebony carved animals - they were all truly beautiful but unfortunately the one I liked would have taken me way over the luggage allowance. I resigned my self to buying a table cloth from the women's co-op shop and some earrings made from dyed coconut shell. Am very pleased with them.
(photo to come)
Tomorrow I plan to go to a local church where the service is in a combination of French and English with lots of African singing (the best part) and then head back to the market to get some brocade for the wedding dress as we don't quite have enough. The initial exercise in getting the braid was an adventure in itself (previously described) so am looking forward to returning and perhaps get some for myself this time :)
