Returning to the land of tajines brings us immense joy! Naturally, our top priority upon returning to Morocco was indulging in this beloved dish. In 2019, we spent three months exploring this incredible country , which continues to be one of our favourite adventures. Agadir was our first destination aboard the divine Splendor ship on our 24-day West African cruise with Regent Seven Seas . We missed this city during our extensive travel through Morocco in 2019, so we were thrilled to finally check it off our list. Agadir, located along Morocco's southern Atlantic coast in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, is a resort destination. It boasts golf courses, a wide crescent beach, and a seaside promenade with cafes, restaurants, and bars. The city's hilltop kasbah was primarily destroyed in a 1960 earthquake, but its original wall still stands. We took a shuttle to the city centre and went to the beach and our chosen beachside restaurant, Ô Playa . Within 15 minutes, we were strolling along Agadir's magnificent coastline. We were fortunate to get a beautiful table at Ô Playa with a view and settled in with a lovely local bottle of white wine—yes, Morocco produces its own wines, which we had sampled extensively during our first visit. Our wonderful young waiter, Soufiane, managed our tajine orders. We quickly became friends with him, sharing travel stories and life experiences. Unable to choose just one type of tajine, we decided on a trifecta: lamb, chicken, and a vegetable tajine as the grand finale! A tajine is a slow-cooked stew made in a clay earthenware pot. Typically, it features a variety of meats and vegetables simmered in ample liquid (often oil or butter) and generously seasoned with herbs, spices, and dried fruits like raisins and apricots. This method transforms even the toughest proteins into tender, juicy delights. As the tajines were prepared and cooked to order, they were spaced out enough for us to find room for each course. Each dish was as delectable as we remembered, and our tajine cravings were thoroughly satisfied. A heartfelt thank you to Soufiane and the team at Ô Playa for filling our hearts and tummies with joy. After a delightful afternoon savouring one of our favourite foods and enjoying the company of friendly Moroccans, we said our goodbyes. We caught a nearby taxi back to the port for €10. Although our driver was eager to take us on a tour of Agadir, we politely declined and returned to the ship with plenty of time before sailing away and making our way to the Canary Islands , feeling grateful for another visit to Morocco.

Welcome to Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa, administered by Spain. We prefer to avoid extensive research before our trips to preserve the element of surprise, and Lanzarote certainly astonished us. The volcanic and lava landscapes, the Fire Mountains, and the vineyards were breathtaking, complemented by majestic coastlines that add a diverse charm to the island. Lanzarote, with its long history of volcanic eruptions, is often referred to as the 'Island of 1000 Volcanoes,' though it actually only has around 100 volcanoes. Timanfaya, also known as The Fire Mountains, is still geothermally active; t he island's last major eruption occurred in 1824. We began our day with a tour aptly named 'Capture the Moment.' It offered a perfect glimpse into Lanzarote's essence as a volcanic destination. Our tour started with a visit to Janubio Salt Flats, where salt is harvested. Historically, salt played a crucial role in preserving fish, which was the primary industry before tourism. Next, we visited El Golfo, a small seaside village on the southwest coast of Lanzarote. El Golfo is located next to a spectacular semi-submerged volcano with a green lagoon and a crater lake, accompanied by thundering crashing waves, offering stunning viewpoints. After El Golfo, we embarked on a picturesque drive to La Geria, the wine region. We stopped at  Bodega La Geria , a local winemaker, for a tasting accompanied by some local cheese. It was  a unique landscape of cones excavated from the volcanic ash, where the vines prosper to make delicious wines. Wine is grown in Lanzarote by digging a hole 3 m in diameter, 2-2.5 m deep, until the buried soil is found, where the vine is planted with deep root systems. We concluded our day with a scenic coastal drive along Puerto Del Carmen, home to whitewashed villas, beaches, and dive centres. Here, we had additional free time to walk along the shores and soak up the views. We enjoyed watching catamarans rocking under a moody sky while the extra high tide gave the eager swimmers a refreshing swim. Lanzarote is a beautiful island known as the "Island of Eternal Spring" due to its year-round warm weather. It's easy to understand why tourists are drawn here for a relaxing getaway. Lanzarote was our second destination on our 24-day West African cruise with Regent Seven Seas aboard the divine Splendor ship. As every journey unveils quirky insights into local customs and natural phenomena, Lanzarote was no exception: In Lanzarote, the departed are not buried in the ground but in walls, with the belief that a higher resting place brings the departed closer to divinity. The island's Fire Mountains showcase a mesmerizing natural dance of explosion and implosion, a vivid demonstration of Earth's ever-changing landscapes. Flamingos are naturally white or grey and owe their pink hues to their diet, a fascinating example of nature's adaptability. This fun fact popped up because, in the south of Lanzarote, there is a small yet very enticing stretch of white sand called Flamingo Beach.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the buzzing capital of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Santa Cruz was our third destination on our 24-day West African cruise with Regent Seven Seas  aboard the divine Splendor ship. It's got it all: a busy port, sleek modern buildings, and a lively cultural scene. And don't forget – this city throws one of the world's biggest and wildest Carnival celebrations, drawing visitors from around the globe! With around 205,000 residents, Santa Cruz is a cool mix of old-school Canarian charm and modern city life. There are plenty of museums, parks, and places to shop. Santa Cruz is the perfect starting point for exploring Tenerife's natural wonders, from its awesome beaches to the rugged beauty of Teide National Park, where Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, awaits. We kicked things off with the Historical Santa Cruz & Tapas Tasting tour. It all started with a stroll along the port to arrive at the marina. We were happy to glimpse one of the most spectacular yachts in the world,  Black Pearl,  which was widely considered the official' largest sailing yacht in the world'. Next was Plaza de España, a lively square with a monument honouring those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Then, we headed to the Church of San Francisco, a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. Since this was our second visit to Santa Cruz, we decided to skip the church tour. It was moving a bit too slowly for our taste. Unfortunately, a guest decided he didn't apply to the rules and joined irrespective of his mobility scooter, so we quickly signed the waiver form to release ourselves from the guide and speed up the pace. Instead, we wandered the city on our own, did some last-minute shopping, and made sure to stock up on school supplies for our upcoming school and orphanage visits along the West Coast of Africa. So, that's Santa Cruz de Tenerife! It is a place packed with history and culture, and plenty of outer regions are left to explore. On our return visit in March, we will follow our friends' advice and visit the charming San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

Admiralty Bay | Paradise Bay | Half Moon Island Welcome back to Antarctica; something we never thought was possible, three visits this Summer! It had only been a few months since we last set foot, kayaked and sailed through Antarctica (pics below from 1st visit). To have the opportunity to cruise through the last unspoilt and southernmost continent another two times on our 110-day voyage with Oceania Cruises was a dream come true (again and again). This is a brief journal of our second visit to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula. It includes many videos and photos that allow us to reminisce about the beautiful collection of moments. Wilhelmina Bay (January 2023) Antarctica, you have continued to provide a mystical environment. This morning, as we woke in Wilhelmina Bay (the same place we navigated the icebergs in zodiacs, feeling the full brunt of the snow and rain as Summer approached Antarctica in November), Antarctica filled our hearts and all senses with pure joy! Oceania, you have genuinely brought Antarctica's breathtaking and moody beauty to our balcony, the magnificent raw nature, and the incredible marine life of this world's wonder in all its glory to us. We were grateful for Dr Peter Carey, the Antarctic Zoologist, who introduced us to our surroundings and all the wildlife sightings they had experienced this morning in dulcet tones at 7 am. We showered immediately and were on the top deck to immerse ourselves in the serene waters and magical Antarctic scenery, as we recalled, but even more awe-inspiring this time. In November, we were too early for the whales, but low and beheld late January, all these majestic creatures surrounded us; there were humpback whales bubble feeding, listening to them as they alert us to their presence with their blowholes, watching their graceful moves through the water was another moment we would keep with us forever, the moody skies were a perfect backdrop as the whales nourished themselves around the ship and followed us, we were all mesmerised. We returned to our room later in the morning to enjoy passing by the enormous icebergs enveloped by the continent's mainland, passing Orne Harbour and cruising Curverville Island, more whale sightings and rafts of penguins porpoising along. It was pure joy, and it wasn't even lunchtime. Lunchtime, we were spoilt with more of the majestic white wonder landscapes, with the sun filtering through, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin colonies and more whales passing by over yet another delightful meal as we made our way to Paradise Bay for the evening. Antarctic Sound & Deception Island (January 2023) Antarctica showed us her true colours once again today. The skies opened up, and snow blessed us all with its presence. We couldn't be more thrilled; you don't come to the South Pole without experiencing the white magic glitter! Last night, we enjoyed the most fabulous dinner at Polo Grill on the best table at the Bo. We had an incredible evening view,d more delicious culinary dishes, a mouthwatering Italian red wine, and beautiful service from our dear cruise staff and friends. To close the evening, dusk time shared more moments of pure beauty as she spotlighted the scenery and spoilt us with a rare but beautiful sunset at 11 pm (with whales passing) over the bergs as darkness was upon us! As we entered Antarctic Sounds, we pulled the drapes open early. The atmosphere was moody and overcast, yet the sun was fighting through to shine on the gigantic icebergs scattered around us. The iceberg display provided us with a beautiful morning entertainment show. As the ship sailed around these sparkling and colourful pieces of ice, we enjoyed Dr Peter Carey's narrative on all the details about the bergs! Later in the morning, we headed westward towards Deception Island to glimpse the active volcanic island, also home to a vast penguin colony and other sea life. With two visits, we were able to experience it under very different weather conditions. Over our slow lunch, we enjoyed more delicious bites in the grand dining room, where Antarctica came out to play and made sure we were fully aware of her as the snow joined us. It continued to get stronger and heavier as we approached Deception Island, hindering the view. Fortunately, the captain was an expert and using his skills and expertise, he held us in a stationary position, and it cleared up just enough so we could all catch a glimpse or two of the thousands and thousands of penguins and fur seals decorating the volcanic earth on the water's edge. Even better glimpses if you had super-powered binoculars, which we are fortunate to have in our little hot hands. Deception Island is home to 140,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins. Penguins are always counted in pairs. It was quite the sight, and we were all buzzing with joy. The snow and wind were picking up, and the ocean showed us who was boss. It was time to forge our way to the Drake Passage. Wish us luck over the next 36 hours as we cross the great Drake Shake. Will we be blessed with Drake Lake? I will let you work out which one it was this night. A fun fact: Antarctica has the highest average elevations in the world. The mountains are dripping with glaciers, and the landscapes are breathtaking. Giant icebergs and a nesting pot of marine and bird life will keep you mesmerised for dead. You can spend hours watching the dramatic splashes on the bergs, the waves breaking over it, the ice calvings whilst the ship navigates through the calm (and suddenly not so calm) waters and all the bergie bits, as you are joined by Wilson's storm petrel dancing and gliding around the ship. To top it off, you have rafts of penguins porpoising alongside seals and whales feeding in the icy cold waters, too! Pure joy! Let's not forget the Drake Passage. The Drake Passage is the body of water between South America's Cape Horn, Chile, Argentina and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, 1 000 km wide, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans between Cape Horn . Three visits to Antarctica this Summer means six sailings of the Drake Passage; some would say we are a glutton for punishment; surprisingly, three of the four on these past two sailings were a Drake Lake, and only one Drake Shake with 6-7m waves, it was a rough night, but thrilling all the same. The weather is always unpredictable, with icy cold wintery days in the depths of Antarctica, followed by glass-like waters and sunshine the following day, or rapidly changing winds accompanied by snow. There is something unique about being in Antarctica and experiencing snowfall; we were all like kids in a fun park when it happened whilst sailing through. We loved seeing it change over the three months from November to February, the change of scenery, and the snow disappearing on some of the mountains. We hold this bucket list adventure very close to our hearts. Thank you, Antarctica, Oceania and Hurtigruten , for the opportunity and memories we made.

Celebrity Eclipse - 7 Nights Arriving in Canada for the first time was the perfect opportunity to tick off an item on our bucket list: an Alaskan Cruise, the inside passage. We are very loyal Celebrity Cruises cruisers. We were excited to see they had an inside passage cruise leaving Vancouver in early July, a few days after our arrival. It slotted in perfectly. The following is a summary of our unforgettable Inside Passage Alaskan cruise. We were very impressed with the number of port visits and sea days, making it the ideal relaxing cruise with a few adventurous days. Our 7-night cruise departs from Vancouver, sails through the Inside Passage, stops in Sitka, flows through Hubbard Glacier, and stops in Juneau and Ketchikan before sailing through the Inside Passage again on the way back to Vancouver. This is the first time we have booked a stateroom at the back of the ship; we have always stayed starboard mid-ship. We booked a Sunset Veranda Stateroom (#7317) and loved being at the back; you are spoilt with magnificent views, perfect for sail-aways, sunsets and relaxing on the balcony. Day one - Vancouver This is our very first cruise to Alaska! We are so happy to be back cruising after four years, and it feels like home being back on a Celebrity Cruises ship! We were very impressed with the seamless embarkation process in Vancouver. Within 30 minutes of arriving at the port, we were strolling around the cruise ship, enjoying a glass of champagne, and could even check in to our stateroom. It was 11 am. Sushi on Five, an a la carte restaurant specialising in Japanese cuisine, was open on Deck 5. We were seated by the window, watching the 2000 guests board the ship. We loved the crowd's energy and welcomed all guests with a song and dance. The vibe was so positive and fun! The food and service at Sushi on Five were exceptional, and we found ourselves dining there every day for lunch. A special thank you to the team: Onsa, Dan, Mohamed, Sudar, Ryan, and Helena, for caring for us during our slow lunches. Our first dinner was at Le Petite Chef and was quite a fun experience. It was a first, and we don't want to spoil the fun, so here are just a couple of pics! Day two It was a day cruising, a sea day! We woke fresh and enjoyed a slow breakfast in the main dining room. We even saw our first whale breaching while ordering our mid-morning coffees at Cafe Bacio from the energetic and friendly crew. The ship started rocking in the morning, so if you suffer from motion sickness, we advise you to go to Deck 3, mid-ship, and sit. The best advice is to avoid the feeling by lying low and not making your way to the front, as you will feel the rocking more. Once the seas were protected again, it was over in a few hours, and everyone was okay. We started the evening with unique cocktails at World Class Bar; thank you, Adrian, Nemanja and crew. We then dined in the main dining room, we did have a set dining time of 8.30 pm, but we h8.30 pmthank our Mary, the lovely Maître d' in the dining room, she always took care of us and found us an earlier dining slot. The food was beyond perfection, and the attentive service was impeccable. Day three - Sitka Our Alaskan adventure brings us to our first destination, Sitka, Alaska. A small island with a population of 8500, but with four cruises docked, it was 20,000! Sitka had a Russian influence due to being part of Russia until 1867. We explored the town and settled for lunch to try the local halibut, which was delicious and only $50 for a few bites (below)!! While enjoying our lunch, a young man popped over to say hello. That day, he was sailing on another ship in Sitka. Our lovely waiter, Mickey, was from one of our favourite restaurants in Belgrade, Bar Sasa . We were all overwhelmed by coincidence and enjoyed the afternoon reminiscing. Soon after Mickey left, we started chatting to another group of lovely boys on vacation from Seattle with their 84-year-old Dad; he was an absolute legend, as were Dan and Dave. It was an extraordinary afternoon on our first day in Alaska, and to top it off, we had magnificent views as we sailed toward the Hubbard Glaciers. Day four - Hubbard Glacier We cruised through the inside passage and had an incredible view of the Hubbard Glacier. It was the first time we had sailed through waters scattered with ice, and it was a special moment. We had the most fantastic captain. Thank you, Captain Leo, for positioning the ship so we could soak up the magnificent glaciers for a few hours. It was mesmerising to experience the glacier on a rare clear day and capture the stunning Hubbard glaciers. We finished the day with a lovely slow lunch at Sushi on Five, enjoying these once-in-a-lifetime views and another dinner in the main dining room. Day five - Juneau Today, we arrived in Juneau, the capital of Alaska (30,000 population). We organised a two-hour helicopter flight   over the beautiful glaciers and Alaskan terrain. Our Temsco Helicopters pilot, Josiah, was incredible. We landed on two different glaciers and had the opportunity to walk around Herbert's and Mendenhall glaciers. It was a magical morning, an experience we never thought possible. The glaciers' colours were gorgeous, and the spectacular mountain ranges were a sight. We were back on board for the sail away and enjoyed delicious food, wine, and service on the fabulous Tuscan grill. A special thank you to Julia, our waitress, who understood our dining pace and was a pleasure to have by our side, serving us during the evening. We also loved reminiscing with Mohamad from Tunisia. The sail-away views were stunning and reminded us how much we love cruising! Day six - Ketchikan We visited Ketchikan, the first town in Alaska that describes itself as the "Salmon Capital of the World". Ketchikan is well known for its fishing, beautiful scenery and rich Native culture. For those who have watched Northern Exposure, it closely aligns. We loved the area's colourful buildings, history, scenery, and beauty, making it a lovely place to dock. The stories of random catch-ups continue; we met a couple on our flight from Amsterdam to Vancouver in Ketchikan as we walked by in the street. They were cruising on Holland America, a cruise ship also docked for the day. I chatted about our life stories and met all their friends, including a sweet Greek man who tried to steal me away from my husband! Christophe, a friendly face from our 2017 South Pacific cruise on the Solstice, served us during dinner that evening. The food continued to surprise us, and the duck tonight was mouthwatering. Day seven Our final day was a sea day, during which we enjoyed slow cruising back to Vancouver. At five, we had another slow lunch at our favourite sushi place and an afternoon nap, as you do on a cruise ship. During lunch, we were fortunate to watch the pilot board the ship. Kudos to Wayne to get this incredible footage. We were booked into Murano, another of our favourite specialty restaurants, when the evening arrived. This restaurant offers world-class French cuisine crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. We were seated by a lovely couple from Florida, and we quickly became friends. We enjoyed lots of banter and traded travel stories. Our friendly sommelier, Tanya, was from Thailand, and we had some fun practising our Thai again and trading Thai travel stories. The dishes were delicious, as always; it is one of my favourite restaurants for Dover Sole. Our magical cruis e arrived in Vancouver the following day, and booking this cruise was the best decision. You will not be disappointed. Celebrity Cruises continues to exceed expectations and is world-class in its dining options, service, and crew. We love cruising with Celebrity. Surprisingly, boarding a ship for a week was cheaper than paying the exorbitant accommodation prices in Vancouver. You would be hard-pressed to find anything less than $500 per night; if you want five-star, you are looking for $650 per night, including your meals, and you have spent $1000 per day.

Embark on a transformative adventure with us in May 2023 as we set sail on a remarkable seven-night cruise aboard the Apex by Celebrity Cruises, navigating the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords . Following an enriching 16-day voyage on the Western Europe Transatlantic route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Rotterdam, we seamlessly transitioned into a captivating back-to-back cruise, commencing in Rotterdam and culminating in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Join us as we step into a world of unparalleled natural wonders and cultural treasures, where every moment unfolds as a testament to the extraordinary experiences that await in the heart of the Norwegian fjords. Our journey through the Norwegian fjords allowed us to immerse ourselves in the captivating beauty of four distinct destinations, each offering a unique tapestry of experiences waiting to be unravelled. Our journey through the Norwegian fjords was a revelation. It captured our hearts and opened our eyes to the unparalleled beauty of this pristine landscape. We were sold in Norway. Having cruised the stunning New Zealand sounds and the breathtaking Chilean Fjords  multiple times, we were taken aback by the grandeur of the Norwegian Fjords, which truly stand in a league of their own. The sheer scale and drama of the scenery went beyond what any camera could capture. Navigating Norway's inner channels, we were met with mountains cascading and overlapping in a picturesque display that left us in awe. Click on the designated tile below to explore our memorable encounters at each destination. Life onboard Celebrity Apex We had sailed with Celebrity Cruises nine times before, so we were no strangers to Celebrity. See our Crossing the Atlantic with Celebrity Cruises blog for more about our transition to the Edge class ship. Regrettably, our plans to secure the coveted Sunset Verandah stateroom, reminiscent of our transatlantic voyage, fell through. In light of this, we opted for an AquaClass room — a practical choice informed by our past cruise experiences, where partaking in specialty dining establishments was a highlight of our journey. By selecting the AquaClass accommodation, we strategically avoided incurring extra expenses while gaining exclusive entry to Blu, the dedicated restaurant reserved for guests of this class. This allowed us to experience the innovative design of the "infinite veranda." While we found the room comfortable, the balcony style left us somewhat confined. Although the infinite veranda concept is promising in theory, it is characterised by a more enclosed setup that restricts the ability to fully enjoy outdoor seating. We discovered that the window frame, positioned in our eye-line, slightly detracted from the immersive views we had hoped to savour from the comfort of our stateroom. This aspect proved frustrating, given our desire to relax and soak up the breathtaking scenery of the Norwegian fjords. We longed for the unrestricted pleasure of sitting on a traditional balcony, allowing nature's beauty to envelop us. Our first evening provided a memorable start to our seafaring adventure. Departing from Rotterdam, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary bottle of champagne and fresh, delectable strawberries, setting the tone for a night of indulgence. As we floated out into the waters, we were treated to a stunning display of a unique interplay between a magnificent sunset and a mystical fog drifting gently over the water, enveloping the oil rigs that dotted the seascape around us. It was a sight to behold and left an indelible impression on our hearts and minds. This experience reminds us of the importance of cherishing the little moments of indulgence and taking in the beauty around us. It also serves as a testament to the level of service and attention to detail offered by the Celebrity Apex crew, who went above and beyond to make us feel special and pampered. After our awe-inspiring departure, we were promptly ushered into Blu, the esteemed restaurant designated for Aquaclass patrons. Here, we savoured a leisurely dinner characterised by attentive service, a notable uptick in culinary excellence compared to the main dining venues, and an inviting, elegant ambience that set the stage for an exceptional dining experience. Embracing the opportunity, we delved into the evening with full immersion by partaking in three courses. We promised ourselves we would make a show in this segment, and it did not disappoint. Crystalize, a captivating show that graced the theatre's stage, was a symphony of artistry, seamlessly blending vocals, choreography, light, laser projections, music, dance, and breathtaking aerial acrobatics. As the curtains unveiled this multi-sensory spectacle, the theatre came alive with an inspiring and visually stunning display that left us in awe. The carefully orchestrated fusion of elements in Crystalize was a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and creative ingenuity that went into its creation. Each movement, sound, and visual effect served a purpose, weaving together to transport the audience on a journey of wonder and emotion. We maintained our dining experience at Blu, complemented by our visits to Raw on Five to satisfy our craving for Japanese cuisine. The menu offerings at Blu left a lasting impression, showcasing a thoughtful selection of dishes. Despite the ship nearing capacity, the tranquil dining atmosphere in Blu provided a welcome retreat, allowing us to savour our meals in a relaxed setting. As our 23-day Transatlantic and bucket-list Norwegian cruise approached its conclusion, we took a moment to bid a fond farewell to our dedicated crew members, expressing gratitude for the thoughtful gifts they bestowed upon us as mementos of our journey. Special thanks were extended to Alexander and Lea Anne from Raw on Five , whose exceptional service and attention to detail enhanced our cruising experience. They left an enduring imprint on our memories. Undoubtedly, we wholeheartedly endorse embarking on a Norwegian Fjords cruise; we can't sing the praises of a Norwegian Fjords cruise loud enough! We loved it so much that we're gearing up for another adventure cruising around Northern Europe this July and August. The rugged beauty of the Norwegian Fjords is genuinely something to behold. It's a feast for the senses, from majestic cliffs plunging into crystal clear waters to picturesque villages nestled in the valleys. And let's not forget the unparalleled charm of Northern Europe, with its rich history, vibrant cultures, and mouthwatering cuisine awaiting us around every corner. So, if you're craving a dose of awe-inspiring natural wonders and cultural exploration, subscribe and join us on this exciting journey through the mesmerising landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords and beyond!

La Havre, France Following our visit to the Enchanting English Channel Coast on our two-week Western Europe Transatlantic voyage on Celebrity Apex, we found ourselves on the coast of France for the first time to La Havre. Ah, France! The ship has now docked in La Havre, a captivating port city nestled in the picturesque Normandy region of Northern France. As we disembark, we are greeted by the enticing allure of La Havre, aptly named "the harbour" or "the port." While many passengers rush off to the romantic city of Paris, with its iconic landmarks and eternal charm, we decide to savour the tranquillity and charm of La Havre. After all, why spend five hours on a return trip when there is so much to explore right here? Around lunchtime, we seize the opportunity to stretch our legs and increase our daily step count. A leisurely 15-minute walk takes us from the ship to the heart of the city centre. The journey itself is a delightful glimpse into the local life of this captivating town. As we meander through the streets, we stumble upon a vibrant market. Who could resist the allure of a traditional French market? The stalls are laden with fresh meat and produce, and the flower shops entice us with their bursts of colour. It's a feast for the senses, and we revel in the atmosphere. The intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air, drawing us irresistibly toward a Boulangerie. How could we resist indulging in a perfectly flaky croissant? It surpasses all expectations, transporting us to culinary bliss. Attempting to order in French only adds to the charm, creating a warm rapport with the owner and sharing a few chuckles as we navigate the pronunciation. Intermittent rain showers attempt to dampen our spirits, but we seek refuge in the shelter of the nearby shops, determined to make the most of our time in this enchanting city. Despite the occasional drizzle, we relish the experience of immersing ourselves in a new place, even if it appears a bit sleepy today. The harmonious tones of the French language resonate in our ears, reminding us of our love for this captivating country. Rejuvenated by our explorations in La Havre, we eagerly anticipate our return to France in August. We look forward to embarking on new adventures as we explore the world-renowned Bordeaux wine region and indulge in the culinary delights of Paris, the epicentre of gastronomy. France has welcomed us again, reminding us of the limitless joy of travelling and immersing ourselves in new cultures.

Welcome to Lomé in Togo; before we describe our visit to our 87th country, Togo, today remains very special not only because we are visiting this unique country on the West Coast of Africa but also because it marks the day we received our temporary residency in Serbia, the country we now call home after entering our eighth year of travelling the world. We celebrated with our dear Serbian crew member Biljana and afternoon tea of scones . Lomé, the capital of Togo, is situated on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic coast) in the extreme southwestern corner of the country. Established as the colonial capital of German Togoland in 1897, Lomé grew in significance as an administrative, commercial, and transport centre. Despite its rich history, Togo remains one of the poorest countries globally, with 95% of the population surviving on less than USD 1.90 daily. This stark contrast reminds us of our fortunate circumstances and the opportunities we've been afforded, which many in Togo can only dream of. With a current population estimated at 2 million, Lomé has grown substantially from its 1950 population of 33,194. In the last year alone, it has added 61,110 residents. Our tour with Regent Seven Seas on the Splendor was titled Traditional Togo. It started with a comfortable coach ride through the populous quarters of Lome to a rural school where 1600 students are educated daily. We were all dropped off to interact with the kids, and we dived straight in to say hello and share candid pics and conversations with them; they were all delightful. We loved the joy and their wide smiles despite their challenges. Our hearts continued to melt. Unfortunately, our school supplies had been depleted due to previous school visits along the coast. Still, we were elated when we spotted a local kiosk across from the school where we could purchase books and pens for the classrooms, so we hastily bought them out of stock and delivered them to the teachers; the joy on the kid's faces was all we needed. Not only did we help the school with supplies, but we also kept it local and helped the kiosk and their families. We were told parents provide food for the schoolchildren, as government support is lacking. The primary school curriculum is taught in French, transitioning to English in secondary school. Travel Tip Avoid giving money to children directly, as it can encourage mothers to have more children as a source of income. Instead, provide staple foods, sanitary products, toothbrushes, deodorant, or school supplies. Avoid giving sweets due to limited access to healthcare. Following our emotional visit with the eager young ones, we proceeded to a local village ceremonial grounds, where the royal court welcomed us. There, we sat beneath the shade of trees and enjoyed the monarch's ceremonious appearance. We enjoyed a festive performance accompanied by the rhythm of royal drums and received a brief presentation on the tribe's customs. His Majesty responded to the questions from the audience, being sure to offer his availability to visit our countries should we all wish to invite him. He loved to travel as much as we all do. Lomé was a place where we left a piece of ourselves, touched by the warmth and kindness extended to us. As we sailed away, the optimistic spirit of Togo's people remained deeply embedded in our hearts.

Welcome to Ghana. Today was one of those days you hold close to your heart. The people of Ghana filled our hearts. The smiles, friendliness, banter, and conversations as we toured the fishing village were all we needed. Our excursion with Regent Cruises on the beautiful Splendor as we sail the West coast of Africa from Lisbon was called the Twin City of Sekondi & Takoradi, primarily a panoramic drive through the cities and a visit to a local Fishing village where we could observe the lively activity of Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour. We walked around the bustling fishing harbour and chatted with the young lads who spent their days living on the fishing boats and sometimes weeks at sea on their fishing expeditions. Today was a rest day for the fishermen, so they were busy with domestic duties such as laundry and resting. There was also a fish market where you could buy all life's essentials. We loved watching everyone huddle around a bucket of fish, bidding for the best batch. Everyone was delightful. Our walk around was followed by a tour of the ice-making plant and a demonstration of how the ice blocks are created. Clearly, they needed to keep the fish fresh at sea, up to 15 tonnes  of ice per day by the plant. Each ice block was sold for 20 GHS, which converts to 1.31 EUR. It was very enlightening watching the process and seeing the final results. After saying goodbye to our new friends at the harbour, we were treated to a cultural show at a local resort. The performance was incredible, full of local talent, and we enjoyed some local refreshments and cold drinks—especially the delicious banana chips! The cultural performance was vibrant, showcasing the incredible musical and dance talents of the young performers from Ghana. Witnessing their captivating display firsthand was truly a highlight. Their ability to bring the stage to life with their energetic and artistic dancing is a testament to their rich cultural heritage. They truly know how to dance! Let's wrap up the day with some fun facts about Ghana. Nestled on the vibrant coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Western Africa, it might be small in size and population, but it packs a punch on the continent. It's rich in natural resources and was the first black African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule, which is pretty awesome. Sekondi has a fascinating history – the Dutch and the British built forts there in the 17th century, which the Ahanta demolished. The Dutch rebuilt Fort Orange, which the British later bought in 1872, and it still stands today as a lighthouse. Sekondi saw prosperity in the early 1900s with the railroad to the goldfields. However, as often happens, progress shifted gears with the creation of the Takoradi artificial harbour in 1928, making the Sekondi surf port less critical. By 1946, Sekondi and Takoradi's twin cities merged into a single municipality and officially became one city in 1963. Today, Sekondi-Takoradi is a bustling port city with around 250,000 residents. Sekondi offers a charming mix of old and new buildings across a hilly seashore landscape. The old port, repurposed for fishing and leisure boats, also hosts a nearby naval station. Meanwhile, Takoradi stands out with its thoughtful planning, modern infrastructure, and lush, tree-lined residential areas.

The Gambia, our 84th country, is difficult to describe, but let's try! First, you are greeted with smiles, waves, and joy. Our hearts were full from the second we set foot on the beautiful soil of The Gambia. Gambians are famed for their hospitality and laid-back lifestyle. Geographically, it is the smallest country in continental Africa. The Gambia is often referred to as the "Smiling Coast of Africa". We were honestly astonished at the contrast from the country prior - Senegal, where the borders were so close by. The intensity had transitioned to appreciation and pure joy. Locals were proud and incredibly unpolluted despite the sad realities they faced as a nation. 48.6 per cent of the population lives in poverty, we felt safe, and The Gambia is definitely on the list to return and support. We eagerly jumped on our open-air truck, ready for a day of exploration on our excursion with Regent Seven Seas 'Off The Beaten Track - 4 Wheel Adventure' with our delightful guide, Alex. First, we travelled through Banjul and then ascended to the most populated area, Serrekunda. The sun was rising over the largest market in the region, and people were crowding quickly to purchase their daily essentials or wait to hitch a ride to work or school in the city, about 40 minutes from their homes. We have always said a smile and a wave go a long way, and these were abundant throughout the day; it was infectious. We soon arrived at a local museum called Tanji Village Museum, where we quickly did our token walk-through before hunting out a local coffee shop; a kind local from a nearby hardware shop soon helped us out to encourage the local restaurant to open up and make us our morning fix, he joined us from afar to make sure the kind ladies were able to convert our US currency, of which they had never seen, fortunately our eSIM courtesy of our reliable Airalo to help convince them USD 10 was plentiful for our two coffees, and we all left smiling. The museum was followed by a visit to a wine palm tapper in Tujereng beach, where we observed the process of how they collect the sap from palms to make wine and experienced a palm wine and jungle juice demonstration and tasting, which I think we will leave them with their local delicacy:-) We were super excited about our next visit to a local primary school in Sanyang village called Sanyang Lower Basic School . After visiting Cambodian schools, we were prepared and had a package of books and coloured pencils to give to the school. Unfortunately, our luggage didn't permit 2500 sets, one for each student, so we asked the teacher to use them as she felt best and to share them amongst the kids. The experience was difficult to describe. First, the kids were immaculately dressed in their school uniforms and had the biggest smiles. The conditions were somewhat dire compared to what we were all fortunate to grow up with, but knowing the kids have the opportunity and support of the community to stay in school until year 9 provides some solace. It also reminds you that every contribution, regardless of size, goes a long way toward helping them achieve their goal. After our school lesson led by the headmaster, we interacted with the kids, and all had a blast. The kids were overjoyed to get their pictures taken, and we eagerly shared them so they could see themselves. They have an integrated education system, sending students to college after high school to learn the essentials of helping the country. Then, they can be placed in roles or industries to help the country become more sustainable. The headmaster who spoke believes that when you educate one woman, you are educating the whole family, so it is very important for women to return to school. Early arranged marriages are common in The Gambia, and they often fail, so women have the opportunity to go back. 23.1% of girls in The Gambia marry or enter a union before age 18, and 5.6% marry before age 15. Being 85% Muslim, they blend the children and are religious tolerant in the school, and only English is spoken, along with all holidays celebrated together. Following the school visit, we experienced a home visit to a local traditional family compound where a family of generations lived together. It was humbling to see. We loved chatting with the older kids and were super proud to meet one lovely young lady who worked on a cruise ship and was on break. Following these emotional visits, we travelled through a small village and the super unpaved bumpy back roads to arrive at a beach resort called Rainbow Beach in Sanyang Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. We were treated to a delicious meal; the local fish was the best yet!! Even Wayne went back for seconds of the fish. The beach was vast and very clean, and many Western tourists were on vacation, which was a welcome sight after our experience in Dakar. Following our delicious lunch and downtime by the magnificent Atlantic Ocean, we all were back on the truck heading for the ship. Partway through, we stopped as one of our fellow trucks had a mishap with the tyre. So we squeezed the guests onto our spare seats and were soon bidding farewell to our lovely new friends from The Gambia, promising to stay in touch and continue building new friendships and staying connected. It is a day we hold very close to our hearts, and feeling grateful for the warmth of all the locals for sharing their beautiful country with us. Thank you, Alex and Regent Cruises for the opportunity to visit Africa's smallest gem; The Gambia.