A South African Holiday aboard the Crystal Symphony<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s allure transports one to a world that is new and raw with its wilderness, sky and space. \u00a0Choosing to spend our Christmas holidays off the beaten track on board the world\u2019s most awarded luxury liner, the Crystal Cruise, our South African holiday was a dream come true for a wanderlust Sagittarian like myself. I consider taking a cruise a mantra of never ending discoveries, with unrivalled exploration and non-stop adventures.<\/p>\n
We began in Cape Town, South Africa. \u00a0Sir Francis Drake in 1580 declared it \u201cthe fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth\u201d. \u00a0A creation so bewitching is the famed Table Mountain with its unforgettable views, as we relished the simple pleasures with chilled white wine from Stellenbosh. A visit to Cape Town isn\u2019t complete without seeing Bo Kaap, a picturesque and colourful neighbourhood; the bright colors of their homes was their way of celebrating their culture. \u00a0In Maputo, Mozambique, we passed broad boulevards lined with jacaranda trees and caught a glimpse of the Fort of Nossa Senhora de Conceiao, Praca de Independencia. At the Faima market, we stopped by to pick up a few traditional wax print and woven fabrics, woodcarvings, and stylish batik cloths.<\/p>\n
Christmastime aboard the ship stirred a chord in my heart upon hearing Captain Nenad Willheim, the officers and staff wishing the \u2018Crystal Family\u2019 a very Merry Christmas, as eggnog was passed around. \u00a0The lavish Christmas gala buffet was the culinary creation of Executive Chef Peter Degner.<\/p>\n
Richard\u2019s Bay, Kwa Zulu-Natal is considered South Africa\u2019s premier wildlife destination, home to some of the finest game reserves and wildlife parks in the country.\u00a0 We were filled with excitement and ready for a safari at the Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve Sunset Safari. We transferred to a four wheel drive open vehicle to have a closer view of the Big Five; namely, the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. There too were different species of birds, giraffes, elephants and hippopotamus.<\/p>\n
Durban ranks among the world\u2019s stellar resorts, action-packed with surfing, sailing and fishing. We took a leisurely stroll at the Ushaka Marine World complex where everything, from exotic spices to silk was available. \u00a0South African wineries have been successfully operating for over 300 years and bottles more than 2,000 different wines. The \u201cCape Wine\u201d called Pinotage, is a blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsaul.<\/p>\n
In the middle of the vast ocean, Crystal Symphony welcomed the New Year in style with full entertainment by the Crystal Showband, and everyone looking spiffy in their long gowns and black ties.\u00a0 The balloon drop at the stroke of twelve was led by cruise director Paul MacFarland, followed by dancing and partying.<\/p>\n
A rewarding and one-of-a-kind experience was at Walvis Bay, Namibia, known as an Oasis in the Place of No People. It was surreal to drive through the beach with the mountain-high barren desert to our immediate left and the ocean waves to our right. \u00a0Being arid for 55 million years, nowhere in the world can one find \u201cwelwitschia mirabilis\u201d – a shrub-like plant with 2 long leaves still growing to this day. With our Lagoon 4×4 Adventure, globe-trotter David Lim and I boarded a Land Rover with an expert driver\/guide who expounded on the bird-filled Walvis Bay. The air reeked with the smell of salt pans and we spotted a variety of seabirds, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and gulls. Unmindful of the super bumpy roads and tough terrain, it left me breathless to see the gemsbok, caracal lynx, chameleon, adder and gecko. \u00a0We were then dropped at the base of a dune and it was with chilling apprehension that I was to climb the towering sand dune, reputedly the highest in the world.\u00a0 Struggling with the sinking sand, I was in a state of near panic, as I inched my way to the top.\u00a0 Getting there, it was a sight to behold. I marvelled at its elegant tranquillity and exquisite natural beauty of the spectacular sands, resplendent in warm hues of apricot, orange and red. \u00a0En route, we traversed the rolling sand dunes like a roller coaster ride in our Land Rover, amidst screams and shreiks. \u00a0Hurdling the over 200-foot Roaring Dune is part of Namibia\u2019s exciting landscape. Our exciting vacation drew to a close, but not before a visit to the historical town of Luderitz, with its German style buildings characterized with domes, gables and turrets. \u00a0Never wanting this journey to end, it provided me with a treasure trove of exceptional vistas to last a lifetime.\u00a0 (All photographs by Rupert Jacinto, Tina Jacinto and David Lim).<\/p>\n